The End is Nigh
Since the beginning of Spring, the focus here on the Lounge has been on the topic of concealable firearms.
We’ve gone down a couple of rabbit trails here and there, but in general, we’ve mostly talked about carry guns, handgun self-defense tips, and even some stuff about concealable rifles. Today is the last official post of that series. Topics related to concealed carry guns will definitely still be a big part of the Lounge, but we’ll also be spending some more time with long guns and some shooting topics not directly related to carry and self-defense.
The Rejects: Concealed Carry Pistols I Gave Up Carrying
As a wrap-up for the series, I thought I’d let you guys in on a little background about my personal carry gun history, so maybe you can learn a thing or two from some of the mistakes I made in the last decade or so.
The very first gun I carried after I got my permit was a nickel plated Smith & Wesson Model 36. This is the old school all steel frame .38 special snub nose. I couldn’t shoot it very well, and it was a heavy thing to carry around for only having five shots. Also, it wasn’t even mine, it was my dad’s. So I gave that back and I went looking for something of my own with a little more firepower.
And that ended up being a Beretta PX4 Storm 9mm. This was right when they first came around 2005. It’s a good gun, and I liked a lot of things about it, but compared to the revolver, it was really big and bulky and I just couldn’t find a good way to conceal it, which probably had a lot to do with the cheap holster that I had for it.
I kept the Beretta for a while longer, but quit carrying it and picked up a pristine surplus East German Makarov PM. My thinking was that it’s a double action/single action just like my Beretta, it’s just a little smaller. What I found out later is that unlike the Beretta, the sights were small and hard to see and the double action trigger was really stiff.
So at the time, I guess I figured if I was going to carry a gun with sights I couldn’t see and a heavy trigger, then it might as well be light and easier to carry. So I went back to a snub nose, but this time I got the S&W 442, which is just like the Model 36 but there’s no hammer, and it has a light aluminum frame. It was really easy to carry and very comfortable, but a bear to shoot. The recoil on those things is just not fun, so I didn’t practice with it and never got very good at shooting it.
So then I moved on to what I would say was my first carry gun that actually made sense, and that was a Kahr CW9. I say it made sense because by that time, I actually knew what factors to really consider when I was picking it out. I knew I needed something I could carry comfortably, conceal easily, and actually shoot well. And the Kahr worked fairly well for me for all three of those things.
I did eventually get rid of it because I could never really get used to the weird light double action on the Kahr pistols. I also found that the double stack M&P9 compact was not any longer in the grip or the barrel on the Kahr, and the extra width didn’t make it much harder to carry. With higher ammo capacity and a better trigger, the M&P has been my main carry gun for the last several years.
I’ve tried carrying a few other guns on and off since then (most notably, the Walther PPS and M&P Shield, both functionally similar to the M&P9c), but I keep coming back to the M&P compact. I have a lot of trigger time with it by now, and with that has come a lot of confidence in the gun and in my ability with it.
The Takeaway
Here’s the kicker: All of those “rejects” were actually pretty good concealed carry guns. They were reliable, well-made, and chambered in decent self-defense cartridges. The problem wasn’t that they were bad guns, it was that they weren’t quite right for me, but I was too inexperienced to know that without a lot of annoying (and expensive) trial and error.
If I could give one piece of advice for picking out a carry gun after all of that, it would be to learn as much as you can about actually carrying and using a gun for self-defense before you start trying to find the mythological “perfect” carry gun. In the beginning, I was all wrapped up in learning everything I could about just the guns themselves. That’s a lot of fun, but I had a hard time putting that knowledge in context and knowing what it would be like to carry them. I wasn’t spending nearly enough time practicing, nor was I going out of my way to read up on things like what a good holster or gun belt can do for you, or why it’s helpful to have a carry gun with a good trigger and sights.
So if you’re still trying to find the right carry gun, stop shopping for guns and start trying to learn how to shoot better, and you’ll have a much easier time figuring out what is going to work best for you.
My Springfield XD45 gets the same toe jam looking stuff in the slide serrations as the Kahr. Lol. It drives me nuts.
XDS
No Beretta Nano? Aside from the long trigger pull its been flawless for me.
I prefer the glock 27 subcompact 40 s&w 9 round magazine. It'll fit in the front pockets of any pair if pants, it's light, decent sights, perfect for ME.
Sig p290?
GLOCK 30S 10 ROUND DOUBLE STACK MAG CAN USE THE 21 MAG WITH A SLEEVE FOR MORE GRIP, OR 13 ROUNDS. FELT BETTER IN THE HAND THAN THE KAR, OR THE XD. THE MP COMPACT WAS ABOUT 1/4" WIDER IN THE FRAME. SHOOTS STRAIGHT AND WITH 185 GR AND LOWER IT IS EASY TO CONTROL. ABSORBS ALOT OF THE RECOIL.DOES NOT GET TOE JAM , OR THAT DIRTY USING CLEAN BURNING POWDER.
very well put i like the ppks 380
I prefer the Ruger LC9. Easy to carry and conceal and is light enough. I have put a lot of rounds through it. Love it.
I really like the M&P just .40 please.
M&P .40c very comfortable concealed firearm
I have Walther PK380 nice winter CCW little big summer? looking into SW MP380 or the new Glock 380?
My Springfield XD45 gets the same toe jam looking stuff in the slide serrations as the Kahr. Lol. It drives me nuts.
Mine is a smith and wesson m&p shield 40 caliber…. Nice weapon, easily concealed and I shoot well with it….Looking at a few other guns….. I have a Glock 27…. But it's fussy… The smith eats any round I feed it, with no jams
XDS
The fullsize PX4 is indeed a good open carry duty pistol. The subcompact is what you want in a CCW pistol. You can even put a laser on it.
No Beretta Nano? Aside from the long trigger pull its been flawless for me.
I prefer the glock 27 subcompact 40 s&w 9 round magazine. It’ll fit in the front pockets of any pair if pants, it’s light, decent sights, perfect for ME.
Sig p290?
GLOCK 30S 10 ROUND DOUBLE STACK MAG CAN USE THE 21 MAG WITH A SLEEVE FOR MORE GRIP, OR 13 ROUNDS. FELT BETTER IN THE HAND THAN THE KAR, OR THE XD. THE MP COMPACT WAS ABOUT 1/4″ WIDER IN THE FRAME. SHOOTS STRAIGHT AND WITH 185 GR AND LOWER IT IS EASY TO CONTROL. ABSORBS ALOT OF THE RECOIL.DOES NOT GET TOE JAM , OR THAT DIRTY USING CLEAN BURNING POWDER.
xds .45 4 me…
very well put i like the ppks 380
I have Walther PK380 nice winter CCW little big summer? looking into SW MP380 or the new Glock 380?
I prefer the Ruger LC9. Easy to carry and conceal and is light enough. I have put a lot of rounds through it. Love it.
Sig p938
I really like the M&P just .40 please.
M&P .40c very comfortable concealed firearm
I love my Sig P938. It's a carry gun that you can actually like to practice with
Mine is a smith and wesson m&p shield 40 caliber…. Nice weapon, easily concealed and I shoot well with it….Looking at a few other guns….. I have a Glock 27…. But it’s fussy… The smith eats any round I feed it, with no jams
The fullsize PX4 is indeed a good open carry duty pistol. The subcompact is what you want in a CCW pistol. You can even put a laser on it.
xds .45 4 me…
Sig p938
I love my Sig P938. It’s a carry gun that you can actually like to practice with
Glock 30SF
always go to a store that allows you to test and see how it fits your needs.
Glock 30SF
Beretta PX 4 Compact. Most comfortable gun I have found so far and is easy to carry, but doesn't have that thin grip of a sub-compact! I don't have huge hands, but it fits mine to a tee. I showed it to my son (who also has all kinds of hand guns, and he had to get one for a conceal carry weapon. At 40 caliber, it doesn't give away anything either. Would highly recommend it.
always go to a store that allows you to test and see how it fits your needs.
My carry is Glock 26 with the mag extension
Beretta PX 4 Compact. Most comfortable gun I have found so far and is easy to carry, but doesn’t have that thin grip of a sub-compact! I don’t have huge hands, but it fits mine to a tee. I showed it to my son (who also has all kinds of hand guns, and he had to get one for a conceal carry weapon. At 40 caliber, it doesn’t give away anything either. Would highly recommend it.
The PX4 Subcompact and Compact are very similar, but the subcompact just has a tilting bolt rather than a rotating bolt and is quite a bit shorter barrel – but the same width. It’s more pleasant to carry but honestly I find it’s less pleasant to shoot – the problem I seem to have with all subcompacts.
My carry is Glock 26 with the mag extension
Walther ppx great gun great original grip.Also with double stack mag holds 15 rounds.Love this gun.I think a lot of people just haven't given it enough looks.
Walther ppx great gun great original grip.Also with double stack mag holds 15 rounds.Love this gun.I think a lot of people just haven’t given it enough looks.
Just settled on a S&W M&P 40,
Feel, balance & a 15 Rnd. Mag. Is perfect fit…
Just settled on a S&W M&P 40,
Feel, balance & a 15 Rnd. Mag. Is perfect fit…
.357 Taurus ,15 yds and dead meat ,and yes it took me 6 mos. to get used to carrying the heavy revolver, but with 180 grn.xtp bullet,2grns. below max. powder ld. will take care of bout anything,and definitely need the wt. to off-set the re-coil.
.357 Taurus ,15 yds and dead meat ,and yes it took me 6 mos. to get used to carrying the heavy revolver, but with 180 grn.xtp bullet,2grns. below max. powder ld. will take care of bout anything,and definitely need the wt. to off-set the re-coil.
At 6'2" I like a LW Commander in 38 Super.
At 6’2″ I like a LW Commander in 38 Super.
sig p 938
sig p 938
Why choose only one? I have several that I choose from, depending on the situation or what I'm wearing.
Why choose only one? I have several that I choose from, depending on the situation or what I’m wearing.
For me, its gonne du jour.
For me, its gonne du jour.
XDs .45
XDs .45
Glock 42 380
Glock 42 380
also own a 642 w/ctc grips,love it,can shoot well w/it in expected range [21ft] tried the ruger LC9, too unreliable,just ordered a Glock 33,already fired one,great gun! same round as federal air marshalls carry,500 ft lbs energy w/ the right ammo.
also own a 642 w/ctc grips,love it,can shoot well w/it in expected range [21ft] tried the ruger LC9, too unreliable,just ordered a Glock 33,already fired one,great gun! same round as federal air marshalls carry,500 ft lbs energy w/ the right ammo.
Sig P250c in 40. The right leather makes all the difference. I continue to shop for other pieces, and it's so helpful to me to read when other remind me that " It was really easy to carry and very comfortable, but a bear to shoot. The recoil on those things is just not fun, so I didn't practice with it and never got very good at shooting it." I had a Charter Arms .38 at one point, and it was ironically too light for me. I would constantly panic, thinking it was falling out of the holster. It was so light that even 38 target ammo was too enthusiastic to be easily controllable. The longer I have carried, it's true, no one notices, and no one cares. I second that M&Pc, that one is on my short list, without a safety.
Sig P250c in 40. The right leather makes all the difference. I continue to shop for other pieces, and it’s so helpful to me to read when other remind me that ” It was really easy to carry and very comfortable, but a bear to shoot. The recoil on those things is just not fun, so I didn’t practice with it and never got very good at shooting it.” I had a Charter Arms .38 at one point, and it was ironically too light for me. I would constantly panic, thinking it was falling out of the holster. It was so light that even 38 target ammo was too enthusiastic to be easily controllable. The longer I have carried, it’s true, no one notices, and no one cares. I second that M&Pc, that one is on my short list, without a safety.
Daily mp9c carry. Perfect for….me….
Daily mp9c carry. Perfect for….me….
Carry a Taurus 24/7 in 9mm with a 17+1and spare mag of 17 rds it carries easilywith a versa holster
Walther P99 QA with Talon Grips and Meprolight Tru Dot’s – IWB Aliengear, OWB IMI Roto paddle and spare magazine – it isn’t too big. I’m 170lbs 6’0″ and carry it 365 days a year. Next is a Walther PPS. Love paddle magazine releases.
Walther PPQ M2, love it, carried it for a year now, put 1200 trouble free rounds through it … I have the 15+2 mags, and I don’t know why they call it that, but I carry with a full mag and one in the chamber? It has tru Dot’s and talon grips. The last couple of months, I’ve used an IWB Alien 2.0, Also, I have CCW Safe insurance! I try to get to the range every other week and I clean it afterwards! My confidence rises with every round! It is a fun gun to shoot!
Great tips. Keep them coming. I carry xds with 9 round mag thin and accurate
Great information. To the point. Basic but good information. Not commercialized. Glad to be an active participant. Keep it going.
Carry a Glock 19, chambered round and full mag. I add 1 inch to my belt and an out shirt or a tuck in the waistband.
Glock 29. Shoots 10 mm ammo from 420 ft-lbs to 1,015 ft-lbs, your choice (see selections on ballistics101.com) Factory magazine = 10 rounds, but another Glock OEM option = 15 round mag. You can even make it into a 20 round magazine with a mag extension, e.g. from Arredondo or taylorfreelance.com (or maybe Lucky Gunner can fix you up too). Factory barrel of 3.77 inch can be extended to 4.60 (with or without ports) inch from Lone Wolf, or even a 6-inch barrel. If you don’t want to use 10mm ammo, drop-in conversion barrels e.g. from Lone Wolf will let you shoot .40 SW or .357 Sig or 9mmx25 Dillon ammo instead, then switch back in seconds. So, the Glock 29 gives you half a dozen pistols or more in one, if you invest a little in this or that additional tinker-toy option. The Viridian C-series lasers work great to give you white light across the scenery, and a green or red LED aiming point. With the Viridian TacLoc holsters, the light & laser is off in the holster, but turns itself on automatically as soon as you draw.
When I initially went for a CCW weapon I thought about the Shield. After handling it and seeing how light it was with regard to capacity, i settled for the M&P 9C as you have pictured above.
why is their a picture of the Smith and Wesson M&P as the link to this article, I was expecting to see that gun on the list – in a sense I am glad I didn’t since I just bought one
I carry a Sig P-239, DA/SA 40 Cal. , Bought it new 10 Yrs. ago, with crimson trace grips. I carry in a fanny pack or in a Biachi hip holster depending on what we are doing for the day, but I try to always carry.. Its been a very reliable hand gun and it really feels like right when shooting. 7 in the Mag. + 1 in the pipe makes 8 and that’s how I carry it. I just bought the 357 Sig barrel and I’m looking forward to giving it a try. The only thing you have to change is the barrel ..
My first pistol I bought when i got my CC license was a M&P shield 9. Then I bought a kahr K9, which like yourself, for a carry gun made perfect sense as far as safety, reliability, accuracy. The K9 is a excellent choice for conceal carry… But for some reason I keep coming back to my M&P shield 9… Overall I feel it offers the best balance of concealability, weight, accuracy & reliability.