Lightweight Firearm Help

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ndmiller65

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Dec 18, 2005
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414
I'm trying to sort this out. My primary, 99% of the time, carry weapon is a Glock 23. I had a Glock 27, but decided the G23 was just as easy to carry so I went with a Glock 42 for the few times I want a light weight weapon. The G42 has had no issues, but it doesn't seem to be for me. I'm not overwhelmed with the .380 and I don't like the small grip. I find it uncomfortable, but manageable. I'm leaning towards replacing it with the MP Shield or a MP 340. I would put longer grips on the 340. Both will be carried iwb. I don't pocket carry. I shoot both well. My problem is My gut says MP 340 while my brain says Shield. I'm not worried about keeping calibers consistent across the board. Which one and why?
 
Obviously you should find a range or friend that has these handguns and shoot both. Anything less is just a guess based on looks and how they feel to others. Good luck.
 
Bludgeon gives good advice.

I will share my experience though.

I started out with a g19 in a crossbreed. Hard to wear comfy clothes in south Louisiana summer with that much weapon. Switched to keltec pf9 in its own clip with a homemade neoprene holster. This worked wonderfully but I never was trusting of it. It went back to KT a few times because it wouldn't function right. And it was just so small. Very light an easy to hide though. That is about the size of your sheild. Finally, I bought a kahr cw9 and a Timmy theis holster. This is perfect. Large enough weapon that I feel comfortable using and small enough that it's still easily hidden under a t shirt even if slightly snug.
 
Not a fan of the M&P, I prefer Glock and the Xds. Check out the xds 9 or 40 if you haven't yet. The glock 43 is a single stack 9mm, theyre available on gun broker right now.

I carry a glock 19 and a Ruger LCP which is a 380... I want something inbetween though. Going for a g43 or the xds9 myself.
 
H&K P30... Great accuracy, ease of disassembly, ergonomic, light recoil, light weight, great sight, smooth trigger, reloading is fast and consistent, durability... the only drawback is PRICE !!!
 
I have a M&P Shield 9mm. It's a great gun and carries very well. I haven't held a Glock 43 yet but it is probably another good option. I can't really tell you anything about the 340.
 
After carrying various other larger guns, I bought a Bersa BP9cc and never looked back. It's perfectly sized for carry without being uncomfortable to shoot. I've carried it for a couple years in nylon IWB holsters but recently switched to a Bianchi Pro 100 that has been great in all conditions.
 
Xds or the shield is my vote. I have been carrying an xds for almost a year and a half. My only recommendation with the xds is to install a trigger spring kit.
 
Thanks all. I'm going to look further into the XdS and the H&K. The revolver is out. I just can't get comfortable with the limitations of it.
 
I don't think you can go wrong with a Shield, but I'm still an advocate of the Ruger LC9S Pro which IMO is maybe the most underrated single stack 9mm out there.
 
SundayDuffer said:
H&K P30... Great accuracy, ease of disassembly, ergonomic, light recoil, light weight, great sight, smooth trigger, reloading is fast and consistent, durability... the only drawback is PRICE !!!
Click to expand...

Always the VP9 for around the price of a glock and just as nice as a P30 just a striker fire not hammer.
 
I've carried a Shield, Kahr PM9, XDS 9, and Glock 43.

Didn't care for the DAO trigger on the Kahr. Other than that it was a damn fine gun.

I liked the Shield but didn't love it. It just didn't click with me for some reason. Another damn fine gun though.

I don't care for the XDS at all. I hate the grip safety, even though it never "got in the way" so to speak. It's too heavy for what it is. Actually, it's just kinda bulky in general, IMO. It shoots fine, but it was t for me.

The 43 is a compromise. It has less capacity than the Shield & XDS, but, because of that it's basically the same size as the Kahr. The barrel is a little under 1/2" longer but other than that they're the same. It's not as snappy as the Kahr but a little more so than the other 2. It feels much lighter than all 3 to me even though the actual weight between the 4 isn't much different.

Those are my opinions/insights. I carried them all IWB and pocket carry for a month or so each. Other than the Springfield, I disliked that one too much.
 
I have a 340 and a 360. I like the Crimson trace 405 grip because it has an extra cushion by the thumb web. The Ti versions are not as much fun to shoot as they are to carry, but you have a wide variety of ammo (+P, .38, .357, etc.).
 
I have been through 15 high quality pistols and always end up carrying my 340pd with crimson trace laser grips. Many glocks and Kahr's have come and go but the 340 has proven to be the only one for me. I took me a while to accept it and I was always in search of the next best thing, until i realized I already had it.
 
Following up on Wheeler's comments, you really won't know what works for you until you try a few out side by side. I spent some $$ at a range renting 6 different cc guns in 45acp (glock, kahr, xds, 1911, beretta and I forget #6) and it was well worth it. I went in planning to buy an XDS but left and bought a Glock 36 because that was the gun I shot best and which pointed most naturally for me. Also be sure to check your results in rapid fire, not just slow target fire, to see how each gun works for you in freakout mode.
 
I just had a friend pick up a Kahr 40S&W and he is really happy with it. Lightweight (important to him), small, potent round, and relatively cheap at <$350 OTD locally.

Not very brag worthy but, the quality and price point are very good. He is very accurate with it at long ranges (very skilled marksman).
 
Have you considered a sub-compact, double stack? Like a Glock 26, or XDM 3.8 inch sub-compact? They're thicker, but have a little more to hold on to.
 
Great recommendations, I personally would go HK 30 or Ruger LC9s pro but out of your current list the Shield would be my choice. It's a bruiser in 40 but very friendly in 9
 
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