Looking for a concealed carry fire arm for edc

C

cjd1980

Joined
Sep 3, 2008
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hey guys
I'm looking for a concealed carry fire arm in the next couple of months trying to keep it in the 500-700 range right now I'm considering Glock 19 ( I already have a 17 ) or a Springfield Xds was wondering if you guys had any advice . Also looking for advice on holster options.
thanks Chris
 
Depends on way too much to give proper advice to a stranger over internet. Size of your hand, palm, fingers; whether a proper grip by you on a particular firearm will align bore with forearm; amount of range time you will maintain; manner of your dress and how you intend to carry concealed.

Be wary of internet advice from strangers. Just because something works well for them doesn't mean it will work well for you. Heck something may not even work well for them even though they do it/use it and advise others to do/use the same.
 
If you like your Glock why not a 26/27? It's smaller and easier to conceal. You can also convert the .40 G27 to 9mm with a $99 kit and have two guns for a little more than the price of one.
If capacity is an issue keep some of your 15rd G17 mags in the car, they will work in the 26 (or converted 27). You could even slap a 30rounder in there, if you can find one. You could also carry an extra, larger capacity clip on your person if you felt the need. A small gun and a extra clip should be easier to conceal than a larger gun.

I'm planning on taking my first Glock, Gen4 19, to the range for the first time today. I'm a 1911 man and my conceal carry is a Colt 1903. My friend, who's in AF special forces training and has shot hundreds of different makes, models, and calibers, has spoken so highly of Glocks that I finally decided I needed to get one.
 
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The one piece of advice I will offer is this: in an actual SHTF situation, the best gun is... the one you actually have with you. A tiny little .22 that is actually in your pocket is much more powerful than a .45 1911... that you left at home in your safe because you just didn't want to be carrying three pounds of iron around. When the gun becomes large and heavy and burdensome, it becomes easy to convince yourself that you don't need it today. Sometime you'll see guys boasting, "I won't be caught dead with any gun smaller than my .40 Desert Eagle." And, you know what? It true. He will likely be found dead with no gun smaller than his DE because he'll be found dead with no gun at all having left the iron tumor at home.

So, ask yourself if you will actually carry the gun in question all the all the time. They get heavy and burdensome, you know.

The Glock 19 measures about 7 1/2 x 5 x 1 1/4 inches and (loaded) weighs almost two pounds. A great gun, no doubt. But it is on the larger side. I'm sure that many guys do EDC one; that's great if you can. But it is something to think about.
 
My first pistol (and the one I still carry when I find myself in a free state) was a Glock 19. I carry it in a crossbreed supertuck holster. I'm a tall thin build and the holster works great for me, I've carried a G17 in the same holster under a Tshirt without any problems. You really should try one in person before you buy tho, I've got a buddy with a similar build to me that just couldn't prevent the same setup from printing through his shirt.
 
The Baretta PX4 Storm compact looks good in the reviews I've seen. I've not handled it yet, but the full size px4 is really nice. It fits into your budget nicely as well.
 
Depends. What is more important to you, concealment and comfort or firepower? I've concealed everything from NAA mini revolvers, PPK's, colt Single Action Armies, kel-tecs, Ruger LCP, all the way to my current full sized Para 1911 .45acp. If it means anything to you, I'm buying another LCP this week and putting the 1911 back in the safe. I love the LCP. If they made that exact gun in 9mm (no not the LC9 or the rourbaugh, exactly the same as the LCP in every way but 9mm) I'd pay a friggin thousand bucks for it.

I in no way feel undergunned with a 380 LCP loaded with hornady critical defense, though sometimes i do carry a spare mag in case an actual gunfight breaks out. 350 bucks, super slim and sleek and cool looking, rounded edges, no safeties to fumble with, smooth double action only operation, and the ability to literally stick it in a jeans pocket and forget its there until you need it.
 
Have you ever thought of carrying your 17? It's just not as difficult as folks make it out to be. With an IWB rig, your slide assembly is under your pants, it's only the butt to concern yourself with. The 17 is only about a 1/2" taller than a 19. Answer? Tilt the butt forward a few more degrees! Voila'. If you can adapt to appendix carry, this is even easier.

You could spend less money on an AACK for the use of .22 and get much more trigger trime. Plus, more money for holster experimentation. I would really check this out! https://aliengearholsters.com
 
For 10 years I have carried full size guns concealed. They have included 5" 1911's of various makes, Springfield XD, IMI Baby Eagle .45, S&W 4046 and for the last two years a S&W M&P40. The proper holster and a quality gun belt make a world of difference. I carry EVERY day EVERYWHERE I legally can. I hardly notice the gun at all and to my knowledge neither has anyone else. I say carry what you are comfortable shooting. I would start with a Galco V-Hawk or Crossbreed Supertuck for your current Glock and pick up a good belt and see how it works out for you. You can always sell the barely used holster if it doesn't work out.
 
You haven't given much info to go off of. The Glock 19 and XDs are nowhere near the same size so that tells me that you don't really know what you want.

Like others have said, a 19 is big gun to conceal carry, so is a 26/27. The XDs would be much more manageable. I carry a Kahr PM9, really like it... ...if I were to have to replace it with something different I'd look at a XDs or S&W Shield. I carry mine in a Comp-Tac C-TAC, I've been through several holsters and like this one a lot.

Another option is to go smaller and pocket carry. Kel-tec P3AT, or the ruger knock off of it. Revolvers are also an option S&W airweight or Ruger LCR.
 
I would start with determining how you want to carry it. I carried inside the waistband for 20 years, but eventually settled on pocket carry. After going to pocket carry, I'll never go back. You certainly have to compromise size, capacity, etc., but everything you do is a compromise in some fashion. When I try to carry something like a Glock 19 on my hip, it feels like a toaster oven. With IWB or belt carry, you have to dress around the gun, its constantly thwacking into door frames and chairs, its always printing and poking out from under your shirt, and Aunt Martha gets a handful of it when she hugs you at Thanksgiving. With pocket carry those worries go away. Now this is just my take of course, and most guys - especially new guys - like to carry a cannon on their belt. I get it. But my point here is that how you want to carry will determine what gun to buy. For pocket carry my rotation includes a S&W 442 .38 (probably my favorite, because its smooth contours hide easily and its dead reliable), Kahr PM9, Keltec PF9, Ruger LCP (the size of a deck of cards), S&W Shield 9mm, and Ruger SP-101 .357.. The latter two are a little big and heavy for pocket carry, but its doable with 5.11 tac lite pro pants and an Uncle Mike's pocket holster. Rock on.
 
Love my XD40SC :) go to your local gun store and shoot/fondle the ones you like and buy it.
 
ElConquistador said:
Like others have said, a 19 is big gun to conceal carry, so is a 26/27. The XDs would be much more manageable.
Click to expand...

I would characterize the XD lineup as similar in size to the Glocks. The former are largely copies of the latter, after all. The Glock 26 is 6.1" x 4.1", for example, and the baby XD is 6.2" x 4.7", if I looked at the specs right. The XD is probably very slightly thinner, which is an important spec, though. [Disclaimer: I own 11 Glocks, and 1 XD, so that shows you where my loyalty lies. :)]
 
powernoodle said:
I would characterize the XD lineup as similar in size to the Glocks. The former are largely copies of the latter, after all. The Glock 26 is 6.1" x 4.1", for example, and the baby XD is 6.2" x 4.7", if I looked at the specs right. The XD is probably very slightly thinner, which is an important spec, though. [Disclaimer: I own 11 Glocks, and 1 XD, so that shows you where my loyalty lies. :)]
Click to expand...

You're preaching to the choir, I'm also a Glock guy. The XDs is a single stack version of the XD and is pretty similar to the S&W shield and maybe a bit bigger than the PM9. I'd buy a single stack G27 in a heartbeat but I'm afraid it's not to be.

XDs 45 vs Kahr CM9 (pictures stolen from the world wide web)

DSC03803.jpg


DSC03808.jpg
 
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Since you already have a G17, consider the G26 or G19. Not having to get used to a different "feel" would be a good thing.
 
best to go to a range where you can rent and shoot as many pistols as possible to get a sense of what works for you
 
Preface this by saying I can't stand Glocks. Ahem..... anyway..... I CC a Ruger SR9c. Perfect size for me right now. I'm looking at getting the LC9 or the LCP but not sure I want the .380 caliber. Like the .38 special Ruger LCR but I like the idea of having the same caliber for both my guns so probably the LC9.
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as for holsters, depending on how you'll carry, for IWB I use a Remora right now, but I'm thinking of getting an Alien Gear Holster. Check 'em out.
 
It is a magazine not a clip. Sorry, that is a pet peeve of mine.

I like my current CC, a Sig P290 with extended 8 round mag and laser. I wouldn't like it much with just 6 round mags but it's a good size with the bigger mag. Having a laser is pretty nice and would probably really help accuracy in a stressful situation. I used to pocket carry but now I IWB carry after I owned and CC a Kel Tec PF9 with the pocket clip which I also recommend. I liked the pocket clip so much I got an after market one from clip draw for the Sig. I also have a sticky holster which looks like a pocket holster and a Versacarry. Both work but I like the Clip Draw more. I also like the S&W Shield and Airweight. And the titanium Taurus model 85 .38 but I don't know if they make them in titanium anymore. It is pretty similar to the airweight.

These are similar in size and what I like and find easy to CC. I also haven't had any problems with any of them. They might not be good for you but worth checking out.
 
You lucky fu&*ers can actually carry a gun! Up this way even a can of pepper spray is verboten. But I do carry a copy of the Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedoms on me (along with a small flashlight and reading glasses so it can be read aloud) plus a Victorinox and so far (60 years!) have managed to remain alive and well.
 
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