Looking for new edc firearm.

alude904

alude904

Gold Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2012
Messages
548
Just as the title says. Im looking for a new concealed weapon. Ive carried plenty of glocks and a 1911 recently. Size usually doesn't bother me but it is getting warmer here in florida so I'm looking for something slimmer this time. Ive been looking at the m&p shield .40 but am open to suggestions. Preferably a .40 or .45. What do you think.
 
Why not stick with what you are used to? When it comes to SD & personal security, I prefer keeping the same manual-of-arms to ensure nothing goes wrong if things ever got bad.

A smaller Glock may be the ticket for heat & humidity.

If dealing with heat, your only other real option is pocket carry, perhaps something like a SW 642. If you are a big guy, maybe a snubbie in .357.
 
I'm a big fan of Kahr's pistols. They are light, reliable, and unbelievably accurate for such a small package. I carry a P40 regularly. I used to carry the K9 and switched to the P9 as soon as they were available. I bought the P40 because it was either mis-marked or the fellow selling it just didn't know what he had. I got it for the same price as the CW series on the same table. I carried mine to the convenience store a few nights ago in an inside the waistband holster clipped into a pair of elastic waist Adidas shorts with a t-shirt pulled over it. No printing; no worries.

They do make a slim P45 and less expensive CW45. The latter is less "finished," the sights are pinned in; not adjustable, and the barrel has traditional lands and grooves instead of polygonal rifling.

Small wheel guns are great too. Especially in the .357 magnum chamberings.

The point of a carry piece is to carry it. The .22 you carry will outperform the .45 you leave in the dresser if you need it on the street. Or as Red used to say, "Rule number 1 in a gunfight is HAVE A LOADED GUN!"
 
IMG_1935.jpg

26,F.I.S.T.,IWB thin kydex
while the 26 is not a thin pistol it works for me in our mutual shorts and t-shirt weather [I'm in West Central FL] though I usually wear an untucked oversize non-white cotton shirt.

I have a 9 Shield in a Old Faithful IWB that I'm breaking in..I doubt it will replace the 26 as an EDC but will see.
 
I'll second the kahr. I carry the CW9, and its a very thin and light pistol. The trigger takes alittle practice and definatly follow the break-in recommendations. but its a very smooth and accurate little pistol that could be carrried in shorts without problem.
 
Ill definitely check out the kahr. I dont know anything about them so i have to do some homework. Ive owned the 26 and 27. (Only carried the 27 but theyre the same). I carried it fine. I would like a single stack though.
 
Make sure you try and fire one before you buy. the trigger is very different from, well all semi auto pistols. It has a very long trigger pull that was very different from what I was used to. Now that i have put 500 rounds through it, I love it. but I can see where it might not be for everyone. I have seen where people, with more varied experience than me, say that it is very similar to a revolver trigger pull.

Anyway just a little info, take it or leave it... let us know what you decide.
 
not in the caliber you requested, but my "on body" carry is typically in nylon shorts, so the LCP in an (Sam) Andrews Custom Leather pocket holster (I added the kydex plate) or the SW442 in a Fobus paddle for slightly cooler evening walks.... I typically have a G17 in a pouch for out of town auto travel

DSC00269.jpg
 
Good luck finding the Shield. A buddy of mine is looking for one in 9mm and not only are they currently out of stock in every local store, I had one guy tell me to call back in July (I asked about one in mid-January). The Kahr (already mentioned) or a Ruger LC9 might be decent alternatives and more readily available.


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Beckerhead #42
 
It's hard to reccomend anything with such a light criteria. Finding the right gun is such a personal thing. What works for me might not work for you. It would help if we knew more about what YOU want in a EDC gun.

It also helps if you can try the gun you're thinking about before buying it. That way you know what you're getting into.

As for me:

My personal requirements can vary. Some days, I might be okay with a Kel-Tec P-32 in .32 acp (it's one of the most concealable guns I've ever seen). Other days I might be in the mood for a .38 special revolver. Those are my casual guns. If I've got reason to elevate my personal defense level, I might go with a subcompact 9mm and a few spare mags. If I need to take things further than a Glock 19 or Glock 17 fits the bill.

I prefer an EDC gun with quality iron sights, though this is not always easy to get on the smaller guns. I like a gun with moderate recoil (some smaller guns are very unpleasant to shoot!), and decent ergonomics. My EDC guns need to have a decent trigger before I am comfortable carrying them (my brother's Walther PP has a godawful DA trigger). I like double action triggers on small guns, or single actions with a good safety. I don't like guns like the Glock 26 that have a light trigger and no manual safety. I don't like a gun that I have to carry with an empty chamber. I won't go with less than a .32 acp, and even then, the gun has to be pretty awesome (like the P-32).

Guns I've liked

Glock 17 & 19: Reliable, accurate, easy to clean, good ergonomics, generous capacity.

Kel Tec P-11: 10 shot 9mm in a very small, light package. Sights are decent, and the trigger smoothes out over time to a very nice double action. Not the easiest gun to shoot, but it's possible to shoot well with a little practice. Magazines are made by Mec-Gar, and hi-cap Smith & Wesson mags will work too. The optional belt clip allows you to mexican carry effortlessly. Inexpensive, and has cool accessories.

Kel-Tec P-32: The best mousegun ever made, in my opinion. Incredibly small, thin, and light, but has mild recoil. This model also has an optional belt clip. This gun carries and conceals like a dream.

S&W Model 60: This .38 special revolver is basically a stainless chiefs special. Mine has lasergrips, and a nice smooth trigger. I like the simplicty of these little guns, and it's much easier to load and unload them at the end of the day than it is to do so with an automatic.
 
I'm currently looking for a HK P2000sk. Once I find one, I'll post my impressions. Everything I've read so far suggests that it's a fine EDC.
 
MajorLonghorn said:
I'm currently looking for a HK P2000sk. Once I find one, I'll post my impressions. Everything I've read so far suggests that it's a fine EDC.
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It is a fine EDC :) I can't help but recommend it to everyone looking for a carry handgun.
 
My newest acquisition is a Springfield XDS. I have fallen in love with it. It's pulling double duty for me; duty bug and off duty primary. It has less felt recoil than my PF9, Kahr CW9 and Diamondback DB9. Similar trigger to my duty gun a glock 23. Slim great sights accurate. I just can't say enough about this gun. If you can find a range that has it for rent go check it out. It's a lite heavy but conceals better than my Glock 27.
 
alude904 said:
Ill definitely check out the kahr. I dont know anything about them so i have to do some homework. Ive owned the 26 and 27. (Only carried the 27 but theyre the same). I carried it fine. I would like a single stack though.
Click to expand...

Checkout the SIG P239 40S&W. I got mine for a touch under "XXX" with night sights and the Homeland Security DAK trigger. When I stumbled upon it, I could not resist since I typically see them for much more. It sure beats a Walther PPK/S in 380ACP and, while it costs a little more it does have night sights and a much nicer trigger pull.

The Kahr is a good option too since it has a Glock-like trigger pull.
 
Not really that thin single stack I was looking for but I may pick up my buddy's m&p .40c if I can get him to let go of it. He doesn't live here anymore and has it in storage so I may be able to get a good deal on it till I find the right one. I read someone pointing out the lc9. I have considered it in the past but might hold off being since I'm looking for that .40 or .45.
 
When I lived in Arizona I used to carry a 1911 or a Sig 2340... I had some work done to the 2340... I have short fingers so that first DA pull was a bit of a reach.
 
+1 for the kahr. I purchased the k9 last year. A little bit heavier than my glock 32 but a lot easier to shoot. I like the fact that there is no safety (I still feel better carrying with one in the chamber as opposed to the glock because of long trigger pull with resistance throughout as opposed to effortless take up then break on glock, I know, proper safety practices should negate any issues. It's just a peace of mind thing I reckon). Trigger pull is like a perfectly tuned revolver. Long with smooth, consistent pull from start to break. Also much slimmer than the glock @ .9". Springs have to be changed out more frequently but its a small price to pay. Field strip is a little tougher than the glock too. I've read of feed issues (some say they just need to be cleaned more often, many don't have any problems at all) but they seem to be isolated to the plastic ones. That being said I think a PM9 will be my next purchase. If you have big hands you definitely want to try it first. I wear medium gloves and I wouldn't want the LOP any smaller than my K9's. I might try a custom grip plate that wraps around the back strap for just a little more room, if that is possible. That could be due to poor form though. I don't pull the trigger with my finger tip, but with the middle section of my finger (between the last two joints) and my weak hand wraps high around the grip. My trigger finger contacts the meat between the fore finger and thumb on my weak hand when I shoot two handed. Good luck
 
I see that you also carry a 1911. I have a Kimber super carry ultra and I find it nice and thin. What size 1911 do you have? Do you find it to bulky?
 
I carry a Kahr PM9 every where I go in a custom pocket holster made by a friend of mine. Think single stacked glock without the safety trigger. I've never had a ftf or fte out of it. I regularly practice quick draw double taps with it. It eats anything from 115gr Winchester white box, to 147gr. truncated cone, to Hornady critical defense without a hiccup. This weekend, I'm gonna give it a go at Mozambique drills. I doubt it'll have any problems. Kahr suggests a 200rnd breakin period. While under thant 200, mine didn't have any issues, it really smoothed out at the 200 mark. On that note, my wife carries a Sig P938 daily. I've seen they had some issues with the nightmare edition when they first came out, but hers shoots surprisingly really good for a micro 1911-ish, not really 1911. It's an aluminum frame, stainless slide job with nice little night sites & plenty of front strap checkering. Same as the Kahr, it was kinda stiff up to 200, but then slicked up real nice. Not cheap at over $700 otd, but nice little 9 from sig. While neither are .45, both are really comfortable to carry in jeans & a tee shirt. I've also carried a Colt New agent in .45acp, but it's a might big for my everyday activities.



edited to add a pic of mine. In the holster, it's smaller than a large Saddleback wallet.
photobucket-4119-1348315875973_zps45e8fa3f.jpg
 
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