EDC Options (part 1 of 2)

[Jsimon78]

Now I want to rent a few things to shoot.

 

[everSearching]

After more than 50 years of carrying a pistol every day, I have carried many different sizes and brands. I carried 14 diferent handguns in my LE career. I have found a balance between size and weight, and my ability to shoot them accurately while concealing the gun, and that is an alloy framed .45 in Commander size. I am a SIG fan and carried them for duty for many years and I love the P228, and P226 and P220 SAO platforms. However, Springfield has produced what I believe is the perfect pistol for me for concealed carry- the TRP CC AOS 1911. It is light weight compared to a full sized all steel pistol but I shoot it well. You have to find that balance for yourself. Ease of concealment doesn't help if you can't hit the target, likewise a big heavy tack driver is of little use if you can't carry it.

For what it is worth, I don't recommend IWB carry for someone starting CCW, but if you do, practice hundreds of reps with a cleared gun before you go live. Trigger finger discipline, muzzle discipline, and manual safety management are critical here.

My final comment is, if you carry a defensive pistol without a round chambered, you are behind the power curve if hostilities come suddenly. Most lethal encounters are over in 3 seconds.

Welcome aboard. Good luck with your selections and be careful out there.

Thank you.

Staccato all the way.

Staccato all the way.

That Staccato is a very nice gun. I can’t believe I got that one approved by my better half. Even though that pistol is not that big or heavy I need to work up to carrying it. I need to get use to the extra bulk.

 

[everSearching]

After more than 50 years of carrying a pistol every day, I have carried many different sizes and brands. I carried 14 diferent handguns in my LE career. I have found a balance between size and weight, and my ability to shoot them accurately while concealing the gun, and that is an alloy framed .45 in Commander size. I am a SIG fan and carried them for duty for many years and I love the P228, and P226 and P220 SAO platforms. However, Springfield has produced what I believe is the perfect pistol for me for concealed carry- the TRP CC AOS 1911. It is light weight compared to a full sized all steel pistol but I shoot it well. You have to find that balance for yourself. Ease of concealment doesn't help if you can't hit the target, likewise a big heavy tack driver is of little use if you can't carry it.

For what it is worth, I don't recommend IWB carry for someone starting CCW, but if you do, practice hundreds of reps with a cleared gun before you go live. Trigger finger discipline, muzzle discipline, and manual safety management are critical here.

My final comment is, if you carry a defensive pistol without a round chambered, you are behind the power curve if hostilities come suddenly. Most lethal encounters are over in 3 seconds.

Welcome aboard. Good luck with your selections and be careful out there.

I own a PDP Compact and it's a little on the big side (for me, I'm little) but I can carry it in cold weather. I also own a Hellcat and it carries well for me. Some really like them, some don't. I kind of wish I had got with the Pro version, but it was the first gun I bought for myself and I got a really good deal on it with the Gear Up program. I also own the Bodyguard 2.0. Nice little gun for deep conceal, but I did run into the issue you had, not being able to load the last round. I rented an Sig P365XL one time, and I was not thrilled with it. I've never really been drawn to Sigs, or Glocks for that matter. I do own the S&W M&P 2.0 Compact. I carry that gun in cooler weather...it feels much like the Walther PDP in size to me. I carried that on a road trip from mid MN down to FL, then up through LA, GA, TN, then back up home. Carried it in a belly band and actually forgot it was there at times. Shoots well and very reliable.

My two cents.

I’m 6’3” 235 lbs so I’ve got the surface area for a carry gun with a little size to it. In my original post I’m not sure if I mentioned it (but it’s probably obvious) that I’m fairly new to concealed carry. Over time I hope to settle on the best carry option for me and train with the gun. I’ve seen belly bands online and that might be an option for me. In AIWB, the gun digs into my body a bit and can a it uncomfortable. Over time I hope that I’ll find an option that suits me best.

 

[everSearching]

I am currently carrying a Hellcat Pro / S&W 2.0 Metal 3.6" with optics. I would also highly recommend a S&W Shield plus or a Hellcat. The first 2 help my aging eyes and the last 2 are no issue to carry.

I’m 58 and my eyes aren’t as sharp as they were a few years ago. And over the same time period my knees have started bugging me so evading danger could prove difficult for me. Also, I watch my grandkids fairly often and when we are out and about I feel much more confident that I can protect them in the event trouble makes an appearance if I have an EDC with me. Thank you for your input.

 

[everSearching]

Have you held or fired any on your wish list?
If not, i recommend rent them from a range if that is an option. If not, I’d at least go to an LGS and hold them.

I have not fired any of those guns I’m considering. The range I go to has a decent selection of rentals. In the near future I intend to try those the range has available. Thank you for contributing.

 

[everSearching]

I carried a full size 1911 for a long time. Later got a lightweight Commander size pistol from S&W and it was a revelation. Light and fast from the holster, but big enough to hold on to and shoot well. Now a Sig 365 XL gets the nod a lot when I am wanting higher capacity. (i.e.: trips to St. Louis or KC) The optic takes my reading glasses out of the equation. Can still shoot irons, but they are not as sharp as they used to be. The SIG has the same sweep down to fire safety I am used to. With my low risk lifestyle I generally carry the old familiar 1911. To tell the truth, mostly in a gunfight a fella runs out of TIME before he runs out of bullets. Capacity is generally not the issue. Sometimes, but not generally. But yes, always a live round in the chamber. You don't want to be in a situation that takes two hands to ready your sidearm. If you are not comfortable with that, carry a revolver. Here are some pics with the Sig365 and a standard 1911, because everything is better with pictures!

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I like 1911 platform as well. We live a bit north of Pittsburgh PA and the winters require layering up so a larger carry gun might not be an issue. I definitely understand the benefit of carrying with a round in the chamber and I intend to do so once I’ve trained for a while. Best regards. Wait, is that a Cobra in your garage?

 

[everSearching]

I carried a full size 1911 for a long time. Later got a lightweight Commander size pistol from S&W and it was a revelation. Light and fast from the holster, but big enough to hold on to and shoot well. Now a Sig 365 XL gets the nod a lot when I am wanting higher capacity. (i.e.: trips to St. Louis or KC) The optic takes my reading glasses out of the equation. Can still shoot irons, but they are not as sharp as they used to be. The SIG has the same sweep down to fire safety I am used to. With my low risk lifestyle I generally carry the old familiar 1911. To tell the truth, mostly in a gunfight a fella runs out of TIME before he runs out of bullets. Capacity is generally not the issue. Sometimes, but not generally. But yes, always a live round in the chamber. You don't want to be in a situation that takes two hands to ready your sidearm. If you are not comfortable with that, carry a revolver. Here are some pics with the Sig365 and a standard 1911, because everything is better with pictures!

View attachment 98733

View attachment 98734

View attachment 98732

I stay out of discussions like this because they usually run 20 pages and everybody makes their case and presents their evidence and the OP goes out and buys some crappy Taurus.

Go to a range that will allow you to rent guns, rent a few, try them out and find what works for you.

Reliability is a very important factor in my decision process.

View attachment 98732

I stay out of discussions like this because they usually run 20 pages and everybody makes their case and presents their evidence and the OP goes out and buys some crappy Taurus.

Go to a range that will allow you to rent guns, rent a few, try them out and find what works for you.

Reliability is key. I don’t want to purchase a gun that is of questionable quality/performance and find out it failed me when I needed it most.

 

[everSearching]

The evidence is clear, go Llama .45

I’ve never heard of Llama. I’ll have to do some research. Thank you.

 

[everSearching]

It all boils down to you. We all have answers to your question but honestly what is good for me (M&P M2.0 10MM, CZ P10C, Glock G23.5, and M&P9 M2.0) would probably just be a headache for you.

Basically my answer is go to the range and shoot.

Thank you. I will definitely visit the rental desk at the range and try as many of my selections that they have available.

 

[everSearching]

Everyone's taste in guns is different, what I may love, you may not. As The Night Rider suggested, go to a range and rent the guns you are interested in and see what works best for you. I'm a huge fan of the Springfield Echelon and the Canik Prime (also Mc9LS). They are both thin, have a great round capacity, are fun to shoot and are very reliable. Would either of them be the guns you're looking for? Only you can decide that.
Good luck!

The Echelon seems to have received quite favorable reviews. I’ll rent this as well. I appreciate your thoughts.

 

[everSearching]

View attachment 98770
I think it's worth mentioning that the nickel plated sissy pistol that Tommy Lee Jones is holding in this photograph is, in fact, a Taurus.

I promise, no sissy played pistols. I’ve seen a fair number of movies but don’t recall the scene above. Best.

 

[everSearching]

I concur with the suggestion that you rent a few at a range and try them first. Also, for some of us, the price range is a strong factor…
But here’s one idea: take a look at the FN Refex.
I’m interested in the S&W Shield X - the one at my LGS felt great in my hand.

By the way, I never “top off” my mags ; always one shy of full capacity. (Old habit I picked up from an old shooter…)

I’ve taken to holding back on a full magazine as well. As it was pointed out above, you’ll run out of time before you run out of ammo. It makes me feel more protected to carry an extra mag on me, or near me in the pickup. I hadn’t considered the Reflex. I’ll check it out. Thank you.

 

[everSearching]

Thanks all for lending your thoughts. When I was younger I shot a few pistols, rifles (for hunting) and shotguns. I’ve been shooting every week for a year (except for periods in the summer when I was backed up with work around the house). I fully intend on practicing with my EDC and developing the skills necessary to protect my family and myself.

Have a great weekend everyone.

 

[MrMichaelActual]

I’ve never heard of Llama. I’ll have to do some research. Thank you.

No!!! I was just kidding, it's old junk. My CCW is a Sig 365 X Legion with an enclosed emitter green dot. I have all of the comparable other ones in size etc but personally prefer the Sig.

 

[Jsimon78]

The Echelon seems to have received quite favorable reviews. I’ll rent this as well. I appreciate your thoughts.

Also try the XD line up. I have the XDM elite competition 5.25” barrel which I think absolutely rocks and will be getting the XDM ELITE full size in 9mm on Monday.

 

[Winchester67]

Eversearching it is a Backdraft Cobra, factory built in South Africa not one of the original 1100 or so Cobras built by Shelby. As such, I can drive it and park it without worrying! At 5 foot five inches I can carry a full size 1911 no problem with an inside the waistband holster. It will be even easier for you. Milt Sparks makes a great product but the wait times are an issue, Galco makes good rigs available right now. I prefer a rig with "wings" for the belt loops; hold in place better and the holster is thinner as a result. Cheap clip on holsters have the clip in the middle of the holster, the thickest part making the whole holster thicker. Hard pass on that. And a good belt is a must. A cheap saggy belt is the biggest reason that people don't go for an inside the waistband holster. I carried that way for so long none of my pants fit without carrying a gun for a shim and I list to port without the weight to balance me out. Hi-Power shown, but you get the idea.

 

[everSearching]

No!!! I was just kidding, it's old junk. My CCW is a Sig 365 X Legion with an enclosed emitter green dot. I have all of the comparable other ones in size etc but personally prefer the Sig.

Ha! I’m glad I didn’t run out and buy one. I once told someone my competition gun was the Beretta Bobcat. Do they have bobcats in Italy? Apparently my sense of humor needs polishing because the comment wasn’t well received. Thanks again for contributing. I learn a lot from other people’s experience and thus perspective.

 

[everSearching]

Also try the XD line up. I have the XDM elite competition 5.25” barrel which I think absolutely rocks and will be getting the XDM ELITE full size in 9mm on Monday.

I’ll look at the XD too. Best.

 

[Annihilator]

Pics not working for me

Think if them as dirty movies…..

 

[Oldmountaiman]

I don't think I would be much help because I like revolvers,my duty carry was a S&W model 19 and my off duty was a 41 mag. In today's world I carry a 1911 officer all iron and it'sold like me and easy to conceal. Both the 41 and 45 short barreled weapons talk loud and they please because they are accurate. Like I said not much help