testtest

EDC Options (part 1 of 2)

E

everSearching

Alpha
Hello Everyone,

Looking to sell a pistol or two (maybe three) and pick up replacements in the concealed carry size/weight range. Would anyone like to weigh in with their thoughts/ideas/preferences?

The Bodyguard has been very reliable with different types of ammo. Love the weight and deep concealability of the gun. Don’t shoot it particularly well, especially at any kind of distance (greater than 5 to 7 yards). If you can load a full magazine (difficult) you won’t be able to insert it into the gun unless the slide is locked back. The safety is not easy to access. In an emergency situation deactivation would likely prove difficult. It shoots a little low left but not horribly so. In a close range self defense situation at I’m not sure the sights being off a bit would be a problem.

The Canik is larger and heavier than the Bodyguard. Fed different ammo without a problem. It’s less of a deep conceal pistol but is quite easy to carry IWB. I’ve had one light strike (I think) but the round went off when fed back into the gun. Once, maybe twice, the slide failed to go into battery. I had to tap the slide to fire the gun. As it doesn’t have a manual safety, when carrying AIWB, I carry without a round in the camber.

The Prodigy has been reliable but I can’t get an optic to stay on the slide. Twice it’s come loose. And a third time it flew off. The plate screws are very short because slightly longer screws will impede the extractor. The Prodigy is pushing the upper end of the size/weight of a pistol I’d like to carry.

The Staccato has been flawless.

The P226 has been flawless as well but is a bit big for concealed carry.

Regarding manual safeties. I like the idea of having a safety as I’m new to concealed carry, especially AIWB. I’m not so skittish when the pistol is carried IWB in other locations. For now, I like having a manual safety if it is easy to disengage. Alternatively, a trigger with a heavy double action pull is certainly less intimidating and is a decent alternative.

I am in no way a competition shooter. All of these “short barreled” guns will always be way more accurate than I am. Just want a few pistols for primarily concealed carry/home defense, and plinking around at the range. The 226 is my home defense gun because I have a light with a strobe which I feel could be advantageous when dealing with an intruder.

Please let me know your thoughts on the selections below. And, are there other options you like instead of those shown on the table below?
Best,

Tony

1764330158677.png
 
Last edited:
I believe carrying a revolver/pistol to be very subjective, but I get where you are coming from.

Of your list of “maybe buy” I would opt for the M&P. The model you’ve selected (3.6”) feels really good *to me* (subjective), but it does have great S&W factory support and strong aftermarket support, FWIW.

Not a Sig fanboi by any means, but the 365 is just too small for me. I prefer my guns in the Glock-19 size category for personal protection.

Walther just shut down their line for a few years to “upgrade,” whatever that may mean so I don’t think I would go Walther just yet.

Of course my choices are subjective, so YMMV.
 
Anchorite said:
I believe carrying a revolver/pistol to be very subjective, but I get where you are coming from.

Of your list of “maybe buy” I would opt for the M&P. The model you’ve selected (3.6”) feels really good *to me* (subjective), but it does have great S&W factory support and strong aftermarket support, FWIW.

Not a Sig fanboi by any means, but the 365 is just too small for me. I prefer my guns in the Glock-19 size category for personal protection.

Walther just shut down their line for a few years to “upgrade,” whatever that may mean so I don’t think I would go Walther just yet.

Of course my choices are subjective, so YMMV.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your feedback/opinions. It’s always helpful to have a different perspective.
 
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. 🙂
 
everSearching said:
Hello Everyone,

Looking to sell a pistol or two (maybe three) and pick up replacements in the concealed carry size/weight range. Would anyone like to weigh in with their thoughts/ideas/preferences?

The Bodyguard has been very reliable with different types of ammo. Love the weight and deep concealability of the gun. Don’t shoot it particularly well, especially at any kind of distance (greater than 5 to 7 yards). If you can load a full magazine (difficult) you won’t be able to insert it into the gun unless the slide is locked back. The safety is not easy to access. In an emergency situation deactivation would likely prove difficult. It shoots a little low left but not horribly so. In a close range self defense situation at I’m not sure the sights being off a bit would be a problem.

The Canik is larger and heavier than the Bodyguard. Fed different ammo without a problem. It’s less of a deep conceal pistol but is quite easy to carry IWB. I’ve had one light strike (I think) but the round went off when fed back into the gun. Once, maybe twice, the slide failed to go into battery. I had to tap the slide to fire the gun. As it doesn’t have a manual safety, when carrying AIWB, I carry without a round in the camber.

The Prodigy has been reliable but I can’t get an optic to stay on the slide. Twice it’s come loose. And a third time it flew off. The plate screws are very short because slightly longer screws will impede the extractor. The Prodigy is pushing the upper end of the size/weight of a pistol I’d like to carry.

The Staccato has been flawless.

The P226 has been flawless as well but is a bit big for concealed carry.

Regarding manual safeties. I like the idea of having a safety as I’m new to concealed carry, especially AIWB. I’m not so skittish when the pistol is carried IWB in other locations. For now, I like having a manual safety if it is easy to disengage. Alternatively, a trigger with a heavy double action pull is certainly less intimidating and is a decent alternative.

I am in no way a competition shooter. All of these “short barreled” guns will always be way more accurate than I am. Just want a few pistols for primarily concealed carry/home defense, and plinking around at the range. The 226 is my home defense gun because I have a light with a strobe which I feel could be advantageous when dealing with an intruder.

Please let me know your thoughts on the selections below. And, are there other options you like instead of those shown on the table below?
Best,

Tony

View attachment 98716
Click to expand...
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 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!

Top Sig.jpg


Thick.jpg
 
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.
 
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!
 
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…)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top