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Considering a concealed carry firearm

4K views 41 replies 15 participants last post by  carver 
#1 ·
Hey all,

I have my concealed carry permit and am considering which firearm to get for CC. Some brief history: several months ago I owned a M&P Shield. While I loved the look and feel of the gun and it was fun to shoot at the range, I just couldn't conceal it well. I have a relatively small body type and I just couldn't seem to conceal it without having noticeable bulges or printing. I tried everything from leather tuckables to custom made, low profile slim kydex holsters, nothing seemed to work. I ended up selling the Shield because I found that I was never carrying it, as I was either too uncomfortable or too worried about others noticing the bulge it created. Even my friend who CC regularly said it was quite noticeable and that people not looking for it would take notice.

So here I am several months later asking you...do you have any recommendations for small, low-profile, easy to conceal firearms? I am looking mainly at .380 right now, as they can be slightly smaller than some of the 9mms. The .380s I am looking at include the baby glock, Sig P238, LCP (maybe TOO small?) etc. I was looking at the PPK and the Bersa Thunder, but those look to be much bigger than I had thought.

This isn't a "which one is better" topic, rather simply hoping for your opinions on what firearms you find to be easily concealable. I have a full-size for range/home defense so really concealability is my biggest priority for this one. The one 9mm I am really looking at is the Springfield XDs. My friend has one and I've shot it before, plus it looks like one of the smallest of the 9mm compacts. I am just hesitant because I don't want to make the same mistake by buying it as I did with the Shield if I can't conceal it well.
 
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#3 ·
Standard fare...shorts/jeans and t-shirts, polos or buttoned shirts.

You mentioned that you own a XDs and a Shield, do you notice the XDs being slightly smaller in any category? I think the grip is shorter on the XDs but not sure about how the rest compare.

Any .380s worth considering?
 
#4 · (Edited)
The S&W shield is pretty small. Take a look at the Beretta Tomcat. I think they make a model in 380. The one I see is 32 acp. This gun is small and will fit in your pocket. I have shot it and it is a good solid shooter for a gun that small.

This is the only gun that small that I would consider. The rest are just to hard to control.

Edit: It only comes in 32 acp. I think that round is about as good as a 380.
 
#6 · (Edited)
OP, you need to add the Beretta Nano in 9mm to your short list


at under 20 ounces, loaded, you just have to give it a look
If they had these before I bought my Ruger LCP, I'd a bought one instead of the Ruger for sure
The Rugers are ok, but the pull length on my .380 and my friends LC 9 are just way too long and the trigger reset isn't that great. On the other hand, they are safe guns and good slim profiles.
The Springfield XD's are over rated, IMHO, and over priced. A lot of people bought them and end up selling them. If you want one, buy a used one, there are plenty of them around.

Personally, I carry either my Glock 30 in 45ACP or Glock 26 in 9mm and if no option for those, then I go with the Ruger LCP 380
 
#7 ·
#9 ·
Ruger LCP, Keltec P3AT, or Taurus TCP. The Keltec is my daily carry, and the Ruger is my wife's.

These can all be carried in a front pants pocket without printing too badly. And the .380 is good enough in my opinion.

You just have to practice with them.

I have both the Keltec and the Ruger. Both are prone to failure if you limp wrist, and many people have problems with that at first. Practice makes perfect, and neither has failed for me since within the first 50 rounds. (Took Wifey just a dab longer than that.)
 
#11 ·
Thanks all. Your replies are really helpful! I am narrowing down my short list, and your continued thoughts are greatly appreciated. Right now I have narrowed it down to these.

From the 9mm spectrum: XDs, G26, Walther PPS, Baretta Nano. For .380: G42, Walther PPK/PPKs.

As I have stated before, I have a full-size for home defense and shooting at the range. I'm not looking for the perfect range gun or something that can hit a target at 20 yards, my #1 priority is how well/easily it can be concealed. Of course, whichever I chose will certainly get its fair amount of time at the range.
 
#14 ·
I usually conceal carry a full sized pair of 1911's in a double shoulder rig with a large jacket that zips open in front. In the summer, I conceal carry an A.M.T. Backup in .45 caliber in my back pocket and wear shorts and a t-shirt. Or when the weather isn't too bad, I'll carry a Glock 21 in a paddle holster and a very large hoodie.
 
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#15 ·
I've become a huge fan of the XDS for EDC (every day carry) in fact I sold my XD sub 40, my prior EDC, a few months after I got it. I'm 5'9" at 170, carry the XDS 9 3.3 in a CompTAC Minitaur Ultra holster at 4 o'clock. I carry a spare 9 rd mag in nylon with Velcro holster at 9 o'clock.

You might need to adjust your attire some. I wear cargo shorts with loose fitting shirts. I might print some depending on the shirt or if bending over. If I print some, I don't worry about, it doesn't stop me from carrying.

For those times I can't conceal my XDS, my LCP goes in my front pocket. Even it prints when I'm sitting down. Again, I don't care if I get some printing.

Personally I would not go smaller than a 9mm for everyday carry. I know you sold the Shield, but if you really like it and shoot it well, that might be the best gun for you.
 
#16 ·
Hey all, just wanted to give a quick update.

So I am still possibly considering the Glock 42 and PPK for .380, but am mainly looking at the 9mm options.

I think the two guns I am most interested in are the Walther PPS and the XDs. The two are extremely similar and have virtually the same dimensions. From what I have seen, most people seem to think the PPS is the better quality firearm and better overall. However, I like the look and feel of the XDs as well, its cheaper and has more accessories available. Not that it is a make or break feature, but I like the grip safety. As this will be my first real firearm that I will actively CC, I do like the peace of mind of an extra safety. Again though, it is not a make or break feature that would cause me to write off a firearm without a safety.

What are your thoughts on these? I think the XDs is more readily available in my area and is the cheaper option. However, I have fired it before and remember it being quite snappy to shoot. I've never seen the PPS in person, but have heard it fires like a larger firearm.
 
#17 ·
Try to find range where you can shoot both. The one you shoot the best and feels the best is what you should pick.

..However, I have fired it [XDS] before and remember it being quite snappy to shoot. I've never seen the PPS in person, but have heard it fires like a larger firearm.
I have a XDS 3.3 in 9mm. As for it being "snappy", recoil is a complete none issue, at least for me. I do have an LCP which is snappy and I use to have an XD subcompact 40 which could be considered a bit snappy. In other words, if you are coming from a 22, the XDS will feel snappy. But seriously, the gun is extremely comfortable to shoot and for a small gun easy to hit target.
 
#18 ·
My current living situation is in a more metropolitan area which unfortunately doesn't lend itself to having many ranges to try out. There are a few LGS's I'm going to visit today and tomorrow to hold each firearm just to get a feel for how it fits in my hand, how well I can bring it to the ready, mag release, etc. I'll definitely make a range trip before purchase though, so rest easy on that front!

I should clarify: the XDs I have shot before was actually the .45acp model, and I had been practicing with a full-size M&P9 which is a much smoother shoot. So the transition caught me off guard, it was also when I was much newer to shooting and I wasn't used to the smaller compacts.

There are a lot of these great "super-slim" concealable 9mms out there so I know I am leaving a lot out. Some are too expensive for me at this time (Sig P938 for example) and some I just don't like (Kel-Tec, Taurus). I would still greatly appreciate your suggestions if you think there are any guns I absolutely should try out. Again I'm not asking for "which is best" or "which shoots better" because those come down to the individual preference, but your continued help in my decision-making process is greatly appreciated! So, for me its between the Walther PPS 9mm and the XDS 9mm. I love how both guns look. I guess my thoughts right now are this.

Walther PPS: German made, German reliability. Can eat pretty much any kind of ammo no issues. Arguably better quality. No manual safety. More expensive (but not that much more if online stores like Buds are to be believed). Will need to buy the optional 6 rd mag to have the mag flush with the bottom of the grip. 6+1 instead of 7+1 with the XDs. Haven't seen it or shot it yet. I like the cocking indicator on the back.

Springfield XDs: More inventory around my area so easier to find. Slightly less expensive. More accessory support and more holsters readily available in stores (Walther I'd have to venture online, most LGS's in my area don't carry Walther products). I've shot it/handled it before so I know what to expect. I like the grip safety as an added layer of security (as a first time CC I like the extra peace of mind).

So those are the two I'm really looking at. The wild card would be the Beretta Nano. If I see one for a reasonable price I'd be very tempted to go with that.

Sorry for the long post!
 
#19 · (Edited)
Hey all, so quick update. I went to the LGS today and saw the PPS, XDs, Shield and some .380s.

I think I am leaning slightly toward the XDs. Its cheaper than the PPS by about $40, and I would also need to fork over an additional $35 for the flush mag if I bought the Walther, since it doesn't come with a flush mag. So ultimately the Walther becomes about $70 more. (Maybe a "you get what you pay for scenario"?)

My second option is to tuck my tail and return to the Shield. Its about $130 cheaper than the XDs ($370 ish vs $499 ish), which makes it about $200 cheaper than the Walther. I like the safety on it. However, I already sold all my Shield holsters, so there's that. Or I could just go with a Glock 42 or a Sig P239 and call it a day with a small, light .380.

Ultimately, I know all these guns shoot great. My main concern is the concealability factor. I'd prefer a 9mm over a .380, but the .380's are smaller and lighter. Of the 9mms, I'd rather have the Walther, but its the most expensive. In the middle is the XDs, it has the grip safety which I like, imo the better mag release and the best sights of all three, but its also the heaviest the barrel is very slightly fatter than the PPS or Shield. The Shield is in the last slot for me, it is the tallest of the three and has my least favorite trigger. I also think the plastic, magazines & mag release feel cheap. However, it is the most affordable and has a manual safety which is favorable to me.

If you take out the "buy which you shoot better" from the equation, and look at it simply in terms of price vs. features, which would you recommend most? Rest assured, I will not make a purchase before shooting the one I am considering. I am just asking in terms of price vs. features and concealability.

I saw a Sig P938, that one was probably my favorite but also wayyy out of my budget lol.

EDIT: On Buds Discount website, they have a Walther PPS 9mm listed at $497 right now. Thats compared to the $499 quote for the XDs I was given today. What do you think? Pounce on it or stay with the XDs?
 
#20 · (Edited)
Its a personal choice. I would take the springer over the walther myself....too bad you didnt see the xds sale slickguns just had. It was like 449.00 or something...
 
#21 ·
That's a great price. I like that the XDs comes with 2 magazines, a OWB holster and OWB mag holster. It feels like a more complete package. Plus I do like the concept of having that extra safety on the grip of the gun. Maybe I'm overthinking it, but as a first time CCer it is nice to have that extra peace of mind.

However, the Walther is offered online for the same price, and aside from the fact that I'd have to buy the 6rd flush mag extra, it is a tad lighter than the XDs, but has a classic Walther look/feel. The one thing still keeping me on the fence about the XDs is that it is the heaviest between the two, and slightly wider in the slide.
 
#25 ·
Yes. I think I have decided upon the XDs. I had trouble concealing my Shield before, but that may have been due to inexperience on my part. I also didn't have the Shield long enouch to experiment with different carry styles and holsters, and sold it for mostly other reasons besides the issues with carrying it.

If I buy the XDs and still struggle, then it can still remain a truck gun and range shooter. I'm slowly building my collection so either way it is a learning experience. I want to give a subcompact super-slim 9mm firearm one more try before going down to a .380.
 
#27 ·
I can tell you that if your new to concealed carry you will need to experiment. If you are belt carrying, make certain you have a good thick gun belt and a good leather holster. A gun belt can easily support the weight of just about any gun you choose. Secondly, when you first begin to carry, you are overly aware of your firearm and you somehow convince yourself that everyone is looking and can see your carrying. That will go away eventually. You must stick it out and continue to carry even when it becomes uncomfortable to you so you get used to it and it becomes second nature. Over the past 30+ years, I have carried just about every caliber and size firearm made and have bought many different holsters and tried every method of carry there is. I have carried either a full size 1911 or a commander sized 1911 everyday for many years. You can carry whatever you choose with the right gear.
 
#29 ·
Thanks for the help everyone. I'm gonna give it a go with the Springfield XDs 9mm 3.3''. I decided on it over the Walther because I like the grip safety, its more readily available in my area and it is the better value with everything the gun comes with.

My LGS gave me a price quote of $499 which includes the XDs case and some ammo thrown in. Is that a good deal, or should I shop around online and have it shipped? I think the lowest price I have seen on it is $459 at Sportsmansoutdoor but its not in stock.

My thinking is, I like the XDs design and if I chose to ultimately take the step down and go with a small .380 for carry I can always use the XDs as a truck/range gun.
 
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