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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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#32 ·
Go back and read DD's last post. Your foundation is the most important part of CC. Change your wardrobe. I'm a larger guy, and would normally wear a 2XL shirt, but when I've got a gun on me that needs to be concealed, usually a 1911, I go to a 3XL shirt. Just step up one size. Button up shirts, that aren't tucked in, and have a straight cut, not tapered, will work fairly well also. It's usually not the gun that you are trying to conceal that is at fault, it's the clothes you wear.
 
#34 ·
My LGS recently sold out of the XDs', so I'm looking to order online. Quick question though...

Should I stick with my choice to buy the XDs, or go back to another Shield? The Shield is slightly thinner, shorter and lighter. However, it has more recoil than the XDs (having shot both).

The XDs has the better sights, mag release/mag quality and trigger. Going back to my original post, my main issue is concealability. Does the slightly thicker/heavier/longer XDs conceal much harder than the Shield? I'm torn because the Shield is $100 less, which is hard to argue with, and its slimmer. But in terms of being the better shooting gun, I feel like XDs is better. The XDs comes with a whole carry case + holster and mag holster, but is that worth the extra $100?

What do you think? Go back to the Shield or stick with XDs?
 
#36 · (Edited)
...However, it has more recoil than the XDs (having shot both).

The XDs has the better sights, mag release/mag quality and trigger...

....in terms of being the better shooting gun, I feel like XDs is better. The XDs comes with a whole carry case + holster and mag holster, but is that worth the extra $100?
As gvw3 stated, only you can answer your question. But you already have.

The difference between the two for concealability is none in reality. Unless you are on a extremely tight budget, don't let a $100 difference influence you. A CCW pistol could save you or someone else's life.
 
#35 ·
This is a something only you can answer. I have a Ruger Commander 45 auto and a S&W j frame for carry. Both work for me. You have to make this decision.
 
#38 ·
I carry my Keltec PF9 all day all the time. If your overall desire is for conceal ability and ease of carry, then you NEED to consider the PF9. It's slimmer and lighter and EASIER to carry than the XDs. And a lot less money. It's light. It's slim. It's easy to carry. It's accurate. It's reliable. It also uses steel magazines. And it's still lighter. You can even pocket carry it if you want.
The XDs is TWICE the weight. No thanks. And it costs more than 50% more? No thanks again.
You're not being fair to yourself if you don't consider the PF9.
 
#39 ·
I carry my Keltec PF9 all day all the time. If your overall desire is for conceal ability and ease of carry, then you NEED to consider the PF9. It's slimmer and lighter and EASIER to carry than the XDs. And a lot less money. It's light. It's slim. It's easy to carry. It's accurate. It's reliable. It also uses steel magazines. And it's still lighter. You can even pocket carry it if you want.
The XDs is TWICE the weight. No thanks. And it costs more than 50% more? No thanks again.
You're not being fair to yourself if you don't consider the PF9.
You know what they say about opinions right? The xd series is a much better gun in my opinion and as long as you have the proper carry gear, you wont even notice extra weight. I prefer the xdm over the xd but either one makes a good primary carry.
 
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#40 · (Edited)
Thanks for the help and replies everyone.

I made two attempts to purchase the XDs, both times it didn't work out due to various circumstances, including the LGS trying to hit me with a "recent price change". I went with my gut feeling, saved money and got the M&P Shield. I'm comfortable with it, it shoots well and I like buying American (even though SA is American, I know). It's also lighter and has the manual safety which I like. Plus, when I bought it, there was a sale on M&P Truglo TFO sights so I'll have those installed when I go to pick up the Shield this week. My biggest selling point on the XDs over the Shield was how good the XDs sights are, but with the TFOs the Shield surpasses the XDs in this category so I couldn't be happier with how it worked out. After two failed attempts to make a XDs purchase, I figured the universe was giving me a sign to go with the Shield haha.
 
#41 ·
The m&p is a good choice also....enjoy.....
 
#42 ·
I watched Julie Golob, on impossible shots, make a 100 yard hit on a balloon at 100 yards with a shield! I think it took her three shots to make the hit. Impressive!
 
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