So, looking at the trends in new semi autos... There seems to be a Lot of talk regarding magazine capacity. I like single stack autos... Where do you guys weigh in? Does high capacity mags make or break the gun? 380's and 1911's seem to have done we remaining steel and single stack... Guess I'm just wondering how others feel about the single stacks.

A Shield is my EDC, should tell you where I stand.

Having worked DA robbery/homicide division for almost 19 years and seen numerous miscreants DRT, I am of the belief that in an armed hostile encounter, you will be out of time long before you are out of ammunition. Even with a single stack 9mm.

I've carried single stack guns ever since they made us give up our revolvers. I've no problem going armed with 7, 8 or 9 rounds in the gun. I always carry spare mags on my belt. Both on and off duty.

Get a 3913/3914/3953 and call it good. Finest single stack 9mm carry guns made. By anyone. Good luck! Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Get a 3913/3914/3953 and call it good. Finest single stack 9mm carry guns made. By anyone. Good luck! Regards 18DAI[/QUOTE]


I own a 39-2 and a 3906... love em both.

I've never been a "high-capacity" guy. That is, I've never felt at a disadvantage, or "in danger" when carrying a revolver (back when I had revolvers) with 5 or 6 rounds. So, I have no conceptual problem with a single-stack semi-auto with only 6 or 7 rounds. My EDC, in fact, holds exactly that - 6 rounds of 9mm. I very rarely carry an extra magazine.

I have a couple of double-stack 9mm's, but those get used mostly just at the range now.

Of course, I don't live in a high-crime city.....or a high-crime area within my city.....and I don't hang out in places where "low-lifes" tend to be. Were that different, I'm sure that my normal practice would be different...and perhaps my attitude. But, I've been here roughly 20 years.....and NOT ONCE I have I been in a situation in which I thought it at all likely that I would have to resort to a weapon (of any kind) for self-defense. That could change tomorrow, of course, but so far, so good.

As always...stated so well!! If you can find a 3900 series gun buy it fast !!!
I routinely carry a 3913 and it has NEVER mis-behaved in thousands of rounds downrange...

Randy

well - this sums it up pretty good. 95%+ of defensive shootings apply to the first 1-5 rounds fired in my opinion and experience of almost 20 years. But again...just my opinion.

Love the replys!!! I honestly just picked up the 39-2.... How do they compare to the 3rd generations like my 3906?

Double stack for me. I'd rather have and not need then need and not have. Besides whats the difference if you have 8+1 in the gun and an extra 8 or just one 15-17 in the gun

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I too prefer a single stack if I'm carrying. In the past that's been either a LadySmith or 3953. Both of those have since gone to my twin nieces. Now I make do with a CS9 and two spare magazines. However, as soon as I get home, the '9 goes on the shelf and a 6906 takes its place. In my semi-rural area, I don't worry about concealment as I stroll my waterfront estate. If a half acre on a rice irrigation canal can be called a waterfront estate.

I carry both single and double stack firearms along with at least one spare mag off-duty (two spare mags on-duty). I like both styles just fine and don't make a decision based on one or the other.

Get what works for you and be happy.

I wish I still had one of my old 39-2's back. I really liked those guns.

While I have both, I carry a 3913/14 with flush fit 7rd mag. 90% of the time...... with one extra mag.

Sometimes (fall/Spring) I'll carry a Beretta 92 compact Type M a 8+1 single stack. It feels a lot like a Model 39 in the hand...........

Woods carry is a 3 or 4 inch model 66 and 2 speed loaders.

If you see me with my Beretta Elit II 18+1 or a high cap S&W (except at the range) something is very wrong; as they are just there as back up to a CX4 with 20-30rds of 9mm hollow points or AR-15 w/ 20-30rds of 5.56. LOL

The other thing I forgot to mention is that unless its a full size single stack (1911 or 4506) they dont really fit my hands. All the compacts are too small. I cant just grab one and shoot I have to first get my fingers out of the way or re adjust the grip

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I once owned a double stack 669 and didn't like it AT ALL. Like holding a 2x4, as they say. The ergonomics of that gun were so bad it was slow to get into action and I couldn't hit targets without really taking my time.

Enter this 3913. It's everything the 669 wasn't. It's fast and points where I'm looking. I can hit a grapefruit-sized target @ 50 yards with it again and again, with good speed. Part of the dredit goes to the better sights -- but mostly to the improved grip.

I have owned several single stacks in the past including 3913s and lady smiths but I didn't like the thin grips. I prefer the 6906s (2) and 6946 I still have. That being said I never carry any and only shoot at my back yard range. I have 5906s (2) and like them also.

deanodog..........I agree......

my 3913/14s all sport Hogue checkered wood grips..just enough extra width to feel good in the hand w/o effecting conceal-ability.

Larry.....the 669 did have a 2x4 grip ....... the 6906 grips fixed that.... at least for me!

[QUOTE. from BAM-BAM
Larry.....the 669 did have a 2x4 grip ....... the 6906 grips fixed that.... at least for me![/QUOTE]

I didn't realize --- Glad they changed it!!!

I have a number of single stacks and only one hi-cap; an M&P9c. As much as I like the M&P, I have to admit that the single stacks just feel right in more ways. That said, when I have to go to the range to requalify for my CHL, it's the M&P that goes with me.

Really love my 3913, though. What a fine pistol that one is.

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With S&W, you're holding history in your hand

During my career as a federal agent, I liked a double stack pistol for tactical operations. In those operations, I wanted every round I could carry.

For the day to day investigative work, or undercover assignments, I preferred a single stack pistol for the better concealment.

After the service did away with personally owned handguns, we were stuck with Glock 19 for tactical operations, and Glock 26 for concelament pistols.

I too, was a tactical operator for years and preferred the double stacks....we had 3rd gen 5904's....then Glock 17's, then Sig 228's & 229's ( 357 sig) over a 20 year period....I have big hands so the double stack grip is not an issue.....nowadays that I am retired I find myself carrying a Sig 245 or a 220 a lot....but I still have my G-20 & 30 if I feel the urge. Regardless of what I carry I always carry two complete reloads....and usually my M-49 when I can wear a jacket.

I don't live in a high crime area either, but that doesn't mean I may not be assaulted or victimized by two or three thugs at once.

I carry 8 rounds, and I should carry more. I don't subscribe to the idea that 99% of all encounters end with 3 or fewer shots being fired, so if I carry 3 rounds I'm going to be okay.

The lady hiding in her attic fired all 6 revolver rounds at her attacker hitting him 5 times and she clicked on empty cylinders several times. I bet she wishes she had more bullets.

And in the news I just watched some idiot get out of his car during a police stop and fire multiple rounds at the officer. If that was me being fired at, I may not wait to get into a perfect stance, lock the front sight on target, breathe slowly and squeeze the trigger.

No, I will be returning fire ASAP. Some rounds may miss.

Extra rounds are a slight inconvenience to carry but come in pretty dang useful when the gun burns through the first 6 or 7 and the bad guys are still firing.

.

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Kirk / Spock 2020

I wonder if anyone has ever said, "It's a good thing that I only had x rounds when that guy started to shoot at me."?

When I'm carrying my 3913TSW I have an extra magazine in a pocket and when I'm carrying my 642, I have a six extra rounds on a Bianchi Speed Strip. Yes, I know the 643 is a five shot J frame, but does it hurt to have a spare?

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Can open, worms everywhere.

This will the same for me next week...Till then it's my Nano as my EDC...Love my XD's but just don't carry them...

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Only one of my 3rd Gens is a double stack and that one never gets carried.

If I wanted to carry a double stack it would be my Glock model 23. For me, my interest in 3rd Gens is in the single stacks only.

Bill

dsanders, I have double stack guns, trained with double stack guns, carried double stack guns and certainly understand their utility, but I use single stacks more. I could have carried hi cap SIGs or Glocks, but carried a single stack Colt during my last several years of full time work. I have a 3913 for second weapon or CCW, etc. In addition to the 3913, I've had 39s, 539s, 639s, 3906s, 952, 952-1, etc,. In my old age, and after an on-duty altercation resulting in permanent damage to my wrist, I find that I shoot the 9MM 1911s more than about anything else I own. So I guess I am still a single stack fan...

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NRA Life, COTEP 640

Medical condition forced me off the job quite few years ago. I was uniformed & 645 w/ 2 spare mags as my last service gun. Too often I would draw a post at a waterfront bar (2 bars, 2-3 officers) but backup might be a long time getting there on some nights. Oh, yes, I carried a 39-2 in a Miami Classic under my patrol jacket.
Today, I'd pick a pr of 4500 or 3900 to share magazines.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

I have more single stack semis than double, by far. One of my favorites for grip ergonomics and function is my 39-2. I also like my SIG 225 for the same reasons, though it's a bit bulkier. Call me old school but for me shot placement trumps capacity. My other single stacks include the 908, two CS9s, a 3906, a SIG220, and a couple of Kimber Ultra Carrys. Soon, a Kimber Aegis (4 inch) will replace one of the Ultra Carrys.

Here is a S&W 3953 and a Shield. I prefer the 3953.


A S&W 3913, my second one. Not my favorite.


A S&W 39-2 and a Sig P225, pretty close in size and weight. I swapped the 39-2 for the 3953 above, a great trade for me. I own three P225's, I really like them.


There is also the Sig P239 to consider. I owned one in .40 S&W, did not care for it, but like the gun in 9mm.

I have no problem ccw a single stack or double stack. Times have changed and it is now gone from one or two bad guys to a gang now. When I retired my 649 J frame, it has now been replaced with the Shield 9.
Even though it is the same number of rounds, the Shield is a lot easier to carry and is always with me! Just look at the difference.

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2 Timothy 1:7

An interesting thread indeed!
As a former shooter/assaulter I too once carried all manner of hi-firepower weaponry and used it. Also available was air support, artillery, but those days are done.
And yet I've noticed that the criminal element no longer operates as a lone wolf or a pair, no they've adopted the pack mentality due to either cowardice or that numbers create the appearance of power.
In any event I do like single stack autos, and carry them in the warmer months when concealability is important, and remain a fan of the J frame as well. That said nine chances out of ten I'm carrying a double stack auto! Arik said "Id rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it." The very words I live by! And while I could use "wolf packs" and "flash mobs" for my reasons there are more logical reasons.
First: YOUR IT! There is no back up, no arty, and no help until the cops arrive! So for the next 5-30 minutes your on your own!
Second: Once lead starts flying in both directions your first inclination is to find cover FAST! And loss of fine motor control means you revert to your training. Simply put, your gonna miss and they're going to be moving...erratically. Granted most fights for us civvies are short range affairs and over faster than two heartbeat, but you never know what you might be up against, might be the typical bully or Bobo the crack zombie, to which "Plan B" starts looking real good.
Third: There is no magic bullet! Handguns are the weak sister compared to a rifle or shotgun, BUT they do provide a means to defend yourself without scaring the horses. So while we can postulate what loads have worked and what ones don't, having more of the more proven ones in hand is never a bad thing.
Fourth: Carrying a spare mag (or 2) or spare reloads is mandatory! For various reasons! One is the dreaded type 3 malfunction , your primary mag decides to toss its cookies (its happened to me!), your five shot revolver only goes boom three times. Carrying spare ammo doesn't make you paranoid, JUST DO IT!
So while your one time might have been resolved with one-three shots, and most criminals will run at the sight of a former sheep armed, and gunfire does tend to rout the ones who are only there to have "fun". But what if next time isn't typical? What if you run into Bobo?
It's your choice, but don't let complacency cloud your judgement!
Dale

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"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"

Everyone seems to forget about the 3954.

I've been thinking about carrying 2 single stacks with 2 mags in between. Part of the reason is concealment, my thought is a symmetrical arrangement would look like a back brace, not what it actually is.

I've not carried a firearm as a profession but I'm concerned about a shoot I read about in the paper a while back. Several officers and two perps were involved in shoot out. After it was over, none of the officers had been hit but one bad guy had two hits while the other had three. It is interesting to note that a total of over 200 rounds had been fired by all involved - a total of 14, 15 round magazines being emptied!

This can be interpreted two ways, the double stack magazines were really needed in this situation or the firearms training of the officers needs improvement. Five hits with 200 rounds expended is only a 2.5% hit rate and a 97.5% MISS rate.

I think a lot of law enforcement departments are skimping on firearm training because it is expensive and are expecting the large capacity magazine to make up for the lack of proper training. The gun club which I'm a member, permits the local police dept. to use the range for training. We have learned that the only wooden target stands we put out for them to use are the ones which are on their last legs and they will be trash after they are done. New frames would be shot up completely if used.

There are some very good shooters on the police force but the majority are the ones who only shoot once a year and those are the ones who "spray and pray" and hope that with a large number of rounds expended, something will be hit. To me this is the mentality which is in place with law enforcement today. I know this is a controversial topic and will never be resolved. Just my $0.02.

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Bill

Man, the replies have been awesome, no bashing just opinion and experience. Good deal guys!