New to forum and to carrying

[Rangel]

All things considered, I'd rather have an old fashioned safety on my pistol, especially when I C&C. I don't use a safety often--it depends on the situation and environment. If I'm climbing over stuff, running, etc., I like the extra 'insurance' it offers.

That said, Glock, Springfield and S&W, most of which don't have lock down safeties, are still my usual C&C weapons of choice!

 

[Bicky Robby]

Very safe is the answer. Select a proper holster with retention which covers the trigger and train.

Police Departments which use striker fired pistols like Glock and Smith's, carry them with a round in the chamber.

 

[ET.]

If you are really concerned about an M&P accidently discharging because there is no thumb safety and the trigger pull is light enough to allow it, then there is always the Sigma. I've owned one for 3 years now & it hasn't shot me yet. The trigger pull is 12 lbs., triple the weight of my M&P Pro Series trigger of 4 lbs. That 12 lbs. trigger ain't going off even if your finger is resting on the trigger & someone sneaks up behind you and yells "BOO". I find myself pulling the trigger back half way and holding it there to stage it. Until I give it that final all out squeeze it just sits there quietly waiting for the command. It really is a good safe heavy self defense trigger. Hey, there isn't a YouTube video of some instructor blowing off his foot with a Sigma now is there?

 

[R1_Demon]

If you are really concerned about an M&P accidently discharging because there is no thumb safety and the trigger pull is light enough to allow it, then there is always the Sigma. I've owned one for 3 years now & it hasn't shot me yet. The trigger pull is 12 lbs., triple the weight of my M&P Pro Series trigger of 4 lbs. That 12 lbs. trigger ain't going off even if your finger is resting on the trigger & someone sneaks up behind you and yells "BOO". I find myself pulling the trigger back half way and holding it there to stage it. Until I give it that final all out squeeze it just sits there quietly waiting for the command. It really is a good safe heavy self defense trigger. Hey, there isn't a YouTube video of some instructor blowing off his foot with a Sigma now is there?

If you're going along that frame of mind, he can always get the MA version/model of the M&P with the 10 lb trigger and that can help him as well, but he still has to practice the proper techniques while holstering it and such.

 

[Hooter28]

Understand where you are coming from bud. I own a M&P 40 and carrying hot is also in the back of my mind. Depending on where I'm going I sometimes leave it unchambered. I like the option of having a safety too,,,go with what makes you most comfortable. I'm also looking for a good CCW. Kind of want an auto with a safety and a hammer.

 

[ablaut]

I just picked up an M&P 9c as my first CCW about 3 weeks ago. I'm a southpaw too, and the ergonomics stood out. I opted for no thumb safety (and no "mag safety"). I did so for simplicity's sake.

I'm still admittedly timid, especially while "sitting" on it -- I seem to like it at about 4:30-5 o'clock (counter-clockwise, of course). Of course, I've has no issues whatsoever and do not regret foregoing the thumb safety.

 

[jgreiner]

I just picked up an M&P 9c as my first CCW about 3 weeks ago. I'm a southpaw too, and the ergonomics stood out. I opted for no thumb safety (and no "mag safety"). I did so for simplicity's sake.

I'm still admittedly timid, especially while "sitting" on it -- I seem to like it at about 4:30-5 o'clock (counter-clockwise, of course). Of course, I've has no issues whatsoever and do not regret foregoing the thumb safety.

Congrats......I took the plunge too, got the MP Pro 9mm with the 5" barrel. $490 with my range membership....not a bad deal. Very easy gun to field strip and clean. And I even managed to flip the mag release to the other side for my left hand. Not difficult at all. And I decided on no safety.

I have put about 500 rounds through it in first week, without a single problem.

I'm not sure I am going to like the green fiber optic sights setup.......may look at switching that out at some point. But for now, I am just going to keep running rounds through her.

 

[Ken NC]

I read somewhere that, if you get an M&P with a thumb safety, you can always have it removed and S&W even sells blocks to fill the holes. But if you get an M&P without a thumb safety, you can't add it later. Don't know where I read that or if it is true, but maybe worth checking.

I am a lefty with big hands as well, and (like about five other previous posters!) also very impressed with the ergonomics (and the ambi slide release, and the reversible mag release) of the M&P.

 

[jgreiner]

I read somewhere that, if you get an M&P with a thumb safety, you can always have it removed and S&W even sells blocks to fill the holes. But if you get an M&P without a thumb safety, you can't add it later. Don't know where I read that or if it is true, but maybe worth checking.

I am a lefty with big hands as well, and (like about five other previous posters!) also very impressed with the ergonomics (and the ambi slide release, and the reversible mag release) of the M&P.

The flip of the mag release to the right side is pretty easy to do, isn't it? I was amazed at how simple it was.

 

[firebirdude]

I didn't read all the replies, so sorry if I repeat.

If you're still worried about it, don't carry it. You need to be 100% completely comfortable carrying, drawing and using your concealed weapon.

You might think about a firearm with a hard trigger pull with a lot of take up. The Ruger LCP for example. There's no way that trigger is getting pulled by accident, and yet, even a woman's direct pull is sufficient to fire it.

 

[Rangel]

If possible, look at and handle the Ruger and S&W Bodyguard 380. Both are similar LCPs. I like the layout (the safety is very affirmative on the S&W) and the recoil also seems better to me on the S&W.

The safeties on the BG380 tend to be finger hurters at first, but after a week or two of flicking them on and off a couple dozen times a day, they're usually 'just right' and stay that way. I like it because I can hear it click quite well and on the draw, it's real close to where my thumb is already. (right hand)

They all typically differ a bit from gun to gun, my S&W BG380's trigger tested out at 14--yes 14 pounds. I think that if my key chain somehow got caught up in the gun in it's pocket pouch, the whole gun might come out with my keys, before the trigger would fire.

The Ruger LCP has a pretty heavy trigger pull too, and pretty much each Ruger LCP I handled had a nicer trigger feel--a smoother pull, than the BG 380, the only area I saw where it seemed the better gun to me.

I have thought of investing $50 to maybe take a pound or two off my BG--my gunsmith is really, really good (I think he did a trigger job on Roy Roger's horse) and he'd like to bring it down to 5 pounds, but that's not what I'd have done for a pocket pistol. I might have him make the trigger pull a little smoother and eliminate a wee bit of 'slop' I can barely detect. But being a cheap wad, I may just keep it 'as is'--it shoots where I aim it, feels great in my hand, (better than the Ruger)and always goes 'bang' when I want it. I feel I made the right choice, for me anyway.

Compared to the other LCP's the BG380 feels better in my hand with the 'lip' or the whatever you call it, on the bottom of the magazine curving out a bit, which really allows my ring finger to anchor the gun grip and feel confident and in control. I don't mind my pinky finger not being on the grip--a sacrifice to the small size of the gun, because the meat of my hand has a very secure grip on it. Some of the other 'mouse guns' feel like a wet bar of soap in comparison. I wouldn't even consider anything below a 380, as the 25 and 32 calibers might just piss off, more than hurt and stop a bad guy. And regardless, once your gun gets below 12 ounces, really the lighter and more power involved in ANY gun, the more it's going to sting when you shoot it and be harder to aim accurately. After market, cushy grips can only help just so much. Simple laws of physics--there are trade offs for everything.



Someone told me Bass Pro (not typically know for great prices, but a good place to 'window shop') had the BG380 for $275 a while back--if so, that was a great deal. When it first came out--it was $575! Most places sell it for between $300 and $369 these days.

 

[firebirdude]

They all typically differ a bit from gun to gun, my S&W BG380's trigger tested out at 14--yes 14 pounds. I think that if my key chain somehow got caught up in the gun in it's pocket pouch, the whole gun might come out with my keys, before the trigger would fire.

haha exactly what I was saying. It has a ton of take up too. No way that trigger is getting pulled accidently. At the same time, let's not even think that the firearm is hard to use when needed.

Get which ever you like better. But honestly I really don't care how smooth the trigger is (or similar). It's a self defense weapon. Odds are the threat will be within 10ft of me. If you have to worry about a sloppy trigger taking your shots offline, you should be rethinking engagement.

 

[azalea]

A lot of interesting feedback here.

Ultimately, there are trade-offs in every firearm design.

For most people, the best choice is whatever firearm they feel most comfortable and most confident with in shooting.

After making this choice, then you must be aware of the strengths and weaknesses, including safety features, of your selected firearm ... and learn -- and gain confidence in your skills -- how to avoid/minimize risks of your selected firearm's weaker points.