Need new carry gun

[RGVshooter]

Well guys & gals. Seems like I'll have to send in my 642 for repair or replacement and now I'm in need of a new carry gun. That just leaves me with my full size M&P 9mm or my Kel Tec P32 for quick trips out the door. I live in texas and since it's a open carry state I usually carry OWB and just throw a unbuttoned shirt over a tucked in T shirt. I don't mind carrying the M&P 9 but it is kinda on the big side.
Lately I have been leaning towards a M&P Shield 40. What say you guys?

 

[BlackTalonJHP]

I vote Shield in 9mm or M&P Compact in 9mm. Since you probably still have some JHP .38 Special in stock, maybe a 360J and add a tritium front sight.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I've been open carrying a 4 inch P&R .357 Magnum Model 65-1 in a Bianchi #5BHL. [emoji41]

Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

 

[RGVshooter]

I vote Shield in 9mm or M&P Compact in 9mm. Since you probably still have some JHP .38 Special in stock, maybe a 360J and add a tritium front sight.

I actually still have a couple hundred rounds laying around...lol, sales

 

[Smoke]

Well guys & gals. Seems like I'll have to send in my 642 for repair or replacement and now I'm in need of a new carry gun. That just leaves me with my full size M&P 9mm or my Kel Tec P32 for quick trips out the door. I live in texas and since it's a open carry state I usually carry OWB and just throw a unbuttoned shirt over a tucked in T shirt. I don't mind carrying the M&P 9 but it is kinda on the big side.
Lately I have been leaning towards a M&P Shield 40. What say you guys?

Get another 642 identical to the one you just sent back.

 

[RGVshooter]

Get another 642 identical to the one you just sent back.

Not sure if I want to stick with a aluminum alloy framed revolver again. I have a sneaky suspicion that S&W will either replace the 642 or at the very least give me a deep discount on a new gun. I don't know what to expect to be honest. They just might return it & say it's normal for all I know. I'm not sure the pitting on the frame is repairable though. It's a big IF, but IF it goes in that direction I might just get something different. Possibly a shield 9/40 or M&P compact 40c.

 

[hkcavalier]

Kel-Tec P32??? I thought people liked things BIG in Texas!

S&W 442-1. Really any J frame. I'm really starting to like them...
S&W Shield .45 (I am no .40 fan)
S&W 325PD (hard to find though)

 

[shouldazagged]

Not sure if I want to stick with a aluminum alloy framed revolver again. I have a sneaky suspicion that S&W will either replace the 642 or at the very least give me a deep discount on a new gun. I don't know what to expect to be honest. They just might return it & say it's normal for all I know. I'm not sure the pitting on the frame is repairable though. It's a big IF, but IF it goes in that direction I might just get something different. Possibly a shield 9/40 or M&P compact 40c.

How about a steel J-frame? It's the style you're accustomed to, and the additional weight isn't that great. More comfortable to shoot, as well, especially with +P ammo.

 

[RGVshooter]

Kel-Tec P32??? I thought people liked things BIG in Texas!

It's not my EDC believe me. it was intended to be my bicycle trail companion. But I'll tell you this much... the thing is ridiculously reliable.

 

[murphydog]

You didn't mention which of your two (M & P 9 or P-32) you shoot better, or if you carry a spare magazine? Unless you are determined to buy another gun (and who isn't? ) I would opt for the M & P - the principle being a carry gun should be comforting over comfortable. Good luck in your decision.

 

[Ransom]

The Shield is an excellent carry gun. It's been my EDC since 2012 with no problems. I prefer 9mm, but get whatever you want to shoot--they are all good.

 

[Ziggy2525]

Not on your list, but I'd go with a 640, 640 pro, or LCR 357 and run them with .38 Special +P.

I have a Shield. It's a good, reliable pistol, but the shape is too big and too square for a pants pocket and not great for a coat pocket.

The shape of a snub works great in a pants pocket, a coat pocket, IWB, OWB, cross draw.

You see a lot of people talk about how smart John Browning was with the 1911 and the High Power. Seems to me the guy that figured out the shape for a snub was right up there too. Conceals pretty much anywhere. Natural point shooter. The 640's aren't just good shooters. With the right grips and holster they are almost works of art.

Go snub.

ETA - if you really want a .40, you might think about a Glock 23. You can get conversion barrels for 9mm and .357 Sig for them.

 

[jimmyj]

Glock Model 30 .45acp

 

[Muss Muggins]

Based on my experience with the same issue on a 637, they'll send it to metallurgy to make sure it wasn't you beating on it with a hammer, and then offer you an array of replacement options. Direct exchange for the same pistol, or a 442, or similar pistol, or a like amount of credit to anything else . . .

Not sure if I want to stick with a aluminum alloy framed revolver again. I have a sneaky suspicion that S&W will either replace the 642 or at the very least give me a deep discount on a new gun. I don't know what to expect to be honest. They just might return it & say it's normal for all I know. I'm not sure the pitting on the frame is repairable though. It's a big IF, but IF it goes in that direction I might just get something different. Possibly a shield 9/40 or M&P compact 40c.

 

[joeintexas]

I've got the Shield in 9 and 40 and carry one or the other frequently. Another I have found to be an easy carry is the Kahr line, very light weight and extremely accurate after break in. My favorite carry however is a Sig P245. 20 years old and still doing it's job.

 

[Pisgah]

If the full size M&P is too much for you, the Shield will be, too. My pick for ultra-small, ultra-light carry is the Beretta Pico .380.

 

[Hapworth]

In the OP, you specifically (and only) asked about the Shield in .40 which is a fine piece and will likely serve well, but consider same in 9mm instead for ubiquitously available and less expensive ammo, better recoil management of the smaller pistol, comparable ballistics with quality defensive rounds, and greater carry capacity.

Specific questions about specific models are good in threads like these, which otherwise usually turn into free-for-alls with as many different suggestions as there are respondents all essentially playing a game of "what I like best and/or daydream about" bearing little relevance to your specific situation.

So, Shield good, .40 fine, 9mm suggested.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Given you have a full size M&P 9mm.... I'd look at one of the compacts as a concealed carry alternative.

IIRC someone makes a grip adapter to use full size mags in the compacts.

 

[snubbyfan]

How about a steel J-frame? It's the style you're accustomed to, and the additional weight isn't that great. More comfortable to shoot, as well, especially with +P ammo.

He took the thought right out of my brain. I was just thinking that.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I agree that you need another handgun. Probably a good opportunity to get two or three more so you can try them all out and see which ones you like the best.

Seriously, in a revolver I prefer a steel frame. The lightweights are not enjoyable to shoot because of the sharp recoil. In semi-autos I prefer a dedicated single-action rather than a DA/SA or DAO because of better trigger control, making consistently accurate shooting easier (in my experience). I don't care very much for any polymer framed handguns (although I own a Kahr P40 that is very easy to carry and pretty accurate for a compact pistol). Lots of good choices out there.