9mm vs 45 ACP in a Shield single stack EDC pistol

old-school

old-school

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I know that some people need to carry an EDC pistol which carries 15 or more round, but for me, I just can’t carry a brick very long. I like the S&W Shield single stack for a pistol which I would carry every day. I am OK w/ a 7 or 8 round pistol. Saying that, with the same number of rounds, would the Shield 45 be a better choice over the 9mm.
 
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Can you shoot a 45, in a same or similar type of gun, just as fast and as accurate as you can a 9?

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"I know that some people need to carry an EDC pistol which carries 15 or more round".

May I ask Why? What are they doing, and where are they going that requires a 15 round mag if they are not in law enforcement.

I carry a Shield 45 with the 6 round mag and 2
7 rounds mags for backup and feel perfectly safe....If I am going somewhere or doing something that requires more than that then I need to rethink my behavior and life style.

I guess there are some who think the gunfight at the OK corral will happen most any day....and they need to carry an AR-15.
 
dben002 said:
"I know that some people need to carry an EDC pistol which carries 15 or more round".

May I ask Why? What are they doing, and where are they going that requires a 15 round mag if they are not in law enforcement.

I carry a Shield 45 with the 6 round mag and 2
7 rounds mags for backup and feel perfectly safe....If I am going somewhere or doing something that requires more than that then I need to rethink my behavior and life style.

I guess there are some who think the gunfight at the OK corral will happen most any day....and they need to carry an AR-15.
Click to expand...
While I carry an XDs .45 as my EDC, I'd rather carry a rifle if I could. 2-3 shots on target with a rifle is much better than 2-3 shots on target with most any handgun. Unfortunately it's not practical to carry a rifle. I understand there is the 333 average, 3 shots, 3 feet and 3 seconds for the "average" gun fight. I just don't know if a gunfight I get into will be "average"!

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dben002 said:
"I know that some people need to carry an EDC pistol which carries 15 or more round".

May I ask Why? What are they doing, and where are they going that requires a 15 round mag if they are not in law enforcement.

I guess there are some who think the gunfight at the OK corral will happen most any day....and they need to carry an AR-15.
Click to expand...

I can see the need for 15 rounds, if you ever encounter a mob/demonstration situation, you might have to fight your way out of.

It's becoming common in Detroit, in recent years, when you're involved in a traffic accident, a large group of angry, aggressive neighbors, family, and bystanders, begin to gang up, and seek to get revenge, and carry out their own type of street justice, right then, and there!

Then there are the pro/anti-gun demonstrations, political demonstrations, that you can find yourself unexpectedly involved, at some level. Mall, church, event mass shootings, etc.

That being said, I typically carry a 5-shot J-frame, with two loads of additional ammo. If I know in advance, I'm going to be passing through a high-threat area, in addition to the 640, I bring a 686 Plus, for the truck gun. Both guns share the same ammo. I have to go into Flint, MI on occasions, and they have gangs, and they don't have a very responsive police department. So if you encounter trouble, you're likely on your own. The PD shows up later to do the paper work, and haul away the body.

So back on the OP's topic, if you carry a single stack semi-auto, just carry a couple extra mags. This balances the weight better on your belt, than a really heavy pistol on one side, with nothing on the other side.
 
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The other thing I have discovered is the 9C is almost the same size as my 45 Shield. It is slightly heavier due to the extra rounds but as has been mentioned a couple of spare mags on the opposite side of your gun belt should balance things nicely. I have worked the trigger in both and really like both of them. There is one plus on the side of the 9C as it comes with extra removable backstraps to tailor the fit to your hand. You can also replace them with custom stippled backstraps for an even better grip.
 
I agree with you 100%.
My old duty weapon was a S&W40c. A heavy load in its Galco IWB holster.
This was the exact pistol the Glock sued S&W over,,,,and won a 7 million dollar award plus the lawyer and court costs.
I can only carry it during the Winter months in a jacket pocket.
My daily carry is a Kel-Tec P-11 9mm with a finger extension magazine holding a total of 11 rounds plus one in the chamber, which is 12 rounds of hollow-points.
This being a "striker fired" pistol. allows safety with one round chambered.
About once a year I fire it at our range.
Never a stoppage or problem.
Since I am now too old for fisticuffs or martial arts, this pistol and my knowledge is my protection when away from the safety of my abode.
This is very common here in Texas for my age group.
When I drive afar to a gun show or shopping, another weapon is in the car available. This is also very common here in Henderson County, TX., and around the Cedar Creek Lake areas.
 
dben002 said:
"I know that some people need to carry an EDC pistol which carries 15 or more round".

May I ask Why? What are they doing, and where are they going that requires a 15 round mag if they are not in law enforcement.

I carry a Shield 45 with the 6 round mag and 2
7 rounds mags for backup and feel perfectly safe....If I am going somewhere or doing something that requires more than that then I need to rethink my behavior and life style.

I guess there are some who think the gunfight at the OK corral will happen most any day....and they need to carry an AR-15.
Click to expand...

So this is the correct amount to carry, then? 20, in 3 mags, as opposed to 15 in the gun?
 
petepeterson said:
So this is the correct amount to carry, then? 20, in 3 mags, as opposed to 15 in the gun?
Click to expand...

As so apply stated below...."So back on the OP's topic, if you carry a single stack semi-auto, just carry a couple extra mags. This balances the weight better on your belt, than a really heavy pistol on one side, with nothing on the other side. "

I fell quite sure "most" defensive carriers also carry one or two extra mags....so there is no correct amount as you put it...but 45 is excessive for SD carry unless...........you like to live dangerously and go places you have no business going.
 
dben002 said:
"I know that some people need to carry an EDC pistol which carries 15 or more round".

May I ask Why? What are they doing, and where are they going that requires a 15 round mag if they are not in law enforcement.

I carry a Shield 45 with the 6 round mag and 2
7 rounds mags for backup and feel perfectly safe....If I am going somewhere or doing something that requires more than that then I need to rethink my behavior and life style.

I guess there are some who think the gunfight at the OK corral will happen most any day....and they need to carry an AR-15.
Click to expand...

So why are you carrying 21 (TWENTY + ONE) rounds? You have 3 mags totaling TWENTY ONE rounds. I have one mag of 15 rounds (15 + 1). You're carrying more rounds than I am and more rounds then those you whom you think are expecting a gunfight at the OK corral. SOOOOO..... What's the difference? Besides you actually carrying more then those you're making fun of for doing the same?

Now, as to why I carry more they what you think i need (despite actually carrying more than me). I own 2 small handguns. A S&W snub nose 5 shot 38spl and a Glock 43 6+1. I like both for what they offer..... a purpose when clothing dictate extreme concealment. Aside from that I don't really care for them. Both are too small to grip fast or comfortably.

Your Shield 45 weights 22oz empty (no loaded weight listed but 7 rounds of 45 will put it close to 30oz) and is 1.05 thick

My G19 is 23.6oz empty/30.3 oz loaded and 1.18 thick.

Glock is overall a bit longer. It conceals great

Soooo .... For more or less the same thickness and weight I carry 15 rounds in one mag where as you carry 20 rounds in 3 mags.

I carry that because I'm not retired and I don't stay within 5 miles of my home. I live in a very low crime upper middle class area. I work 25 miles away in a township with a crime problem. Im single and like night life so I go to the city. Generally it's safe but can be dangerous when a lot of people are out partying. Occasionally work related i need to go to other places around the city that sent always in great areas. I don't have a crystal ball to tell me when that would be. For example, it happened last Thursday at 4pm.

So I'll carry my 15 round high capacity handgun awaiting the day I'll be asked to join the OK corral and you carry your low(er) capacity 20 round handgun and assume that it's you not them

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dben002 said:
"I know that some people need to carry an EDC pistol which carries 15 or more round".

May I ask Why? What are they doing, and where are they going that requires a 15 round mag if they are not in law enforcement.

I carry a Shield 45 with the 6 round mag and 2
7 rounds mags for backup and feel perfectly safe....If I am going somewhere or doing something that requires more than that then I need to rethink my behavior and life style.

I guess there are some who think the gunfight at the OK corral will happen most any day....and they need to carry an AR-15.
Click to expand...
So you carry 21 rounds?? what may i ask is the difference? Having 15 rounds at the ready? or 14 rounds on stand by.
 
Arik said:
So why are you carrying 21 (TWENTY + ONE) rounds? You have 3 mags totaling TWENTY ONE rounds. I have one mag of 15 rounds (15 + 1). You're carrying more rounds than I am and more rounds then those you whom you think are expecting a gunfight at the OK corral. SOOOOO..... What's the difference? Besides you actually carrying more then those you're making fun of for doing the same?

Now, as to why I carry more they what you think i need (despite actually carrying more than me). I own 2 small handguns. A S&W snub nose 5 shot 38spl and a Glock 43 6+1. I like both for what they offer..... a purpose when clothing dictate extreme concealment. Aside from that I don't really care for them. Both are too small to grip fast or comfortably.

Your Shield 45 weights 22oz empty (no loaded weight listed but 7 rounds of 45 will put it close to 30oz) and is 1.05 thick

My G19 is 23.6oz empty/30.3 oz loaded and 1.18 thick.

Glock is overall a bit longer. It conceals great

Soooo .... For more or less the same thickness and weight I carry 15 rounds in one mag where as you carry 20 rounds in 3 mags.

I carry that because I'm not retired and I don't stay within 5 miles of my home. I live in a very low crime upper middle class area. I work 25 miles away in a township with a crime problem. Im single and like night life so I go to the city. Generally it's safe but can be dangerous when a lot of people are out partying. Occasionally work related i need to go to other places around the city that sent always in great areas. I don't have a crystal ball to tell me when that would be. For example, it happened last Thursday at 4pm.

So I'll carry my 15 round high capacity handgun awaiting the day I'll be asked to join the OK corral and you carry your low(er) capacity 20 round handgun and assume that it's you not them

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Well first..... this has nothing to do with total rounds carried.
My question was why carry 15 rounds in a handgun. It will by necessity be double stack, heavy(ier) than a single stack weapon of the same caliber. Do I think 6+1 is adequate for SD carry....No I do not...but I see no need to carry a heavy double stack handgun what-so-ever.....but some do and that's ok....but I still ask why?
 
dben002 said:
"I know that some people need to carry an EDC pistol which carries 15 or more round".

May I ask Why? What are they doing, and where are they going that requires a 15 round mag if they are not in law enforcement.

I carry a Shield 45 with the 6 round mag and 2
7 rounds mags for backup and feel perfectly safe....If I am going somewhere or doing something that requires more than that then I need to rethink my behavior and life style.

I guess there are some who think the gunfight at the OK corral will happen most any day....and they need to carry an AR-15.
Click to expand...
So you carry 21 rounds?? what may i ask is the difference? Having 15 rounds at the ready? or 14 rounds on stand by.
 
dben002 said:
Well first..... this has nothing to do with total rounds carried.
My question was why carry 15 rounds in a handgun. It will by necessity be double stack, heavy(ier) than a single stack weapon of the same caliber. Do I think 6+1 is adequate for SD carry....No I do not...but I see no need to carry a heavy double stack handgun what-so-ever.....but some do and that's ok....but I still ask why?
Click to expand...
Because the weight of our two chosen gun are still the same. The difference loaded is about 2oz. To give you an idea, your unloaded mag weighs the same. That's the difference in weight

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So being in mass we have a 10 round limit....period, which makes me re think this a little differently than
someone who can carry a gen 4 G19. In mass I can't even get one :(
I had been carrying a shield for the last year or so but I recently picked up a 9C and in a Stealthgear "mini" have
found it to be just as easy to conceal as my shield in it's Onyx and really almost as comfy.
8+1 vs 10+1? I'm starting to lean towards the 9C. In the summer the shield will win because it is overall
a bit easier to conceal, but for the other 7-8 months? Not a problem.
It's a little thicker than the shield but their overall dimensions are so close I've come to look at the 9C
as just a double stack shield.
With either gun I carry one spare mag (8 or 10 rounds respectively)
If I ever even need to grab that spare mag......I'm in deep doody and need to
rethink some of my decision making.
Now 9 vs 45 is a different issue. I carry an XDM 3.8C .45 occasionally (I love that gun) but
that is a bit heavier and would not be my first choice as an EDC.
That's my "in the woods" carry or under a winter coat choice.
Again 10 rounds or 9 with the flush mag.
 
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dben002 said:
Well first..... this has nothing to do with total rounds carried.
My question was why carry 15 rounds in a handgun. It will by necessity be double stack, heavy(ier) than a single stack weapon of the same caliber. Do I think 6+1 is adequate for SD carry....No I do not...but I see no need to carry a heavy double stack handgun what-so-ever.....but some do and that's ok....but I still ask why?
Click to expand...

So if 6 is to little and 15 is to much whats your recommended carry round count? Once you get past 8 rounds you get into double stack mag, Glock 26/27 comes into mind
 
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MP1SG said:
So if 6 is to little and 15 is to much whats your recommended carry round count? Once you get past 8 rounds i think you jump into the double stack category. Like the Glock 27/26 platform
Click to expand...

I carried the 19 and the 26....both to heavy and IMO hard to conceal at appendix position...Shield 45 fits appendix in size and weight just fine....2 extra mags on opposite side is comfortable...3 would not be...one would be ok also but I have 2 and a double mag pouch so there you go......carry 100 if you so desire...still don't see the need for a SD handgun with a mag count over 10 and I am trying to address this from a comfort position not a firepower position....enough said....
 
I suggested to S&W a 9C with a Shield upper.

And to Glock, a G26 with a G43 upper.
 
Compensating for low round count by carrying multiple reloads is flawed thinking IMO. The idea that you'll likely be able to reload in a civilian self-defense encounter is not realistic. These are almost always reactive close-quarter events which are generally resolved with what is in the gun. I'm talking pure self-defense, not cases of voluntarily intervention. The majority of defensive shootings are over quickly and involve very few rounds being fired, so I'm fine carrying a snub revolver. There are exceptions, but they are extremely rare and I'm ok playing the odds based on stats to gain the ECQ advantages of the hammerless snub. If I truly felt I needed more rounds or wanted to be prepared for those exceptions, I would carry a higher capacity weapon rather than think I can carry multiple reloads to make up the difference.
 
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