For those with Compacts, Short Mag or Extended Mag?

Do you use the flat bottom, or pinky extension mag when concealed carrying?

  • Short Mag

    Votes: 27 52.9%

  • Mag with Pink Extension

    Votes: 24 47.1%
  • Total voters
    51
H

HeresMyMind

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Being the 9c is my first conceal carry I have always had it with the pinky extension on and had no issues. I then put on the shorter magazine because it was supposed to be "more comfortable and less noticeable". I can't tell the difference between the two when carrying, but shooting obviously it is better with the extension.

what does everyone else do when they carry?

-B
 
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HeresMyMind said:
Being the 9c is my first conceal carry I have always had it with the pinky extension on and had no issues. I then put on the shorter magazine because it was supposed to be "more comfortable and less noticeable". I can't tell the difference between the two when carrying, but shooting obviously it is better with the extension.

what does everyone else do when they carry?

-B
Click to expand...

I'd say you may have answered your own question
I can't tell the difference between the two when carrying

;)

I am of the opinion, and take this with a grain of salt as i dont yet carry, that I will carry the package that works best for me in both concealment as well as control/accuracy. I have a new Shield that will become the gun i train to carry with; and if I handle it better with the 8 round mag vs 7, then that's what i will work on carrying.
As i have been following countless threads and articles to get opinions on carrying (mags, holsters, etc) I have found that everyone will have an opinion and what's right for one wont be right for another. Too many variables to have one common answer for all.

edit: i'll add that when i had my 9c; for range and home use i actually ran a full size mag w/ xgrip adapter in it. Far more ammo and that was the best mix for my accuracy as well. So maybe that's an option for when you dont have it on your hip.
 
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Well as a firm believer that concealed means not spotted unless getting a pat down or walk thought a detector. I prefer the shorter mag for carry. I have big bulky hands and find no problem shooting all sorts of short butt guns. In a real situation you will not have time to notice or care if all your fingers are on the gun.

I normally practice with both type mags. With my XDs.45 I use the short in gun and the longer one as a back up. Both items will pass my concealed criteria!
 
I EDC a Sig P290 RS with the extended 8-round magazine. The Sig is small and thin, and the extension provides a better grip.
 
I usually carry with the short mag. It isn't quite as comfortable to shoot, but I always seem to shoot well with it in the gun. It leaves just slightly less of a print than the pinky ext mag.
 
I have changed all my mags over to flat base. Although the finger extension feels great in the hand, it forces my second finger up hard against the trigger guard. After firing a couple of mags I usually have a blister.
 
I find that the 8 round mag conceals just as good as the 7 round in my shield. I can't see a difference in printing when I look in the mirror, and since I shoot a little better with the 8 round that's how I carry.
 
I like everything about the extension. That being said, I use my compact for my home defense weapon and carry a Glock 26 with +2 magazine extension on it for pocket carry. Works for me.
 
I carry my 40c with the finger rest magazine and have no problems with printing but I carry it mostly during cooler weather with a little more clothing. My Shield is carried with the longer magazine even with shorts and a t shirt and no issues with printing there either. I shoot both well with the shorter mags but slightly better with the longer ones.
 
I'm in shape, Round is a shape.

When I use the ext mag on my 40 shield I simply cant it a bit farther forward, Easy with a Remora holster. Carry in roughly the 4 oclock position
 
When using a belt level holster, whatever is better to shoot will conceal just fine either way. Pocket carry demands flush mag.
 
When I carried my 40C, I preferred the short magazine for ease of concealment. Now that it's doing nightstand duty, I use the 15 round magazine with the extended sleeve.
 
Both my 9c and 40c are used with pinky extensions, it feels odd when I use a flat base magazine so I don't shoot as well. No noticeable difference when I carry either one with regards to concealment.
 
Wear both, shoot both. Then decide. I shoot my 9C better with the extension (well at least shooting non-aggressive paper). I called S&W support and they even sent me pinky plates for free to "convert" some mags.
 
I use the pinky extension exclusively on my 40C mags. Many times I carry with a full size 15 round mag with an X Grip especially in the colder months. I haven't noticed a lot of difference in concealability but since we're an open carry state printing is no big deal so I don't let it bother me too much. That's not saying that I don't prefer to be totally concealed, though.
 
Really depends on how's body is built and/or how ones dress's.... With me, I carry my Shield 9 in a OWB holster with a short sleeve unbuttoned shirt over it... Not at all in the least concerned if someone gets a glimpse of it as open carry is now an option in Texas. But yeah, with the shield I use the 8 rnd magazine. However since I'm a hugh fan of kahr pistols I just use the mag's that came with my K9 or CM9 edc.
 
I carry my Shield 40 with either the short or extended mag. I load them both the same (6 rounds) so I always know what I'm working with, and I have the "pinky extender" on my short mag for a similar grip for either. Keeping it simple is important to me.
 
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