M36, 3 inch barrel vs Glock 26, 42 or Shield for CC? Opinions Please

[Triathloncoach]

My current EDC is a Glock 19 with a TB. I guess I could just put the factory barell back in and make it shorter but......it's kinda sorta too big. I'm 6 feet and 220, but I live in the gym and my waist ain't much.

I have a S&W 36 with a 3 inch barell. What holster do you guys use for this size gun?

I'm pondering trading it for a Glock 42, Glock 26 or a Shield. Or just buying one and keeping my 36. I have owned a 42 and a Shield. I just don't carry the 19 much. I don't want to pocket carry. I had a scandy 360 but a few times it dropped onto the ground. I'm a dunderhead.

Ps. My other significant problem is my significant other. She hates guns, and based on where we live and work, my size and my demeanor, does not believe I should carry. So I IWB. My wife is amazing, she just hates guns. I'm not ever gonna change that. Nobody is perfect, but she is close.

What to do?

 

[Wyatt p. Tato]

I pocket carry a Glock 42 and carry my glock 26 in my coat pocket. They have replaced my S&W 442. I could easily carry my 26 only and be very satisfied. I can only pocket carry, due to back pain. The glocks give me more capacity and faster reloads.

 

[ken158]

No reason for a Glock 42 due to the caliber. The 36 3" is ok but the Shield 9 is best of your selection. The Glock 26 would be my 2nd best and the Glock 19 for field / outdoors activity. Not sure what the wife has to do with it...

 

[4011]

Model 36. Contact Snubbyfan here and get one of his OWB holsters. Be done. Sorry the wife is not in agreement on the CCW.

 

[XAVMECH]

M&P 9C

The M&P 9C is somewhat smaller than the G19. I've had a couple of these and prefer them w/o the safety. I've also had two G19s, one of which is a 3rdGEN that sees regular use. There are times when I'll take a j-frame with me, particularly in the Summer. I'm rather compact size, so using a FS 1911 as an EDC is a bit much, but I'll often carry a compact 1911 in winter. My point is this: I have choices in what I can carry/how I carry/if I carry. But one thing I've found: You can choose something too small, even if you don't have large hands. I really like the size of both my SIG239 and 3913/14s - just right in size...

My SIG938 is a nice pistol, but really just feels too small. I'm afraid the G26 would feel the same way - even though I keep looking at them as an alternative to another M&P 9C.

For me, over the past 20 years, a G19 has been most often my choice for EDC. Reliability, capacity, and ease of use have made it work for me.

 

[murphydog]

If the model 36 was your only choice that would make your decision easy. If you are confident in your G19 that gives you over twice the capacity and easier reloads (and/or you didn't get along with the Shield) I think you are fine where you are now.

It sounds as though your wife at least tolerates your carrying, which is all you need. Not that this would change anyone's mind, but you may ask if she objects to door locks, fire extinguishers and seat belts; you 'probably' won't need any of those but if you do you'll need them badly and right away .

 

[Boogsawaste]

My carry options are j frame in the pocket (2.25" or less) for just throwing it in there and going. Especially if I'm in a hurry. Or shield 9 in an alien gear IWB.

 

[mc5aw]

I'm 6 feet and 220, but I live in the gym and my waist ain't much.

You don't need a sidearm ... just a scowl.

 

[highpower3006]

I went Shield for my CCW gun. It is thinner and lighter than a M36 with two extra shots with the small magazine, three with the extended version. I looked real hard at the Glock 26, but the wide, short butt, is harder to conceal, and the overall dimensions are thicker than I want in a daily carry gun.

After a lot of research, I settled on a PJ Holsters IWB kydex holster. Worn in the 4 o'clock position, it is so comfortable, I often forget I have it on.

Shown next to an Iphone for size comparison.

 

[bpayne]

I love to carry my K frames, and a J in the pocket, but I can't bring myself to move away from a G19 as an EDC. Perfect balance of concealment and capacity. Plus it's ALMOST as reliable as a revolver. I'm just waiting for the new single stack 9mm from Glock. Rumor has it Glock is unveiling at the next SHOT Show.

 

[kaaskop49]

I don't know that one CCW weapon is enough. Not that you should "multi-carry," but what if it has to go in for repair?

I'm limited in my EDC options: When it comes to semi-autos, I "don't hold the gun properly." Or I "must be limp-wristing it." I'm fine with anything else: i.e., the revolvers I trained on and carried for years. Also derringers. They don't have smokestack- or catastrophic feed failures in the ejection port.

A 3" bbl 36 would be OK, but I prefer snubs.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

I'd keep the M36 and safe up and buy one of the others since you know it's reliable. Why did you let the G42 and the Shield go? I'm not a big fan of the G26, (just how I feel, others really like it.) so I vote for the M36 or the Shield (since you aren't going to pocket carry and aren't recoil sensitive I see no point in having the G42.)

Just throwing it out there but you might want to try a snub K-frame like one of the 2" M64 trade in's out there. For me a 2" K AIWB conceals easier than the G19 even though from the bottom of the grip to the top of the sights it's just about the same height.

 

[Absalom]

I'm limited in my EDC options: When it comes to semi-autos, I "don't hold the gun properly." Or I "must be limp-wristing it." I'm fine with anything else: i.e., the revolvers I trained on and carried for years. Also derringers. They don't have smokestack- or catastrophic feed failures in the ejection port.

I'm with kaaskop on this. I used to carry pistols for quite some time, but went to all revolvers for two reasons: contact shots and limp-wristing. I'm not trusting my life to a gun that turns into a single-shot pistol if the muzzle happens to push against some part of the attacker's anatomy or if I don't have a good grip on my gun because I have to shoot someone who is trying to kill me while having me on the ground or in a chokehold from behind. In stranger-to-stranger self-defense, those scenarios are much more likely than most people think. All those gun magazine articles on self-defense where steely-eyes guys or girls face the bad guys with their CCW gun in a firm two-handed grip and a nice modified Weaver stance are sexy, but a bit misleading.
So since you asked, my vote goes for the Mod. 36. You may only have 5 shots, but at least you have 5 shots. Of course, give your size, Shorty's suggestion of considering a K-frame snubbie would be even better.

 

[Triathloncoach]

Thanks guys. Up until this past Summer I was a pocket carrier only. I sold two Shields after deciding they weren't working for me to pocket carry. I traded the Glock 42 towards a Scandy 360 in 357. Hated shooting it. It's now gone.

I'm probably going to buy a Glock 42 and carry that IWB.