My CCW permit is on the way, time to decide on a pistol

[JohnnyTactical305]

My permit should be coming within the next couple weeks and I am looking at a few pistols. I am looking at the Glock 19, M&P 9c, and a 9mm Shield.

Here are my thoughts on them:

Glock 19: almost bulletproof but ejection issues worry me

M&P 9c: read good things about it, like the capacity vs the Shield

M&P Shield: held a couple at gun shows, like the size for concealment but want more capacity.

I most likely wont EDC, but I want something reliable when I do. Anyone with experience with said pistols is welcome to give their opinions.

 

[JJEH]

I can recommend the M&P9c.

 

[Arik]

I dont like single stack compact pistols.

My EDC is a older G19 gen3. Bought it used from a police trade in. Cost under $400 with tax and background check.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[Lost Lake]

Love my 9c.

Your carry gun will be something you need to shoot often and train with regularly. The 9c can use full size mags for the range, which is a nice feature.

You can put a light on the luggage rack and use it for a nightstand gun.

The only better choice if I could only have one gun would be the 3913.

 

[photoman]

Glock 19: almost bulletproof but ejection issues worry me

Shop around. I recently bought a Gen 2 Glock 19 and it is a fantastic gun. Also consider an older Glock 26.

 

[bp231986]

I just bought a Glock 19 gen 4 at ZK guns at 1000hrs. Love the gun, simple and it works. M&P9c good weapon!! You really cant go wrong with either of them. dont care for single stacks much. which ever one you go with i belive you will have a smile on your face once purchased. Good luck on your purchase.

 

[mrerick]

I teach CCH certification and NRA basic safety courses.

I don't like the Glock design. I've heard of too many accidents.

I do like the Springfield XD series, S&W revolvers and 1911a1 pistols for concealed carry.

Marc

 

[Desertpilot]

Mine is an M&P40c for EDC. Absolutely love it. You can buy the 9mm barrel and mags to convert it to 9mm.

Marcus

 

[jimmyj]

First CCW: six shot .38spl revolver with minimun three inch barrel

 

[JohnnyTactical305]

I am leaning toward the Glock 19, I already have a PPQ but rather have that for the range/home defense.

 

[Moonman]

Learn to SHOOT first, capacity is not the answer unless you're a lawyer looking
to collect damages from RANDOM ROUNDS FIRED.

6 rounds worked for Law Enforcement for decades.

Glock's have magazines available up to 33 rounds,
which UNDER OHIO LAW CLASSIFIES THAT PISTOL AS A SUB-MACHINE GUN.

It doesn't matter that the pistol is Semi-Auto, it would be considered and treated as a Sub-Machine gun here.

Learn and remember your STATE LAWS, others too if you travel.

 

[66Park]

I highly recommend a J frame Smith .38. Even if you buy the Glock or M&P, the J frame will come in handy as a back up gun or a gun to carry when you can't conceal something larger. When I lived in a state that allowed it, I used to carry a 1911 as my primary, but my M60 got a lot of use. There are very few times when you can't conceal a J frame.

 

[Moonman]

You could HIDE a J-Frame in a SPEED-O.

 

[sharpshooterassassin]

I've got the M&P 9c and the Shield 9mm. I carried the 9c for CC for awhile until I bought the Shield 9mm. Now I carry the Shield CC. IMO, the Shield feels better concealed and not as thick as the 9c but that's my own preference. It all comes down to preference and what works best for you, everybody is different. If we were all had the same likes and choices, we would all pick the same thing. Just go out and test test test until you feel comfortable with what you pick out.

 

[fonejack54]

I have bought and carried over 50 handguns since getting my concealed handgun license in 2004. I had XDs, Sig 232 and 239, 3 Kimbers, 4 S&W airweights, Sp101, etc.. I had them all and My favorite is the M&P9c.
I have a Shield in 9mm now and am having a hard time not trading it for a 9c.
The Shield's grip is just too thin(and I have small hands). I'm more accurate shooting the 9c and I've never had FTF or FTE with an M&P weapon. Can't say that about the Kimbers.

 

[Old cop]

Again I vote for the J Frame .38, especially for someone new to CCW (no FTF etc). Most who get their CCW buy the large to mid size semi and find it difficult and uncomfortable to conceal. Eventually it gets left either in the car/truck (bad idea) or at home. The J can be mastered with time and patience and there are few occassions where you cannot hide one.

Next step should be to get a copy of "The Gravest Extreme" by Mass Ayoob and read/study it often.

 

[alwslate]

Love my Glock 19. Also have a 26 that I am very fond of but the 19
seems to have that "just right" feel.

 

[66Park]

Again I vote for the J Frame .38, especially for someone new to CCW (no FTF etc). Most who get their CCW buy the large to mid size semi and find it difficult and uncomfortable to conceal. Eventually it gets left either in the car/truck (bad idea) or at home. The J can be mastered with time and patience and there are few occassions where you cannot hide one.

Next step should be to get a copy of "The Gravest Extreme" by Mass Ayoob and read/study it often.

"The Gravest Extreme" is a classic for sure and a must read if you are going to defend yourself with a firearm.

Good points on the J frame as well. They are guns you can always have with you, whether you carry it inside the waist band, in a pocket holster, or an ankle holster. Loaded with good self defense ammo, they can pack quite a punch. J frames just work very well. In the days when I never left home unarmed, my M60 was always a very practical solution.

 

[GLV]

Training,

IMO begins with a revolver. In many years of training people starting out, I used revolvers.

Very easy to see if loaded, no magazines to misplace, no dependence on the recoil of the gun to operate the slide, so soft shooting ammo can be used. I did some Glock transition training in the late 80s/90s, and we continually fought the lack of very firm (crush) grip needed to make new guns work with the issued 147 grain cartridges of that department.

I like to start with .22 in a Model 18 revolver, and also use a Model 34 2". The Airweight/Ti are great, but I do not want to build in a 'flinch' into my training.

Whatever you choose, get training,, and my best to you.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

A revolver makes an excellent first gun. "Six for sure." ["five for sure" if you buy a J-frame S&W.] Easy manual of arms: point gun at threat; pull trigger. No danger of FTF, FTE, stovepipes. IMHO, Crimson Trace lasergrips are the finest sighting system invented, when backed up by ordinary iron sights, so seriously consider lasersights on your carry piece. Go to the range with your new firarm, and get some instruction and training in its proper use. Good luck, and welcome to the world of CCW!

I would second this. Whatever you decide there is one factor that takes precedent over all others. Your faith in the gun. You will need to be 100% sure that, if needed, it will fire every time, no question. Practice as often as possible but if you find the gun doesn't function every time resolve the problem before you cc. Otherwise there will always be that little doubt that says "but what if......". Good luck.