Need new carry gun

[nachogrande]

TIME TO TAKE ADVANTAGE.

Those "horrible" 40 cal semi's are priced to move. Since you carry OWB & the M&P 9 is too big, I can heartily recommend a single stack (all stainless) SIG 239 in 40 cal. Want to stick with the same revo, a 640, all steel. OR just wait it out with what you have.

 

[mrchuck]

Check out the Kel-Tec P-11 9mm. Get their extra ss pants clip the goes on the left side of this pistol for right-handed persons.
Also extended magazine that allows 12 rounds.
This gives you a great concealed package that can be brought into action very quickly.

 

[Cal44]

I think a Shield 40 cal would be a good choice.

40 S&W is a great round, and just because the FBI switched back to 9mm doesn't make the 40 suddenly worthless. I don't have that much confidence in the FBI's decision making anyway.

Lots of low cost ammo available for the 40 cal, and the Shield 40 is a bit smaller than the 45 version.

Plus you can probably get a great price on 40 S&W guns these days.

I may pick one up myself, except I'd also look at one of the small Khar or Sig 40's.

 

[URIT]

I'd hang onto my greenbacks and wait for the verdict from the Mothership. I'd use what I had on hand while considering my options for replacing the 642.

 

[JH1951]

Another vote here for a steel J-frame.
I rely heavily on my 649, and it never has let me down. I also find it more enjoyable to shoot than the light weight cousins.

 

[GaryS]

My original 442 had to be replaced due to a cracked frame. S&W offered me my choice of either a 442 or a 642. I chose the 642 and because my original gun was a no lock, they sent me a no lock.

My 442 was built on the early frame, so they couldn't just replace the frame. Depending on how old your gun is, they might just replace the frame and stuff it with the original internals.

As to a replacement, I don't know if I'd go for a Shield in 40. I'm biased against 40 anyway, so keep that in mind. I'd be more inclined to buy a Shield in 9mm, but that's me.

 

[fredj338]

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.

The Shield in 40 is for me uncomfortable to shoot. This is coming from a 45 guy & one of my carry guns is a G32. The Shield in 9mm is small, light & easy to shoot well. With good ammo, like 124gr HST, you are as well armed as with a 40, especially if you can not get good fast hits with the 40.
As you have learned, one is none. You should have at least 2 carry guns just for this reason. Identical or very sim is a bonus.

 

[Whitwabit]

I would choose the Compact over the shield .. bigger grip is more comfortable to shoot !! and the extra rounds would also be a factor why I would go with the Compact .. 10+1 vs 7 or 8+1 for the shield and for the compact larger mags are available ..

Compact is as easily concealed as the Shield is .. My Compact 1.0 is as accurate as the shooter .. easily placing 10 rounds in a 3 inch spread off hand at 10 yards ..

 

[LVSteve]

I'm probably going to be tarred and feathered for this, but the best, reasonably priced concealable pistol with maximum firepower I have shot in the last year has to be the SCCY CPX-2. 9mm, 10+1 capacity and a DAO trigger. Think of it as a boxy 11 shot revolver.

 

[crazyphil]

Get another 642. When yours gets fixed you can carry a New York
reload.

 

[Backlighting]

I prefer a revolver over a semi for EDC. No failures to feed.
Dependability is the #1 priority for me. Very lightweight and easy to conceal, with reasonable power & 5 ready to go, my M638 is perfect.

 

[one eye joe]

I'd hang onto my greenbacks and wait for the verdict from the Mothership. I'd use what I had on hand while considering my options for replacing the 642.

I AGREE WITH URIT......

WAIT FOR S&W'S RESPONSE, SO THAT YOU CAN MAKE A MORE INFORMED DECISION.......

 

[Chief Wiggums]

All great advice
the best value of this forum is the wealth of knowledge , expertise and occasional wise guy humor.

suggestions that stood out to me (except that Glock recommendation)

Another 642 yep , a great strategy (2 is 1)

Shield 9 (ya cant go wrong) has been my primary EDC for a couple of years now for summer mos , (fall & winter I switch to a Beretta PX4 compact).

 

[dr. mordo]

Model 36 Classics | Smith & Wesson

I'd imagine with your trade in value it will be pretty cheap, and the Classics seem like very nice guns.

 

[RGVshooter]

Great responses! Thanks guys....

This is one of those times where I seriously regret selling my Kahr K9. Although I did trade it towards the purchase of a new S&W 686 4", it was a excellent carry gun.

I live in deep south Texas and would like something that I can still dress in light clothing but still feel protected. My M&P 9 will get the job done but when there's a heat index of 108°, I'm not really in the mood to stuff a full size pistol in a safariland ALS holster while wearing cargo shorts and open toe sandals. That is why I chose the 642. it is light and carries very well in a pocket holster. A M&P shield in 9mm would be the better choice over the 40 since I have shot both and know how they feel.

I'll wait until the mothership makes their decision before committing to a new purchase. IF....they do give me the option of purchasing a different model I am leaning hard towards a M&P 9 shield. I'd like to stay away from aluminum alloy frames.

 

[TomkinsSP]

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.

If you prefer a revolver, Charter Arms makes a dandy .40S&W snubby, the "Bulldog", I bought a used one in stainless, but thier Melonite finish is very appealing.

 

[Badgerboy1]

M&P 9C or Ruger LC9S

 

[oljames3]

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?

Of course, carry a gun with which you are comfortable and capable. I live near Austin. I carry an S&W M&P M2.0 9mm 5inch openly in a Safariland ALS everywhere I legally can.

 

[Smoke]

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.

I'm a believer in having 2 identical or very similar carry pistols. That way if one is in the shop or the evidence locker you grab the spare and roll.

I also know people who have 1 pistol that is used strictly for training with an identical second pistol that's used for carry.

 

[GTBL]

Go with a Steel J-Frame.