Share some CCW advice with an old-fashioned guy

[smith revolver cop]

Here's my situation: I've been in police work for 28 years. Almost always carried a revolver as my off-duty gun. My current off-duty is a 442. Small, light, easily concealed, good selection of holsters.

Next month, I need to qualify again. I've never had any problems at all... just take lots of speedloaders, and I've always shot just as well with my snub-nose as with my duty gun. But, as I get older, I'm debating switching to a semi-auto for off-duty carry. In all honesty, I've never had (nor really wanted) a "plastic gun." But, I've heard nothing but great things about the Smith M&P, so I figure a Compact 9mm would be a good choice- light, more than twice the capacity of my 442, decent holster selection, magazine availability, etc.

Here's my question: In your opinion (since I value the input of my fellow forum members!), how would the Compact M&P 9mm compare with the 442 for concealability and weight for off-duty carry? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! (Side question... S&W doesn't currently list a compact M&P .45, just the 9 amd .40. Is there a compact .45 in the works? That would be my calibre of choice.)

 

[smith revolver cop]

Here's my situation: I've been in police work for 28 years. Almost always carried a revolver as my off-duty gun. My current off-duty is a 442. Small, light, easily concealed, good selection of holsters.

Next month, I need to qualify again. I've never had any problems at all... just take lots of speedloaders, and I've always shot just as well with my snub-nose as with my duty gun. But, as I get older, I'm debating switching to a semi-auto for off-duty carry. In all honesty, I've never had (nor really wanted) a "plastic gun." But, I've heard nothing but great things about the Smith M&P, so I figure a Compact 9mm would be a good choice- light, more than twice the capacity of my 442, decent holster selection, magazine availability, etc.

Here's my question: In your opinion (since I value the input of my fellow forum members!), how would the Compact M&P 9mm compare with the 442 for concealability and weight for off-duty carry? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! (Side question... S&W doesn't currently list a compact M&P .45, just the 9 amd .40. Is there a compact .45 in the works? That would be my calibre of choice.)

 

[Andy Taylor]

If you are comfortable with the J frame, why switch?
If you just want an excuse to buy another gun, then you really need the new one. You will never survive with the old fashioned low tech revolver.

 

[safearm]

I'm a retired LEO and I carry a 442 daily in a pocket holster. I also carry a S&W M&P9c as my car gun. So when I'm out and about, I always have 2 guns with me. I used to carry a 1911 (.45ACP of course) but I found that arthritis troubles me too much when shooting the .45, so I opted for the 9mm. I can carry the M&P concealed much easier than the 1911 (High Noon IWB holster or Bianchi Minimalist OWB), the recoil of the 9mm is more comfortable for me than the .45, and the M&P holds more rounds. For me, it works well.

 

[haywood]

As much as I like Revolvers, I have on ocasion carried a Glock 26. A 642 is always in my pocket and a 357 is normaly IWB. I'm too fat to comfortably carry the Glock IWB so, I carry it in my pocket. If I ware a Vest or big Shirt I can carry on the belt. After carrying a Duty Rig all those years you should be able to figure out a carry method with no problems. As Evan Marshal says "Dress around your Gun".

 

[cmort666]

I highly recommend that you get your semi-auto early enough to start dry firing with it to get used to the trigger. If you get a Glock, Springfield XD(M) or S&W M&P, the trigger is going to be VERY different from what you're used to. I shoot a Glock 19 and a Glock 22. The technique I use is to take up the slack and stop before finishing the trigger squeeze.

 

[GatorFarmer]

If the M&P model in question is the one that I think it is, and about the same size and weight as the G26/G27, it'll be quite a bit heavier than a 442. I carried a G27 as a pocket gun for a while. Eventually, I came to the conclusion that I might as well just go up to a mid size auto.

I still carry one or more J frames. Extras are always nice.

 

[Rob P.]

If you like the M&P then buy one.

If you'd rather have all metal, then look at a 1911 or the all metal S&W lineup. You can get a really nice STI for about the price of a (ugghly) Glock or the M&P.

 

[Guest]

A while back I began carrying a second gun instead of trying to rely on spare magazines. My arthritis is the main reason I made this change. My guns of choice are a pair of Glock 27s. One on each hip because I've never been a fan of ankle holsters because they are hard for me to get to - again the arthritis issue. I also don't care for the IWB holsters and use two Galco SOB holsters because they put the gun "high & tight" and simply really work for me - even when seated and buckled up in my van.

FYI - I do love my revolvers but the Glock does offer 4 extra rounds before I have to even 'think' about reloading. That makes me fell more warm and fuzzy than I was when I carried my .44 Magnum. I don't care for the 9mm and with the heavier 180 grain bullets I do feel the .40S&W is a very good replacement for a .357 Magnum which the 9mm will never be.

 

[GLV]

Simple,add another J frame.

I have never been in law enforcement, but have carried a gun for most of my life. Since the early 80s, have always carried at least two. today, due to my arthritis, I usually carry two revolvers, caliber may vary but primary will be 44 Mag/Special or 45 ACP. At times 2 J frames.

My arthritis will not take the double jar of semi auto guns. I put about 150 rounds thru a 762X25 a couple of weeks ago, and right elbow was sore for a week--and the CZ 52 does not have a lot of recoil. Oh--I am 77 fyi.

 

[boomstick]

If I'm carrying a holster on a belt, I usually either carry a Glock 27 or some version of a 1911 .45. However if I'm NOT carrying a holster with something to cover it, I carry the J-Frame in the pocket. Most of the time it's the J-Frame. I'd stick with that and buy whatever gun you want in addition....

 

[cowart]

I'm debating switching to a semi-auto for off-duty carry

FWIW, I switched from a 642 to a small, 16oz 9mm pocket pistol. I was immediately able to shoot noticeably better. Plus, it holds 7 rounds instead of 5.

 

[cowart]

Is there a compact .45 in the works?

Here you go... Model CS45 Pistol

 

[flop-shank]

Buy the M&P, then carry both. Carry the snubby weak side (I like front pocket).

 

[smith revolver cop]

Originally posted by cowart:

Is there a compact .45 in the works?

Here you go... Model CS45 Pistol

Thanks for the heads-up. In all honesty, I didn't know they were still making the semi-auto "Chief's Special."

 

[mrwildroot]

I didn't know either...
I want one!!!
mrwildroot

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I really like the M&P, but if you are happy - why switch?

 

[Pitdog02]

Originally posted by GLV:
Simple,add another J frame.

I have never been in law enforcement, but have carried a gun for most of my life. Since the early 80s, have always carried at least two. today, due to my arthritis, I usually carry two revolvers, caliber may vary but primary will be 44 Mag/Special or 45 ACP. At times 2 J frames.

My arthritis will not take the double jar of semi auto guns. I put about 150 rounds thru a 762X25 a couple of weeks ago, and right elbow was sore for a week--and the CZ 52 does not have a lot of recoil. Oh--I am 77 fyi.

I love it, ROCK ON GLV!

 

[Spotteddog]

I'm doing an M&P9c and/or Ti J frame lately. Feel good with the 12+1 on board. But then feel even better about the 5 for sure with the 342PD.
OK, so I'm schizophrenic?

 

[smith revolver cop]

Originally posted by Spotteddog:
I'm doing an M&P9c and/or Ti J frame lately. Feel good with the 12+1 on board. But then feel even better about the 5 for sure with the 342PD.
OK, so I'm schizophrenic?

Spotteddog:
I know JUST how you feel!