Which SD handgun works best for you?

[Grimjaws]

Went to the range today and did another 60 rounds through my LCP Max and 120 through my VP9
Was lucky enough to find some Hornandy HP ammo for both .380 and 9mm so this was more a function check versus target shooting

This has been my third range visit with the little .380 after shelving my good old 36 j frame for bedroom safe duty

I cannot hit for "you know what" with that darn .380
Tried some different brand ammo including Federal, Blazer and Hornandy and all over the place
It sure is easy to carry being so small and light but man I suck with that gun and I'm almost out of .380

I use paper plates on a piece of cardboard to attach to the shooting stand - easy to put up and take down and gives me something to do with monitor or TV boxes versus throwing them out. So not trying to hit the 10 ring just keep it in the plate

Did better with the VP9 of course being a full sized pistol and the normal three dot which I am used to and all shots were good at 7 and 10 yards. Being a revolver shooter for most of the 31 years I've been shooting I'm still learning the whole striker fired stuff

No failures off any kind and left myself enough self defense ammo for two mags each gun
While down to one box of range FMJ for the .380 I stocked up in 2019 and have plenty of 9mm

On a whim decided to try my 36
It wears Pachmayr compact grips and the nice fella I bought it from (shout out to NY-1) off this forum had done an excellent job on red painting the front sight

Holy smokes
Three cylinders full at 7 yards and all were dead center on the plate and I could cover the 15 holes with the palm of my hand

Yeah it's heavier
Yep it only has 5 rounds before a reload
But I'm a MUCH BETTER shot with it at self defense distances

Next time gonna try it at the 25 yard range just to see how I do

Started with a model 60 and foolishly sold it, then migrated through a bunch of pocket guns - Beretta .22, then Colt .380 then Ruger LCP, 36-10 I sold to a friend who just got her permit with some oversized grips and a Wilson spring kit I did, the 36, the LCP Max and now I'm back to my 36.

I trust the 36
I can carry it in all kinds of weather in my pocket
Like the fact it has an exposed hammer
And it's a beauty to look at
And now three range trips in a row I don't have the confidence to put a shot where it needs to be with that Ruger but I do with my 36!

I think I'll sell the Max and three mags and use the money for a range gun or maybe another j frame

So which gun did you decide to carry and why?

 

[S&W629]

On my person..every day....is a S&W M60 (three inch)....but if time allows...the Browing Hp will come out of the bag....that also goes everywhere with me....

 

[BAM-BAM]

The trend to smaller and smaller and lighter pistols is not always for the better beyond "bad breath" distances.

Been carrying 3rd Gen S&W, Sig P Series and Beretta Compacts since the 1990s.

My most frequent EDC since 1989 is a S&W 3913NL.... like Goldilocks not to big, not to small....... just right. IMHO the best single stack 9mm concealed carry gun produced. 25oz ; 7 or 8+1 carried in a Milt Sparks Executive Companion holster ( sits a tad lower than the Summer special)

 

[lordvader]

Currently a Taurus G2 9mm. Very reliable compact pistol. I have never had any FTE or FTF issues. I concealed carried a 38 s&w 642 air weight for a few years, but at 5 shots and a stout snappy recoil it was time for a change. I may start carrying my s&w 3913 if I can ever find a descent holster for it. I have carried a Glock 19 at times in the winter months but not often. I am not a fan of small subcompact pistols like the lcp and other various models in that size range.

 

[grover99]

I had in the past owned a Glock 17 and a Glock 23 and found I couldn't shoot worth a darn with them. Problem was they didn't fit my hand. So I gave up on Glocks until about two years ago when I picked up a Glock 43 at the local pawn shop. Felt great so I took it home with me. When I went to the range I did great with it. Added a plus 2 mag and now carry it 90% of the time in a pocket holster.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I have been packing around an officer's size 1911 for quite some time. Usually an EMP (9mm frame) but sometimes a custom Kimber .38 super. The EMP fits my hands really well, has decent ammo capacity and will do the job if I hit with it.

 

[Rustyt1953]

For the last nine years; same pistol, same pocket, same Federal .380 ball.

Like Lynyrd I am a simple kind of man.

 

[Rpg]

Usually I carry a Colt Commander in 45 acp.

When I can't carry the 1911, I carry a M38.

 

[URIT]

My S&W Model 3953 works best for me. The DAO trigger on this Gen3 model is remarkable and reminds me of the revolvers I carried on the job. It is also a fine shooter and easy to get a combat grip on the weapon while holstered IWB.

I've been carrying it as my EDC for years in a Don Hume H715-M WCS #28-1, a IWB open-top clip-on holster.

The holster also works well for my 3913s and 6906 round trigger guard.

 

[Rob613]

Glock 43x with Shield Arms mags, unless I'm at work, then it's a LCP Max in my pocket.

 

[Old cop]

My EDC is either the no lock 340PD or LCP in a pocket holster. I shoot either one accurately at combat distance.

 

[1sailor]

Not everyone can comfortably carry a full or even midsize pistol. So, even though they may be more accurate, they wouldn't do anyone any good sitting at home in the sock drawer or safe. I carry an M&P340 on an everyday basis and find it is quite easy to conceal. It is surprisingly more accurate than I was expecting. Not a whole lot of recoil but it sure feels like someone is slapping the palm of your hand sharply with a ruler. However, it sounds like you're more of a semi auto guy. The closest I come to a semi auto carry would be my Shield 45acp. Very easy to shoot and very accurate. At least out to 20 meters. I don't carry it because I'm really more of a revolver guy but if I had to carry one the Shield45 would be it. Attached is a photo of a target. This is 22 rounds fired at 20 meters. Not rapid fire but that's more a matter of the shooter rather than the gun itself. My phone turns all my pics sideways so the large, ragged hole should be at the 6 o'clock position. That one big hole is 11 rounds. The orange dot is 1 inch.

 

[SMSgt]

Glock 30 or 6906. Either works for me. I shoot both about the same, the G30 tends to hurt my bad back as the day wears on, the 6906 carries a couple more rounds. Pretty even-steven in my book.

 

[Birdhunter6]

EDC is 640P Smith or G42 pocket carried around the farm and for most local activities. When forced to travel outside my comfort zone the pocket carry moves to my support side pocket as a BUG and I carry a G43X iwb.

In jacket weather I upgrade to either a G19 or 3" RB 13-2 owb under a thigh length cover garment.

 

[Birdhunter6]

Glock 43x with Shield Arms mags, unless I'm at work, then it's a LCP Max in my pocket.

I tried a very early production Shield Arms magazine and had serious feeding problems in both a 48 and a 43X that have and still do run right with factory mags. I've read that early bugs have been worked out and would love to have that 15 round capacity with the expected Glock function.

How long have you had your SA magazines and how many rounds did you put through it before you started to carry it? Did you switch out the magazine release?

I would really appreciate hearing about your experience with the SA magazine.

Thanks

 

[minconrevo]

I have a two part answer to the question.

Part 1: it's the handgun that you actually will carry and not tend to leave at home or in the vehicle.

Part 2: it's the handgun with ammo that meets the specific SD situation you get into that second.

In my case, much of the time it's a Glock 19. When I'm in shorts with front pockets but no belt loops it's a Ruger LCP II. If it's really cold outside and everyone is in the BIG coat it's a Glock 30. In all cases it's with factory ammo I've carefully researched then tested to run in my pistol. I do not trust any carry pistol until I've put at least 250 uneventful rounds down it, with the last few being my actual carry choice. I prefer to work all 250 rounds from my carry holster to check it out too.

 

[max503]

I'm a J frame person but recently bought a Glock 26. Here's a 10 shot group at 25 yards using my cast boolit, powder-coated reloads. Dang. This thing is fun, but I will only carry it in very limited situations. The J frame is safer and it suits my needs.

 

[swsig]

...However, it sounds like you're more of a semi auto guy. The closest I come to a semi auto carry would be my Shield 45acp. Very easy to shoot and very accurate. At least out to 20 meters. I don't carry it because I'm really more of a revolver guy but if I had to carry one the Shield45 would be it. Attached is a photo of a target. This is 22 rounds fired at 20 meters. Not rapid fire but that's more a matter of the shooter rather than the gun itself. My phone turns all my pics sideways so the large, ragged hole should be at the 6 o'clock position. That one big hole is 11 rounds. The orange dot is 1 inch.

Like 1sailor, I can recommend the Shield 45 as a carry gun. It carries easily in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster in my right front pocket. It is also very accurate. Below is a photo of one of my better targets, 40 rounds at 15 yards using American Eagle 230g FMJ. Each square on the target is 1" x 1"

 

[rogerwnuss]

Went to the range today and did another 60 rounds through my LCP Max and 120 through my VP9
Was lucky enough to find some Hornandy HP ammo for both .380 and 9mm so this was more a function check versus target shooting

This has been my third range visit with the little .380 after shelving my good old 36 j frame for bedroom safe duty

I cannot hit for "you know what" with that darn .380
Tried some different brand ammo including Federal, Blazer and Hornandy and all over the place
It sure is easy to carry being so small and light but man I suck with that gun and I'm almost out of .380

I use paper plates on a piece of cardboard to attach to the shooting stand - easy to put up and take down and gives me something to do with monitor or TV boxes versus throwing them out. So not trying to hit the 10 ring just keep it in the plate

Did better with the VP9 of course being a full sized pistol and the normal three dot which I am used to and all shots were good at 7 and 10 yards. Being a revolver shooter for most of the 31 years I've been shooting I'm still learning the whole striker fired stuff

No failures off any kind and left myself enough self defense ammo for two mags each gun
While down to one box of range FMJ for the .380 I stocked up in 2019 and have plenty of 9mm

On a whim decided to try my 36
It wears Pachmayr compact grips and the nice fella I bought it from (shout out to NY-1) off this forum had done an excellent job on red painting the front sight

Holy smokes
Three cylinders full at 7 yards and all were dead center on the plate and I could cover the 15 holes with the palm of my hand

Yeah it's heavier
Yep it only has 5 rounds before a reload
But I'm a MUCH BETTER shot with it at self defense distances

Next time gonna try it at the 25 yard range just to see how I do

Started with a model 60 and foolishly sold it, then migrated through a bunch of pocket guns - Beretta .22, then Colt .380 then Ruger LCP, 36-10 I sold to a friend who just got her permit with some oversized grips and a Wilson spring kit I did, the 36, the LCP Max and now I'm back to my 36.

I trust the 36
I can carry it in all kinds of weather in my pocket
Like the fact it has an exposed hammer
And it's a beauty to look at
And now three range trips in a row I don't have the confidence to put a shot where it needs to be with that Ruger but I do with my 36!

I think I'll sell the Max and three mags and use the money for a range gun or maybe another j frame

So which gun did you decide to carry and why?

Carrying a 642-1 J frame now, warm weather it's a Springfield Armory 911 380 in front pocket, due to being lazy. +1 for the J frames, tho.

 

[Rob613]

I tried a very early production Shield Arms magazine and had serious feeding problems in both a 48 and a 43X that have and still do run right with factory mags. I've read that early bugs have been worked out and would love to have that 15 round capacity with the expected Glock function.

How long have you had your SA magazines and how many rounds did you put through it before you started to carry it? Did you switch out the magazine release?

I would really appreciate hearing about your experience with the SA magazine.

Thanks

I have 2 and have had them about 3 months now. I first put 100 FMJ and 25 JHP through each with no failures, was confident to start carrying them. I now have over 250 mixed rounds through each, still with no failures.

I have not switched out the mag release and have no issues. I do have one though, but I'd have to run test over again so right now, all good.

Carrying 31 rounds in a fairly small package…