Posted: 2/1/2014 7:18:50 AM EDT
|
Alright, I am turning 21 in just a few weeks, and am getting my cwp. I already have my paperwork and everything ready to send off.
I'm trying to decide on the gun I want to carry. I'm a small guy, 5'9" 160lbs. I have a glock 17 but that's just to big. I am thinking about either a s&w 9c or the s&w shield in 9mm. The 9c costs a little more and its bigger but gives you more rounds. The shield can be found easily for around $350 (atleast where I am at central SC) and weighs less and its smaller Any suggestions or anyone that carries either one please let me know Thanks Arnie |
|
I thought about a 26 for a while. I just want a m&p. When I got my glock I was trying to decide between it and a M&P and ended up getting it due to the price point (I got blue label). I will eventually get both though
Do you have any opinion on the g26 vs the m&p? |
|
Out of the two, the M&P9c all the way.
The extra thinness of the Shield is nice but the 9c gives you more options and feels good in the hand. The Shield can feel a bit thin to some people. I like the 9c better than the G26 as it is ever so slightly bigger and easier for me to shoot without being harder to conceal. |
|
Quoted:
Can you use regular m&p 9 mags in a 9c? Not a big deal just curiours Yep. Add an X-grip and you are set to carry 17 + 1 for times you can get away with a longer grip. Reloading a full size mag w/ X-grip at speed or under stress tends to pinch palm meat, so reload w/o the X-grip to eliminate that possible issue. I personally shoot the gun equally well with a 17 rd mag with or without the X-grip. And I know others with the same experience. ( I also have the Shield for times where its slimness helps with tucked concealment. |
|
Quoted:
Can the 9c be easily concealed in a pair of khaki shorts and a tshirt? It gets hot in SC in the summer and thats what I wear about 10 months out of the year. Also, will it fit in the cargo pocket on a pair of shorts? A 9c will fit in a cargo pocket but it will be awkward. I still vote for the 19. The 9c is nice but it's a weird size, bigger than a 26 and smaller than a 19. |
|
Quoted:
I do like the glocks, and I can get them for $398 with 3 mags (blue label) How much can you get a 9c for? I know what the msrp is on it, but what can you buy it for? Also, can you find it used? There is a similar LE program for SW. The place advertising by me Quantico Tactical has them for $399 with a $50 mail in rebate. I think it applies to the 9c. |
|
I'm going to go against the grain and recommend the Shield.
I'm about your size and have m&p 9, 9c and shield. Anything you wear that lets you conceal the 9c, you could easily conceal your glock as well. On the other hand, when you need deep concealment, that 9c is still too big. The Shield + G17 combo will give you more options. |
|
I was in your same dilemma. I was set on the 9c until I set it side by side a G26 for a while and something made me go with the glock, don't know what it was. I'm glad I did, just bought a fde 19 and it's great having the mags from my 17, 19 and 26 all compatible. I carry the 26 in a Bianchi clip holster and can carry it anywhere, in the appendix it completely disappears.
A small part of me wishes I got a shield and the G19 but I'm very happy with the 26 |
|
Danggit!!! I was out of the g26 because I thought I didn't like it but now yall have it back in the mix.
Does anyone have either the g26 or the 9c or shield in a comptac holster of some sort? I used a buddies infidel ultra and I really liked it. Ive also heard good things about the mtac and ctac. Just wondering how they conceal in these holsters |
|
I carry mostly AIWB. Due to the bbl pointing almost directly at the femoral artery, I won't AIWB any pistol that doesn't have either a manual safety or a long DAO-style trigger for the first shot (ie: DA-only or DA/SA). I would much rather (and did) carry a S&W M&P9c w/thumb safety than a Glock.
JMHO... Tomac ETA: Carried the 9c in both a "MrSofty" & Remora clipless holster and I'll be darned if the Remora didn't turn out to be very comfortable to wear w/no retention problems (I was leery of using a clipless holster at first). In fact, I use a Remora for carrying my SIG SP2022 & Beretta PX4 Compact as well. |
|
Quoted:
The G-26 gets my vote.....Plus you can use your G-17 mags in it.....  You will realize after you have messed with them for awhile the Glock is the much more user friendly and modular platform. Given your current status I would get the 26 so you can share mags. The M&P9c and 26 will do the same things pretty equally. I am no M&P hater. I have a FS 9 and a 26 in the safe. 
Ive handled and shot every gun your looking at and other than pocket carry the Shield doesn't do a whole lot of anything better than the 26 or 9c other than pocket carry with a good belt and holster. |
|
Thanks guys. I think yall talked me back into the 26, I shot a friends and liked it but wanted something else but I just love the glock platform.
Everything on it is exactly the same regardless of wheter you pick up a G17 or a G42, or anything in between. Also, you can get holsters and accessories for them much easier. |
|
Much like you, I am a tall, slim individual, and I am waiting for the paperwork to come through for my CPL. For the longest time was in your same predicament trying to decide on my (first) carry gun. After some time I had narrowed it down to a Glock or M&P (polymer, inexpensive, reliable, great warranty service, aftermarket options) in 9mm (based on balance of standard round count, availability/price, recoil, stopping power). That gave me the options of G34, M&P9 Pro 5" , G17, M&P9, G19, M&P9c, G26 and M&P shield 9.
I plan on carrying AIWB as for my body type and clothing style that will be the most effective for me, in addition to other pro's of appendix carry. I initially ruled out the long slide and full size options because I figured they would be too big to carry. In handling the handguns I just generally preferred the ergonomics of the M&P line to that of the Glock's so I started looking in to the M&P9C and shield in more detail. In comparing the 2 handguns the main difference in concealability was the thickness. That made me decide on the shield, as it was going to be the most concealable for me. Then I went to the LGS and bought an M&P9 pro 4.25". Now I'll tell you how I came to do this: I am a college student, and at my university I am not allowed my right to bear arms (bullshit I know, but I want to graduate and get a piece of paper that says I know things...). As such, I will only be carrying off campus, in places where concealment is trivial. As WA is an open carry state, the concealment will really just be to avoid gawking/getting cops called on me/getting kicked out of businesses I shouldn't be giving my money to anyway/etc. Because I am (super) not worried about "concealed being concealed," I am game to carry a bigger gun. And if I am going to carry a thicker gun, why not carry one with a bigger grip and longer slide. I actually even considered a long slide M&P Pro, but as an appendix carry it would be slightly more limiting for minimal gain. Also, as I will not be legally allowed to carry all the time, when I do carry I will be more willing to carry a bigger gun. Additionally, I wanted something that could mount a light for home defense/OWB Carry. Lastly, I figured start with a larger carry gun and everything else after that will feel lighter, slimmer and more concealable. Plus I have no self control when I have something awesome in my hands that I want to have... TL;DR: I decided on the shield and ended up with a FS M&P9 EDIT: I told my whole story and forgot to give you any input... I would say (depending on your state laws about printing/open carry/etc) try carrying your G17, and downsize from there. If that doesn't work for you and since like Glocks I'd say go down to a 19 or 26 depending on how much the size of the 17 bothers you. or if the size doesn't bother you... jack it up to a G34! I'd say having similar systems on your self-defense guns and the interchangeability of mags is definitely invaluable. |
|
Thanks for the input. That actually helped me a lot.
SC is a very gun friendly state, but you can not open carry and if it prints its not concealed. I think I will go with you advice though and try the G17 for a little while. Atleast a month or so and see how it works. If I can't I will probably go with the g26.I just don't see the point of getting the 19 when I have the 17 already and with my body size it's not going to be much easier to conceal. Not saying the 19 is a bad pistol. I like it, but I would rather have the full size and subcompact. In a few year I will probably have all three and a few M&P's as well. Haha Thanks guys |
|
Quoted:
Thanks for the input. That actually helped me a lot. SC is a very gun friendly state, but you can not open carry and if it prints its not concealed. I think I will go with you advice though and try the G17 for a little while. Atleast a month or so and see how it works. If I can't I will probably go with the g26.I just don't see the point of getting the 19 when I have the 17 already and with my body size it's not going to be much easier to conceal. Not saying the 19 is a bad pistol. I like it, but I would rather have the full size and subcompact. In a few year I will probably have all three and a few M&P's as well. Haha Thanks guys I didn't see where you described how you plan to carry and dress around the gun. I'm roughly the same dimensions as you (ok, a couple pounds heavier  ) and I normally carry a G19 IWB, but I have carried a G17 IWB and it really didn't make that much of a difference. I usually favor looser fitting button down shirts so that has a lot to do with it, but any kind of tight or form fitting shirt is going to print, regardless of the gun you decide to carry. You could probably even get away with a loose t-shirt or polo, provided its dark in color. Also remember that the position of the gun on your body, as well as the cant of the holster will go a long way in helping conceal it. I'd give it a try with the G17 in a good IWB before I went out and bought a new gun.
|
|
Yeah sorry about that. I am planning on carrying IWB either at the 3ish oclock or appendix. I'm moving closer to the appendix carry because it is much easier to conceal. Just have to practice my draw a little more
Gives me a good excuse to get to the range more often. |
| I'd definitely recommend against the 3 o'clock as that's the "pointiest" part of your hip and the gun will consequently jut out the farthest at that point. If you move it back to 3:30 or 4 o'clock you'll find that your body has a natural hollowing out in that area, and will allow you to conceal much more effectively. I can't really speak to the appendix carry since I've never done it, but I don't think it's really doable with a G17 or other larger framed pistol, and I just don't like having the barrel pointed in that direction. |
|
I'm a little bigger than you, standing at 6'1" 205, but in relation to size our shape is probably pretty similar. I find that the 19 is about the largest I care to try and conceal. I had a G22 at one time and sold it in order to decrease in size. I've tried carrying IWB at the 3 o'clock position and it doesn't conceal very well in most clothes other than a loose button down shirt. However the 4-430 position is my favorite spot. I can easily conceal my G19 in most any shirt other than a more form fitting t-shirt.
On a side note, I've been considering trying out AIWB. I just can't decide if the pros outweigh the very dangerous cons. 
|