Double Stack vs. Single Stack

[Centralcoastguy]

Hello everyone!

About a year and a half ago I started process to get my CCW, and a guy at a gun store totally persuaded me to get a Shield 9mm. He said it was very popular, entirely comfortable, and concealed almost effortlessly. He was not wrong. But after dry firing the bejesus out of it and putting some 2,500 rounds through it, I am not totally thrilled. The gun is kind of hard for my to get a good grasp of in my CCW holster, and the grip seems a bit small. I am 6'3", 235 pounds, and have pretty big hands. I put one of those Hogue sleeves on the Shield grip to make it thicker and that helped, but still seems small.

So the Shield is OK, but I have come to think I just like double stacks better for CCW. The double stack gun grip fills my hand; I can get such a better grip; that makes a difference. My draw is better and I shoot more accurately. It seems for me bigger is better.

But everybody seems in love with single stacks for EDC that I feel I might be missing something. Yes, the double stack guns are thicker and a bit more uncomfortable, but the difference to me does not seem much.

Anyone else out there prefer double stack to single stack handguns for EDC? It appears single stack is where all the popularity is with CCW guns.

[Warehouse13]

I prefer single stack because of my small hands. You might like a Glock 19. I'd trade you my 19 for your shield, holsters included.

[buffybuster]

Yes, the double stack guns are thicker and a bit more uncomfortable, but the difference to me does not seem much.

You just answered your own question.

[TheSpaceNeedle]

If i told you I like a 34 waist and a 30 inseam would you buy the same pants as me?

[Centralcoastguy]

You just answered your own question.

Wanted to hear if others have had the same experience/opinion as me.

[ThePlinker]

Are you new to shooting?

Last person I would take advice from is a guy behind a counter at a gun store.

Especially if that store is a Turners.

[Notpc]

I chose a Glock 26 (double stack). The grip is of course wide, but that makes it more comfortable to shoot (for me). Probably because it spreads the impact out and it is heavier than most single stacks. I am also a big guy and the new Milt Sparks Criterion holster I just purchased helps it disappear under my T-shirt.

[buffybuster]

Wanted to hear if others have had the same experience/opinion as me.

Depends on your hands, build and body type. Since it's highly unlikely we're the same, what I prefer has no bearing on what would work for you. You originally took the advice of someone at the gunstore about what's best..... and you didn't like it. Why are you trying to make the same mistake?

If a double stack works best for you, then why are to trying to find validation?

[Title1guy]

You're a big guy. Just rent a bunch of pistols to find the right doublestack pistol and then a holster for you. Don't overthink it. Good luck.

[Ora Serrata]

I do find double stacks generally fit my hand better but they also print on me. OWB, Open carry or under a big jacket I don’t mind double stack, but since it’s always hot in Southern California I never were a jacket. Do it’s single stacks for me. I never liked the way the shield fit my hand either. So I paid the California extortion tax by buying all off rosters. Single stack Springfield XDS and Walther PPS fit my hands just fine.

[k1dude]

Everybody is different. You need to use what works for YOU. What works for someone else might not work for YOU.

[Centralcoastguy]

Are you new to shooting?

Last person I would take advice from is a guy behind a counter at a gun store.

Especially if that store is a Turners.

Not new to shooting.

But new-ish to CCW and subcompact guns. And new to balancing EDC comfort vs. capacity and size of gun dialectic. Love the ability to CCW. Not thrilled with single stack guns. Or small guns, in general.

This is what carrying one everyday has taught me. Like with holsters, the only way you learn is by trying it and at length and finding your way along the journey.

[Centralcoastguy]

I do find double stacks generally fit my hand better but they also print on me. OWB, Open carry or under a big jacket I don’t mind double stack, but since it’s always hot in Southern California I never were a jacket. Do it’s single stacks for me. I never liked the way the shield fit my hand either. So I paid the California extortion tax by buying all off rosters. Single stack Springfield XDS and Walther PPS fit my hands just fine.

I have a Springfield XD Service 9mm with a PRP trigger that I love. The stock trigger on the XD is spongy horrible, in my opinion. But with the Powder River Precision trigger it is... wonderful.

The 4 inch Springfield XD Service is on my license, but that is still a little big. So I am going to get the Springfield XD Subcompact, then get a better trigger, and that will be my EDC. Same exact feel and size as my XD Service gun but smaller. Same double stack feel.

Ruger LCR .38 when it is unbearably hot and sweaty in summer, and I am wearing very light clothing. Shield 9mm single stack with 8 rounds on the next level down of hot and just wearing a light T shirt or wearing gun all day -- and comfort becomes more important. Then the XD Subcompact double stack with 11 rounds all other times and when it is a bit cooler -- and at night when I often wear even a light sweatshirt, since I live next to the ocean and it gets cool.

I imagine many of us are making semi-constant EDC adjustments in terms of comfort vs. capacity.

[SandHill]

Are you new to shooting?

Last person I would take advice from is a guy behind a counter at a gun store.

Especially if that store is a Turners.

Aw c'mon. The advice wasn't bad. The Shield is one of the most popular guns on the roster for EDC. It works for lots of people. It didn't work for OP. THat doesn't mean the advice was bad or that the clerk was an idiot, it just means that no one gun is going to work for everyone.

[plumbum]

I have both a Shield and a Glock 26 - both are in 9mm and are usually the comparison of carry single vs double stack.

I’m not as big as you (5’7”, 180), but I do find the Shield to be easy to carry due to the flat profile. I can carry the Glock but I need to make sure I work a little more (like wear a belt and the right shirt). The Shield is thin enough that it’s more difficult to hold onto; the Glock format spreads recoil much better.

Personally I prefer the Glock 26 to the Glock 19, but definitely give the Glock 19 a look.

I like carrying single stacks(but less-so than snubs) and I like shooting double stacks.