CCW Weapon

[Ryan_D]

Alrighty, Gents. Fingers crossed for the 9th Circus ruling coming soon and how that will affect my ability to get a carry permit here in Merced County, I've started looking into what weapon I want to get as my carry weapon. I currently own a Springfield XD Tactical (5" barrel), and I love it, but obviously it's much too large for CCW. I've handled and shot a few Glocks, don't care for them. My current CCW choices (pending a try-out) are Springfield XD sub-compact 3", or a Beretta PX-4 Storm. Either will be in a .40 S&W. I currently own a .40 S&W handgun, and I plan to stay consistent for two reasons: less ammo to keep track of, and easier to pack a BOB (bug-out bag).

Thoughts, opinions, musings or feedback?

[roushstage2]

I have an XD40 Service Model and just DROSed an XD40 SC. I'm familiar with the takedown, workings, operation and feel of the XD and figured it best to stick with something I'm familiar with. I too don't care for the Glocks, but like how the XD's feel. I might actually like the subcompact better than the service model.

[Ryan_D]

That's quite a bit of my consideration as well...I'm familiar with my XD, love the way it feels in my hand, love the way it shoots. Seems prudent to stick with what I know, but I kinda like the looks of the Beretta too. Not wild about that hammer though

[tbhracing]

Tagged

[roushstage2]

Have you held an XD subcompact yet?

[Ryan_D]

No, not yet. I plan to go to a range that has both for rent and try them both out if they have them in .40 S&W, or whichever one they have if they only have 1 of them. I have to admit some bias toward the XD sc just because of owning an XD already though.

[roushstage2]

Once you hold the subcompact, be sure and let me know what you think! I think you are going to like it, a lot, especially if you like the full-size XD you already have.

[Ryan_D]

Roger, WILCO

[Q619]

I just picked up a XDs recently and love it. Gun ran 200 rounds of ball and 40 rounds of +p hp's like a champ: no hiccups. Carries just as easily as a J-Frame but with more firepower and is easier to reload (the shortened ejection rod makes it harder on my J-Frame). Between my 3 subcompact guns (J-Frame, Glock 26, XDs), the XDs is the best balance of concealability/shootability/firepower IMO.

[Zedrek]

I have the XD .40 in Sub Compact in it fits pretty good in my meaty paws. It's nice to shoot too. I haven't tried concealed carry with it yet.

[Khromo]

The crucial aspect of carrying a concealed weapon starts with "carrying concealed." This becomes a pain in the neck very quickly, but neither element ever loses its importance. You must be carrying the thing, and it must be concealed, and it should not be pissing you off too much.

Every day concealed carry to me means a single stack magazine with a short barrel and grip, or a J-frame. In many years of concealed carry I never found a higher capacity pistol that concealed easily or carried comfortably. If it doesn't conceal and carry right, it is not going to be satisfactory for you, no matter how smooth or light that trigger pull is, no matter how well it handles on the range.

I gravitated toward the Holy Grail of Everyday Concealed Carry Pistols for Personal Defense: the SIG Model 239 in .40 S&W. For me, this is the perfect compromise of size and capacity, with outstanding reliability and handling characteristics. The trigger is one of the smoother and most consistent DA/SA triggers I've found on a modern autopistol. A safe, appropriate DA pull for a self defense pistol, especially important for a non-professional. I had to have two, in case anything happened to the first one. This is a creamy gun. Creamy.

After I retired, my dress relaxed. A lot. I now find myself carrying S&W J-frame Centennial Models, the Princes of Pocket Carry Handguns. I just don't wear enough clothes to conceal the Model 239's anymore. The S&W Model 340 PD or Model 642 don't have the authority or elegant handling properties of the SIG Model 239, but I am never tempted to leave them behind when I go out, and that is, for me, the most important characteristic of an everyday concealed carry gun.

[Ryan_D]

So the XDs is on the CA approved list?

[X231]

The crucial aspect of carrying a concealed weapon starts with "carrying concealed." This becomes a pain in the neck very quickly, but neither element ever loses its importance. You must be carrying the thing, and it must be concealed, and it should not be pissing you off too much.

Every day concealed carry to me means a single stack magazine with a short barrel and grip, or a J-frame. In many years of concealed carry I never found a higher capacity pistol that concealed easily or carried comfortably. If it doesn't conceal and carry right, it is not going to be satisfactory for you, no matter how smooth or light that trigger pull is, no matter how well it handles on the range.

I gravitated toward the Holy Grail of Everyday Concealed Carry Pistols for Personal Defense: the SIG Model 239 in .40 S&W. For me, this is the perfect compromise of size and capacity, with outstanding reliability and handling characteristics. The trigger is one of the smoother and most consistent DA/SA triggers I've found on a modern autopistol. A safe, appropriate DA pull for a self defense pistol, especially important for a non-professional. I had to have two, in case anything happened to the first one. This is a creamy gun. Creamy.

After I retired, my dress relaxed. A lot. I now find myself carrying S&W J-frame Centennial Models, the Princes of Pocket Carry Handguns. I just don't wear enough clothes to conceal the Model 239's anymore. The S&W Model 340 PD or Model 642 don't have the authority or elegant handling properties of the SIG Model 239, but I am never tempted to leave them behind when I go out, and that is, for me, the most important characteristic of an everyday concealed carry gun.

^^^^^^ Ding Ding Ding!!!! We have a winner!

My thoughts exactly. I too have a 239 and love the gun but don't carry it because it's too big for my usual jeans and T shirt dress. For me EDC has to be < 1" wide. If whatever gun you choose is not comfortable or concealable you're not going to like carrying it. Before you choose a carry gun(s) it's important to consider how you normally dress. If you wear a parka 365 days a year then by all means get a Desert Eagle!

[Khromo]

Yea, X231, your less-than-1" thick is like one of the Ten Commandments of Concealed Carry. The thickness of the weapon, and to some extent the "blockiness" of the shape, matters as much as the more obvious elements of the size. The thickness and the length of the grip are probably the two toughest areas to conceal.

I knew guys who carried 1911's with full length barrels and short grips, and did okay with it. The slender, thin slides concealed okay as long as there wasn't a long grip sticking out somewhere it shouldn't. The weight got to most of them, eventually.

[Ryan_D]

Standard attire for me is baggy cargo shorts and t-shirts April-September/October, and jeans and t-shirt or short-sleeved, untucked button down October/November-March.