Shopping for a new CC pistol.

[Hilltop]

I am shopping for a new conceal carry pistol. I'm down to the M&P Shield 9MM and the Glock 43 9MM. I love the feel of both guns and price is very similar. I haven't shot either as none of my local shops have a range. Do any of you have any opinions on either one of these? Is there another one out there I should be considering? I like single stack and either 9MM or 40. I'm not a 45 cal fan.

 

[NE69]

I really like the Sig Sauer Equinox in 9mm. It's more money though, about $750. If you make it out to hunt turkeys you can shoot it and the M&P shield after you call in some toms and our tags are filled.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

My personal view is that 9mm is about right as far as caliber choice. I have had a CC permit for about 15 years and have gone thru a number of brands and type of carry pistols. Use to think revolver were the only way to go because of their reliability, but have changed from that. I really don't think durability is an issue as most CC pistols don't get shot a lot. I now carry a Keltech. It is really light, single stack, reliable and shoots great. I usually shoot it a couple of times a year.....Oh yeah, it was really reasonable, less than $300. Bought it at a gun show 3 or 4 years ago.

If possible, shoot each one of them and you might find one of them "feels" better to you. Good luck.

 

[Tim McCoy]

I have a M&P shield in 40. They were out of 9mm's or it would be a 9mm. It simply felt right in my hand. It is a great gun. I do find my self carrying my S&W Bodyguard more, especially in warm weather. If it is cool out and I can wear my carry coat, the Shield is with me. A 380 in your pocket trumps a 9mm in the safe if you need it quick.

 

[digger11]

I picked up my new Shield 9mm last weekend. It is the way to go for me.The gun shoots real well.I was amazed at the difference in the way the gun handled with the different magazines.The 8 rounder with the extension makes this gun a true darling,,,really shot straight. It comes with a 7 rounder as well.It will get tossed as soon as my new 8 rounders show up.

 

[Kodiak32]

I have the M&P Shield 9mm and love it, great gun!! I highly suggest it.

 

[Gr8bawana]

I bought a M & P full size in .40 last year and so far it's a pretty good gun. The only thing I don't like is the trigger. You pull on the trigger and it goes back about a 1/2 inch before the gun fires, just feels weird to me because I'm used to crisp clean rifle triggers with no creep.
Maybe that's their version of a safety because there is no external safety.

 

[xtreme]

Same as Colorado Cowboy, 9mm Kel -tec PF-9.

 

[CrossCreeks]

I just bought a Glock 43 and really like the feel of it , I own several Glocks including the 27, but this with the single stack feels really good. I did have the trigger worked on and put it down to about 3.5 lbs. I do not think you would be disappointed it. IMO

 

[Againstthewind]

My dad and brother are sig guys also. They really like them. I just carry around a couple 20"-ers in my shirt sleeves. Seems to deter threats. Just kidding.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

My dad and brother are sig guys also. They really like them. I just carry around a couple 20"-ers in my shirt sleeves. Seems to deter threats. Just kidding.

Bet that looks weird, seeing that your sleeve length is 12"......Popeye. LOL

 

[hardstalk]

My bro in law carries the keltec. I purchased the kahr cm9 and beretta nano9. I almost went with the keltec for weight purposes on backpack hunts. After playing with my bro in laws I went with the kahr. The kahr was a tad heavier. But the keltec did not give me the warm and fuzzies. It may have been his, but it just felt poorly assembled. I would shake it and hear rattles. It shot similar to all compact 9's I've shot. (Not the funnest guns to shoot!) but the kahr felt a bit sturdier.

Oh, I ended up with the kahr and beretta because I took my wife with me to shop. She couldn't decide between the beretta or the kahr for herself so we ended up purchasing both. I carry the kahr in a old faithful iwb. I'm a pretty small dude 5'6" 140-150 lbs (depending on the month and with the iwb and a semi baggy tee shirt it conceals well. If I had the money to spare at the time I would have gone with the kimber. Those are some purdy little pistols!

 

[sneakypete]

What's wrong with going BIG 454 ! Just wave that thing and it'll scare off anyone in a three county area! Lol

 

[buckbull]

Another vote for the shield. My wifes side of the family all carry kel-teks and really like them.

 

[RICMIC]

There are so many semi-auto options out there, that a serious guy should explore the option of a dealer with an on-site range so you can try some different ones. I have a dbl. stack Glock 43, and have never had a failure in over 1K rounds. It's not as accurate as my 6" Colt Python, but I'm not likely to CC that either. I do find myself just grabbing the .380 AMT most of the time. When you see and shoot any Kimber though it's hard to look at anything else.

 

[RANGER619]

I had a Kimber Solo, but got rid of it. Some of the early ones could be fussy with ammo. Mine was very fussy, to the point that it was almost a single shot with anything other than high end self-defense ammo. I really liked carrying it, but it needs to go bang every time the trigger is pulled. I have a couple of friends that have them and they shoot just fine. I now have the Springfield XD-S 9mm, and really like it. It is a little bigger and heavier than the Kimber though. I really like that I can feed it any ammo. Good luck with your purchase. So many good ones out there now.

 

[stevevan]

I went real simple, Ruger LCR in .357 hammerless. Load it with .38+ for everyday carry. .357 heavy bullets when checking bear baits.

 

[Team Kabob]

Hilltop, if you buy the 43 and don't like it; you can send it my way to test it! Both are good guns.


Thanks
TK

¥

 

[Hilltop]

Thanks everyone- It sounds like the M&P may have a slight edge but I'm going to try to shoot them both and see what feels better at the range. I think I'll also take NE69 up on his offer- thanks Dave.

 

[sodaksooner]

Walther PPS-small, shoots well for the size, only a single stack 9, but is a quality piece. Should never need more than 8 rounds. My wife carries that. Just picked up a Springfield xdm. full size .45. That will be my carry gun....lol.

I like the m&P's too. Nothing against glocks, just have never been my favorite.