First handgun for cc and home defense

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epl1007

New member
I went out shooting yesterday at the local fm range and narrowed it down to 2 guns that seemed to fit me close to identically yesterday. I want to buy a Glock 19 or a S@W Shield for a dual purpose weapon. I shot both of them well at 8 yards. The shield feels a tad bit nicer in my hand but not by much. The downfall of the shield is the capacity. The downfall of the Glock is its thicker than the shield. Right now I'm 50/50 anyone have opinions that carry the 19 or the shield everyday
 
A guy I work with just bought a new Sig 230(?) and likes the short trigger reset a lot better than the longer reset triggers on his other 3 pieces of Tupperware, check it out before purchasing either of the other 2 you mentioned, just trying to help.
 
Did you try a G26 or G43, as they are closer in dimensions to a Shield than the G19? I never noticed the extra width of a Glock when using one of the minimalist holsters (Raven Concealment Vanguard 2), and could conceal a G26 or G19 with a t shirt. I used a magazine extension (mainly for full grip on draw) on my G26 as the holster holds the gun low on the belt, so the grip was about as long as a G19.

I've fired the S&W offerings a few times, but personally I prefer Glocks. The M&P9c kind of sits in between the G19 and G26, with a similar feel to the Shield but greater capacity. If you end up preferring the Shield, that may be an option as well.
 
The 43 didn't fit my hand well and kicked like a 45 so that guns out. Didn't try the 26 yet because if I want to go with a short barrel it will be a single stack. Which holster do you use for your 19?
 
I would recommend not discounting the 26 because of the barrel, they shoot as well as the 19. Purchase on the grip between the 19 and 26 is one thing but I certainly wouldn't let the shorter barrel influence my decision to go with one over the other.
 
A G26 will have the same thickness at a G19. Less than a 1/4 inch difference between a G19 & a 9mm Shield won't make or break carrying. What could break you is having only 1/2 the ammo in a Shield. Might be ok for a carry piece, but I wouldn't want only 8 rounds of 9mm for home duty. Get the G19.
 
Cannot say from first hand experience, but I've always heard how great glocks are by inexperienced to experienced shooters and also people that have CC for many years; They always seem to favor the glocks. It isn't a coincidence that many favor them.
 
I think so. There are other handguns I like better but I will say from my experience the Glocks just do everything well, they don't stand out and make me drool like a nice 1911 etc.. but they are very well rounded.
I think someone else mentioned it but another one to look at is a M&Pc. I really like mine quite a bit and it will certainly fill a carry/home defense role well.
 
Only you can answer this. I might pollute the waters a bit saying, it might be better to go with the larger gun at first. It will be easier to shoot and if you are getting into HD and CCW, a gun that is easy to shoot and 1000 rounds of ammo, are you friend!
 
OP, I have both, different guns with the same purpose for CCW. The Glock is thicker and heavier, but holds 16 rounds, the Shield is thinner but only holds 9. The Glock is easier to shoot. For home defense there is no reason to have a compact gun, look at the full sized Glocks and S&Ws.

Guns I CCW, G17/G31/G19/Shield/Kahr CW9 and a &W 640-1 .357RemMag

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Nathan said:
Only you can answer this. I might pollute the waters a bit saying, it might be better to go with the larger gun at first. It will be easier to shoot and if you are getting into HD and CCW, a gun that is easy to shoot and 1000 rounds of ammo, are you friend!
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True, about only the OP has the right answer.

When I went shopping I wanted a slim, full size, large capacity pistol. With minimal features, point and shoot. That's why I ended up with the EDC pistol I have. And I love taking it to range and shooting it cause its comfortable.

So I also would agree with seeing if you are able to CC with a full size, if possible.;)

But if you are going to make a choice between the two, my pick goes to the Glock 19.

Let us know what you get!:)
 
try more guns, see what you think then.
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This.

There's a whole galaxy of great compact firearms you haven't tried yet. While I carry a CZ for EDC, I've heard great things about the Walther PPQ, for example.
 
Of the two that you listed, I would vote for the Glock 19 because I own one and know the platform well. I have nothing against the Shield. I also wanted to actually answer the question that you asked (It always kinda irks me when someone asks a specific question and gets an answer out of left field).

That having been said, while my Glock is solid and reliable, it is a soulless and totally boring piece of tupperware. I never carry it, and almost never shoot it. For semi autos, I like all metal, DA/SA hammer fired guns. Just because. :) YMMV.
 
Some carry a mid-size pistol like the G19 and are happy with the size/weight but I like the smaller pistols for CC.
I would pick the S&W Shield. It will be easier and more comfortable to conceal than the G19.
 
Hey OP, two great choices for your first firearm! You'll be gtg with whichever you choose.

Personally, if I am going to CCW the weapon, then I want concealability (not a real word). The downside, like you said, is round count. However, 8 rounds with an extra mag at home is plenty, IMO. Think of all the people that CCW a 1911 with 7 rounds! IF you play the 8 isn't enough I need 16, well maybe I need extended glock mags, well I really should have a bigger caliber, before you know it you'll have a 308 battle rifle and good luck CCW'ing that :P
 
I recently purchased the Shield and Glock 19. I like both and both are very good. But, to me they are two different guns.

The Shield is a conceal carry pistol. It could double as a home defense weapon, but it is slimmer and more concealable than the Glock 19.

The Glock 19 is the do it all gun. Harder to conceal that a Shield but shoots like a full size gun and shoots well, really well. It is easier to shoot well than the Shield in my opinion but it is a bigger gun. Probably the best all around gun on the market.

Conceal: Advantage Shield

Shooting: Advantage Glock

Number of Rounds: Advantage Glock

Home Defense: To me, Advantage Glock but Shield could work here as well.

Good news is you can't go wrong either way. Both are very good.
 
I carry my glock 19 daily, if i could only have one gun it would be my glock 19.

That being said at some point in the next few years I plan to get a shield for daily carry, I'm not worried at all about the capacity of the shield for a carry gun.

If you get a chance to try a glock 26 you may give it a try, its a good in between. I personally dont like how they sit in my hand, though a lot of people love them.
 
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