Seeking "Ms. Right".. New .40 S&W EDC for Cold Air Months

W

Wethepeople01

New member
This is not intended to continue the great caliber debate. Rather, it's intended to help me decide on which compact in .40 cal to add to my EDC rotation - especially during late Fall and Winter. I am comfortable with the fit and handling of the following carry guns, but can't buy 'em all.. ;) What would be your top picks and why. Current options: Sig P320 Compact, FN FNS Compact, Glock 23, Walther P99, Springfield XDM 3.8 Compact, M&P Compact, CZ P07. What would you add or subtract from the list? Thanks!
 
While I am personally not a fan of .40 and have sold all my 40's (many on your list). If I was going to pick up another .40 it would be a Gen 4 Glock 23.

I had the Gen 3 I liked the most out of all of the ones I have owned or shot. I found it handled the recoil better than the Sig, Ruger, S&W, and Springfield. Plus, I happen to prefer the Glock trigger.

A Gen 4 27 might be good too, if you want to go the smaller gun route. For a cold weather gun I probably would stick with the bigger 23.

Just my opinion, YMMV.
 
I carried an M&P40c last winter and was very happy with it! Inside jacket pocket carry with a standard mag and extended mag with X grip sleeve in the other pocket. Kahr CM40 for summer carry.

If I didn't have the M&P I would likely go with Glock as I have several other caliber Glock's.
 
If you like the CZ you should also look at the EAA Witness compact polymer. I don't have one but I've shot one and it's pretty nice. I do have a full sized Witness steel in 10mm and love it.
 
"...the great caliber debate..." That'll continue long after we're all gone. snicker.
Why do you think you need a different firearm by the season? Buy whatever pistol fits your hand and budget best and you can shoot best. The brand makes little difference. Try 'em all on for size and one of 'em will speak to you.
Mind you, I wouldn't even considered carrying any handgun in a pocket.
 
Why not the Shield?

Excellent question my friend! It's just that I'm looking for a bit more ballistic performance from the round. During the colder months it's easier to conceal a larger frame. A longer barrel - something in the 3.5 to 4.0 inch range will help ensure better ballistic performance from the same load.. :)
 
I've got a Glock 23 and like it.

Is your summer carry a higher capacity 9mm like the Glock 19 and you are willing to sacrifice a couple rounds in exchange for "what if the bullet doesn't expand / gets plugged with heavier clothing factor". :cool:

Surely Wethepeople01 is not going to say that it is too hot in the summer to conceal a Glock 23 size pistol. :rolleyes:

I just got back from running errands, temperature is 93 degrees with heat index of 112 degrees; I carried a Glock 21 + spare magazine and a PM9 in my pocket.
 
A different firearm by the season..

Why do we change frame sizes and caliber with the season? Consider this.. During the cold air season we are naturally wearing more layers which provides for better all around concealment. Because we are wearing more layers, a larger frame weapon - say compact vs. subcompact - aids in drawing from multiple layers of clothing. It eliminates the need to frisk oneself in order to find said weapon and to get a firm initial grip on it. In short, it's easier to control and maintain control of. A larger grip during heavy clothing months puts more distance between you/your clothes and the barrel of your weapon when drawing/firing from position one. I always carry strong side because I was trained this way, carried this way and don't mess around with 'muscle memory'. ;). Moving to a larger caliber (if desired) is important to me because I know that any potential threat is likely wearing many more layers too and greater penetration - without clogging/pass through- is the desired outcome. :)
 
The choices in the first post are all good ones.

I think you meant P99 Compact, which I have kept when others got sold. The decocking feature is a good idea.

There is also the Ruger SR40 Compact, which gives you a manual safety.

I think the DA trigger pull (P99) or the thumb safety (SR40) are good options for a carry gun, if you are willing to learn how to use these features.

Bart Noir
 
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