Which 9mm would generally be the best for concealed carry?

Which 9mm would generally be the best for concealed carry?

  • Glock 19

    Votes: 66 68.0%

  • Sig 229

    Votes: 16 16.5%

  • Ruger SR9

    Votes: 2 2.1%

  • FNS-9

    Votes: 2 2.1%

  • S&W M&P (4.25 inch barrel)

    Votes: 11 11.3%
  • Total voters
    97
  • Poll closed .
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There's not really a "best" amongst these choices. The Glock will probably be easiest to conceal. I would pick the SR9 for IWB carry as it's the slimmest. I think your choices are all very sound we're you to pick any of them, it's a question of which one is best for you more than it is which one is best period.

IMO unless you plan on logging A LOT of range time and rounds with it DONT get one of these midget guns that people are recommending. They don't typically accommodate normal sized male hands very well and their low mass causes the perceived recoil and shot recovery to be worse.

Go to a gun shop and get hands on with as many of them as you can. Generally the gun that feels the most comfortable in your hands will be the one you shoot the best.

Without knowledge of what you like best if I had to recommend a carry gun for John Doe American, I'd have to say the Glock 19. The grips feels like crap at first but it grows on you. Glocks have an insane reputation for reliability, they're accurate enough. The trigger isn't bad. And it's big enough to make quick and accurate follow up shots a breeze.
 
Glock 19 is smaller than the others, so it would be better.
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All the pistols listed are fine firearms, but the Glock is the smallest and lightest, so those traits make it inherently easiest to carry.
 
None of the above. They're all too large, too thick, and too heavy. While we admire those intrepid few who carry a full size 'compact' pistol every day, and have somehow adjusted their year-around wardrobe to accommodate that need, it is a very sad fact of life that anything too large for a pocket is, after a time, often left at home, where, if you need it, it might as well be on the moon.
Modern ammunition is nothing like the ammunition made in even the relatively recent past. Advances in bullet design and construction and propellant formulation have made smaller, slower calibers real monsters. Imagine a .22 Magnum delivering 1000 FPS, 12-13 inches of penetration, and assured positive expansion, even through multiple layers of denim, out of a mini revolver with a barrel only 1 5/8" long. And with reduced flash to protect your night vision should you have to fire in the dark. Welcome to the Hornady Critical Defense, Winchester PDX1, Speer Gold Dot, and a few others. It's the same with several other calibers that are much easier to handle and control in a micro-sized platform than the 9mm, which was designed to be used with heavy, full-sized military service pistols.
Don't be afraid to consider a .380 you'll actually carry, or a .32 ACP, or yes, even a .22 Magnum. They aren't your Daddy's calibers anymore. If CCW is to work, you must carry every day, everywhere you legally can.
It is appropriate to carry a concealed weapon anytime or anywhereyou are likely to come into the presence of any other person.
 
None of the above. They're all too large, too thick, and too heavy. While we admire those intrepid few who carry a full size 'compact' pistol every day, and have somehow adjusted their year-around wardrobe to accommodate that need, it is a very sad fact of life that anything too large for a pocket is, after a time, often left at home, where, if you need it, it might as well be on the moon.
Modern ammunition is nothing like the ammunition made in even the relatively recent past. Advances in bullet design and construction and propellant formulation have made smaller, slower calibers real monsters. Imagine a .22 Magnum delivering 1000 FPS, 12-13 inches of penetration, and assured positive expansion, even through multiple layers of denim, out of a mini revolver with a barrel only 1 5/8" long. And with reduced flash to protect your night vision should you have to fire in the dark. Welcome to the Hornady Critical Defense, Winchester PDX1, Speer Gold Dot, and a few others. It's the same with several other calibers that are much easier to handle and control in a micro-sized platform than the 9mm, which was designed to be used with heavy, full-sized military service pistols.
Don't be afraid to consider a .380 you'll actually carry, or a .32 ACP, or yes, even a .22 Magnum. They aren't your Daddy's calibers anymore. If CCW is to work, you must carry every day, everywhere you legally can.
It is appropriate to carry a concealed weapon anytime or anywhereyou are likely to come into the presence of any other person.
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This is not intended to be an insult, but I'm guessing you're fairly new to the CCW world.

If you're comfortable with a 22mag, by all means, have at it. There are plenty of ballistics test done, even on modern .380 that show it's quite anemic and underpowered. The hollow points won't reach effective penetration depths and the FMJ's just going to ice pick.

Your idea that if a gun can't fit in a pocket it's going to be left at home is patently absurd. I live in Arizona and have no trouble carrying an P226, USP 45, M&P, or Glock 21.... even during the 115F summer. A T shirt will conceal them fine with a proper holster and belt.

The holster and belt are the primary reasons people start leaving their guns at home. It's not that the gun is uncomfortable to carry or can't be carried effectively.... it's that people spend money on their gun and then cheap out on how to carry it.
 
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Uncle Malice said:
It's not that the gun is uncomfortable to carry or can't be carried effectively.... it's that people spend money on their gun and then cheap out on how to carry it.
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Very well put.
 
I live in the inferno also and in the summer can manage a Glock 26 or 19 most of the time.

Not to say that the J frame in the pocket doesn't work with modern 38 SP or 32 HR mag rounds. But the Glock is most typical.
 
I say a Glock 19 sized poly frame pistol.

For me that is the Walther PPQ, though I also comfortably carry an HK VP9, an HK P30L, and a SIG SP2022. That includes while standing, sitting, driving, or napping.

A good gun belt and holster will go a long way making a pistol comfortable to carry and conceal. Though my favorite holster is the Raven Concealment Phantom OWB/IWB, the Aliengear hybrid 2.0 holster IMO is excellent too for not a lot. I use a Beltman gun belt.
 
Uncle Malice said:
This is not intended to be an insult, but I'm guessing you're fairly new to the CCW world.

If you're comfortable with a 22mag, by all means, have at it. There are plenty of ballistics test done, even on modern .380 that show it's quite anemic and underpowered. The hollow points won't reach effective penetration depths and the FMJ's just going to ice pick.

Your idea that if a gun can't fit in a pocket it's going to be left at home is patently absurd. I live in Arizona and have no trouble carrying an P226, USP 45, M&P, or Glock 21.... even during the 115F summer. A T shirt will conceal them fine with a proper holster and belt.

The holster and belt are the primary reasons people start leaving their guns at home. It's not that the gun is uncomfortable to carry or can't be carried effectively.... it's that people spend money on their gun and then cheap out on how to carry it.
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Can i see you with your g21 bending over? I can see how it would hide you standing up with your T shirt, but when you bend over i just dont see it being concealed. Also where do you carry on your body?
 
Can i see you with your g21 bending over? I can see how it would hide you standing up with your T shirt, but when you bend over i just dont see it being concealed. Also where do you carry on your body?
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I carry IWB strong side. Depending on the gun and holster anywhere from 2:30 to 5:00. The larger frames like that, I usually carry around 2:30 or so, kind of right in front of the hip bone. I have a little bit of "love handles" so with a forward position and forward cant to the holster, I find the grip sets just in front of the "love handles" on the side. This helps to prevent printing for me.

As for bending over, you just learn how to do these things. I don't bend over at the waist too much, it's more if a squat. This is fairly natural for me as I grew up with a wrestling back ground so I'm used to picking things up and whatnot in a squatting motion. "Lift with your legs, not your back!" has been drilled into me for so long.

I'm not saying you don't have to make some adjustments in your life in order to carry a full size gun... but it depends on how dedicated you are to carrying. It's just like picking up any lifestyle change. When people decide to go vegetarian, there are some lifestyle adjustments required.... or just to stop eating fast food... or dedicating yourself to hitting the gym every day. If it's something you feel passionate about, you'll make the effort. If it's not something you're passionate about, you'll stick a little 22 magnum in your pocket and consider yourself protected. ;)
 
G26, all the way.
As for mini revolvers in 22mag...
When I backpacked, I kept downsizing my carry handgun, looking for smaller and smaller, and lighter...I ended up carrying a 22mag mini revolver on a trip.
It was one of the few times ever in my life that I thought I might have to use my carry gun to defend myself.
In fact, at one point, the mini 22mag was in my hand, in my coat pocket, hammer cocked, and pointed at the aggressor. They never knew, but they took off in their vehicle about then, thankfully.
After that experience, I bumped up my backpacking gun to a 38snub.
 
Gotta mention the Beretta PX4 Compact. I carry it every day. Somewhat compact, but holds 15+1 rounds of 9mm. Soft shooting, highly reliable, and Italian to boot. I've always thought it was one of the best compact 9mm pistols on the market.
 
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