So, after my weight loss (over 100LBS), I do not find the larger guns I used to like to carry to be as workable as they were. I like tucked IWB when possible, IWB with a cover garment the rest of the time. My compact service pistols (SIG P229, CZ PCR/P01) that were my main carries (when visiting a state where I can carry) don't work at all tucked anymore (they weren't ideal tucked before) and seem a bit big for me now with anything lighter than a winter coat or heavy sweater for a cover garment. My smaller carry that I used for tucked, my S&W M&P 40c is a little too big now for tucked (it looks like I have a tumor), and is the largest I feel comfortable with a light cover garment (untucked shirt). I find my J-frame sized revolvers (Colt King Cobra/new model, Taurus 856) and SIG P290RS now come with me most often when visiting a state where I can carry, but I prefer at least 10 rounds.
One option is to continue experimenting with my 1st gen M&P 40c, once I'm used to it with my new shrunken size it probably does conceal well enough (even tucked) that most people won't notice anything. For a 9mm option, if I get used to that size, I'll take a look at the Taurus G3c and Glock 26 (and similar), but there are several good options now in a 10 round micro 9mm.
I live in MD, it will probably be another 6 months before the new S&W Shield Plus and Ruger Max9 make the MD State Police Roster (i.e. are legal for sale in MD). Though, I am not in a category that can get a MD carry permit (business owner, judge, cop are nearly shall issue, there is a possibility for a lawyer or pharmacist), so I only carry (a couple times a month) when in a state where I can carry on my UT non-resident permit. I have the aforementioned guns that will work, and I have a Kel Tec Pf-9 (I don't ever carry it since it is borderline reliable, but with some work it could possibly be reliable enough). So, I don't have to be in a hurry.
The SIG P365 and SA Hellcat are interesting options that I can get today (I would trade my P290, my S&W 442, and my Pf-9, likely making it effectively free and possibly/hopefully with money back).
I went to a local gun store that has the current Shield (essentially the same size), a Hellcat and a P365. Just in the gun store, not firing it at a range, I liked the Hellcat best. It fit my hand decently (though small), had a better trigger than the others and seemed very easy to conceal. In width and length it is closest in size to my SIG P290RS which may have helped. The Shield was my second choice, a little bigger so it wouldn't conceal quite as easily (small enough that it would only be a potential issue for pocket carry, for which they all may be a tad too heavy anyway), fit my hand much better, but I wasn't much of a fan of the trigger (the Shield Plus has a better trigger so I do look forward to checking them out once they are available in MD). I really wanted to like the P365, I like SIGs, I have 3 and want more, and it would be replacing a SIG I like a lot (the P290RS). The trigger, meh. The fit in my hand just didn't feel right, though I look forward to renting one at a range if I can to see it in practice. For the sights, the SIG and Shield were both OK, I really liked the U with front night sight on the Hellcat.
So, anyone with first-hand experience with a couple of these who can tell my why they picked what they picked?
Another consideration for me is mag availability (once the craziness is done anyway). I live in MD where we are limited to 10 round mags. However, under MD law I can go to another state and buy any size mag I want and bring it into the state as long as it is for my personal use. I can't buy or sell any mags here over 10 rounds, I can't have someone bring it to me or mail it to me, and I can't give it to anyone, but owning and possessing them is totally legal. So, I need mags that (eventually) won't be too hard to find so I can buy some extended mags that aren't just an empty finger extension but actually hold more than 10 rounds.
I know the Shield Plus is too new to have anything out now. But eventually, mags should be easy to find (the earlier Shields and M&P mags are nearly as easy to find as Glock mags). The SIG 365 may be a tad harder, but not too bad. The Hellcat has been out for a while. How hard is it to find mags, either 11 round or 13 round? The Ruger is also new, but how hard is it to find mags for their other models? I rarely see them for my LCP, but then, I am rarely looking.
One option is to continue experimenting with my 1st gen M&P 40c, once I'm used to it with my new shrunken size it probably does conceal well enough (even tucked) that most people won't notice anything. For a 9mm option, if I get used to that size, I'll take a look at the Taurus G3c and Glock 26 (and similar), but there are several good options now in a 10 round micro 9mm.
I live in MD, it will probably be another 6 months before the new S&W Shield Plus and Ruger Max9 make the MD State Police Roster (i.e. are legal for sale in MD). Though, I am not in a category that can get a MD carry permit (business owner, judge, cop are nearly shall issue, there is a possibility for a lawyer or pharmacist), so I only carry (a couple times a month) when in a state where I can carry on my UT non-resident permit. I have the aforementioned guns that will work, and I have a Kel Tec Pf-9 (I don't ever carry it since it is borderline reliable, but with some work it could possibly be reliable enough). So, I don't have to be in a hurry.
The SIG P365 and SA Hellcat are interesting options that I can get today (I would trade my P290, my S&W 442, and my Pf-9, likely making it effectively free and possibly/hopefully with money back).
I went to a local gun store that has the current Shield (essentially the same size), a Hellcat and a P365. Just in the gun store, not firing it at a range, I liked the Hellcat best. It fit my hand decently (though small), had a better trigger than the others and seemed very easy to conceal. In width and length it is closest in size to my SIG P290RS which may have helped. The Shield was my second choice, a little bigger so it wouldn't conceal quite as easily (small enough that it would only be a potential issue for pocket carry, for which they all may be a tad too heavy anyway), fit my hand much better, but I wasn't much of a fan of the trigger (the Shield Plus has a better trigger so I do look forward to checking them out once they are available in MD). I really wanted to like the P365, I like SIGs, I have 3 and want more, and it would be replacing a SIG I like a lot (the P290RS). The trigger, meh. The fit in my hand just didn't feel right, though I look forward to renting one at a range if I can to see it in practice. For the sights, the SIG and Shield were both OK, I really liked the U with front night sight on the Hellcat.
So, anyone with first-hand experience with a couple of these who can tell my why they picked what they picked?
Another consideration for me is mag availability (once the craziness is done anyway). I live in MD where we are limited to 10 round mags. However, under MD law I can go to another state and buy any size mag I want and bring it into the state as long as it is for my personal use. I can't buy or sell any mags here over 10 rounds, I can't have someone bring it to me or mail it to me, and I can't give it to anyone, but owning and possessing them is totally legal. So, I need mags that (eventually) won't be too hard to find so I can buy some extended mags that aren't just an empty finger extension but actually hold more than 10 rounds.
I know the Shield Plus is too new to have anything out now. But eventually, mags should be easy to find (the earlier Shields and M&P mags are nearly as easy to find as Glock mags). The SIG 365 may be a tad harder, but not too bad. The Hellcat has been out for a while. How hard is it to find mags, either 11 round or 13 round? The Ruger is also new, but how hard is it to find mags for their other models? I rarely see them for my LCP, but then, I am rarely looking.