Looking at Kimber Micro .38. Expensive but good reviews.

Appreciate thoughts..

Smith and Wesson M&P Shield.

Best? Not a .380

Sig 938. Just got mine this week and love it.

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Looking at Kimber Micro .38. Expensive but good reviews.

Appreciate thoughts..

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Get the Bersa Thunder Plus, it's a subcompact that's also hi-capacity. It's also half the price of any Kimber out there.

Kimber Ultra Carry or super carry ultra

http://www.kimberamerica.com/super-carry-ultra-1-a

The real answer is the one that fits your needs most. Too many options.

Personally, if we're not talking something truly pocket sized like an LCP or a J frame, something that will require a holster on the belt anyway I vastly prefer a compact option to the subcompacts (19 over 26, M&P9c over Shield, you get the idea).

With a good gun belt and good holster, I've found that for me compact guns are just as easy to conceal on the waist as a subcompact option is, and typically offer better controlability, higher capacity, etc.

If you're looking at Kimbers anyway, 1911s are insanely easy to conceal thanks to their thin profile. Just buy an Officer or Commander sized 1911, a good belt and a good IWB holster instead. Something to consider, unless you're just looking for an excuse to buy a subcompact gun.

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With a good gun belt and good holster, I've found that for me compact guns are just as easy to conceal on the waist as a subcompact option is, and typically offer better controlability, higher capacity, etc.

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I'm a tall guy but have a hard time concealing a double stack. Most "compact" guns are double stack. Single stacks like the Shield or 1911 practically disappear when carried IWB.

I'm a bit envious at people that can successfully conceal a double stack IWB.

A Kahr P380 fits well in most pockets. It's also easy to shoot. Just a suggestion.

I'm looking at the Springfield XDS. Seems to be comparable to the Shield.

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I'm looking at the Springfield XDS. Seems to be comparable to the Shield.

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Just purchased the Springfield XDS 9mm from PSA yesterday.

Glock 43 just came out, lot like the XDs

Talking with buddies yesterday about this exact topic, nice choices to start my search.

If you are ok with Kimber/1911 platform then look at the Sigs P938 and 238

Glock 26 9mm. I started out with this one, tried several other brands and calibers, but kept coming back to the Glock. Awesome reliability and high capacity.

Sweet puppy here, my daily carry. XDs 9mm almost a year and zero issues.

Glock 26 or m&p9c. Avoid single stack if you can.

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Glock 26 or m&p9c. Avoid single stack if you can.

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How come? Trying to figure out my first CC gun and figured single stack was more comfortable. Is it less reliable?

I strongly disagree with the avoid single stack comment.

I have an M&P 9C and have carried it for a few years but picked up an M&P Shield 9mm last year and definitely find that I carry much more frequently now that I have a far more comfortable single stack option.

edit to add: I prefer to carry the 9c if possible due to larger capacity and a little bigger grip that fits my large hands better but if I know I am going to have it on all day and/or will be on my feet a lot the reduced thickness and weight make a HUGE difference and I will grab the shield 9/10 times.

Regarding single stacks, I have carried 1911's, a Glock 36 (45 ACP), and a Springfield XDS 45. Single stacks are just fine and really slim the gun down and lighten the load. This may be helpful for you for concealed carry and depending on your level of comfort and how you dress. However, I went away from the single stacks for the sole reason of not having enough available rounds for my liking.

For example, the Glock 36 holds 6; the XDS holds 5, and 1911's hold either 7 or 8, depending on the magazine. In contrast, I sacrificed a little more weight and width and got a Glock 30S which gave me 10 rounds of 45. I then went back to a Glock 26, which is a little smaller, and that holds 10 rounds of 9mm. Both of these guns are smaller than the Glock 36 as well.

To each his own.

For sub-compact conceal carry - as in pocket carry - do ya'll think a .38 with 7 rounds is inadequate ?? Guess argument is to get a 9mm with little extra size?

What 38 are you looking at? I don't know of too many 38's that are pocket carry. Additionally, I've always thought that the best 38's are revolvers. If you are looking a one that was made for concealed carry look at the Ruger LCR. It is a revolver, but only holds 5 and I wouldn't try to pocket carry it.

I'll always push for 9mm as a concealed carry. Very reliable round that has a great reputation. Available everywhere as well. If you want something that is just as small, but has excellent ballistics and plenty of power, look at the 357 Sig round. I have a Glock 32 and love it. They can be pretty expensive though compared to 9mm. The best part is that a 357 Sig barrel can be swapped out for a 40 cal barrel. You could have a gun that shoots 2 different calibers. Magazines are the same as well.

A compact 9mm. Pocket fit . Do they exist?

Depends on your pants. Twenty X wranglers, I can carry my XDs in my back pocket with 7 and 9 round mag with untucked shirt. Carried today in pocket of Columbia fleece jacket with remora no clip holster.

Yes they exist. Kimber solo, walther ccp, sccy, lcr, sig 238, 938, XDs, Shield, glock 43

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A compact 9mm. Pocket fit . Do they exist?

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Look at a Kahr CM9 or PM9, or a Glock 43. These are single stack, but are still good 9mm pocket guns. Make sure you factor in a pocket holster. You never want to have an exposed trigger on a pocket carry.

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Depends on your pants. Twenty X wranglers, I can carry my XDs in my back pocket with 7 and 9 round mag with untucked shirt. Carried today in pocket of Columbia fleece jacket with remora no clip holster.

Yes they exist. Kimber solo, walther ccp, sccy, lcr, sig 238, XDs, Shield, glock 43

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I was just about to ask about the Kimber Solo. Anyone have any experience with this gun?

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Depends on your pants. Twenty X wranglers, I can carry my XDs in my back pocket with 7 and 9 round mag with untucked shirt. Carried today in pocket of Columbia fleece jacket with remora no clip holster.

Yes they exist. Kimber solo, walther ccp, sccy, lcr, sig 238, XDs, Shield, glock 43

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I was just about to ask about the Kimber Solo. Anyone have any experience with this gun?

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No personal experience, but I think a $800+ 9mm with a 6 round capacity is too rich for my blood.

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Not a .380

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If you want an actual pocket carry, it almost has to be a .380. The G43 is a bit heavy. Yes, it CAN be carried in the pocket, but most people aren't going to like having it in there and will likely leave it at home often.

I just ordered a .40 S&W Shield for $319 from PSA.

Any recommendations on a good IWB holster? I prefer to carry at 4:00 and currently use an Old Faithful holster for my commander 1911.

I carry a Solo from time to time if I need a really small ccw. It's a beautiful gun but very picky with ammo and not a lot of fun to practice with. The striker has to be disassembled every 100 rounds or so to be cleaned or you'll get light strikes. In my opinion, it's a little too finicky for my last line of defense but very easy to conceal. My edc is an XDM Compact 3.8. Holds 13 9mm rounds with the short mag and 19 with the extended. Not difficult to conceal at all with a crossbreed supertuck. I'm 5'11" 170 for reference.

I've tried a few and settled on the comp-tac mtac for my m&p 9c as well as shield 9mm

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Glock 26 or m&p9c. Avoid single stack if you can.

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How come? Trying to figure out my first CC gun and figured single stack was more comfortable. Is it less reliable?

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Im just more of a proponent of double stack capacity advantage over single stack. I don't think single stack slimness and portability makes up for the reduced mag capacity. Maybe as a back up gun but meh. It's a compromise kind of thing. With a good holster, pants and belt set up you won't be troubled with double stack width. I carry an m&p9c but would recommend the Glock 19 as about the best compromise for concealability, mag capacity, and sight radius/accuracy.

If youre looking for reliable recommendations look into Glock, HK, M&P and CZ.

Thanks for the info, that's sounds too finicky for me, I don't have the time or expertise to use the solo it sounds like.