I'm looking into a conceal carry pistol. I bought a Glock 45 which I enjoy, but it prints all over the place. I've been looking into the Glock 43/43X and S&W CSX for concealed, but wanted to know the OB's thoughts on CC pistols. The reason for those two initial choices in CC is continuity of rounds (9mm), but I'm not married to that concept.

For reference: the G45 I got for a steal and couldn't pass up ($700 for gun and ARCO red dot)j . It's the first handgun I've ever had (I grew up with long guns and dad wasn't a pistol guy). I'm scheduled to take handgun lesson(s) with the g45 and also get my LTC to have the extra benefits that the license offers. I'm also buying into a frequent shooters club at a nearby range so that I can get comfortable with the handguns.

Anyway, I know there will be a lot of opinions on rounds and makers. And, no, I am not interest in a Hi-Point, so gtfo with that.

For me it's a shield 9 but I'd probably prefer the Sig P365 if I wasn't already invested in shield accessories.

The other thing.... pinkie hanging out in nowhereland. Is that just a "get used to it" kinda thing?

I've shot some Taurus pistols and the grip never felt right because of the short grip, but, again, new to handguns. I figured with concealed I may have to just get used to my pinkie hanging out like a teasipper. The pistol grip won't print as much and I can get used to the hanging digit with training and practice.

p365 with trigger holster. Slightly longer magazine fits my pinky but maybe not if you have really big hands

Sig 365XL is what I carry 90% of the time now.

Sig 365

Glock 43x

Does it have to be striker fired?

Walther PPS. Very underrated. Love mine, size is perfect and it's a good shooter

43Xfor me. Fit my hands better and felt more natural aiming from the draw.

Try them all. Buy what fits. Mechanically they are all good. Whatever you get, practice.

Hellcat, P365, CSX. Depending on what I am wearing, I switch between the three.

P365XL. I had a g43; it was great to carry, but I did not enjoy shooting it and 9 rounds was it.

The P365XL takes care of the pinkie problem and I always use the extended mag so the same 16 rounds as a stock mag g19. Plus it shoots like a bigger gun.

I am fairly certain the law changed and the rules were relaxed regarding "printing". I need to find a link to confirm that though.

Just switched to a Sig P365XL from a Walther PPS M2. The Sig shoots like a much larger gun and has double the capacity from the single stacks.

365

"Printing" was removed from the statute several years ago. Would be kind of hard to enforce now with open carry now the law. I carry a revolver so I have no dog in this fight.

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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I am fairly certain the law changed and the rules were relaxed regarding "printing". I need to find a link to confirm that though.

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When it changed from chl to ltc. That allowed open carry if you wanted to. This basically did away with printing concern.

43x downsized from HKVP9. Much more comfortable appendix carry

I'm still mainly carrying the same Glock 26 I got over 10 years ago when I got my LTC. I have been thinking about getting a G43x or P365 with RMR to replace it, but it still goes bang every time. It's just a little outdated carrying a thick, doublestack with 10 round capacity when so many smaller handguns can carry 10+ rounds.

Another vote for the P365 (with a 12-round mag).

G19.
P365 specter comp up next.

P365 here with the 12 round mag.
The larger mag does help with the pinkie problem.

The G43, Sig 365, M&P shield plus, Ruger max 9, Kimber Mako
All tend to be really popular. Most have options for longer grips now too for big hands. I have skinny fingers so I can fit pretty small guns without much problem.
Try them out. Practice often. Carry.

Instead of focusing on a specific gun, take a defensive pistol course to find a gun that you can use safely and effectively. My ability to shoot accurately and magazine capacity are key to me.

Side note, I took a defensive shotgun course a week ago and taking defensive pistol and carbine as soon as the course is offered.

Email in profile if you want the name of the company I took the shotgun course with.

The length of the grip is big when it comes to pricing, the G45 has a full sized grip so it will be difficult to conceal for most people. The P365, G43, Hellcat, etc. have a shorter and thinner grip which makes them easier to conceal. I wish I could carry my G19 but how I dress I rarely can, 99% of the time it is my P365

G19 in a Tier1 Concealed appendix rig.

3 weeks ago I went to the store looking for a 365XL and ended up getting a Hellcat Pro.

15+1 flush fit in a package that size is incredible.
So far 350 rounds without any issues.

MyNameIsJeff said:

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I'm still mainly carrying the same Glock 26 I got over 10 years ago when I got my LTC. I have been thinking about getting a G43x or P365 with RMR to replace it, but it still goes bang every time. It's just a little outdated carrying a thick, doublestack with 10 round capacity when so many smaller handguns can carry 10+ rounds.

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I sold my G26 for the P365 and find myself carrying a lot more. But now I want something that can handle a red dot so I may sell my P365 for something optics ready like a Hellcat. I shoot the P365 alright, shoot the G19 much better

RingOfive said:

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Another vote for the P365 (with a 12-round mag).

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one more.

Lonestar-aught-six said:

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Sig 365XL is what I carry 90% of the time now.

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same

My priorities, in order, are:

• thin
• short frame (i.e. height)
• short slide (i.e. length)

After trying a bunch of stuff over the years am now carrying G42. Barrel is a touch longer than I'd prefer, but it has legit sights & is very accurate with low recoil for quick followups.

I also have a G42 and like it, but I just for the life of me cannot appendix or pocket carry a striker fired pistol. But it is the smallest handgun that I can shoot accurately. Anything smaller and I am no good. My G42 mostly sits in the safe.

Kahr makes several very good concealed handguns with DAO triggers.

This is mine.


Ruger LCR in .327 Federal

agsalaska said:

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I also have a G42 and like it, but I just for the life of me cannot appendix or pocket carry a striker fired pistol. But it is the smallest handgun that I can shoot accurately. Anything smaller and I am no good. My G42 mostly sits in the safe.

Kahr makes several very good concealed handguns with DAO triggers.

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I like the G42 for the summer. It's barely there in a Tier1 appendix holster.

When you say "cannot appendix or pocket carry a striker fired pistol", do you mean you're physically having trouble with comfortably carrying them...or you don't trust them?

tk111 said:

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agsalaska said:

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I also have a G42 and like it, but I just for the life of me cannot appendix or pocket carry a striker fired pistol. But it is the smallest handgun that I can shoot accurately. Anything smaller and I am no good. My G42 mostly sits in the safe.

Kahr makes several very good concealed handguns with DAO triggers.

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I like the G42 for the summer. It's barely there in a Tier1 appendix holster.

When you say "cannot appendix or pocket carry a striker fired pistol", do you mean you're physically having trouble with comfortably carrying them...or you don't trust them?

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Don't trust them. I will inevitably carry it with an empty chamber.

I want a long DA trigger pull if I'm going to appendix carry. Kahr makes the best option probably if I wanted a pistol. But I shoot my LCR really well and have just never bought one. I probably will one day