If You Knew Then What You Know Now...

snatchel · Post by **snatchel** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 10:43 pm

So, after reading another thread I decided to post a poll. I remember the first gun I bought for CC. I bought a brand new Glock 26. I did do my research, but grossly underestimated what I could actually carry. Granted, I had never CC'd before, so I didn't really know what a proper holster/belt combination could do as far as allowing one to carry bigger and heavier guns. I'm curious as to what y'all would do now. I would have definately bought something else: A Glock 17 rather than a Glock 26.

I have found that my carry guns have evolved.
Glock 26
Bodyguard 380
SP101
Glock 30
M&P9c
Glock 17

This is not everything I have had and carried, but it gives you a general idea. I have found that the size of the gun doesn't really matter... to an extent. Anyone can CC a big gun, for example, a Glock 17, just fine! The first big obstacle is getting over the "giant gun on my side and everyone can see it" stage, then you start experimenting with holster/belt setups.. and before long you have a safe full of handguns, a drawer full of holsters, and several belts.

So, the poll is simple. Knowing what you do now, would you have bought the same gun? If you'd like to say why, or how your carry has evolved, please do so.

(I know there are some forum members who couldn't say they would buy the particular gun because for example, if you started carrying several years ago, the M&P Shield wasn't even around. Assume that the gun was around thn)

74novaman · Post by **74novaman** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 10:50 pm

Well, your poll doesn't work for me because it wasn't the size of the gun so much as the quality.

My first pistol was a Taurus PT145. Polymer frame, 10+1 of .45acp....size wise, it was a nice gun and easy to conceal. It was also very reliable. But it had a long, gritty, terrible trigger.

From there I went to 1911s, first full size and then compact.

Got rid of the compact because it was just as easy to conceal the full size, so I never carried the 3.5" 1911.

Used that money to pick up a Glock 19.

I've never had difficulty concealing any gun I've bought, from pocket revolvers to glocks and full size 1911s. Most of the time that is just in shorts and a tshirt, with either OWB or IWB holsters.

As long as you dress correctly, have a great holster/belt, and can put up with the weight (for the bigger all metal guns) then you shouldn't have any trouble concealing any pistol you want to carry IMO.

snatchel · Post by **snatchel** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 10:53 pm

Thanks NovaMan, I edited the poll to allow an unspecified option. Thanks for the reply. I think this will be a great resource for a lot of people who come on here asking about what gun to buy, and questions like that.

74novaman · Post by **74novaman** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 10:56 pm

snatchel wrote:Thanks NovaMan, I edited the poll to allow an unspecified option. Thanks for the reply. I think this will be a great resource for a lot of people who come on here asking about what gun to buy, and questions like that.

There's my option!

I agree, hopefully this can be a resource for those considering their CHL pistol purchase.

AustinBoy · Post by **AustinBoy** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 12:24 am

I bought a SA XD 40 Sub compact.
I wanted "small" so that I could carry.

After about 600 rounds, I decided my accuracy was not good enough with the sub.
I sold it.

Bought a Kimber Compact CDP II. 4" barrel, short grip.

I can hit 4" circles at 25 yards.

The carry difference between the 3" and 4" barrel is nothing.(and I didnt like the "snap" of a 3" 40)

The accuracy difference, in my case, is incredible.

AB

SSAllen63 · Post by **SSAllen63** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 1:03 am

At this time I can't see how you guys carry a full size gun. Maybe I will over time. I carried for the first time today after my CHL came in the mail. I found myself in front of the mirror at Walmart in the mens clothing section. Thinking to myself, I can totally tell I'm carrying that Glock 26. Is that store clerk looking at me? Can she tell too? LOL, I guess we all get over it in time.

RPB · Post by **RPB** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:45 am

Excellent thread

I'd have lots fewer .380s (some weigh more than a Glock 26)

I doubt I'd have two single stack 9mms ... Maybe for a pocket backup, but I probably wouldn't have bothered buying IWB holsters for a single stack pocket sized gun

I already owned Glock 17 and 19, Just got the 26 a few years ago

Still The Glock 26 is what I wear the most IWB due to barrel/slide length ... not due to grip width or length because I usually carry a Glock 19 or 17 mag with +3 base plate.

But yeah, I got a full sized (double stack 13+1) XD45, no problem concealing it.

My issue is with longer slides/barrel hitting the wooden church pew/metal chair going clunk; originally I thought the problem would be grip length or width, but it isn't. (So I have lots of IWB hostelers for single stack 9s I never used, or used once... Guess I'll not sell them yet though; saved for nice in a few years)

Excellent thread

RPB · Post by **RPB** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:50 am

SSAllen63 wrote:At this time I can't see how you guys carry a full size gun. Maybe I will over time. I carried for the first time today after my CHL came in the mail. I found myself in front of the mirror at Walmart in the mens clothing section. Thinking to myself, I can totally tell I'm carrying that Glock 26. Is that store clerk looking at me? Can she tell too? LOL, I guess we all get over it in time.

Doesn't really matter if the store clerk is a CHL and sees you "printing" and notices your gun belt and holster clips are the same brand holster clips as his/hers and "can tell"... if the gun is "concealed"

But really, it's amazing what people do not notice. I"m positive I could wear an acme brick and no one notice, not sure about a cinder block, but possibly.

Since I have a good kydex reinforced gun belt; I may try wearing an acme brick to Walmart or somewhere if I can get my niece or someone to document it and my back doesn't hurt.

stealthfightrf17 · Post by **stealthfightrf17** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:19 am

I mainly carry an xd9sc. I also have an xd40 full size. I like the comfert of the xd9sc more then the 40 when carrying. I am about as good a shot with both guns. I also have a keltech p11 that I may pocket carry if it is my only option, but I hate this gun and am no where near as accurate due to the very heavy trigger pull.

Beiruty · Post by **Beiruty** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:35 am

I carry HK P30 (a modern compact combat pistol) for couple years even when I could have been fired at work at Semi-Government buildings, smartcarry worked the best as the only concealment that no one could detect. Now, I carry PX4 SC exclusively smaller and bit light and same high-powered capacity. 31 rds of 9mm ready to be dispensed.

What I do not like about my PX4 SC harder to shoot at 20+ft. However, at 20+ ft, better to be on the move and seek cover while laying some suppressive fire if possible and needed.

C-dub · Post by **C-dub** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:43 am

I guess going from a G27 to a G30 is bigger. I also used to have a G22, but now have a G21. The G22 was the first handgun I ever purchased and then got the G27 right after getting my CHL. I didn't go bigger to go bigger. I went from .40 to .45 because I had never shot a .45 until meeting TAM. If I had known about the recoil from the start I probably would have gone with the .45s. However, one of the reasons I went with the .40 was the reason it was created in the first place. To balance round count with power. I got my G22 back in 2001 and I don't know if Glock had the double stack G21 back then.

Just like when I first got my CHL, I carried the G22 until I got the G27, I carried the G21 for about 6-8 months before getting the G30. And even after getting the G30 I was so comfortable with the G21 that I resisted carrying the G30 for over a month. Now I carry it whenever I can, leaving the G21 at home for the wife. However, unlike the G27, which she didn't like, she does like the G30. So, summer time I'll be carrying the G30 and in the cooler months I'll probably have the G21. I carry either guns OWB 99% of the time.

RPBrown · Post by **RPBrown** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:51 am

I voted that I would have chosen the same one even though I no longer have it. I started out with a G21 and carried it for several years. It was a great gun and i loved it. However, as I got older, the artritus in my fingers would not allow me to break it down for cleaning so i had to change what I carried.

C-dub · Post by **C-dub** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:59 am

RPBrown wrote:I voted that I would have chosen the same one even though I no longer have it. I started out with a G21 and carried it for several years. It was a great gun and i loved it. However, as I got older, the artritus in my fingers would not allow me to break it down for cleaning so i had to change what I carried.

When did you first get the G21? Was it double stack and 13+1 or single stack?

goose · Post by **goose** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 9:59 am

RPBrown wrote:I voted that I would have chosen the same one even though I no longer have it. I started out with a G21 and carried it for several years. It was a great gun and i loved it. However, as I got older, the artritus in my fingers would not allow me to break it down for cleaning so i had to change what I carried.

Wait, you clean your Glock?

(I love my Glocks but I do find it annoying that my fingers very often slip off the slide lock while field stripping)

goose · Post by **goose** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:12 am

I would have bought the same gun(s).

My original CHL purchase was a Glock 17. I was strapped and a good friend offered me the G17 because it shot really well for me and he simply wanted to be supportive. It was a great deal and enabled me to carry and potentially protect my family if needed.
My second CHL purchase was years later after moving to TX and getting my new license. I wanted to transition to a IWB carry. I test drove a G26 and felt like it fit my hand and eyes as well as the 17 did.

Have purchased other carry guns but these are the two guns bought specifically as my workhorse weapons. As opposed to my "oh look, that would be fun to have" or "oh look, I can't let that opportunity pass" pistols.

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