Cat among the pigeons time :)

[gthaustex]

I know of a few who have had issues running XDs, etc. hard and fast due to the grip safety. Most do not run their firearms that hard / fast. As far as a holster, I have had a Comp-Tac MTAC IWB for years now and haven't had an issue with the leather folding over / getting in the way, even in the Texas heat. My guess is that body shape has a lot to do with that potentially being a problem. I also haven't had a problem losing retention either....

[Soccerdad1995]

I usually carry one of the following (possibly more than one). I didn't see these mentioned in the article, so I hope I'm OK

Primary = 1911 (Full size, Commander, CCO, or Officer, depending on clothing type). All chambered in .45 ACP and loaded with 230 gr HST.

BUG = Sig P938 or S&W 360 PD. Loaded with 9mm 147gr HST, or .357 mag 158gr Gold Dot, respectively.

Bedside gun = Sig P226 X5, loaded with 9mm 147gr HST.

Car gun = CZ Shadow, or Sig P226 MK25, loaded with 147gr HST with the side door pocket full of loaded magazines.

My other guns hang out in the safe most days, but they do get to come out with me every once in a while....

You have a taste for nice guns. Is bedside gun for sale? If not and in case, post some photos.

No, besides being a great gun, the bedside gun is the only gun that my wife ever bought me. It was a Father's Day gift. Let's just say that she is MUCH better at gift giving than I will ever be.

[WTR]

I know of a few who have had issues running XDs, etc. hard and fast due to the grip safety. Most do not run their firearms that hard / fast. As far as a holster, I have had a Comp-Tac MTAC IWB for years now and haven't had an issue with the leather folding over / getting in the way, even in the Texas heat. My guess is that body shape has a lot to do with that potentially being a problem. I also haven't had a problem losing retention either....

When I'm at my normal 180lbs I have no problem with the heat shield on my Cross Breed folding over. When I gained an enormous amount of weight due to a medication they had me on, my tire pushed the shield over. As I loose more and more weight.......problem is subsiding.

[Sidro]

To each his own opinion, my wife I and do not let other people dictate what we carry. While we both carry a 1911 platform daily(most days .45 cal) we are both proficent with the Xd and PX-4 compact platforms in .40 cal and occasionally carry them. Being accurate and comfortable with what you carry is the main thing. There is not a caliber, model or brand of gun on the market that works for everyone. Shoot what works for you.

[Soccerdad1995]

To each his own opinion, my wife I and do not let other people dictate what we carry. While we both carry a 1911 platform daily(most days .45 cal) we are both proficent with the Xd and PX-4 compact platforms in .40 cal and occasionally carry them. Being accurate and comfortable with what you carry is the main thing. There is not a caliber, model or brand of gun on the market that works for everyone. Shoot what works for you.

Before choosing guns for my carry rotation, I shoot a few hundred rounds mix of FMJ and SD ammo to test for reliability. I then run them through an accuracy test using a standard IDPA target at various distances. Then I give each a rating for concealability, comfort, caliber, capacity, and "intangibles" or just how I feel about that particular gun. So 3 subjective areas and 3 objective areas. This helped me to pick the guns that make the final list.

[warnmar10]

I know of a few who have had issues running XDs, etc. hard and fast due to the grip safety. ...

In the first couple of thousand rounds I had 1 or 2 that didn't go bang on the first try. After checking my grip they did go bang.

This was my solution.



XDS Extended Grip Safety

[G26ster]

To each his own opinion, my wife I and do not let other people dictate what we carry. While we both carry a 1911 platform daily(most days .45 cal) we are both proficent with the Xd and PX-4 compact platforms in .40 cal and occasionally carry them. Being accurate and comfortable with what you carry is the main thing. There is not a caliber, model or brand of gun on the market that works for everyone. Shoot what works for you.

Before choosing guns for my carry rotation, I shoot a few hundred rounds mix of FMJ and SD ammo to test for reliability. I then run them through an accuracy test using a standard IDPA target at various distances. Then I give each a rating for concealability, comfort, caliber, capacity, and "intangibles" or just how I feel about that particular gun. So 3 subjective areas and 3 objective areas. This helped me to pick the guns that make the final list.

I don't know what's the matter with you folks. Are you trouble makers? Test the gun to see what's right for you? Are you serious? Don't you know you are supposed to choose what the "experts" on gun forums tell you? My goodness, the number of experts on gun forums boggles the mind. Surely they know what's best for you.

On a more serious note, my handgun experience was in the military where my Uncle Sam loaned me a 1911 and a S&W Model 10. That was it. Of course he loaned me some nice rifles too like the M1 Garand, the M14, and the M16. When was ready to purchase my civilian firearms, one friend recommend a CZ 75 P01, the other a Glock, and the other the XD platform. One dragged me from gun show to gun show. I hated the way the Glock felt in my hand, didn't care for the feel of the XD, and ended up with a CZ75P01. Turned out, I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with it, the decocker scared me to death, and it was a bear to take down. One day at the range my other friend asked me to try his G26. Reluctantly I did. Holy cow, I was blowing the center of the 10 ring out at most distances! But my other friend still insisted the XD was better for me. Soooo, to end the story, I tried both the XD and the G26 side by side, and I was far and away the most accurate with the G26. I bought one that day! That was years ago, and today I have 2 other Glocks and surprisingly the little G42 is the most accurate (in my hands). Do not know why.

So, try before you buy is the way to go IMHO.

[Soccerdad1995]

To each his own opinion, my wife I and do not let other people dictate what we carry. While we both carry a 1911 platform daily(most days .45 cal) we are both proficent with the Xd and PX-4 compact platforms in .40 cal and occasionally carry them. Being accurate and comfortable with what you carry is the main thing. There is not a caliber, model or brand of gun on the market that works for everyone. Shoot what works for you.

Before choosing guns for my carry rotation, I shoot a few hundred rounds mix of FMJ and SD ammo to test for reliability. I then run them through an accuracy test using a standard IDPA target at various distances. Then I give each a rating for concealability, comfort, caliber, capacity, and "intangibles" or just how I feel about that particular gun. So 3 subjective areas and 3 objective areas. This helped me to pick the guns that make the final list.

I don't know what's the matter with you folks. Are you trouble makers? Test the gun to see what's right for you? Are you serious? Don't you know you are supposed to choose what the "experts" on gun forums tell you? My goodness, the number of experts on gun forums boggles the mind. Surely they know what's best for you.

On a more serious note, my handgun experience was in the military where my Uncle Sam loaned me a 1911 and a S&W Model 10. That was it. Of course he loaned me some nice rifles too like the M1 Garand, the M14, and the M16. When was ready to purchase my civilian firearms, one friend recommend a CZ 75 P01, the other a Glock, and the other the XD platform. One dragged me from gun show to gun show. I hated the way the Glock felt in my hand, didn't care for the feel of the XD, and ended up with a CZ75P01. Turned out, I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with it, the decocker scared me to death, and it was a bear to take down. One day at the range my other friend asked me to try his G26. Reluctantly I did. Holy cow, I was blowing the center of the 10 ring out at most distances! But my other friend still insisted the XD was better for me. Soooo, to end the story, I tried both the XD and the G26 side by side, and I was far and away the most accurate with the G26. I bought one that day! That was years ago, and today I have 2 other Glocks and surprisingly the little G42 is the most accurate (in my hands). Do not know why.

So, try before you buy is the way to go IMHO.

100%

I actually like the feel of a Glock in my hand, or at least don't mind it, and as far as looks, it looks like a gun, which is fine. But for whatever reason, I just am not very accurate with my Glocks. I didn't realize this until after I had a G19, G21, and G26. I got my first 1911 (Magnum Research DE1911G) and was shocked at the accuracy. The range I joined let's me have one free rental a month and some folks were talking about CZ's, so I rented a CZ 75 and shot it side by side with my G19. Not entirely fair since the CZ 75 is all metal and a little bigger, but like you in reverse, I was very surprised at how much more accurate I was with the CZ.

Of course, you can also go a bit too far with this. For example, I have now settled on a Sig P938 as my BUG. But to get to this point, I bought and sold all of the following guns: Kel-Tec PF-9, Taurus PT 709 Slim, Kahr PM 9, and a Glock 43, before settling on the Sig. It probably would have been a lot cheaper and easier to just keep the PF-9, and to be honest, it wouldn't have been THAT big of a difference, especially considering that I frequently do not even carry a BUG. But I now understand the differences between each of these guns, at least for me, and I have a gun that I shoot the best, and which has the same manual of arms as my primary carry which tends to be a Dan Wesson CCO most days. Plus shooting a bunch of different guns is something that I enjoy.

[karder]

I guess there is some useful information in this article for someone brand new to shooting and CC. I get a little turned off by the "one size fits all" mentality that so many instructors develop. I agree that .40 can be tough to shoot in a compact gun and may not be the best choice for a novice. I don't agree that the XD platform is inferior to Glock (or anything else). I spent many years carrying IWB with Crossbreed holsters and they always performed beautifully.

It comes down to personal preference. The system I am using now works for me, but may not work at all for for the next guy or gal. I am currently carrying an HK VP40 in a Bravo Concealment Holster loaded with (gasp) Hornady Critical Duty!

One of my best pals, a 28 year LEO and SWAT officer, carries a sig p238 in a fobus paddle holster as his off duty weapon. I am sure a lot of "experts" could find a plethora of problems with that setup (small caliber, limited capacity, paddle holster), but that is my friend's preference. He can shoot, he can fight, and he knows how to tactically respond to a threat. If someone attempted to engage him on the street, they will be making a big mistake.

Every LTC'er needs to try as many platforms as they can. Find out what they like, what they shoot well, and what they're comfortable with. Then practice, practice, practice. Invariably, we are all going to end up buying a number of carry guns and holsters that seemed perfect but for whatever reason, just weren't quite right for us and end up sitting in gun safes. Mr. Ellifritz offers some reasonable opinions for a newbie to consider, but his "uninformed gun owner" profile is a bit condescending.

[n5wd]

You know what they say about opinions being similar to a part of one's anatomy....

Everyone's got one.

(My XDs is a .45 and not .40, but other than that his description fits me... Boo Hoo... I'm so distraught, now!)

[Soccerdad1995]

I guess there is some useful information in this article for someone brand new to shooting and CC. I get a little turned off by the "one size fits all" mentality that so many instructors develop. I agree that .40 can be tough to shoot in a compact gun and may not be the best choice for a novice. I don't agree that the XD platform is inferior to Glock (or anything else). I spent many years carrying IWB with Crossbreed holsters and they always performed beautifully.

It comes down to personal preference. The system I am using now works for me, but may not work at all for for the next guy or gal. I am currently carrying an HK VP40 in a Bravo Concealment Holster loaded with (gasp) Hornady Critical Duty!

One of my best pals, a 28 year LEO and SWAT officer, carries a sig p238 in a fobus paddle holster as his off duty weapon. I am sure a lot of "experts" could find a plethora of problems with that setup (small caliber, limited capacity, paddle holster), but that is my friend's preference. He can shoot, he can fight, and he knows how to tactically respond to a threat. If someone attempted to engage him on the street, they will be making a big mistake.

Every LTC'er needs to try as many platforms as they can. Find out what they like, what they shoot well, and what they're comfortable with. Then practice, practice, practice. Invariably, we are all going to end up buying a number of carry guns and holsters that seemed perfect but for whatever reason, just weren't quite right for us and end up sitting in gun safes. Mr. Ellifritz offers some reasonable opinions for a newbie to consider, but his "uninformed gun owner" profile is a bit condescending.

This is a bit like me telling someone else what food tastes the best. I can probably confidently state that most people will like the taste of ice cream better than the taste of tofu, but even there we need disclaimers. The truth is that there really isn't all that much difference between a $500 set-up and a $2,000 set-up in terms of providing you with an effective self-defense tool. Is the $2,000 gun and holster going to be prettier and more accurate?? I sure would hope so. But is going to be more reliable and noticeably more accurate for the average shooter at real world SD shooting distances? Probably not so much.

I would tell a new LTC holder to avoid the Hi-points, and the like, and try to get something bigger than a .380, but other than that, it's mostly a matter of personal preference. Get something you can afford and that you will shoot often enough to be proficient with.

[The Annoyed Man]

This is a bit like me telling someone else what food tastes the best. I can probably confidently state that most people will like the taste of ice cream better than the taste of tofu, but even there we need disclaimers.

No respect and love for Tofutti?

[G26ster]

This is a bit like me telling someone else what food tastes the best. I can probably confidently state that most people will like the taste of ice cream better than the taste of tofu, but even there we need disclaimers. The truth is that there really isn't all that much difference between a $500 set-up and a $2,000 set-up in terms of providing you with an effective self-defense tool. Is the $2,000 gun and holster going to be prettier and more accurate?? I sure would hope so. But is going to be more reliable and noticeably more accurate for the average shooter at real world SD shooting distances? Probably not so much.

I would tell a new LTC holder to avoid the Hi-points, and the like, and try to get something bigger than a .380, but other than that, it's mostly a matter of personal preference. Get something you can afford and that you will shoot often enough to be proficient with.

I agree with most of what you said in principle, but I respectfully believe the first sentence of your second paragraph contradicts your first paragraph. I have found that the evidence that H-Points are junk is something like, "my friend's, sister's boyfriend's father's, cousin had one and said it was junk." Actually, owners seem to overwhelmingly like the Hi-Point. Sure, they're cheap, but most independent reviews I've read (most, not all) have few issues with the Hi-Point in terms of reliability and accuracy. As for .380 ammo, here's a quote from Guns & Ammo magazine:

"Modern powders don’t just offer low flash but also increased velocities (without a dangerous increase in pressure) compared with what was available just a few short years ago, not to mention improved consistency, which translates to increased accuracy. While this increased velocity gets more attention on the rifle ammunition side of the aisle, the fact is that a lot of .380 ammo is now moving as fast as a 9mm used to, and some 9mm offerings post velocities only previously seen with .357 Magnum ammo."

I must admit, I have a huge issue with gun boards, and all the make and model fan boys pushing their "expert" opinions by promoting their favorite make and model, while perpetrating the myths about lower priced guns and smaller caliber ammo. I believe most of it is done to show that they are "elite" in some way, and all "noobs or youngins" should listen to what they recommend. It's a lot of gorilla breast pounding to me, and I'd bet good money that the vast majority have never had to use their pistol in self defense and therefore have, no real life experience. Just MHO.

[Pawpaw]

You know what they say about opinions being similar to a part of one's anatomy....

Everyone's got one.

(My XDs is a .45 and not .40, but other than that his description fits me... Boo Hoo... I'm so distraught, now!)

Opinions are like noses. Everybody's got one and most of them smell.

[Liberty]

I think some elitist love looking down at the noobie. Nothing wrong with being a noobie, and some of us are noobies longer than others. I think of my EDC as a noobies choice. I carry a Beretta PX4 Subcompact, and occasionally a P92 or a Ruger P95. One might consider the SA/DA manual safeties with exposed hammer a noobies choice and it is. Although I've been doing the concealed carry thing for 10 years, I like sticking to the basics.

I do recognize that there are those who own a lot more guns and tend to put a lot more into the conceal carry than I do, these are elite and people like myself learn a lot from them. They also tend to be DA striker types or SA 1911 types. These people know their weapons of choice, how to use them and how to use them safely. Myself as a noobie insist his few handguns have the same manual of arms and work the same. The elitist are comfortable carrying and shooting anything. They aren't bothered by the complexity of the 1911, nor the simplicity of no manual safety.

I guess what I'm saying is that it doesn't really matter if someone thinks of us as a noobie, as long as we have good equipment, understand how to use it, what it can do and to be safe.

Just in case someone wants to question my noobieness My PX4SC is loaded with Hornady Zombie killers.