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I was SO eager to buy an STI LS40 tonight, but after actually having it in my hands I realized the 1911 grip safety design is not compatible with the SmartCarry system in my particular case.

The grip safety spur protrudes so far it digs into my lower stomach when sitting, (and I'm not that fat).

How could I not have anticipated that?

back to the drawing board

can you shift the gun more to a hip carry where it don't dig in

Thanks, and I did try that, but it patterns to obviously when tight behind my dress pants pocket.

I just need to find a thin, sub compact 9 or 40 in another design besides the 1911 grip safety.

doc540 wrote:Thanks, and I did try that, but it patterns to obviously when tight behind my dress pants pocket.

I just need to find a thin, sub compact 9 or 40 in another design besides the 1911 grip safety.

Grip safety (but no spur). 9 rounds of 9mm, thumb safety, firing pin safety, LDA, only 24 ozs., flush fitting hammer.

flint, I'm looking real hard at that one.

But I've yet to actually get one in my hands and try it for size in the SmartCarry.

Perhaps I'll get the chance next weekend at a local gun show.

And the quality of the Para's is a hot topic on many forums. Is that something I should be concerned about? (I have no concern for finish and cosmetics, only reliability.)

PARA ORD is a great quality company, those canadians know what they're doing.

doc540 wrote:flint, I'm looking real hard at that one.

But I've yet to actually get one in my hands and try it for size in the SmartCarry.

Perhaps I'll get the chance next weekend at a local gun show.

And the quality of the Para's is a hot topic on many forums. Is that something I should be concerned about? (I have no concern for finish and cosmetics, only reliability.)

Yes Sir.

Para tends to manufacture their guns a bit on the tight side. So you will find that some of them will give feeding issues initially. Fit and finish are generally very good. The black finish "Para-Kote" isn't real hardy when applied to alloy frames but does O.K. on steel slides. If you are not real hard on a pistol...then you probably won't wear through it.

Para does have an excellent customer service program and a lifetime guarantee on the their products.

Nearly all of the issues I have seen with the Para's relate to the "break-in" period. I believe they need quite a bit of shooting to loosen up as compared to other makes. My daughter's Carry 9 has been flawless, but it was fluffed and buffed before it ever went to the range.

Para does use some MIM parts (as do other mfg's.)....and MIM's if poorly done can give problems. The Carry 9 is worth looking at...and if didn't think it was reliable I wouldn't have my daughter carrying one.

You might take a look at one and judge for yourself. I also like the Kahr P9 and can't really think of a better small 9mm for deep concealment. That might be something to look at too.

i've actually had opposite experiences, the para-kote didnt hold up too well on alloy frames but was very impressive on steel frames.

htxred wrote:i've actually had opposite experiences, the para-kote didnt hold up too well on alloy frames but was very impressive on steel frames.

I think that is what I said, or was trying to say.

The black finish "Para-Kote" isn't real hardy when applied to alloy frames but does O.K. on steel slides.

i must have read it backwards then, lol my apologies.

htxred wrote:i must have read it backwards then, lol my apologies.

I see what you mean.

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I had similiar problems with my old Colt Officer's ACP in smartcarry. It had a great high cut beavertail grip safety, but man it just didn't ride comfy in smartcarry because of it. That and the fact that it became a rust magnet in such carry.

I switched to the Glock 27 and all was right with the world.

doc540 wrote:(I have no concern for finish and cosmetics, only reliability.)

Go ugly and reliable, it's the only way!

stevie_d_64 wrote:

doc540 wrote:(I have no concern for finish and cosmetics, only reliability.)

Go ugly and reliable, it's the only way!

Depends on the circumstance.

If we're talking "carry weapons" then sure.

If we're talking "dating"...well...not so much.