Conceal Carry next set of questions – firearms and holsters

Guys – can I ask a how small is small when it comes to pistol choices? This is follow up to the Accessories thread where a few people talked about a small gun phase and growing out of it.

Note – practice like you play is a phrase from my younger and more athletic years. Couldn’t agree more with Randy’s comments he brought back from Shot.

I’m a couple months behind Wade on this journey and ready to put some cash down on a new pistol. I am 100% torn between two in particular.

Background – only owned full size and never carried before. How much will I carry? That’s the million dollar question, really don’t know if it will be very often(long story).

I don’t like almost all the super small stuff I’ve tried(G43, Kahr PM9, sort of okay with the Shield w/extended mag).

My debate is between the HK P2000(G19/23 size) and the little brother P2000sk(hair bigger than G26/27). Both are double-stacks but difference is in length and height.

How much difference would it be to carry the larger model Appendix? Does the extra barrel length dig in if you know what I mean? How about grip? Same questions for regular IWB?

I really wish it would be possible to do some test drives before dropping this kind of cash:???:

patk wrote:

I really wish it would be possible to do some test drives before dropping this kind of cash:???:

I’m sure there are dealer/in door ranges that would accommodate you with shooting a variety of different guns. Most of the dealers I work with down here that have ranges take their customers in for a trial run or you can rent a gun to shoot. All you need to do is buy the ammo as long as you buy the gun….

You are posing questions we all have to answer for ourselves. Pick something that fits your hand well and points well for YOU. Unless you are a very big person full sized is not ideal for c&c. Stick with mid or sub. Get something comfortable to carry and dont worry so much about caliber. After you are comfortable carrying a sidearm in public you will start thinking about WHAT you want to carry. Then you can fine tune. My .02

@Randy – I should have been more specific when I referred to test drives. Not for shooting but for carrying.

ex. I’ve learned that there’s a holster game where everyone ends up with a drawer full. While probably inevitable, I’m trying to do my best to limit how many holsters and pistols I buy on this journey.

@Suzuki – I knew I would see an answer like yours about it all being personal in nature.

Rationally I know that I have to just make the leap, put some money down, and just start doing instead of over-thinking. In my heart I just keep hoping the answers are easier to find by asking others and especially members like you and Randy who have a ton of experience.

Also agreed with you on size profile. I’m not an overly big dude and the two models I have in mind are mid and sub. The mid(P2000) fits my hand about as perfectly as anything I’ve ever tried. 90% sure I’ll get that one and do what you said. Just start and figure it out from there.

I carry a shield 9 mm. I like the size fits well in my hand and I’m able to shoot it well. I Don’t Notice at all after I carried for a little. Holster is everything. More so then the gun. I didn’t like the sub compact as they were small and handled not well for me. I didn’t like double stack guns thought they were to wide. The shield was a win both ways for me. I know a ton of cop buddies and they also all chose the shield. I do recommend trying a few guns out and see what you like.

The smaller the better IMO. You will hopefully make it through life without ever needing it, the less of a hassle it is to conceal and carry the more often you will carry it which is 90% of the battle. I personally only carry pistols with manual safeties, for the same reason above, I will hopefully never need it anyways and any protection against any possible accident is worth it to me in that case. Look into the Ruger LC9S, its small, still a 9mm and shoots great for the size, even my GF shoots it comfortably. The only downside is the mag lockout feature. Another great small option at a higher price point is the Sig P938. Touchy trigger though, and seems pretty snappy compared to the Ruger IMO.

Make a trip over to Bill’s Gun Shop and Range in Robinsdale.

They have multiple guns and holsters you an try.

I only have one inside the waist band holster laying around. Maybe I’m lucky and found one that I liked quickly. Not sure.

Ended up using a Bianchi #82 for over 10 years now.

Works for me, your milage WILL vary.

Check out simply rugged holsters. Spendy but it made the carry options even better because of the availability of holsters.

A good holsters I think is just as important as the right gun.

I have Walther PPS and galco IWB holster. I am now searching for the right leather owb leather paddle holster. Be cautious going to small of a pistol as they are hard to control and can hurt to shoot then you will not spend the range time needed to master the weapon and keep up your accuracy.

Mwal

To stay out of the holster game, give this guy a shot. https://tuctite.co/

He doesn’t make a holster for every gun. However, the ones he does make are precision made and very nice.

I’m also shopping for a new carry right now. I want something bigger than my bodyguard .380. I’m stuck between the Glock 43 and Shield.

Thanks guys for the initial round of help. Here’s what I’ve done and why I did it. Feel free to applaud or give criticism. I’m a newb on this subject and open to feedback.

Just sent the email to order the HK P2000 in 9mm. If you’re not familiar this is essentially the same size as the Glocks G19/23 but a hair shorter barrel and hammer fired.

Caliber – 9mm. cheaper to practice, matches what I already have(FN FNS9). Believe the caliber wars are stupid.

Hammer was a preference over striker. I really like the idea of being able to thumb the hammer when holstering. Didn’t want a 1911 style. HK has what they call an LEM trigger. Essentially it’s a light dao with a really long take up. Little weird but it’s the same every time you press.

No external safety – God forbid I need it for more than range use. Will I have trained enough to be successful? Keep It Simple Stupid

Not choosing the little subcompact brother in the “sk” – Worst case, I start here and find I wish it were smaller. Then I’ll still have one I really like and the safe just gets a little more full. Just will be a while before I can scrounge up more firearm cash. Used to have an HK full size before and had high opinions.

I’ll take a look around at the holster suggestions above. Appreciate the help!

Forgot to mention, trying out a new place. Jon @ Riversidesportinggear.com/

Will update with feedback after the order is completed but first impressions are very positive.

I’m with Brian on visiting Bill’s in Robbinsdale. I ran that shop for 2 years and the staff there is generally extremely friendly and willing to teach. You can rent just about any gun before you buy it. Prices are generally much lower than Cabelas or Gander and are inline with other small shops.

You made a solid choice for a carry gun. The LEM trigger HK has is amazing. It’s light, long but not too long and very crisp. The only trigger I would say I like better is the Kahr’s.

Update: Got the p2000 from John @ riverside sporting gear. Big thumbs up and a solid recommendation for buying from him. Would definitely recommend and will use him again. Solid pricing, easy to deal with, and really nice too. We hung out an extra half hour and he answered a ton of questions.

Will it be too big has been my question? Probably but I really like it so we’ll just see how it goes.

Took the plunge on a holster too. Checked out Simply Rugged and tuctite. Looked good but they didn’t make one for my model. After wayyyyy, did I say way too much internet time I put an order in for a “Silent Thunder” from Garrett Industries. http://www.giholsters.com/silent-thunder-iwb/

Now I’m broke once again but feeling it was money well spent. Time will tell how well I chose but feeling positive and confident I did the best I could to get started.