Quest for my perfect CC pistol

[davidw]

Sorry for the long post. For those who don't want to read, skip to last paragraph.

I have been researching and searching for a CC pistol. Mainly for carry defense but I want it to be fun when I go to the range twice a month or so.

First let me say I am a semi big guy 6ft, 240 pounds. I live in Florida which means that during the work day I am usually in long pants and most other times I am in shorts and tee shirts or polo shorts. During the day I am used to carrying a snub nose 38 in my ankle and may want to continue to carry my new gun in my ankle while at work.

Started out looking at the Glock 23, Glock 27, H&K P2000sk v3, HK USP, Sig P239 40cal, S&W M&P 40C & S&W M&P 40. Also considered a Kahr 40 (PM, CW MK).

My head was spinning and I had to narrow it down. I rented all I listed except the Kahrs. Nothing spoke to me. Because I could only bring 1 at a time back to shoot it was hard to compare. One didn’t really feel much better than another. Nothing “spoke to me” like I was hoping. The only thing may have been the Glock 27 may have been a little less comfortable with the short grip. To bad, I really wanted to like this one. I was driving myself crazy and thought “I am just going to get the Sig P239 or the H&K P2000sk. Originally I thought I just wanted to keep it under $1,000.00 so these 2 fit that and they are both good. Then I decided to go home and give it a few days.

Then today I decided why do I want to spend that much money on a gun. My wife will probably kill me. So, I think I have pretty much narrowed it down to the Glock 27 or the M & P 40c. I will have to try them both again but if as I think the 27 grip is to short then I guess my decision will be the M&P 40C. Of course I will have to try them both IWB and in my ankle first. Any final thoughts?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[TonyW]

You can get the extension for the magazine on the 27 which will make it easier to control. Of course it also makes the grip longer and therefore harder to conceal, especially on your ankle. (I've never carried on the ankle so I'm just guessing there.) I have a 27 but I carry it on the hip and the extender doesn't bother much. Why are you moving away from the snubby?

[TX-JB]

I was like you at first. I passed on the G26 because of the grip and bought a G19. The more I looked at the 26's the more I liked everything about it, except the short grip. I finally decided to take the plunge on the 26, I knew if I didn't like it I could get my money out of it.

Well, it's become my favorite carry gun. I got some GAP floorplates which help with the grip, yet don't extend as much as the other grip extensions. I can get a good two fingered grip on the frame and tuck the pinkie, under the grip. It really works quite well. I was cleaning both the G19 & 26 today and realized that the G19 grip felt kinda funny without my finger tucked under the grip and the 26 grip felt like it was normal. I kinda laughed to myself.

So, don't let the short grip, keep you away from the 27. The grips can be adjusted to very easily.

[tpurdin]

G23, G19 will both probably fit in your hands. and its a glock you cant go wrong!

[redrick]

I would get the 27, if you want to ankle carry sometimes, you can get the grip extension for one mag and leave the other stock. I would also look at the 36, it is thinner and the grip is a little larger than the 27. It's a .45 and holds 6+1.

[retsupt99]

Get the Glock, add in a pinky extension and you'll be good to go...lots of dependability in a compact defense package.

[davidw]

TonyW: Have had the same gun for about 30 years. Call me silly but I have an itch for something new. Have only had the wife for 20 so she has a few more to go.

I can tell we have a lot of Glock fans here. Do you guys not like the M&P 40c for some reason? Or just prefer the Glock?

[Wasabi]

Checkout the GAP floorplates for the 27:
G A P H O M E

I have them on my G33 mags and they help get a good grip without adding bulk. Also, you may want to consider a G33 (.357SIG) over the .40. Not to start a caliber war since they are both good calibers but some would argue that the .357SIG is the preferred SD round. It's just a preference thing I guess. I wouldn't want to get shot with either but you should at least check out the 33 if you're looking at a 27. You can still shoot both calibers through either gun with just a barrel swap if you want to. For a good IWB, checkout a FIST K4A. My G33 is comfy and cozy in mine.

[dam294]

Another vote for GAP floor plates here.

Don't add a +1 or +2 "pinky extension" to a G26 or G27. If you do that, you might as well buy a G19 or G23.

[kingdaddyoh]

I too am a little guy at 6'4" 235lb and have more than a few handguns. My go to / wear everyday pistol is the 27 with GAP floorplate. I've tried all the extentions and with those you lose what you bought the pistol for-concealment. It's one of my more accurate pistolas as well. I either wear it OWB in a Milt Sparks 55BN or IWB in a D.M. Bullard clip type holster. I also have the 30SF and 22 in Glock but the 27 takes the prize. You won't regret this purchase.

[DocGlock]

I can tell we have a lot of Glock fans here. Do you guys not like the M&P 40c for some reason? Or just prefer the Glock?

Call me crazy if you want to, but I've got an M&P 40c, an XD40 Sub-Compact, and a Glock 27. You can't go wrong with any of the three. However, if I was going to sell two and only keep one, the keeper would be the Glock.

[BlueNinjaGo]

+1 on magazine extentions...

Also, try a Springfield XD subcompact?

[BlackBirdCD]

It's worth finding a range with rental pistols and trying them both out. One advantage of the SW M&P 40c is that it carries 10 rounds in the magazine, one more than the Glock (unless there's an alternate magazine for the Glock, I'm not certain).

A pal of mine got the Glock, I got the M&Pc, both in .40sw. They're both brilliant to shoot, but they're also both pretty thick. Same goes for the Springfield XD line, which I would rate in the same category. They all take a good amount of practice to shoot, as they tend to be a bit snappy.

[BlackBirdCD]

I can tell we have a lot of Glock fans here. Do you guys not like the M&P 40c for some reason? Or just prefer the Glock?

I just really liked the fit of the M&P 40c in my hand, more so than either the Glock or the XD. The M&P line is sculpted very well. Other than that, I like them all for the same reasons.

[billdeserthills]

Too bad you didn't get the chance to try a Bul M-5 or a Kimber Ultra Ten II, they are basically the same gun. I carry the Kimber in my pocket daily, it has a ten rd mag and chambered in .45acp. Slightly smaller than the Glock 27, with a 3.1" barrel. The CZ Rami also comes to mind if you like a .40 cal.