Just a quick question your from Kodak Alaska why are you looking for something small to carry? I'm not trying to be funny or anything but If I lived were you do I'd probably be looking to carry something chambered in 44mag or 500 Smith and Wesson. From what I understand were your at you probably stand as much chance of (or maybe better) having a self defense issue with 4 legged bad guy's weighing 500 lb or better as do the 2 legged kind
First Concealed Carry Gun
I'm having some trouble picking out my first concealed carry gun. I currently have a Glock 17 and a Glock 21 but I want something smaller that will conceal better. I've been thinking about a Glock 26 or 30, but I have never held one before and none of the gun stores on the island carry them so it would be a blind buy. I've also been playing with the idea of an M&P shield 9 or 45 or a Ruger LC9s.
If you could pick between a Glock 26, Glock 30, M&P Shield 9, M&P Shield 45, or a Ruger LC9s, which would you choose and why?
Are there any others you recommend I check out? I live on an Island in Alaska so I don't have many options to go look at in person before I order.
If you could pick between a Glock 26, Glock 30, M&P Shield 9, M&P Shield 45, or a Ruger LC9s, which would you choose and why?
Are there any others you recommend I check out? I live on an Island in Alaska so I don't have many options to go look at in person before I order.
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For CC, since you seem to be a Glock guy, think about the 26. Carry the 17's mag as a backup. Just an option.
Or think outside the box. G20 and 29.
I'm not really into Glocks, but prefer my Rugers.
Or think outside the box. G20 and 29.
I'm not really into Glocks, but prefer my Rugers.
Well you know I would have to add my .02 Being a Revolver guy. A 442 for the pocket. And some sort of 44 mag for the belt.
Shield, hands down.
I love the 30sf, equipped with truglo tfo sights, ghost edge connector it shoots like a dream.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Welcome to the forum. I have a fond place in my heart for Alaska, having spent time at Elmendorf a long, long time ago.
All that you have identified are good concealed carry pistols. I have carried all you have listed to include the 26, Shield 9mm, 30S, and LC9s Pro. For me, picking only one, I would choose the LC9s due to the fact that I can carry it IWB and also comfortably pocket carry, particularly with the flat mag base. The others don't work for me to pocket carry as well, although I can carry them in tac or cargo jeans.
All that you have identified are good concealed carry pistols. I have carried all you have listed to include the 26, Shield 9mm, 30S, and LC9s Pro. For me, picking only one, I would choose the LC9s due to the fact that I can carry it IWB and also comfortably pocket carry, particularly with the flat mag base. The others don't work for me to pocket carry as well, although I can carry them in tac or cargo jeans.
in you situation (state of Alaska) I would carry a Glock 29 with a Glock 20 spare mag.
I have the Ruger LC9s. I chose it because it was the one that worked for me. Forget about what any bodyelse has and try as many as you can to see what fits you. For the most part Rugers just feel better in my hands.
If you are looking at the G26, you may also want to think about the g19. I have a really hard time with the 26 because my pinkie just has no place to go. With the 19, you've got a good firm grip on a smaller weapon than the 17 or the 21, and 5 more rounds than the 26. I'd give some thought to what CAsurvivor says though...what are you arming yourself against? Btw, I have a 30sf, and it is a bit harder to conceal than the 19. The 19 and 30sf have a similar profile, but the 30 is thicker (read that less comfortable), and if memory serves me, the 29 is about the same as the 30.
I agree that a Glock 19 or 26 is probly the best solution. You are familiar with the firing system, some parts will be interchangeable, and the 26 will take higher capacity mags.
One thing to consider is you can get a G27 and convert it to 9mm with a Lone Wolf barrel. This allows you to have 9mm CCW, an convert it back to .40 and load it with hot rounds if you are heading into the woods. I think you can do a similar thing with a Glock 23/19.
I also agree that you should try to conceal your G17 before you buy anything else. Once you decide where/how you will carry the gun, you may well discover you can conceal the G17. I have recently been thinking my G26 is actually a bit too small for how I carry, and I'd actually be better off with a G19. I'm 5'8" and about 175 lbs, and I could conceal a G17 in an appendix carry, though the handle would be a bit long and would print a bit and I'd probly get jabbed in the groin with it. But, in a pinch, the G17 is doable.
Another possibility is having a gunsmith cut down the handle on your G17 so it's the size of a G19. That way you get the short handle that is a bit easier to conceal.
One thing to consider is you can get a G27 and convert it to 9mm with a Lone Wolf barrel. This allows you to have 9mm CCW, an convert it back to .40 and load it with hot rounds if you are heading into the woods. I think you can do a similar thing with a Glock 23/19.
I also agree that you should try to conceal your G17 before you buy anything else. Once you decide where/how you will carry the gun, you may well discover you can conceal the G17. I have recently been thinking my G26 is actually a bit too small for how I carry, and I'd actually be better off with a G19. I'm 5'8" and about 175 lbs, and I could conceal a G17 in an appendix carry, though the handle would be a bit long and would print a bit and I'd probly get jabbed in the groin with it. But, in a pinch, the G17 is doable.
Another possibility is having a gunsmith cut down the handle on your G17 so it's the size of a G19. That way you get the short handle that is a bit easier to conceal.
I went from a XDs to a G19. I liked the the platform so much, I decided to get a G26. The 19 is my EDC and I have no problem concealing it, but figured the 26, w/ a pearce extension, will be familiar and it will completely disappear aiwb.
Glock 17 and a G26 make a heck of pair ! G26 is very concealable and easy carrying, much more so than a G30! I've carried the G23/G27 combo for 5 years now, before that for 14 years the G22/G27 combo! Something to be said for same manual or arms and mag/ammo compatibility.
My vote for your situation is G26!
My vote for your situation is G26!
I meant to add this to my post!Glock 17 and a G26 make a heck of pair ! G26 is very concealable and easy carrying, much more so than a G30! I've carried the G23/G27 combo for 5 years now, before that for 14 years the G22/G27 combo! Something to be said for same manual or arms and mag/ammo compatibility.
My vote for your situation is G26!
It was a good enough combo for Raylan Givens...
Yeah you have a good point. When I'm out in the woods I usually have a rifle with me. I borrow my dad's S&W 500 pretty often too. I probably should get one of my own, But for now I'm looking for something to carry when I'm in town.
Just a quick question your from Kodak Alaska why are you looking for something small to carry? I'm not trying to be funny or anything but If I lived were you do I'd probably be looking to carry something chambered in 44mag or 500 Smith and Wesson. From what I understand were your at you probably stand as much chance of (or maybe better) having a self defense issue with 4 legged bad guy's weighing 500 lb or better as do the 2 legged kind
Thanks for the advice. A friend of mine just ordered a G19 today and said he'd let me try it out next week when it gets here. I'm arming myself against people. We have a lot of seasonal work in this area, so there are a fair amount of sketchy out-of-state-ers coming and going during the summer months. They usually bring drugs with them to sell because they sell for much more up here in a remote area than they would down in the lower 48, so violence sky rockets. I just want something to carry in case I find myself in a rough situation in town. I have enough rifles for bears and stuff like that.
If you are looking at the G26, you may also want to think about the g19. I have a really hard time with the 26 because my pinkie just has no place to go. With the 19, you've got a good firm grip on a smaller weapon than the 17 or the 21, and 5 more rounds than the 26. I'd give some thought to what CAsurvivor says though...what are you arming yourself against? Btw, I have a 30sf, and it is a bit harder to conceal than the 19. The 19 and 30sf have a similar profile, but the 30 is thicker (read that less comfortable), and if memory serves me, the 29 is about the same as the 30.
I have both a Gen 4 Glock 26 & M&P Shield. Both are fine guns for CC, and easily conceal. 95% of the time I'm carrying my G26. The G26 holds 10+1, while the Shield holds 6+1. I stuck some Pearce magazine extenders on both the G26 & Shield mags for a better grip. My reasons for the G26 preference are just personal choices, and I don't think you would go wrong with either the G26 or Shield.
Ok fair enough thanks for the replyYeah you have a good point. When I'm out in the woods I usually have a rifle with me. I borrow my dad's S&W 500 pretty often too. I probably should get one of my own, But for now I'm looking for something to carry when I'm in town.
jkamai Since you own and shoot glocks now stay with the design . Not many pistols have the same feel and point a glock has and for carry its good to keep as much as you can the same . The G26 will make a good small concealable carry pistol and you can use g19 or 17 mags as back up with ior with out a X grip on the G 19 mags for a full grip and that could be a plus for you . The G 26 is also very close to the same size, length and height as the g43 and only .012 skinnier .
You might look into a 460 Rowland up grade for your g21 . Loaded with hard cast swc bullets it would make a good back up in big bear country .
You might look into a 460 Rowland up grade for your g21 . Loaded with hard cast swc bullets it would make a good back up in big bear country .
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