So my question (the question of a major newbie, so I apologize in advance) - what do you feel are the most important aspects of what you've decided to carry? Is it width, length, height, weight, capacity, caliber, style, manufacturer, or do you just find something you shoot well and figure out how to carry it later?
When I first got my LTC - almost 20 years ago - I based my carry decision on what I was most capable with. Having tried several of my handguns on the range prior to the qualification process I stuck with the one that I scored best with, which was my Sig P220. I had several other options, sizes, calibers, etc, but why carry any of them if the Sig was the best performer in my hands? It was many years before I opted to carry something different. And once you commit to a particular pistol you'll figure out how to CC it well. I've never had any issues or challenges with the P220 and never have had a "blown cover" event. And I've never thought twice about the capacity of the P220 with a couple of spare mags.
Now, with that history of CC, I've recently switched to an M&P Shield 9. And this choice was made in consideration of weight and size. Sub C's weren't always available during the course of my CC and I hadn't taken the time to look at new products in the gun world in many years. But once I did it seemed like a logical option to downsize the physicality of my carry while maintaining decent firepower. I keep the 8 rnd mag in mine with 2x 8 rnd spares and put the finger rest/base plate on all 3 mags.
24 rnds of 9mm critical defense will do just fine and I can carry the Shield anywhere from AIWB to 5 o'clock comfortably in any attire the season calls for.
When I first got my LTC - almost 20 years ago - I based my carry decision on what I was most capable with. Having tried several of my handguns on the range prior to the qualification process I stuck with the one that I scored best with, which was my Sig P220. I had several other options, sizes, calibers, etc, but why carry any of them if the Sig was the best performer in my hands? It was many years before I opted to carry something different. And once you commit to a particular pistol you'll figure out how to CC it well. I've never had any issues or challenges with the P220 and never have had a "blown cover" event. And I've never thought twice about the capacity of the P220 with a couple of spare mags.
Now, with that history of CC, I've recently switched to an M&P Shield 9. And this choice was made in consideration of weight and size. Sub C's weren't always available during the course of my CC and I hadn't taken the time to look at new products in the gun world in many years. But once I did it seemed like a logical option to downsize the physicality of my carry while maintaining decent firepower. I keep the 8 rnd mag in mine with 2x 8 rnd spares and put the finger rest/base plate on all 3 mags.
24 rnds of 9mm critical defense will do just fine and I can carry the Shield anywhere from AIWB to 5 o'clock comfortably in any attire the season calls for.