Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Need purchase and choice advise in 9mm ccl carry.

No new newbie here, longtime rifle man but never felt drawn to pistolas. Am now looking into getting my ccl and have eyed a glock 26 and g43 BECAUSE OF PROVEN RELIABILITY. I have 3 questions. Simply,
ONE: what weight (and maybe brand/model) bullet for 9mm in subcompacts for defense. I reload and will practice with same weight.
TWO: of the g26 and g43, the g43 is thinner and holds 6+1 special single stack mag, the g26 is double stack std glock mags 10+1. Question is what to choose, thinner and less ammo or slightly wider and extra 4 rds capacity? Both feel great in my hand. For fit and concealment I am 6'2" and 245lbs. THREE, What are the cheaper guns to stay far away from, like any hi-points, compact rugers or s&ws sold cheap at academy, bass pro, etc...? What are great value subs that are reliabke and accurate?
I do not want a larger than sub compact for carry so dont suggest g17s g19s etc...
I live on a tiny Veterans Comp check so value to cost is huge for me.
Thanks all for you input!

Glock 43 for me. And a Ruger LCP .380 for a BUG. Both are Uber reliable, and plenty accurate for my intended purpose.

I'm not a fan of the Glock double stack compacts. If I'm gonna pack a Glock 26, then I might as well pack my Glock 19. I'm also 6'2" and weigh 235. I can conceal a fairly large auto pretty easily.

As far as the Ammo for 9mm I prefer the Speer Gold Dot +p ammo in all of my carry guns for CC. I also use it in 38 special, 45 acp, .357 Sig, & .44 special.


As for brand of gun for a CCW, personally, I stick with S&W, Glock, Springfield, Ruger, Kimber, & Sig. There are other brands out there that work. But I'm not gonna bet my life on them.

Look at a Khar cw9 I have a glock 43 and a cw9 the Khar wins in accuracy and price and is about the same size

1. I carry 124 grain standard pressure Gold Dots, but I reload using 115 grain bullets because it is cheaper. The 124 grain bullet appears to be the most common bullet used for self-defense, in both standard pressure and +P loadings.

2. I have both a 26 and a 43. I consider the 43 to be more of a niche gun and the 26 to be more of an all-arounder. They both shoot well, although the 26 is much easier. I carry the 43 only when I need maximum concealment or for pocket carry. The 26 can work for almost any occasion, because I can use 15, 17 and 33 round factory magazines in it or as spares, which makes the gun very versatile. (Test that in your gun before using.) They also make 12 round factory and Pmags for the gun with some pinky extensions. (I don’t use pinky extensions or adapters on larger magazines.) I carried the 26 while hiking, 4 wheeling and bowhunting this year, something I would not do with the 43 unless I had no other gun.

One thing to note on the 43 is that some people with large hands have been known to push the slide stop lever upwards while firing, causing the slide to lock while the magazine has ammunition. I also know some 1911 fans (who run full size Glocks just fine) who have depressed the slide stop lever while firing, resulting in the slide not locking back when the magazine is empty.

3. I can’t really comment on other guns other than to say that my friends who own S&W Shields are happy with them.

After having been through most of the Glock catalog, I carry a G19 most of the time with a G43 for times that the G19 is too big. Here's what I've learned:
1. The G26 has most of the drawbacks of the G43 and most of the drawbacks of the G19.
2. The G19 conceals as well as a G26 and I shoot it as well as a G17.
3. The G26/G43 are slower to reload than the larger Glocks. The magazines do not fall free on reloads, so I plan to strip the magazine out of both of them during reloads.
4. The G26/G43 are both very accurate in slow fire, but are much harder to shoot well quickly than larger pistols.

In the Larry Vickers video review of the G43, one of the first things he says is basically, "The G43 is good for some things, but carry a G19 if you possibly can." I'd have to say that I agree.


Okie John

The Smith and Wesson M&P line of autos are great weapons and worthy of your consideration. Stay away from their "SD" line of cheapies.

Compact 9mm's are like shoes: you have to find one that fits. I've had a S&W Shield, Glock 43, Kahr PM9, and a Springfield XDS and they were all different when it came to putting rounds downrange. The Shield was the least unpleasant, with the Glock 43 close on its heels. After trying them all over the space of a year I settled on a Glock 19. The big drawback, to me, of the compact 9's is that they--again, for me--cannot be carried in a pocket and, thus, must be carried on the belt. Once I'm wearing a belt holster, I might as well be carrying a larger gun that is easier to shoot and manipulate. For pocket carry I've found nothing better than the shrouded hammer S&W J-frames.

Another Compact 9 no one is mentioned yet is an lc9s I have the pro model

If you are bound and determined to stick with those proportions, the 43 would be the more comfortable choice for IWB carry. If you were willing to jump up a little to the 19, then you could have the best of both worlds, ie., comfort and capacity. The 26 tends to feel like a block of 2x4 in an IWB, ie., uncomfortable.

Your post raises valid points, but I disagree that the 19 conceals as well as the 26. I have a 19. I carry both my 26 and my 19 in Milt Sparks Criterion holsters worn in the same spot. It is noticeably easier to hide the 26 under an untucked polo shirt because of the length of the grip. I am not talking about standing in front of a mirror with arms at side but about walking deliberately down the street, or doing stuff like bending over.

A CCW person also must consider the weight differential, which is not only the gun but also includes the support gear. The loaded 26 weighs 26.2 ounces compared to 30.6 ounces for the 19. With each gun in its holster, the 26 loaded weighs 32 ounces and the 19 weights 37.2 ounces. A loaded spare 10 round 26 magazine weighs 6.4 ounces compared to 9.1 ounces for the 19. (The 43 weighs 21.9 ounces loaded, 25.5 ounces loaded in a TT Gunleather Mike’s Special, and a spare 6 round magazine weighs 4.4 ounces. The holster is not as good in the concealment department as a Criterion, so I cannot do a good CCW comparison until I receive the Criterion I have on order.)

Size does matter, but it is a question of degree, and everyone has to figure out what works for them.

S&W Shield has the best value in the class and in my judgement has the best combination of attributes. The Shield is a higher quality and more useful pistol than anything you mentioned and also less expensive.

First you need to be sure you want a striker-fired pistol, as opposed to a DA/SA or a DA or a SA. I carry a Ruger LC9s (9mm, striker-fired) and if you aren't familiar with pistols, these are MUCH more prone to an accidental Discharge than the other action types, as are the Glocks.

Once you DO decide on striker-fired or another type; then you need to figure out how you will conceal it. IWB, OWB, ankle, shoulder, etc ....

When you answer these 2 questions the choice will narrow down. Try to shoot the finalists before you buy --- You might be surprised.

Because of positive reports and how it works/groups out of my pistol, I've been carrying the 124 grain SIG Sauer V Crown.

SIG P938

I carry a Glock 19 and a Kel Tec P11 at times. Either Glock will suit you well, the M&P is a contender, the Ruger SR9C would be a good choice and all budget items. Probably the best deal out there currently is the M&P gen1 with rebates etc.

m&p

Kahr CW9, S&W Shield, G43, Sig 938, Walther PPS. Try to shoot them all and see which suits you best.

Depending on where in OK you are I can arrange for you to shoot a CW9.

the 43 is lighter, the 26 (27) in a good kydex holster is as fat as the 43 seems to be in a leather IWB holster (yes I have a 23 and a 27 so am not guessing), the 43 is a good gun, but these days 11 rounds makes more sense to me. I shot a 43 against 19's 17's full size mp's some 1911's in a class I took.

TRB696,

Listen to and consider what okie john is saying here, because I think he’s spot on…and that covers Glock pistols.

I will chime in on carry modes and holsters….

The big problem I see, you didn’t state how you intend to carry said pistol.

To me, the G26 is too chunky for pocket carry. The G43 is about as big as you can get for a pocket carry pistol (and many can’t even pocket carry that). So with that thought, you’re probably looking at (or should consider) hip carry. If you’re going to hip carry, then I’m not sure I’d be looking at the G26. Just like okie john, the G26 seems to fit into no usable category (for me at least).

Carry mode – IWB (Inside Waist Band) or OWB (Outisde Waist Band)… you should look into this and determine which is best for you.

IWB – This is my preferred carry mode. It conceals much better than OWB (IMO), and generally holds the pistol more securely. With a proper IWB holster, you typically can carry a full sized pistol fully concealed with ease. If carrying an IWB then I would most certainly be looking at the G19 or G17, and forget about the G26. At 6’2” 245lbs you’re almost exactly the same size as I am, and I have NO problem at all carrying a full sized pistol in an IWB. The “compact” pistols in the G19 size are just plain perfect in an IWB holster. You can conceal even a full sized pistol with just an un-tucked t-shirt when carrying IWB.

IWB – The negatives: It takes some getting used to, and there are a good number of people who try it, hate it, and never do it again. During hot weather it can bring moisture from your body onto the pistol (but only if you carry in a crappy holster). And if you have grips with an aggressive texture, that texture will be rubbing against your side. There may be some other negatives, but I can’t think of them right now.

OWB – Positives: Typically very comfortable. Keeps moisture away from your pistol, and keeps your pistol away from your skin. When carrying OWB this is when I like the compact & sub-compact pistols and I like them in a high ride rig that gets the pistol as high above the belt as possible because it maximizes concealability. Pistols like the Shield, G43, Kahr CT9 & CT45, etc… are just idea for a high ride OWB. Those are all compact/sub-compact pistols, but in the right high ride OWB you can carry something like a G19 just fine.

OWB – Negatives: You’ll always have to wear an over-shirt/jacket, or some extra layer to cover it all up. Some can conceal a sub-compact pistol with just an un-tucked t-shirt while carrying OWB, but that’s more the exception than the rule. Generally speaking, you’ll find yourself carrying smaller pistols rather than full sized pistols (I personally think of the G19 as a full size even though most call it a “compact”).

Keep in mind…A carry gun should first be comforting, then comfortable.

Me – A somewhat famous gun writer convinced me to carry what he called a “real fighting gun” in an IWB. He said, “just do it, get yourself used to it, and you’ll never regret it”. And he was right. For most of my life I have been carrying a Browning Hi Power or a Lightweight Commander. These days I carry a CZ P07 which is the same size as a G19 (actually fits in a G19 holster, and CZ actually made it to take the exact same holster as a G19; which means LOTS of holster options), so you can see I’m 100% on board with okie john’s recommendation for the G19. If I find myself in a fight, I want a pistol with decent capacity that is large enough for me to get all fingers on the grip, which is a big aid to good shooting under stress.

Last piece of advice – Don’t go cheap on the holster.

When a pistol is a burden to carry, often it gets left behind…

I have literally seen more than one guy put a $3,500.00 custom pistol into a $29 Uncle Mikes belt clip holster…that’s a crime.
Seriously though, if you put a very small pistol into a cheap holster, it can make that pistol feel like a boat anchor. On the other hand, if you put a full sized pistol into a straight up world class holster you’ll find you can carry all day long and not be worn out at the end of the day.
Something in the size/weight class of a G19, there shouldn’t be any reason why a guy can’t carry one all day long without undue fatigue. If you have a world class holster, you just don’t mind carrying a real gun at all.
Some of my favorites (sorry mine are all IWB):
HBE Com III
Milt Sparks Versa Max II
Mitch Rosen ARG
El Paso Saddelry C-Force



HBE Leatherworks is my absolute favorite holster maker, but I have holsters from others as well:



Here’s my HBE Leatherworks Com III for my CZ P07


HBE Leatherworks Com III for my 1911


Milt Sparks Versa Max II for LW Commander / Hi Power

This is good advice...it's also a classic example of how people perceive things differently. I happen to agree with okie john, but Cheyennne really feels there is a very noticeable difference. And while I don't really notice the things he mentions, HE certainly does notice the difference. There is a lot of "feel" to concealed carry, and that "feel" can get pretty subjective from person to person.

Point being, you can take the advice of okie john and Cheyenne as good advice even though it's a little contradictory. Both are giving good advice, and chances are you will find yourself in agreement with one or the other after a few weeks of daily carry. But the only way you're going to know which side you fall on is by carrying all day long for a few weeks to develop some solid preferences and opinions.

Wat GunGeek Said.

Be sure to buy a good thick belt. If the belt sags it’s very uncomfortable. Plus it’s a must with most high ride holsters if you go OWB.

I have a PPS M2, the G43 felt snappy and I preferred the trigger on it over the Glock and the M&P. The XDS wasn't comfortable to hold or shoot.

I've been carrying for 25 years. G21 for a duty weapon, a G17 for back up. 1911 commander, and just about anything else you can imagine from a .22 lr Beretta model 21 to a Colt 357 with a 6" barrel.

Right now, and for the last 2-3 years, I've been carrying a Taurus Millennium G2 in 9mm. In fact, I have 3 of them. They're compact, 3.2" barrel, magazines holds 12 rounds. They handle +P ammo. I have them loaded with 115 grain +P ammo designed for short barreled CCW pistols. The stuff is pretty HOT. Something like 1375fps out of the little thing. I've never had a single malfunction.

If you have a range near you, go rent a few different firearms that you're interested in. May help in the process of deciding. Or borrow a few from your friends.

Good luck in your search and choice.

Jeff

Here's my idea of a good pocket-carry 9mm:

best bet is the 124 grain pill--the 124 gr Speer Gold Dot, and 124 gr Federal HST alternated in the mag is good medicine for the best of both worlds. if you want to go "old school", you can go 115 gr Federal 9mm BPLE, for a velocity of 1350 fps in 4 inch tubes. that shares the rarified air with 125 gr pills in .357 snubs.

i've used the 124 gr truncated cone hard cast pills for years--great pills. the electroplated Ranier bullets are very good too.

forget the myth about "lead bullets" in Glocks--i've used them for nearly 30 years with zero issues. this issue came about early on, when pilgrims were using the soft swaged lead pills in early G17 rigs, which initially had "pencil barrels", ie., thinner tubes--which when combined with soft swaged pills caused leading, and when jacketed pills were fired in tubes smeared with lead, the thin barrels could supposedly split. this is my understanding, if i recall correctly. avoid swaged lead and use the hard cast truncated pills and never look back. back in the day, one had to load 9 mm if you practiced often, but today, ammo is so cheap it is a good alternative for some handgunners to just buy factory fodder.

the Glock 43 is the 9mm counterpart to the Glock 36. slim, comfortable in the mitts, handy for concealment, short and stiff, etc. their "advantages" are outweighed by their downfall--limited mag capacity. made all the worse if you "load your mags light", ie., i usually load them with 2 rounds less than the mag capacity calls for--as i've found that over time the mag springs last longer using this approach. in my estimation, Glock should offer higher cap mags for these 2 models--making them a little more appealing for folks who like a second mag that holds more rounds, and don't mind the extra length.

the G 26 is a mighty fine model, and as mentioned, it can accept 10, 12, 15, 17, and 33 round mags--making it very versatile in numerous situations. i find the G26 to be a very accurate little rig, and i've never had a magazine not drop free--ever. the one thing i dislike about it is the short grip--made short to offer better concealment. while i don't carry the G 26, i do carry IWB, appendix, and due to the positioning of a rig in that mode, i find longer grip lengths a non issue, and subsequently--always prefer longer handles, for a more positive purchase in the draw. they can be handy rigs for the car too, as you can stash several different length mags in a case with the pistol. short, stiff slides and barrels can be very handy. to mitigate the short grip, i usually use the G 19 mags in mine when doing a lot of firing, as it does offer better control....you won't go wrong with the G 26.

I turned my 27 into a 26. I like the mag with the 2 shot extensions for my big paws.

Santa Claus wants you to get yourself a Gen4 G26 and a spare G19 magazine for your pocket.

Earlier in the year I was in the same situation as the OP. I decided to go with the S&W M&P Performance Center Shield (due to the better trigger) and chose to use the Federal HST 124 gr for my self-defense round. For practice I'll use any 115 or 124 gr. FMJ ammo that I can get cheap or my buddies reloads. My Shield has been very reliable and trouble free. It came down to the Glock 43 or the Shield for me and I chose the Shield because it's an American company and I like that the Shield has a stainless steel Amornite finished slide with better corrosion resistance than the Glock. This is important for a carry gun that will be carried on your body and subjected to sweat. Both guns will have lots of holster choices and aftermarket accessories as both are among the most popular handguns. I have no regrets with my choice.

G43 is the counterpart to the G36?

Your comparison is valid in comparing them to their larger double stack brothers.
However, compare the G36 to a G19, and you will find why the 36 has not taken the
world by storm.

When it first came out I read the reviews and just had to have a 36.
Then, I looked at one, and realized it is pretty much the size of a 19.
A little slimmer, but half the capacity. I didn't need to spend the money.

Apparently the replies recommending a $500 Glock, a $100 holster, and a $50 belt missed this part.

Or, buy a $300 M&P Shield and a $25 Kydex holster and call it good and equally armed.

To your question regarding 6+1 for pocket carry or bigger, I’d advise that the smaller the pistol the better for concealment. I have carried all three methods - pocket carry, IWB, OWB and by far carry by pocket. Smaller and thinner is easier to fit in your pocket. I happen to carry a Kahr CW9 without too much trouble in my front pockets. Much bigger /heavier ain’t happening, at least for me. I use an uncle mikes pocket holster.

When I go IWB, it’s a Kahr CM9 in a Galco mini tuck.

I carry way more consistently when I use my pocket rig and 7 9mm with me are better then a bunch more left at home.

I believe that S&W offers a pistol similar in size to the CW9, as does Ruger. Might want to check those three side by side in the gun shop, when you are looking at all the Glocks mentioned.

I actually found that buying a good belt the best investment I made. I have cheap holsters and rather expensive holsters. None were comfortable all day every day carry with a cheap Wally World belt.
Right now Hanks has 15% off any belt, free shipping and a no bull chit return for wrong size. Guaranteed replacement for 100 years for about 40 bucks.
Code Cheer 15.

That would be my choice between the 26 and 43.

Santa has you on the nice list.

MM

I like single stacks so the G43 vote here. If you’re not comfortable with the Glock grip angle, the springfield XD and XDS are more like a 1911 grip angle.

Glock 43 with a Crimson Trace light/Green Laser combo, and two spare ETS 9 round mags on your weak side and a ETS seven round mag in the pistol

If course, there's nothing wrong with the suggested Glock 26 with a backup G17 or Glock 19 mag.

I don't have a Glock 26 anymore. If I want more than my Glock 43 can provide, I jump right up to the Glock 19, or the Glock 17.

There is little a properly deployed Glock 19 can't solve if your training and tactics are up to speed.

Or so I'm told by people who have been there and done that a few times.

Kahr CW9

I went with the 43 and shot it today. Was really impressed with it.

Same here, exactly. It's the Glock 17 most of the time, and the 43 for special circumstances. No need for any intermediates between them.

Trb696: The one I recommend is the Glock 43.
Best of luck to you with whichever you choose.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I have all frame sizes mentioned above, the G26 sized frame is easier for me to conceal than a G19 sized frame, the G43 is easier than the G26 sized frame. Most days these days I carry a 27 with a plus 2 extension which is still shorter in the grip than a 19, I like my 43 and its more comfortable to carry than the thicker guns but I just these days feel more comfortable with more cartridges in the gun. This is not my photo of my pistols but serves to illustrate the point.

If they are truly honest, most people shooting the G26 side by side with the G43 will prefer shooting the G26 & generally shoot it better.

In practical terms, the G26 is really no harder to carry than the G43 as the G43 is NOT a pocket gun so by the time they are both holstered, there's really no clear carry advantage with the 43..............which would be the only real reason for its existence.

The 43 tries to fill a gap that doesn't exist except in some people's minds & loony-ism .

MM

I disagree completely. I've owned several G26s over the years and have sold them all because I didn't find them any easier to conceal than a G19. The G43 on the other hand completely disappears anywhere I carry it - IWB, OWB, appendix, and I do pocket carry it on occasion. To each his own, but in my opinion the G43 is a winner and the G26 is the tweener gun that doesn't have a place in my battery.

Well, you know what they say about opinions.............................

In a Remora holster, the 26/27 completely disappears for me; I'm 6'1" 225 lb..........................wimpy guys may have more trouble with concealment though.

MM

Exactly.

A lot of guys don't know they're printing.

Excellent post by Cheyenne, follow-up by Kevin & I completely agree, based on carrying the guns he's discussed as well as various weight & size Beretta's & 1911's.

While I'd surely rather be shooting a G19, G23, G17, Beretta 92 full size or compact, 1911. LWT or all steel, Commander or Govt., size & weight do matter.

Concealment, within reasonably acceptable parameters, is not difficult, depending on attire, but size & weight cannot be ignored no matter the dress code.

Whenever in doubt, I will always lean toward, & prefer the bigger gun..............it's just that sometimes that doesn't work best for a given situation.

While the G26/27 is as small as I routinely want to carry there are a few occasions when I need to drop down to a J-frame or even a Ruger LCP II, but that's not my preference for EDC...................just necessary sometimes.

As with holster selection & preference is a very personal choice, so is the actual gun an equally personal preference.............................guess that's why there are so many variants to pick from.

MM

I own a G43 and a G27, the 27 is thicker but no more difficult to carry than the 43. I have G19’s and G17 but the butt is longer and the longer barrel makes the gun less comfortable to carry when sitting, plus it’s a bit harder to conceal. You might be surprised at how well you can shoot the 27.

The only subcompact Glock I ever had was the one in 40 S&W, which I guess is the 27. I didn’t shoot it very well. I like more grip to hold onto. I also didn’t think it carried comfortably, but then it could have been that particular holster. This was quite a few years ago, and for all I know, if I got another one today I’d feel completely different about it.

I agree that without the pierce mag extensions I would not like the gun as well. Many years ago I had a gen two 26 and felt I did not shoot it well, I have relearned my grip on the glocks and I hit better with any of them now. It may seem odd but I think the shorter barrel glocks are pretty accurate.

Normal size to large hands need the mag extensions with the 26/27's. Makes a world of difference.

MM

Sounds like you have decided on the weapon. Personally, a Glock has never impressed me. If you like 1911 controls, you can get those features in the Sig P938. It comes in 9mm and feeds reliably. I have fairly large hands, but this little friend fills my hand and does not feel like a small pistol. Anyhow, it is one option for a bit over $500.

Agreed. And when you lay the mag-extended 26/27 on top of an old, no-rail G19 or 23...

The gun market is different all over, but around here the G26 and G27 are mostly called "trade-ins".

Yep, now you're talking a grip length about like the compact Glocks.

See jimmyp's pic a couple of pages back...............& carry whatever suits you.

Maybe a 8 3/8" Model 29, eh?

MM

'That's not a gun, THIS is a gun.'

Bullet selection: Modern propellants seem to have minimized the need for longer barrels in handguns (not eliminated, just minimized), so I use Hornady Critical Defense. As a fellow rifle guy, you'll probably agree with me that handguns are huge compromises, and I just haven't been convinced that 10 grains more or less of bullet weight out of a 4 inch or less barrel makes all that much difference. YMMV

G26 vs G43: I have both. If you carry the G26, have a backup G19 (15 round) magazine in your hip pocket, just in case. That's pretty much the only benefit. I carried a G26 as a backup to my duty weapon, so that in case of failure, I could continue the fight with my G26 and my duty G17 mags. That said, the G43 WITHOUT the little pinky rest extension will disappear in your pocket, especially with a Blueforce Gear or Remora pocket holster. Carry the biggest gun you can, but if you have to go light, that slim little G43 is tough to beat. Even going out to get the paper when you're still in sweatpants or whatever, the option of having that pocket rocket is very nice.

Guns to avoid: Most guns have improved past what they were, but every manufacturer turns out the occasional "Friday afternoon" gun, where the QC just isn't there. Glock, S&W (sometimes), and Sig are all tough to beat. Remember, good enough is actually usually pretty good. For instance, I used to drive a Toyota Camry.

Sig 938

Actually, I agree with that.................many novices & a lot of women are led into those guns & the 40, especially, can be right sporty to shoot, much less shoot well.

And so they become unhappy with the gun due to no fault of the gun itself; but it's surely not a novice gun or a gun for the vast majority of women.

Saw a guy come into one of my buddy's shop one day & obviously he was attempting to be a manly man in front of his equally obvious novice girlfriend/wife & insisting that she (who clearly stated she had never fired a pistol) buy a G27 since a 9mm was just not enough gun for her oor anyone else.

MM

I recently purchased a Sig 320 Sub Compact. I am very happy with it.Easy slide operation and fantastic trigger.

Since hits are what matters, try both pistols at a local range which offers rentals.
Only you can make that decision on what works for you.

The Speer Gold Dot 124 +P loading and the Winchester 9mm NATO match up very well for my needs as carry ammo and practice ammo in a G26.

I was faced with the same decisions. I chose the Beretta PX4. I didn't like the striker fire system. The old school hammer is for me.
MM849