Abandoning my compact 9mm pistols

[marlinman93]

After a recent range trip with my 4 9mm semiautos I decided to sell off both compact 9mm's and go back to my full size 9mm for EDC. A little tougher to conceal, but a huge difference in how well I can shoot the full size vs. the two compacts.
I was a bit apprehensive about carry wear to my nice old Model 39 S&W, but then I thought who am I saving it for? I'm never going to sell it anyway, so no big deal. I do own a well worn Model 59 that's the double stack version, but it's even tougher to conceal, so it might only see cool weather carry when I'm wearing more clothes that hide it.
I did get a surprise when I happened to try my inside the waistband holster for my Kahr E9 and it fit the Model 39 Smith well. A bit shorter for the barrel, but that shouldn't be an issue since the barrel is protected inside my waistband.

[JimT]

It's always best to use what you have confidence in and what you are comfortable with.

I rarely carry a 9mm but when I do it's a Star PD. It runs on anything I feed it and it doesn't give any issues. It's all steel and I like the feel of it.

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[Scott Tschirhart]

I shoot a SIG 365 really well. Easy to conceal but I lack confidence in it.

I’m carrying a revolver full time these days.

[LeverGunner]

Those 39's are nice guns. I carried a Smith 4006 a while, that's the double stack 40.

Heck, I carry my Blackhawk all the time now. I'm about the most comfortable with a New Model Ruger than I am anything else, so I figured why not?

For an automatic, a 1911 is hard to beat in my estimation.

[rock-steady]

For an automatic, a 1911 is hard to beat in my estimation.

Me too, especially a Commander-sized in 9mm these days....

[wvfarrier]

I have carried a Sig 229 Legion (LE model) pretty regulalry. IMHO it is the pinnacle of what an EDC can be

[Steve in MO]

My favorite auto to carry these days is my Novak custom Lightweight Commander .45. But, I carry a revolver more often than not.

[KWK]

My son's R51 is small and light yet is about the most accurate 9 I've ever shot.

[OldWin]

I did this same thing a few years ago. No more small handguns (except for my Colt Detective Special once in a while). I carry a LW Commander in 9mm in the summer months now.

[marlinman93]

In the winter I'm fine carrying my Colt Commercial full sized .45ACP in Purdy Gear holster. Not tough to hide a full sized 1911 type firearm with winter clothes. Tougher to hide anything in the summer, but the inside pants style holster does make it a lot easier. Only an issue if I'm wearing just a T shirt and the shape of the grip is easy to make out.

[Walt]

I'm not ready to give up on compact wondernines. In my opinion, a concealed carry gun needs to be comfortable enough that I am willing to carry it every day and not decide "I don't need it today".
Also, anyone that is beyond my assured hitting range with a compact probably doesn't put me in legally defensible imminent danger.

There are exceptions, of course. A few years ago a maniac came into the food court of New Mexico's largest shopping mall and proceded to blaze away at random people. A heroic young man made a single 40 yard shot across the food court that dropped the guy, DRT.

[zoner]

I have one compact 9MM. Mines a Smith and Wesson Shield. The slide is somewhat hard to cycle by hand but not impossible. I replaced the factory sear with a hard sear and got the trigger break at 4.5-5 lbs. Replaced the front sight with a Novak tritium sight. It's reliable with most any decent ammo. Surprisingly I have shot it quite a bit at a Bullseye range(25 yards only) and it is very accurate at that distance. I'll probably never sell this gun. It carries great IWB at 4 o'clock with my Kydex holster by PJHolster. I would love to find a 4" slide and barrel for this gun

[slimster]

when i have a need to belt carry I will carry my Sig 239 or Glock 19 if not something more serious, but I will never leave the house without my Diamondback DB9 Gen 4 in a pocket holster. there is a place for the mouse guns and what's not to like about 6+1 9mm+p rounds in a package comparable to a Ruger LCP size wise? i have over 800 rounds through it in three years other than 3 ftf's in the first 100 rounds while breaking in...

[Griff]

It's still my Combat Commander in 45Auto. Easily hid in winter clothing, and who looks at the idjit in a hawaiian shirt, cowboy boots and hat in Texas... clearly a tourist! Or as my good friend paraphrases Ray Wylie Hubbard, "...you look like some Port Aransas dope dealer..." Closest I came to notoriety, a Dallas reporter covering a drug bust where I was doing surveillance and described as hiding in plain sight. I still remember the Sheriff at the pre-raid briefing telling everyone, "...don't shoot the guy in the yellow hawaiian shirt, he's surveillance and will be assisting in the search, once everyone is in custody." Hard to believe that's been nearly 30 years ago!