Delaware Concealed Carry Forum
General Gun Discussion => Handgun Corner => Topic started by: MarcWinkman on August 11, 2016, 04:28:42 PM
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Okay folks, I'm in a little bit of a gun selection pickle. I just filed my application on Tuesday and want to sort out what gun I'll be carrying when my license comes in. On sort of an impulse, and because they're essentially the gold standard for concealed carry, I picked up a Glock. Again. A little background on my history with Glocks: the first handgun I bought 10 years ago was a Gen. 3 Glock 23. I ended up trading it toward a 1911 that I had been lusting after that turned out to be a bit of a dud. I then got a Smith & Wesson SW99 QA in .40 which had an atrocious trigger on it. I traded it toward another Gen. 3 Glock 23. Hung on to it for a while and then traded it toward an HK USP .40. About a year or so ago, I got a Gen. 4 Glock 26. Like the previous Glocks, it wasn't in the stable for too terribly long as Glock ergonomics just feel unnatural to me.
My gripe about the ergonomics of the Glock is this: the grip is just too bulky and blocky for my smallish hands (I wear a men's cadet medium golf glove as a reference). Because the grip feels too big in my hand and because of the way the the backstrap is really humped out at the bottom, I feel like I never get a good secure hold on the gun, and I feel like the distance I have to reach for the trigger with my modest booger hook is just a little too long for me to be able to effectively and accurately shoot the pistol.
So, what guns HAVE worked for me you ask, well there are a number of them, but they're all just a little too big for me to eventually CC effectively. The ones that I currently have that I really feel comfortable with and shoot well are my Sig P226 NSW, my P226 Legion, my Wilson CQB Compact, and my Springfield TRP. The 1911's work well for me because they're slim, so I obviously don't have the discomfort with them that I have with the Glock pistols, the problem with both of them is that they're a whole lot heftier than the Glocks, and for carry purposes, I'd much rather have a few more rounds in the gun than the 7+1 for the Wilson or the 8+1 for the TRP. The problem with the Sigs is similar to that of the 1911, sans the low round count. I really don't have any issues shooting the transitional DA/SA trigger on the Sigs either.
I'm don't strongly favor hammer or striker and I don't mind a DA/SA trigger with a decocker.
So with all that in mind, what would be the best alternatives to the Glock? Also keep in mind, I'm a bit of a smallish dude all around at around 5'8" and 130ish LBS depending on whether I'm soaking wet with a brick in each hand.
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I carry this it has a small frame for a double stack.
http://www.ruger.com/products/sr9c/models.html
I also have the FNS40C but the grip is a little chunky on it but I also have small hands and it fits pretty nice.
https://www.fnamerica.com/products/handguns/fns-series/fns-40-compact/
I have thought about picking up a S&W shield they are a single stack and very slim.
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+1 on the Ruger sr9c that 29th' suggests. Comes with two different backstraps you can swap.
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I personally shoot 1911s better than any other gun, carrying one or two extra mags is a compromise I can live with vs carrying a higher capacity gun that I am not comfortable with. That being said, I do carry a Glock on occasions that I know I will get sweaty - cutting grass, camping (usually have both a Glock and a 1911).
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I think it will be difficult to fill your need. Most double stacks tend to have thicker handles. Have you considered a single stack (1911, Sig, Glock) with a spare magazine or two?
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It's not so much the thickness that's an issue for me as it is the way the Glock's grip is contoured. I'd have no issues carrying one of my P226's, but the handle is just a shade too long, and they're just a little on the heavy side...same goes with the 1911. Does anyone have any thoughts on something like an HK P2000?
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Try a Springfield xd mod2. I find the grip a bit small for my large hands. If it offered alternate backstraps I would change to a larger one so it might be good for you. Even though it doesn't fit me perfectly it's still a pretty comfortable shooter
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In the spirit of Freedom of choice, I see everything as an alternative to a Glock 19. There is no best gun. It is what you prefer, as oppose to what others tell you, you need. What ever works for you.
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Have you tried the gen 4 glocks with the interchangable back straps? A lot of the new hks have interchangable back straps and side panels you can play with. I was considering buying a p30sk for a while.
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Have you tried the gen 4 glocks with the interchangable back straps? A lot of the new hks have interchangable back straps and side panels you can play with. I was considering buying a p30sk for a while.
The Glock 19 that I have now is a Gen 4 and it still just doesn't feel comfortable in my hand. I'd like to get something that's about the same size in terms of overall length and height with a 15 round capacity in 9mm, just with better ergonomics for my hands.
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Try Walther PPX or PPQ. Very different ergonomics that I find quite comfy.
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Are you in NCC Marc? You could take a ride to see Chris at FederalFirearms, and grip pistols to your hearts content.
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Are you in NCC Marc? You could take a ride to see Chris at FederalFirearms, and grip pistols to your hearts content.
I am in NCC. I'll have to try to carve out some time to get down to Middletown this weekend to check out a thing or three.
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Might want to look at the CZ 75D pcr compact . Seems to get good ratings.
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As @AudiQ said, the Walther PPQ has a comfortable, ergonomical design. Another option that is similar in it's ergonomical design is the S&W M&P 9.
As others have mentioned, you need to try them on for size, and maybe test fire a few, to find the one that fits you best.
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I have G19 and P229. The P229 is a 9mm. Carry them both. Love 'me both. Each has their own advantages and disadvantages. I find the newer P229 with the E2 grip fits my medium sided hand very well. It's a snap-on plastic shell grip, not the two screw-on sides. Nice ergo fit and feels better than the G19 in my hand. Bought a hogue over size rubber grip and used that for several months then changed back to the standard E2 grip. Only down side is weight. I do feel the difference after carrying the sig for 6-8 hours whereas the G19 is much less noticeable. G19 carries and shoots very well but at range after 50 rounds or so, the trigger guard wears on knuckle of middle finger so I under cut it just a little w my Dremel to make room.
Secondly on shooting: I find personally that the sig has a little more muzzle flip than the G19, even though the sig is heavier: certainly not unmanageable, just more noticeable. I attribute this to the higher bore axis of the sig. However, my groups @ both 7 & 10 yes are actually tighter with the sig than the G19. I attribute this to the trigger: Glock trigger is good but the sig trigger is really great. That's just my two cents. They're both great guns. That's why I keep them both. YMMV
I'll continue to carry both. My decision was to try to be reasonably proficient with multiple weapons rather than expert with one. Also have revolvers that I shoot from time to time.
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What type of holsters do you use? Maybe a change in the holster will help. I have tried a lot of holsters and the only one that seems to be the best for me is http://stealthgearusa.com/ they are a little more expensive than most other brands but thier customer service is second to none and they are extremely comfortable holsters. Just a suggestion maybe its not the gun but the way you carry it.
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What type of holsters do you use? Maybe a change in the holster will help. I have tried a lot of holsters and the only one that seems to be the best for me is http://stealthgearusa.com/ they are a little more expensive than most other brands but thier customer service is second to none and they are extremely comfortable holsters. Just a suggestion maybe its not the gun but the way you carry it.
For me it's not a holster issue as far as carrying, it's just a matter of not liking how the Glock feels in my hand versus my Sig 226 or 1911's. That said, I'm now considering a Sig P229. I'm going to fondle a few other things. I'm going to try to get down to Federal Firearm either Friday or Saturday. I definitely need to buy some more ammo, and if another pistol follows me home, great. If one doesn't follow me home, also great. I'm certainly not in immediate need of any new firearms at the moment.
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Try Walther PPX or PPQ. Very different ergonomics that I find quite comfy.
I've been carrying the classic Walther PPQ with the paddle release for years. They also have the button release now. Absolutely one fine handgun for sure. With more then several thousands rounds through it it's never once had a failure on me.
The smaller PPS is just as outstanding and you can't get much thinner or smaller in a 9mm that still has the heft and accuracy it has.
I find Walther fails to advertise enough and they are glanced over much more then they should be. I've never walked into a gun store and had a salesmen point out a Walther unless specially requested. It's a shame really. I know half a dozen people have purchased one or the other after shooting mine at the range.
Not saying they are the absolute perfect handgun but they are indeed everything you could want in one. Dependable, accurate, stylish, comfortable, affordable, etc.
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Well, I didn't get down to Federal, but I did treat myself to a couple of Walthers, a P99 AS and a P99 AS Compact. The full size feels great in my hand and I really dig the trigger system (I'm a dedicated SAO or a DA/SA type). I love that they're striker fired but still DA/SA so that I have second strike capability if I have a hard primer or a light strike. Can't wait to get these out to the range this week on my weekly lunch time shooting trip.
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Can't go wrong with a Walther! The PPQ is definitely my choice but absolutely nothing wrong with the P99 family at all. Nice that there is something for everyone! ;D
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Start a thread on any gun that is new on the market or even new to you and everyone has to tell you why theirs is better. Nobody cares. Be happy with what you got.
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There is no alternative to the G19, everything else is a compromise ;D
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There is no alternative to the G19, everything else is a compromise ;D
Thanks for reminding me why I refuse to buy or own a Glock... ::)
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Glocks and 1911s - adopted by military for 100 years, and most law enforcement around the world....the other guns are cute :)
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The 1911 I'll grant you yes. Not because of its greatness but to its ground breaking design 100 years ago. Yes, it's a solid handgun. The Glock.. Again, it transformed an industry and they very aggressively target military and government contracts. It's selected more so due to costs and parts then reliability over other handguns today. They have had tons of issues over the years as well. Pleanty of other handguns based on the Glock design are every bit as durable and reliable today. CZ, FN, Walther are but a a few that have large military, government and LE contracts throughout the world today.
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There is no alternative to the G19, everything else is a compromise ;D
Thanks for reminding me why I refuse to buy or own a Glock... ::)
no problem! more of them for people that dont want to compromise :)
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A bit late I guess. Since you like Sigs, I would have suggested the P239. Single stack and same controls as the P226...which I also have.
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The P239 did actually catch my attention, as did the new P225-A1, but I ended up picking up another Sig from Chris yesterday, this time a P229. The full sized P99 may be going up for adoption soon.
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The P239 did actually catch my attention, as did the new P225-A1, but I ended up picking up another Sig from Chris yesterday, this time a P229. The full sized P99 may be going up for adoption soon.
Nice gun. I used to have a P229 and I loved it. Based upon what you seem to like, if you find yourself back in the market (or want other choices at times) I'd have also suggested a CZ PCR or P01, a SIG P239, and a 3" or 4" alloy framed 1911 (though, personally, I prefer a DA first shot or DAO pver a manual safety in my defensive pistols). If you decide you also want something significantly smaller for those times that smaller is better, since you are a 1911 guy, maybe the SIG P238 or P938 would work for you.