http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/smith-wesson-m-p-shield/
Looks promising, S&W’s new sub compact pistol. Personally i prefer XD’s and Glocks to M&P’s but, im looking for a good summer carry pistol and hate the cheap feel of Ruger’s pocket pistols.
I have not seen one first hand yet.
I am less than enthralled with a non-ambidextrous safety.
It seems a bit large for pocket carry. More of a very, very flat gun for holster carry.
Are you looking for pocket carry specifically? If you have larger guns how do you carry those?
Regards,
Robert A
You heard of Hillbilly Jack?
[quote]Robert A wrote:
I have not seen one first hand yet.
I am less than enthralled with a non-ambidextrous safety.
It seems a bit large for pocket carry. More of a very, very flat gun for holster carry.
Are you looking for pocket carry specifically? If you have larger guns how do you carry those?
Regards,
Robert A[/quote]
Right now i carry a XD .45 4.5" iwb. To be honest im looking for something on the small side but, i have big hands so pocket pistols arent really comfortable for me to shoot.
[quote]Hell-Billy wrote:
Right now i carry a XD .45 4.5" iwb. To be honest im looking for something on the small side but, i have big hands so pocket pistols arent really comfortable for me to shoot.[/quote]
A few question:
1.)What belt and holster are you using?
2.)What do you currently wear when you conceal carry, untucked polo, t-shirt, button up shirt, etc?
3.)What are you going to be wearing realistically? Is summer shirtless weather?
4.)How well do you shoot the XD? Would you prefer a different gun?
5.)Is the issue with all 2finger grips on guns or is more that you have tried “pocket pistols” like the Rugers and Kel-techs and couldn’t use them all that well(I am in this group by the way)?
There are likely a couple different ways to solve this problem.
Regards,
Robert A
[quote]Robert A wrote:
[quote]Hell-Billy wrote:
Right now i carry a XD .45 4.5" iwb. To be honest im looking for something on the small side but, i have big hands so pocket pistols arent really comfortable for me to shoot.[/quote]
A few question:
1.)What belt and holster are you using?
2.)What do you currently wear when you conceal carry, untucked polo, t-shirt, button up shirt, etc?
3.)What are you going to be wearing realistically? Is summer shirtless weather?
4.)How well do you shoot the XD? Would you prefer a different gun?
5.)Is the issue with all 2finger grips on guns or is more that you have tried “pocket pistols” like the Rugers and Kel-techs and couldn’t use them all that well(I am in this group by the way)?
There are likely a couple different ways to solve this problem.
Regards,
Robert A[/quote]
1.right now im using a generic one size fits all holster for large frame guns and a belt from walmart
2.Normally plaid button up shirts during the summer or a jacket or hoodie during the winter
3.Normally jeans and a button up shirt
4.fairly well my bullets go where i want them and can keep consistent grouping, about the same with glocks. I don’t really have a preference though.
5.The only pocket pistols that i have had experience with is the lcp and lc9, and shooting them was just an all around uncomfortable experience mostly due to the grip.
[quote]Hell-Billy wrote:
1.right now im using a generic one size fits all holster for large frame guns and a belt from walmart
[/quote]
Ok, I am fairly confident getting a real “gun” belt and a holster will do wonders for you.
You may even find your full size XD is plenty concealable.
For Holsters I strongly recommend Comp-tac’s M-Tac hybrid holster. It is a kydex body with a leather back and is ridiculously comfortable. Even people not used to wearing a holster IWB seem to be able to put it on and not hate it. The C-tac is an all kydex unit. Comp-Tac’s service is fantastic as well. The holster is “tuckable”, meaning you can tuck your shirt in around it if you prefer. It works well with both an untucked or tucked cover garment.
http://www.comp-tac.com/product_info.php?products_id=95&osCsid=83r4fcja5f155dpl70mb17k824
Comp-tac also sells decent belts.
My other two recommendations for belts are either:
The bull-hide belts from Beltman:
Or a 5-stitch Wilderness Instructor’s belt if you are amenable to a fabric belt. It will allow you infinate adjustments as opposed to a leather belt.
Both of these are going to feel very rigid compared to the belt like objects Wallmart sells. At first they are going to feel like you are wearing a hula hoop. The belt is critical to making the weight of the gun plus all the other shit in your pockets ride well on your hips.
All of the above are well worth the money.
The Mtac above would work well under any of those. You may find that you can conceal the full size gun just fine. Personally a Glock 19 size is about the maximum I can do, but I am 5’7".
I don’t think the M&P Shield is going to work all that well coming out of a jeans pocket. I will admit .38 revolvers in a good pocket holster draw surprisingly well, but for autos I think a Kahr PM9/CM9 is about the top end of “pocket sized”. If I am going to wear a gun in a holster, moving up to a Glock 26/19 size gives quite a bit more gun.
I am partial to Glocks over XD’s. It is just my bias. Generally the grip/butt is the hardes part of the auto to conceal, so if you can deal with the sub-compact glock’s 2-finger grip than it is a little easier to hide. Most people, myself included, seem to shoot the subcompacts about as well as the bigger guns out to about 25 yards. They feel worse, and reloads are slower, but the first magazine is damn near the same. If you can rent before you pick that might help you decide.
My experience with the LC9 was very underwelming, mainly do to the trigger. The LCP is pretty damn tiny and benefits greatly from a laser sight. The stock sights are pretty worthless, and on a gun that small the distance between rear and front sights gives me fits anyways.
I strongly suggest getting a dedicated gun belt, or two now. If you think you will hold on to the XD than the holster is a great investment. If you may sell it off in order to have an all “glock” or “M&P” set up than I can understand wanting to wait. I still wouldn’t. The Mtac bodies can be changed out, so if you wind up liking a glock 19 for everything, you don’t have to by a new holster, just new plastic.
None of these are the only solutions, just some possible solutions.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Robert A
[quote]Robert A wrote:
[quote]Hell-Billy wrote:
1.right now im using a generic one size fits all holster for large frame guns and a belt from walmart
[/quote]
Ok, I am fairly confident getting a real “gun” belt and a holster will do wonders for you.
You may even find your full size XD is plenty concealable.
For Holsters I strongly recommend Comp-tac’s M-Tac hybrid holster. It is a kydex body with a leather back and is ridiculously comfortable. Even people not used to wearing a holster IWB seem to be able to put it on and not hate it. The C-tac is an all kydex unit. Comp-Tac’s service is fantastic as well. The holster is “tuckable”, meaning you can tuck your shirt in around it if you prefer. It works well with both an untucked or tucked cover garment.
http://www.comp-tac.com/product_info.php?products_id=95&osCsid=83r4fcja5f155dpl70mb17k824
Comp-tac also sells decent belts.
My other two recommendations for belts are either:
The bull-hide belts from Beltman:
Or a 5-stitch Wilderness Instructor’s belt if you are amenable to a fabric belt. It will allow you infinate adjustments as opposed to a leather belt.
Both of these are going to feel very rigid compared to the belt like objects Wallmart sells. At first they are going to feel like you are wearing a hula hoop. The belt is critical to making the weight of the gun plus all the other shit in your pockets ride well on your hips.
All of the above are well worth the money.
The Mtac above would work well under any of those. You may find that you can conceal the full size gun just fine. Personally a Glock 19 size is about the maximum I can do, but I am 5’7".
I don’t think the M&P Shield is going to work all that well coming out of a jeans pocket. I will admit .38 revolvers in a good pocket holster draw surprisingly well, but for autos I think a Kahr PM9/CM9 is about the top end of “pocket sized”. If I am going to wear a gun in a holster, moving up to a Glock 26/19 size gives quite a bit more gun.
I am partial to Glocks over XD’s. It is just my bias. Generally the grip/butt is the hardes part of the auto to conceal, so if you can deal with the sub-compact glock’s 2-finger grip than it is a little easier to hide. Most people, myself included, seem to shoot the subcompacts about as well as the bigger guns out to about 25 yards. They feel worse, and reloads are slower, but the first magazine is damn near the same. If you can rent before you pick that might help you decide.
My experience with the LC9 was very underwelming, mainly do to the trigger. The LCP is pretty damn tiny and benefits greatly from a laser sight. The stock sights are pretty worthless, and on a gun that small the distance between rear and front sights gives me fits anyways.
I strongly suggest getting a dedicated gun belt, or two now. If you think you will hold on to the XD than the holster is a great investment. If you may sell it off in order to have an all “glock” or “M&P” set up than I can understand wanting to wait. I still wouldn’t. The Mtac bodies can be changed out, so if you wind up liking a glock 19 for everything, you don’t have to by a new holster, just new plastic.
None of these are the only solutions, just some possible solutions.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Robert A[/quote]
Thanks for the advice, ill try the mtac and a gun belt.
Glad to help.
Gun belts are a buy once, cry once affair.
Holsters are very individual, but everyone I know that has tried an Mtac likes it at least “enough”.
Once you spend the money and get a real belt and holster, you will wonder how you ever did without.
Regards,
Robert A
Thanks for the heads up on this one guys. I’m headed to the NRA show in a few hours and will definitely check this one out. I couldn’t be happier with my last M/P purchase from S&W.