Carry pistol
- Thread starter shedelyn_
- Start date
I frequently pocket carry an Sig 938 9mm. It has 1911 type controls and I can shoot it accurately.
Belt carry would be a Kimber 1911 Lightweight CCO in 45acp with Crimson Trace grips.
If there might be mountain lions or bears, I like my .460 Rowland
Belt carry would be a Kimber 1911 Lightweight CCO in 45acp with Crimson Trace grips.
If there might be mountain lions or bears, I like my .460 Rowland
Walter
Member
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2025
- Messages
- 16
I am nearing 79 and the eyes now require a dot for faster target acquisition and accurate placement.
I guess the best advice is what works for you in your circumstances and for your requirements.
A lot of folks tend towards smaller. I have tried some smaller pistols that felt great in hand, but did not shot well for me. If it gets too small in a given caliber, a person may have trouble with recoil management.
I get that folks say a quick defensive encounter may not see you using your sights and that heavier recoil should not be noticed during a couple of shots. My take is I like to practice a lot with pistols that I carry. If the recoil is not comfy, I do not practice as long or as well. I want to be accurate so the sights matter to me. If I was within garlic breath distance, that does not matter.
For the smallest and lightest I went with a Sig 365 in 380 (the 9mm version saw me less accurate). My others (I carry IWB just ahead to 3) are a Glock 19 or 45 or a Walther PDP 4" Compact. I have not tried the PDP F in 3.5 or 4".
Everyone is different and what works for me may not for another. Get to a range that rents and try a lot of different pistols back and forth. "Shootability" (how accurate and fast you are) for me matters the most and triumphs over light and small. You have to find that magic area for you where weight, size and how you shoot it are all good.
I guess the best advice is what works for you in your circumstances and for your requirements.
A lot of folks tend towards smaller. I have tried some smaller pistols that felt great in hand, but did not shot well for me. If it gets too small in a given caliber, a person may have trouble with recoil management.
I get that folks say a quick defensive encounter may not see you using your sights and that heavier recoil should not be noticed during a couple of shots. My take is I like to practice a lot with pistols that I carry. If the recoil is not comfy, I do not practice as long or as well. I want to be accurate so the sights matter to me. If I was within garlic breath distance, that does not matter.
For the smallest and lightest I went with a Sig 365 in 380 (the 9mm version saw me less accurate). My others (I carry IWB just ahead to 3) are a Glock 19 or 45 or a Walther PDP 4" Compact. I have not tried the PDP F in 3.5 or 4".
Everyone is different and what works for me may not for another. Get to a range that rents and try a lot of different pistols back and forth. "Shootability" (how accurate and fast you are) for me matters the most and triumphs over light and small. You have to find that magic area for you where weight, size and how you shoot it are all good.
Last edited:
Snowman.45
Member
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2025
- Messages
- 5
Generally, I carry a compact or sub-compact Semi-auto or revolver for daily carry. The S&W Shield Plus is favored, although I will occasionally carry a P365 in 9mm. usually, these are carried IWB. With the semis, I carry an extra magazine. No red dots or lights for compactness and concealment. I do not open carry. For the revolvers, it is usually a S&W J-frame in .38 with a couple of speed strips. It is pocket carried. For church security duty, I carry the S&W Shield X with a Holosun EPS green dot. I also cary a Surefire light in a pocket, along with a spare magazine.
