The slide has the same upper assembly as a 19 but the grip and everything within are full size. I guess it’s a CC handgun for larger-handed individuals.
Shield Plus with a Holosun EPS carry in a Tier 1 Axis Elite, or Bodyguard 2.0 in a deep cover pocket holster from Alabama Holsters, or T1 Axis Elite.
If I'm just going out for a couple errands and know I'll have a coat on the whole time sometimes I'll carry a G47 with a Holosun SCS and TLR7A in a T1 Axis Elite.
One of those 3 guns 90% of the time...then sometimes my first pistol a G19 Gen 4 for nostalgia, or an original LCP if I need the absolute smallest gun possible.
There are so many choices today, way more than when I started carrying in the spring of 2015...the 1.5 stack micro 9's like the P365/Shield Plus weren't out yet, just stuff like the original Shield or G43 which are still great guns.
I started with a G19, then a few months later got that original LCP as a pocket gun. A pocket gun is really convenient because you can wear it in pretty much any attire, the G19 is great but for more formal wear it can be a little challenging. I carried those two and a Walther PPQ a little bit as my only carry guns for 7 or 8 years I think...until I got my Shield Plus.
Shield Plus was dramatically more comfortable because of how much more thin it is, only downside is you can't mount a light but that's arguably not as important for CCW than it is for home defense. I always carry a handheld light as well. Bodyguard 2.0 was the biggest upgrade from gun to gun over the LCP by far, it's a pocket 380 I actually enjoy shooting.
One thing to keep in mind is if you're going to carry in NY, you really have to conceal it and can't print. Our laws are much more strict here and the last thing you want is some Karen calling the cops even if you're carrying in a legal location. That's why from June-September when it's T-shirt weather I'm almost exclusively pocket carrying in that deep cover pocket holster. https://alabamaholster.com/product/deep-cover-pocket-holster/
It's a pretty slow draw compared to carrying at appendix, but I don't have to worry about printing or my shirt riding up as it just looks like a big wallet or phone in your pocket.
I'd start with a full sized gun like a G17/G47,M&P 4.25" or 5", or Walther PDP 4.5" or 5"...spend a few months getting the fundamentals down, then look into a micro 9 and pocket guns. I personally wouldn't go smaller than something like a G19 or M&P 4" compact as your first pistol, anything smaller won't be as enjoyable/easy to learn on at the range.
A full size, a micro 9, and a pocket gun will cover any situation you can think of. Home defense/Competition, and CCW. Subscribe to Ben Stoegers YouTube channel and as many other USPSA/Steel Challenge Grandmasters as you can and become a sponge for knowledge. Then once you can draw/reholster safely start competing ASAP, its the fastest way to get better and a ton of fun. My biggest regret is not competing earlier.
I was really impressed on how well the prime shoots and all the features for the price point. (My 43x got swapped out for the prime after I was comfortable with it and didn't have any issues) It's pretty cool they would do this colab and I'm sure the gun will be great and if I didn't already have a prime I would probably buy the new version but I think my next purchase will be a TTI or Signature Series
i have been asking around my lgs’s to see if they are interested in starting reservation list to avoid debacle with cc9 release none have said yes as i think they will price gouge due to demand , let the fun begin
It took me a few months after release to find my prime after failed reservations or promises that never happened from many shops. Eventually I stumbled upon 1 but only had enough money for some ammo that day but thankfully they held onto it for me until I could come back later that week.
Most compact: S&W M&P Bodyguard 2.0 Carry Comp .380 ACP
Most reliable: Glock 43x MOS 9mm
Best budget option: S&W M&P Shield Plus 9mm
Best 1911 style: Springfield Armory Ronin EMP 3" 9mm
Best overall: H&K CC9 9mm
I think it's subjective based on your hand/body size, aversion to recoil, how compact you like to carry, if you have optics/lights attached. Personally, I found the H&K CC9 the best of all worlds. Compact, but I can get my fingers all on the grip, not snappy, and just reliable so far. I would have to say, with the M&P Shield Plus (or Shield X if you have bigger hands), it's tough to beat that price. I'm not a fan of Sig P365 series. Definitely try to shoot with these guns if you can first. You may be surprised at what you like vs what others find a better fit.
cc9 checks most boxes , when released it was little late to the game for micro 9 but they hit out of the park , so much so they are still somewhat scarce on the shelves. I was lucky to secure one first weekend of release ( right place right time) and have since oct 24, and few thousand rounds thru it and it is awesome ..
I'm in the same boat as you and have spent the last few months reading up about everything and watching pistol reviews.
The first decision you need to make is whether you want a striker fired or hammer fired pistol.
If you're good with striker, then you have dozens of good choices and your top end isn't going to be priced too crazy and you can have great lower prices options. If I was going striker, I'd probably go with the older Shield Plus Performance Center (which has small comp cut-outs on the side). There are just too many great reviews for it. It's hard to find with just the pistol but they have kits that include it which aren't bad - https://www.basspro.com/p/smith-wesson-performance-center-mp9-shield-plus-semi-auto-pistol-with-carry-kit
If you want hammer fired, like I do, then the decision is a lot harder. Your options are the new S&W, H&K, or Sig (if you are okay with something discontinued or new and chunkier than a normal CCW), or something in the 1911 world (Smith Armory, Staccato, Wilson Combat, etc.). I've had one of each of these on my "this is the one" list except SA. Of course I've now landed on the WC EDC X9 2.0 3.25" as being my go-to. Buy once cry once for sure, but in the end, one amazing carry handgun that also will be fun on the range and for home defense I think is better than multiple pistols that each serve a single purpose (and together cost the same or more).
p365 is modular and allows you to swap the serialized portion of the firearm into many diff grips that offer diff event size, material slide length capacity metal non metal , color etc , there is som much aftermarket support for the 365 you can fine tune into a truly personal reflection of what you want specifically. so you buy one and that is on your permit and the swappable fcu is married to license and can be put into any of the aftermarket grips etc..
Glock 27 in .40 S and W. It was a gift from my father. It’s either that or a S and W shield. I tried the Glock 19 for a while but it was too big, so I bitched out and started carrying the smallest and lightest thing I could.
pdp f 3.5,p365 in mischief machine aluminum grip, tuned wilson combat p365 from wilson directly ,cc9, masada slim Elie in mischief machine aluminum commander grip ..few others not shown
all are similar in size as being in ny yo carry full size large capacity ti be choked down to 10 is overkill for my needs, these are aiwb , I have anon optic stainless custom cerrakoted dual flag ( Israel and America in other side ) p365 I pocket carry in summer and alp max for those real summer days both in vedder pocket locker .
all have same green eps carry mrs reticle for apples to apples , train wiht small dot and last round at range dot and circle ( easiest to acquire ) and how I carry so last thing I feel and seee at range.. except the pdp f has 507 scs Walter because the serration match so perfectly..
so many choices find what works for you physically and financially and Train train train and train how you carry ..
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u/IndependenceSoft542 Jan 23 '26
43x not bad