The New Wave of Double Stack Micro Compacts

[DaBull]

I had just become interested in sub compacts and other concealed carry size pistols (Shield, EC9s, G43) when the first "micro high cap" P365 came out, which was soon followed by the Hellcat. Curious if the early adopters who transitioned to the P365 or Hellcat plan to move to the latest crop of designs (Shield Plus, Max 9, GX4 and possibly future ones) for any perceived incremental improvements, or if you won't make a change until some HUGE upgrade in capability or performance shows up.

[ray1970]

Heck. I?m still a Glock 26 guy. Guess I must be old school.

[DaBull]

G26 was the first concealed carry pistol I bought--for the capacity over single stacks. But now its hard to justify carrying it when a slim P365 is on the table. While the GX4 seems to offer a lot at a great price point, and the Max 9 has great sights and OSP cut standard, I don't think its enough for me to upgrade. I will stick to the 365 until some big increase in a critical metric comes along to justify another change. An inch cut in length, a tenth of an ounce drop in weight, or even fiber optic or red dot sights is not enough for me right now.

[encorehunter]

I recently changed from a Kahr cw9 to a Hellcat. I much rather prefer the Hellcat now. Going from 7 to 13 was well worth it in my mind. The fit to my hand is about the same.

[.455_Hunter]

I guess carrying a 5-shot snub is only for squares these days.

[hurley842002]

I guess carrying a 5-shot snub is only for squares these days.

To each his own, not a bad option, I just feel there are better options in 2021...

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[.455_Hunter]

To each his own, not a bad option, I just feel there are better options in 2021...

Think wheel guns went out of vogue a while ago for defensive shooting choices. But they have their place.

Based on my own experiences during 30 years of defensive carry and personal risk assessments, I have two primary concerns with the latest carry guns:

- I refuse to be armed with a weapon that doesn't have either a full-stroke, full-weight DA trigger, or a positive manual safety (stiff with strong detents). Carrying a gun with a "great trigger" that has an enhanced potential for AD/ND is a NO-GO, regardless of training or other equipment crutches. The higher capacity guns combined with the P290RS, Rohrbaugh or 3914DAO action would be interesting, but unavailable due to striker fetishism.

- I also like the positive nature of a recessed heel magazine release or a paddle system. The chance of inadvertently activating a standard or extended mag side release far excced needing a John Wick fantasy-grade reload.

A high-capacity, sub-compact combo of the above doesn't seem to currently exist.

I am an equal opportunity defensive when it comes to firearms (revolver and semi), but the J-frame (or similar) still has a lot going for it with regards to safety, ease of use, reliability and effectiveness for real world daily concealment. Are there scenarios where a citizen might be outgunned? Yes, but their are also scenarios where the lastest high capacity striker special shits the bed, in more ways than one.

[arbol]

Based on my own experiences during 30 years of defensive carry and personal risk assessments, I have two primary concerns with the latest carry guns:

- I refuse to be armed with a weapon that doesn't have either a full-stroke, full-weight DA trigger, or a positive manual safety (stiff with strong detents). Carrying a gun with a "great trigger" that has an enhanced potential for AD/ND is a NO-GO, regardless of training or other equipment crutches. The higher capacity guns combined with the P290RS, Rohrbaugh or 3914DAO action would be interesting, but unavailable due to striker fetishism.

- I also like the positive nature of a recessed heel magazine release or a paddle system. The chance of inadvertently activating a standard or extended mag side release far excced needing a John Wick fantasy-grade reload.

A high-capacity, sub-compact combo of the above doesn't seem to currently exist.

I am an equal opportunity defensive when it comes to firearms (revolver and semi), but the J-frame (or similar) still has a lot going for it with regards to safety, ease of use, reliability and effectiveness for real world daily concealment. Are there scenarios where a citizen might be outgunned? Yes, but their are also scenarios where the lastest high capacity striker special shits the bed, in more ways than one.

I too have graduated to carrying a gun safely, rather than for the immediate discharge. I will take the time penalty when I actually need to deploy it, in the favor of my personal safety, as I am carrying it all the time.

What I am wondering is if I am doing this in the best way (safety foremost, quick and readily available deployment), or not.

Currently I carry a striker fired pistol, without a mechanical safety, but with various trigger safeties, etc. But meanwhile, there is a striker, ready and waiting to hit the bullet.

So my solution, is to carry, unchambered. If and when I need it, I will have to chamber a bullet.

Is this okay, or are there better options available, that achieve the same level of safety, with better performance/availability?

Would a J-Frame be better, etc.

[whitewalrus]

I guess carrying a 5-shot snub is only for squares these days.

Pentagons maybe.

Think wheel guns went out of vogue a while ago for defensive shooting choices. But they have their place.

[Seamonkey]

I started with a Colt Detective snub (and still do depending on weather/clothing) then a G26 about 10 years ago once I gained experience with semi-automatics. Took a class to learn the basics then range time to get comfortable. Went to the G19 because the G26 pinches my pinky where the magazine meets the frame.
Recently purchased a Hellcat. I had no plans to purchase and was actually looking for a .22 with a better trigger when the clerk suggested I try it. There's a lip on that part of the Hellcat frame that my finger sits on with either the 11 or 15 round mags and no pinching. I was surprised how slim it feels for a double stack and like how it fits my hand.