Slim carry gun ideas

drmitchgibson · Mar 1, 2013

Since mid-2012 my carry gun has been a 3.5" 1911. I'm a thin man, and the gun sticks out like a sore thumb and is impossible for me to conceal without a thick jacket or over-shirt. It's time to move on to something I can conceal, but I really need something thin and with a shorter grip frame. I like the slim pistols by Kahr, but I've only dry-fired them, and the trigger seems to have no wall. I imagine at worst even a thicker gun like a G19 or G26 would work out because of the shorter grip frame. Or maybe something much smaller like the Sig P238. What about the Ruger LC9? Or the Walther PPS, even with it's incredibly shitty paddle-type mag release? Not sure if any of those guns have a trigger that can be staged.

Any input or reviews would be appreciated.

technetium-99m · Mar 1, 2013

It doesn't get much thinner than a 1911. What holster are you using?

jeremys · Mar 1, 2013

Have you tried a crossbreed hoslter? I can wear a g17/g22 or a ppq (with its shitty paddle mag release) very comfortably.

argyle64 · Mar 2, 2013

I'm 5'8" and weigh 180 lbs with a 33" waist. I carry a G17 OWB every day. I usually wear a size large t-shirt untucked and it covers it just fine. Holster and belt make a huge difference as to how well it conceals.

charger arms · Mar 2, 2013

I have sold several of the Walther PPS and it seems to be the easiest for some of my customers to hide. It is slim and does not expose. Most of them have been using the crossbreed supertuck or similar holster. The paddle style mag release is easy to adjust too. Identical to the release on the p22 and other walther offerings.
Another thought is the XDs. It will soon be produced in 9mm.

charger arms · Mar 2, 2013

jeremys said:
Have you tried a crossbreed hoslter? I can wear a g17/g22 or a ppq (with its shitty paddle mag release) very comfortably.

From what I have read, the next gen ppq will have a button release. I was trying to find a new ppq a few months back as my new carry gun but had not luck. Sold the 2 17 round mags and will wait until the next model shows up

jtischauser · Mar 2, 2013

The Ruger LC9 is light and thin. It's trigger is typical DA carry gun. Feels like a revolver. I never worry about staging a trigger at the wall like in competition. I fully expect if I ever have to draw this gun it will be finger off the trigger or finger mashed to the back of the trigger guard 7 times as fast as I can. Ain't gonna be no prepping and aiming like you do trying to hits steel plate at 25 yards.

Burk Cornelius · Mar 2, 2013

Mitch, sometimes skinny guys have better luck with appendix carry. The little Ruger LC9 would be perfect for AIWB

poopgiggle · Mar 2, 2013

Burk Cornelius said:
Mitch, sometimes skinny guys have better luck with appendix carry.

We sure do!

You should buy a SIG P938 and then let me shoot it.

jeffhughes · Mar 2, 2013

You'll carry that 1911 great AIWB...

Freedom Shooter · Mar 2, 2013

the best carrier gun i have seen and heard people talking about is the MP sheild

poopgiggle · Mar 2, 2013

You're more likely to find a "I <3 Dianne Feinstein" poster at your local gun store than a M&P Shield.

Meaning that if you do see one, it won't be long before one of the patrons forcibly removes it.

jeremys · Mar 2, 2013

charger arms said:
From what I have read, the next gen ppq will have a button release. I was trying to find a new ppq a few months back as my new carry gun but had not luck. Sold the 2 17 round mags and will wait until the next model shows up

That would be nice. I have gotten used to it, but it is not as fast as a button release for sure.

Freedom Shooter · Mar 2, 2013

poopgiggle said:
You're more likely to find a "I <3 Dianne Feinstein" poster at your local gun store than a M&P Shield.

Meaning that if you do see one, it won't be long before one of the patrons forcibly removes it.

I can get them farely quick, the more then harder it is but i have gotten two in the past 3 months

Spiff · Mar 2, 2013

I'm 5' 7" 150# and I've been carrying my Kahr P9 under just about any shirt for 4 years. Ends up concealing best around 2:30. The trigger is definitely like shooting a DA revolver, but it just takes a little practice.

dennishoddy · Mar 2, 2013

Austin T said:
I'm 5' 7" 150# and I've been carrying my Kahr P9 under just about any shirt for 4 years. Ends up concealing best around 2:30. The trigger is definitely like shooting a DA revolver, but it just takes a little practice.

Same here with the Kahr CW-40.

kdf9511 · Mar 2, 2013

All kind of depends on what you want to carry. I've got a Taurus 738 TCP and it's pretty darn thin. Very comfortable IWB when on my Goldwing.

Glockman85 · Mar 2, 2013

G19 with a kydex iwb holster from sentry gunleather guys name is Shaun (727) 495-4288. Most comfortable iwb set up in my opinion. Communicates very well by text.

Kjdowning18 · Mar 2, 2013

I personally carry a mp shield in a crossbreed holster..... I love it

drmitchgibson · Mar 2, 2013

I know it doesn't get much thinner than a 1911, and I use a UBG Canute for the current gun. In the past I have had a Crossbreed holster and the Looper copy of it, for an M&P40c and Springfield EMP, respectively. I really liked the ability to adjust the carry height on those holsters, but this grip on the current pistol prints like crazy and don't think I can adjust for that with holster changes. I'm not terribly concerned about a gun that I can prep the trigger on, but I shoot that way all the time. Since I shoot a 2011 I wanted to be consistent with that gun's operation, hence moving to a 1911 for carry. This is all about moving to carry 100% of the time, and not ending up with a box full of left-handed holsters :wink: .