Hello...again maybe?

[Guest tim99ws6]

I logged in here a while back thanks to Tungsten at the time looking for my first Semi-Auto for my family. Well, that was a while back! Anyways, Hello again!

I actually just passed the carry permit class this past Sunday, and am now on my way to looking for a carry gun.

I currently own a few rifle's and shotguns, nothing exiting. And my Semi-Auto right now is the full size S&W MP .40.

I'm thinking a Springfield XD Sub-Compact .40 as my carry gun....Thoughts?!

[Guest TargetShooter84]

Welcome and Congratulations on your carry permit!

[Guest Boomhower]

Welcome again, I guess ..........First, what method of carry are you considering. IWB, OWB, mexican style, etc.? I don't find that a full size gun like the M&P is that hard to conceal for me IWB, and really prefer the longer grip handle that is on the M&P over a SC XD. It's just easier for my hands to grasp ahold of.......But it wouldn't hurt me feelings to carry an XD either.

[Guest tim99ws6]

Welcome again, I guess ..........First, what method of carry are you considering. IWB, OWB, mexican style, etc.? I don't find that a full size gun like the M&P is that hard to conceal for me IWB, and really prefer the longer grip handle that is on the M&P over a SC XD. It's just easier for my hands to grasp ahold of.......But it wouldn't hurt me feelings to carry an XD either.

Ok, I have no idea what the IWB/OWB/etc stuff is but i picked up a Fobus paddle holster for it, and i have to say it fits excellent on me. I am a rather large guy(6'6, 230lbs) so it doesn't look huge at my hip. However, it is a little overkill....save for when i head to Memphis once a month, haha.

I shot my fathers taurus compact las weekend, and even though it shot well, it was NOT comfortable at all. Big hands/small grip and grip length, combined with the feeling of all the weight sitting on TOP of my hand was a no go for me.

The option for the extended magazine on the XD perks my interest, but i definately have not made my decision yet. I will probably carry my MP for a little while until the funds allow me to make a compact purchase.

[Rightwinger]

Welcome!

Carry is a very personal choice. I'm finding that having a selection of pistols is the best way to go. Of late, my little S&W 642 has been traveling. Before that a Kimber 1911. Now I have an XD40 and a G22 that also want time to travel! If your going to Walmart to pick up groceries, the small pocket guns you can just pick up and throw in your jeans are great. If you wear a coat all the time, work outside an office or can handle IWB for long periods then the mid sized models work well. When I go outdoors on the family farm, the belt holsters get strapped on and anyone can go! See, its all in what your able to do for the situation. Have a selection of firearms and choose which one you want that day! Its terrible having to make the choice:p

[strickj]

welcome and enjoy

i have an xd service and it works well for me.being a big guy i dont see a biger carry gun being hard to conceal.

iwb:in waist band

owb:out waist band(belt holster)

[Guest sagebrushjim]

Welcome ...

[creeky]

Some people look down on the Fobus holsters, but I like them.

For the money they are very hard to beat. Quick on and off, and

for nothing else a good holster to use as a beater.

Plus a real checp holster to mount places. Coupld of Drywall screws

into a stud and you can mount them in a closet or anywhere.

[Guest tim99ws6]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys, and thanks for the explanation of IWB and OWB!! I guess i would prefer a OWB, as i would think an IWB would get pretty uncomfortable pretty quick. I prefer paddle holsters(I think) only because they are easy to slide on/off for times when you aren't allowed to carry in specific areas.

you guys are making me feel a little more confident about carrying my MP.40 as opposed to a XD subcompact. I would LOVE to not have to buy another gun....well, my wife would love me not buying another gun, haha.

[molonlabetn]

As fond as I am of the XD lineup... I can tell you from experience that they shoot very differently than the M&P, enough so that I preferred to not make the transition (in my case, the opposite... had XDs, and just couldn't acclimate to the M&P). I would recommend that you look into buying a compact M&P, so that you're carrying a familiar platform. That is, if you feel confident with the M&P you already have.

That's just my $0.02.

[Guest tim99ws6]

As fond as I am of the XD lineup... I can tell you from experience that they shoot very differently than the M&P, enough so that I preferred to not make the transition (in my case, the opposite... had XDs, and just couldn't acclimate to the M&P). I would recommend that you look into buying a compact M&P, so that you're carrying a familiar platform. That is, if you feel confident with the M&P you already have.

That's just my $0.02.

Great point. That's actually the though that went through my mind after shooting my father's Taurus. Yea, It shot well, but it didn't feel comfortable/familiar/weighted correctly in my hand. I'm not sure if it was the gun brand, or the style(compact vs. "service??").

Ahh....decisions decisions...

[Guest Boomhower]

I am a rather large guy(6'6, 230lbs)

I'm 6' 230lbs as well, and I prefer IWB. But everybody is different. My daily carry is a Stoeger Cougar in an IWB holster, but I'm actually trying out the Bianchi model 105 OWB for my 3" SA EMP with no luck at all. I don't know if it has to do with the small size of the gun, the cant of the holster, or what the deal is, but everytime I sit down the gun jambs and rides at the bottom of my ribcage. Boarderline uncomfortable.

you guys are making me feel a little more confident about carrying my MP.40 as opposed to a XD subcompact. I would LOVE to not have to buy another gun....well, my wife would love me not buying another gun, haha.

If it were me, I'd stick with what I have for the time being, unless you just want to buy another gun. And in that case, your wife won't love you, but only for a day .

[Guest Boomhower]

Some people look down on the Fobus holsters, but I like them.

I think most arguments are based off of this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDeKtgkZKmQ

[molonlabetn]

The full-size M&P isn't to hard to conceal, either... especially with an IWB holster and a loose t-shirt.

[Guest tim99ws6]

This is great info guys, and much appreciated.

Maybe I'll start by just picking up a good IWB holster and see how that works for a while with my MP.40. Does anyone have any recommendations???

[Guest bkelm18]

If you have a good IWB holster, then it's not uncomfortable at all. The only reason I remember I'm carrying a gun at all sometimes is I accidentally knock it into things if I'm walking around a corner or something.

This is great info guys, and much appreciated.

Maybe I'll start by just picking up a good IWB holster and see how that works for a while with my MP.40. Does anyone have any recommendations???

Opinions are going to vary quite a bit on holsters, but I use a Crossbreed and I can tell you it's great. Very comfortable to use. http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/

[Mike.357]

No one has mentioned this but if you carry IWB your pants need to be a little bigger than you normally wear. I am a fat ass and no way would IWB work for me.

Being a bigger than average person I think you can easily get away with OWB carry with a loose fitting cover garment of some sort.

And since you are a full size man you ought to look at joining the church of John Browning and look into a full size 1911, skip them girly guns these guys all carry :)

And welcome back to TGO

[dariks]

This is great info guys, and much appreciated.

Maybe I'll start by just picking up a good IWB holster and see how that works for a while with my MP.40. Does anyone have any recommendations???

I haven't bought it yet, but the MTAC has a bunch of good reviews. I think MolonLabeTN has used it so you might ask him about it.

[Guest bkelm18]

And since you are a full size man you ought to look at joining the church of John Browning and look into a full size 1911, skip them girly guns these guys all carry :)

[Guest Boomhower]

No one has mentioned this but if you carry IWB your pants need to be a little bigger than you normally wear. I am a fat ass and no way would IWB work for me.

Have you tried IWB yet Mike? The only reason I ask is because I heard the same comments from others before I bought my first IWB holster. I decide to try it out first before I bought bigger pants. Since I started carrying, I have put on a little over 20 lbs. and I honestly can't tell that much of a difference in the way my pants fit. Definetly not any less comfortable than they were 20 lbs ago. The only thing I changed about my dress was my shirt size. I went up a to an XL just to get the added length.

[Daniel]

the problem with XL shirts is that alot go wider not longer.

[Guest GlocKingTN]

Welcome to TGO!

[Guest highvoltage]

welcome and enjoy:)

[Guest canynracer]

Welcome from Lakeland!

[Guest EasilyObsessed]

Welcome to the forums.

x2 on the M&P compact if you feel you really need to get another carry weapon. I think you should be just fine with the fullsize though. I actually find that the MTAC IWB holster is more comfortable for me than an OWB holster. Mainly because I can keep my gun holstered when I am driving my car. OWB Holsters end up going right where my seat belt wants to go requiring me to remove the pistol everytime I get into the car.