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Best EDC for CCW

I lean towards the smaller gun. Been carrying the M&P Shield for the most part since around 2012.
 
I recently started carrying the G48 MoS, on a urban carry owb leather holster. You can still see a little bit of printing on my right side. Now im thinking i should have gone with a smaller pistol.
 
Highly Recommend you go test fire the guns at each range
shorter and lighter subcompact guns tend to have more muzzle snap, comps and ports help a little bit but thats extra added cost. If you can size up your pants for a Compact like a G19, id recommend it.

I find that i need more hours on my G48 just to feel more proficient with it.

My favorites based on what ive had the most shots on:
G19, M&P 2.0 Compact, CZ P01

I have held the Echelon compact in the store and it feels great in the hand. I would test fire it and go from there.
 
Best track records would be
Easier to carry size: Sheild x or plus or p365 g43 in any flavor or wild card option g26

Duty rated
Compact. M&p 2.0 or g19

Fancy option: EMP 9mm single stack, Hd 3.6.


I carry a xmacro trl7sub for my daily and work plain cloths and carry my hd p4 mainly cuz i want to have a reason to carry it.
 
i love carrying my 43x mos, my 19 is huge compared to that. i also love carrying my hooker pistol a beretta 950bs in 25acp lol
 
I have a CZ P01, CZ PCR, and 365 x macro comp on my ccw. I only cary the 365 now. Way more comfortable to cary. I shot the 365 and hellcat pro side by side and definitely prefer how the 365 shoots.
*carry. I've been on the hunt for EDC guns too, and I have high hopes for the Staccato HD C3.6 that I have on order...as long as I shoot it reasonably well.

I tend not to like the smaller guns much, though I think the PCR and P-01 are great. My modified LCP Max isn't bad now but would benefit from a Hogue grip.

I have not been overly-impressed by the P365 and I thought the Hellcat was awful. The worst small gun I've shot is the Bersa Firestorm. It was shockingly bad but it could have just been dirty (rental).
 
G48+Enclosed optic. Still doesn’t print. If you’re printing, then you need a wedge, or a smaller gut 😁
 
I’ve been driving myself crazy trying to find the best EDC.

I would prefer to have a hammer fired pistol but in the end I just want something that shoots flat.
I’m thinking the Echelon 4.0 Comp might come out on top but would it be comfortable to carry every day.

Here is a list I made.

  • CZ 75 P-01
  • SIG P239
  • SIG P365 X-MACRO
  • H&K P2000SK V3
  • H&K VP9SK
  • Walther PDP 4” Compact
  • Springfield Echelon 4 (Comp)
  • Springfield Hellcat (standard)
  • Glock 19
  • Glock 26
  • Beretta PX4 Storm Compact
  • Ruger MAX-9
  • Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Compact (CA-compliant)
  • Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Metal Compact (All-metal)
Staccato C if you can get a Good price, Echelon 4” comp, 43x, and 365 x macro comp are my favorites.
 
At 6'2 205lbs, i dont have a big gut, and i still have some printing with the g48.

I’d definitely recommend a better holster set up or at a minimum adding a wedge. I’m 6ft and same weight and can conceal a G45 with an SRO no problem. I don’t wear baggy clothes either.
 
i just took one of my P365s and updated it to a 380.

That combination of caliber size and reliability is pretty hard to beat. Shoots like a 22LR now....crazy that it isnt offered in CA. I suspect they initially thought that they would go through it and decided not to - my evidence is that you can only get a 3.1" 380 barrel with an LCI cut out, but the slide doesnt have any of the other CA requirements.

It fits right onto a P365, orX/XL frame and you are G2G. And, you can use your 9mm mags without issues too.

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I went through this a while ago. It came down to three choices. S&W 36, P365, S&W 4506. P365 gets carried 80% of the time. It’s small, light, handles recoil very well and has good capacity for it’s size.
 
6’1 245lbs
I shoot Glocks the best , dead nuts reliable. I have bigger hands . I choose to carry the P365 with grip extensions daily. Still shoot it decent but better with Glocks. I uploaded a picture of qualifying with it. It’s single stack and snubby. Since it’s more comfortable I find myself carrying 99% of the time. I carry appendix. There’s a reason it’s the most carried gun in America .

They’re cheap , it’s a good starting point . Best of luck.
 

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I like the small, medium, large concept. I’ve had a bunch of different handguns over the years.

I always bring my LCP with me.

Ruger LCP (off roster)
LCP max
Max 9 (don’t prefer because of safety)
Shield (off roster)
G19
G26 with g19 mag and crimson trace light

I’d suggest you find a pocket carry gun you can shoot well. Check out traction grips.
 

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I would first go to a range and rent what you think you like most likely you will be disappointed at some of your’e choices.

I am one with my Glock 19 it’s a gen 2 and have had it practiced with it and slept with it since 1988 I have never thought to carry anything else though their maybe better choices out there, I just am so used to it it’s what I do.
 
Neyt comrades, tokarev is best pistol for ccw. Much slimmer, more powerful and flatter trajectory then a 1911. Better penetration as well. Carrying a firearm is inherently dangerous.
 
*carry. I've been on the hunt for EDC guns too, and I have high hopes for the Staccato HD C3.6 that I have on order...as long as I shoot it reasonably well.

I tend not to like the smaller guns much, though I think the PCR and P-01 are great. My modified LCP Max isn't bad now but would benefit from a Hogue grip.

I have not been overly-impressed by the P365 and I thought the Hellcat was awful. The worst small gun I've shot is the Bersa Firestorm. It was shockingly bad but it could have just been dirty (rental).
 
I have the initial size P365. With the mag that has the pinky extension on it, I get a perfect hand fit. It is very soft shooting for its size. What I really like about it is the size. I put it in a DeSantis Nemsis holster (might switch to the Super Fly one as more sticky in pocket) and then it slips into my front pocket. As such, it gets carried. The other two on my CCW are bigger pistols for certain reasons. The one I absolutely carry is the P365. Not sure what others on your list are that same size but I’;d want to find one at this size for sure.

A side note, based on a book I read 20ish years ago called Paradox of Choice, I purposely put artificial limits on my options. It really reduces my stress and brain power on many things. For example, if I want a rifle scope, it is the Leupold brand. For vehicles it is either Toyota or Ford. No idea if these are the best one out there but I know it is a good option and all I am looking for is a good option. The best option is a myth that will drive you crazy and lead you to be very frustrated. For pistols, 15ish years ago I decided the only two brands I wanted to own in pistols are Glock and Sig. As such, when it came time to decide what my options are, that is all I considered. Yes, it leaves out a lot of potential options but for me that is a good thing. I don’t need to think as hard about my options and stress about it. The book I mentioned above digs into all of the science about how more options rather than less makes us less happiy. I’ve artifially limited all kinds of options on choices because of this and have been more happy ever since.
 
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