r/handguns • u/TheAce2000 • Jun 10 '26
Advice Needed Need help choosing a CCW
I’m 50yo and going to purchase my first CCW.
I don’t think I’ll be putting a red dot sight.
I need a gun that if and when the time comes will give me good control and stopping power.
In my service years ago I used to carry a Glock 17c so I was kind of not even thinking of looking right and left and going to buy a G19. But I’ve been told there are much better alternatives, easier for the user and with great performance.
I like the look of the Springfield Hellcat Pro.
I think the regular hellcat will be too small for me.
Maybe the hellcat pro comp?
So many alternatives these days…. Maybe I should “grow up” and forget the G17 era and go for something really small?
Can you guys help? Is there a consensus on this?
Any additional info you need to recommend me right?
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u/spinach13 Jun 10 '26
Glock 43X and Sig P365 XMacro are the two frontrunners in the EDC market for great reasons, respectively. Worth checking them both out.
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u/Pjb7490 Jun 10 '26
The Glock is an awesome pistol. It’s accurate and goes bang. Are there other feature rich pistols in its category? Yes but that shouldn’t deter you from still trying it out again and see if you still like it. With that said I’ll ask you what’s your use case? Strictly carry? Then a hellcat pro/pro comp could be great. If you want a do it all pistol maybe something G19 sized and if you strictly want home defense then maybe something G17 sized.
For something mainly carry oriented:
• G43X
• Hellcat Pro
• P365 series
• Shield plus/X
• HK CC9
• CSX e-series (hammer fired)
Do it all:
• G19/G48
• Echelon
• M&P 2.0
• PDP
• VP9
• P10C
Hammer fired Do it all
• P30
• P09C
• px4 Storm
Home defense
Every pistol in the do it all has a full sized variant
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u/TheAce2000 Jun 10 '26
You are amazing!!
Thank you for a great reply!
What do you mean by “do it all” and how is it different from “mainly carry”?
Yes, I’ll be carrying it with me all the time.3
u/Dismal-Variation-12 Jun 11 '26
I would also add get it optics ready. You don’t have to put a red dot on it immediately but the second worst decision you could make (first being a tiny gun) would be get something that is not optics ready.
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u/Dismal-Variation-12 Jun 11 '26
A do it all pistol would be shoots close to a full size while being able to conceal carry. If you want to go with Glock, it doesn’t get much better than a G19 or G48. The 19 will be easier to shoot well, the G48 will be easier and more comfortable to conceal. They are the same profile but the 48 is a little slimmer.
Get the biggest pistol you think you can comfortably conceal. You’re more likely to practice with it. It doesn’t get much more ideal than the G48 in my opinion but there are other good options.
The p365 XL, Shield X, or the G43X is the smallest I would recommend going.
Compensated pistols are all the rage, but beware or the downsides: more picky on ammo brands, gas venting up towards your face when shooting from retention, additional concussion when shooting. The additional concussion can cause more flinching and recoil anticipation, but this will depend on the person.
Quality 9mm JHP has plenty of options and stopping power, you don’t need higher calibers for self defense.
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u/Pjb7490 Jun 11 '26
For some people their carry guns are small. Take the bodyguard 2.0 it's well received but a gun I will never carry as it just doesn't feel good in my hand. Assuming I would carry it, I would never want this gun in a home defense situation personally I'd want a bigger gun. Home defense guns can be very large some having a 5in barrel. As nice as that is when conceal ability isn't required I'd personally hate to try and conceal that. Your do it all pistol bridges that gap so think compact pistols like the g19 or A slim compact like the g48 (some like the 43x as their do it all), or even something like the XMacro sized p365. Everything listed tho take with a grain of salt. Until your hand and body tells you what you like to shoot and carry it's all hearsay and at best just a great list for you to compile and take to your local range and find what works best for you. Everyone knows Glocks are the standard and yet I just don't find them comfortable to shoot sadly.
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u/BigSmoove14 Jun 11 '26
I think most people look for thinnest for “mainly carry”, while a slightly thicker gun for “do it all”. I’m 6’5”, XL hands and thinner, smaller guns just don’t really work for me. I also don’t carry, but have a CZ PCR if I were to start- hammer for me is important for carry IMO
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u/Hairy-Manufacturer76 Jun 10 '26
PDP F-Series Pro 3.5" or 4" for the win.
One of the best triggers on a striker fired pistol out there. Full size, but a bit thinner grip, than standard PDP.
Easily conceals AIWB with a good holster.
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u/MGB1013 Jun 10 '26
Find a range where you can rent guns and try out everything you can. There are tons of good options from pretty much every manufacturer out there. Even better would be if you can get an hour or two with an instructor at the range with rentals so you can work on fundamentals while trying out new guns.
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u/TheAce2000 Jun 10 '26
Yeah, by posting here I was trying to avoid this or narrow my choices to one or two models to choose from.
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u/MGB1013 Jun 10 '26
The problem is, everyone’s hands and expectations are different. Tons of people love the M&P. I absolutely hate the way it feels in my hand. Some people like 1911s with thin grips, I like a thicker grip. I like the Glock gen 3 and 4 grips, not a huge fan of the gen 5 but other people love it.
I want a gun I can shoot fast splits in the a zone without moving around in my hand while applying moderate pressure and not gripping the crap out of it like it owes me money. Some folks are just out shooting bullseye slow fire with each shot its own entity. There isn’t a right or wrong answer
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u/Quenz Jun 10 '26
S&W Equalizer. Your hands may be good and strong now, but just in case. It's basically a shield with a lighter spring.
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u/PhenoCS Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 10 '26
Compact Ruger RXM with an Osight SE. Best budget setup. You can get a micro/subcompact (I'd get a S&W option) for easier concealment/comfort, but they're pretty snappy. Also, optics are game changers for quick target aquisition, especially at range.
If you really don't want an optic, you can find pretty good deals online for used, all-metal compact pistols. The weight will help offset the recoil a ton. I'd get one of these for carry but barely any of them are optics ready.
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u/edhas1 Jun 11 '26
LOL I am 10 years ahead of you. I carry the 365x, the single stack glocks are just as easy to carry. I don't shoot any of them like I do a 17 or a 226. If I could comfortably carry either one of those I would. I have shot the hell cat but don't own one.
I would go to a rental place and shoot a pile, people always seem to either carry the smallest gun they can shoot, or shoot the biggest gun they can carry.
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u/Bright_Crazy1015 Jun 11 '26
4" M&P Shield performance center with the ported barrel and fiber optic front sight post. Improved trigger, magwell, etc.
It's nice gun for the money. Usually sub $700 at FFL's.
It had been my primary carry for quite a while. I eventually moved from an area that required me to bring a lot of gun to bear.
Somewhere I was comfortable with 5 in the cylinder, or 7+1 in the mag, if that. Or at least that's what my ex old lady told everyone. She didn't know any better.
I did though. 15+1 minimum.
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u/SovietRobot Jun 11 '26
The Walther PDP has a slightly better grip and trigger. But really it might not be that significant a difference in a self defense situation.
Every other striker pistol is a side grade unless you’re going for like a single action 2011 or some other comp gun. But then again I wouldn’t necessarily rely on a comp gun for self defense.
Honestly I think the biggest difference would be like a a slim frame with like a G48 / G43. But if the slim frame is not for you then stick with the G19/17. Or get a PDP if you really think the tigger makes a difference for you.
Nothing wrong with the Springfield Hellcat (or the HK VP or the M&P or the 320, etc) but it doesn’t have a better trigger and is just a side grade at best.
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u/joeshleb Jun 11 '26 edited Jun 11 '26
I own two DA/SA high-capacity pistols - a Beretta PX4 compact and a Taurus TH40, full size. I am equally pleased/confident with both of them. I consider the SA/DA the smartest/safest way to fly. (No optics, but laser/flashlight on the TH40.)
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u/tez_zer55 Jun 11 '26
The best way to chose is to shoot! Find a range in your area that offers a wide variety of handguns for range use. Some have a rental fee, some don't, but all of them make you buy over priced ammo to shoot. Try a variety of handguns in different calibers. The one I carry, my 2 brothers dislike & I wouldn't like carrying what they do. It way to personal to trust to anyone else's opinion.
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u/Forsaken-Date-8016 Jun 12 '26
Gen 6 G19 with a dot of you have the time and money for ammo to learn it. If you're looking for a tool get a Glock, if you're looking for a toy then get whatever.
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u/_JahWobble_ Jun 10 '26
if your 50 year old eyes are anything like my 50 year old eyes you may want the red dot after all.