Looking for something smaller than my XD-9 4"

[cyphur]

Take a look into renting a Kimber Ultra Carry(or any 3" Kimber). It disappears on my body and at ~6' and 220 I'm not super slim. The recoil is also VERY managable. I carry mine in an Answer as well, I love the holster.

[dws1117]

Also, ditch the Walmart belt and get a good thick gun belt. It makes all the difference. Tucker leather makes a fine belt. Rafter S belts are very good and a bit more inexpensive. The rafter S belts also offer 7 holes instead of 5 for more adjustability. Can't comment on Tucker's hole arrangement.

You have a great holster. Have you tried to adjust it so that it rides higher? If that doesn't work you could try a Brommeland Max con V or Milt Sparks Versa Max 2. Both hold the gun very high.

Yeah, it rides as high as possible. It's fairly comfortable when walking, just not when doing nearly anything else, such as sitting. Then it just starts getting extremely annoying and uncomfortable to wear. I just want a smaller gun for carrying than a 4".

I might have to check out those kimber ultra carry's. We are hoping to find a nice used one to purchase =)

Also, my belt is pretty thick. If it was any thicker it wouldn't fit in my belt loops!

I wasn't referring to the width of the belt but the thickness. When I received my first gun belt I thought that It was too thick to go through the loops, but I've only had a problem with one pair of pants. A good thick belt carries the weight of the gun. The weight of a full sized 1911 practically disappears with a good belt and holster combo.

BTW, I am not trying to talk you out of buying a new gun. By all means buy more guns. More guns is better.

[1TallTXn]

I'm 6'2" and skinny. I can carry my XD-9 4" pretty well in my IWB holster, but I think it would work better if I was able to cant the gun forward a little (3:30-4 o'clock) I'm not familiar with how the Answer holster holds the gun.

if you want more then 9mm, but want to stay in a manageable (small) size, why not the XD-40 SC?

I would have prefered the XD in the 3" format, but this one was just too cheap to pass up on!

I do find my PT111MP easier to conceal due to the shorter grip length. otherwise the weight of the guns is nearly the same.

I do need to find a good belt. my wally-world special isn't that comfy for all day carry.

[Popshot]

Russell,

I have both an XD40 Service and and XD40SC. The shorter grip and barrel of the subcompact does make it easier to conceal with lightweight clothing, but it is still the same chunky pistol, so other designs are more concealable. I can shoot both very well, but I need to tuck my little finger under the magazine floor plate on the shorter grip of the SC. I have just received a Pearce Grip extenstion for the short magazines and am evaluating if I prefer this add on.

For now, the SC is my daily carry choice. A thinner design is certainly more concealable, but this pistol will have to do for a while.

[jbenat]

The S & W MP 9mm Compact is shipping as we speak!!! I've got a MP40, it's a great pistol and I will be buying the MP 9mm Compact as soon as possible.

[SW40VE]

Taurus Millenium Pro PT-145 or Kahr 45 would be your best bet for a small 45!

For sure. The Taurus is what I went with and fell in love with it. Still testing reliability, so far no problems (knock on wood). Recoil is easily managed. The newest model comes with an SA trigger that reverts to DA if there is a failure to fire, thus allowing you to restrike. Also came with Heinie sights. Paid $309 + tax, so it is easy on the wallet too. Definitely worth the time to look into.

Let me know if you have any other questions about it.

[308nato]

I bought a CZ 2075 Rami in 9mm with the 14rd mags and found it to be a
quality made pistol and very controlable as its all metal.
it also comes in 40 S&W.
Try http://www.czusa.com check out there stuff, also good prices.


Dennis

[Thane]

Russel:

As a fellow 5'6" person, I can recommend the 1911 platform rather highly. I carry a Kimber Ultra Eclipse IWB; it completely disappears on me, is lightweight enough that I can carry it all day (although I've never minded the weight of my 5" 1911 either), yet is heavy enough to moderate the recoil to a manageable level. Yeah, it's a chunky-looking pistol, but that's mere appearance; with the proper holster, no one will be able to tell it's there.

Even with a 4" or 5" version, the hardest part to conceal is the grip. Careful "blousing" of your shirt around your waist will moderate that; while you'll likely never be able to "completely hide" the bulge of the grip, you CAN make that bulge blend in with the folds and falls of the fabric. Conceal that, and you've got it made. The rest of the gun is rather slim; I only have to let my belt out a notch or two at most to accomodate the pistol.

And that massive hole in the end of the barrel is pretty intimidating from the "wrong" end, too...

[longtooth]

Welcome back lad. Glad to hear from you again.