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Hey all. Just wanted to say hello. I'm new to the forum and have just submitted all my documentation online for my license. I have numerous shotguns and rifles, but currently only 1 pistol -S&W 9mm model 659 which I have had since for a loooong time. I'm trying to decide on my 1st carry gun to buy. I have been looking at the compact S&W Shield and the Sig P938 as far as semi auto and the S&W airweight.38. Was hoping to get some feedback from you experienced guys on pros and cons for any of these.

Welcome to the Forum - a great place to learn about concealed carry. While waiting for your CHL, and in between checking the DPS website to see if your status has changed, read up as much as you can here. One of the great ways to learn and be ready when the CHL arrives.

Welcome to the forum.

The only one of those handguns I know anything at all about is the Shield and that's only because a friend has one. He likes it, but I haven't fired it yet. I think some of the folks around here also say it's a nice gun.

I love the Shield. It is actually the only M&P I really like. The trigger on the Shield is a great trigger out of the box in my opinion.

The S&W J Frame .38 (without the lock) is also a great carry gun.

Welcome to the Forum!

Looking at the specs on the Sig P938, you may want to add Springfield XD or XDm 9mm Compact to your comparrison list.

It's not much bigger than that Sig in frame size and you can get 13+1 capacity in standard mags and 19+1 capacity if you carry the extended mags.

I carry the XDm 9MM compact in most instances in an IWB CompTac Holster.

I also have a S&W Bodyguard .380 that I carry occaisonally either in my pocket or in an Alien Gear IWB holster. I use the .380 when I am dressed in clothing too light to comfortably conceal the 9mm.

Good luck with your decision. Have some fun deciding (i.e. go to a range and test drive some of the ones you're looking at).

Welcome to the forum!

The shield is awesome. I love it. I like a manual safety, and it is comfortable to wear even for a smaller guy. We also have a p238, and it is ok too, but definitely much smaller footprint. Could easily wear it with basketball shorts.

jalow wrote:Hey all. Just wanted to say hello. I'm new to the forum and have just submitted all my documentation online for my license.

Welcome to the Forum jalow!

You will get plenty of gun and carry advice right here.
For me, I don't carry the first carry gun I bought.

Thanks guys! I bought the XDs 45 yesterday. It felt really good in my hand and I enjoyed shooting it. I still may go get an Airweight to have as a back up. Now to find a belt/holster!

carlson1 wrote:I love the Shield. It is actually the only M&P I really like. The trigger on the Shield is a great trigger out of the box in my opinion.

The S&W J Frame .38 (without the lock) is also a great carry gun.

Welcome to the Forum!

I really like the Shield too, but I'd prefer it without the safety lever. It's way too small to be reliably disengaged under stress anyway.

Excaliber wrote:

carlson1 wrote:I love the Shield. It is actually the only M&P I really like. The trigger on the Shield is a great trigger out of the box in my opinion.

The S&W J Frame .38 (without the lock) is also a great carry gun.

Welcome to the Forum!

I really like the Shield too, but I'd prefer it without the safety lever. It's way too small to be reliably disengaged under stress anyway.

I know. I like it, but I wonder I a situation how trying to find the safety could be a Tony Romo fumble.

Lionman13 wrote:

Excaliber wrote:

carlson1 wrote:I love the Shield. It is actually the only M&P I really like. The trigger on the Shield is a great trigger out of the box in my opinion.

The S&W J Frame .38 (without the lock) is also a great carry gun.

Welcome to the Forum!

I really like the Shield too, but I'd prefer it without the safety lever. It's way too small to be reliably disengaged under stress anyway.

I know. I like it, but I wonder I a situation how trying to find the safety could be a Tony Romo fumble.

I just leave it off. It still has as many (and the same) safety mechanisms as the Glock.

I also like that fact that it is not an "easy" on either. You have to put some effort to flipping it up.

I have a question I have a lady friend whom is married and has no record and is wanting to apply for chl but her husband is a convicted felon can she apply for it and use it for self defense

carlson1 wrote:

I also like that fact that it is not an "easy" on either. You have to put some effort to flipping it up.

I like that too.

I haven't had any trouble with accidental activation.

jherrington1 wrote:I have a question I have a lady friend whom is married and has no record and is wanting to apply for chl but her husband is a convicted felon can she apply for it and use it for self defense

She can, yes....question is, can he be around them legally? If he is still under probation, he may be barred from being around them period. If he is done with probation, he may be allowed to possess them at his home only.

§46.04. Weapons — Unlawful Possession Of Firearm

(a) A person who has been convicted of a felony commits an offense if he possesses a firearm:
(1) after conviction and before the fifth anniversary of the person's release from confinement following conviction of the felony or the person's release from supervision under community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision, whichever date is later; or
(2) after the period described by Subdivision (1), at any location other than the premises at which the person lives.

Welsome to the forum!