I currently only own a Ruger MkIII, and am going to purchase a pistol for concealed carry and range practice. I am having a difficult time deciding, though. It has been between a Glock 19, Glock 26, HK P2000, or HK P2000sk.
The HKs are a little expensive for me at the moment, and don’t seem to be justifiable over the similar Glocks or even M&Ps. This leaves me mainly with the Glocks. I’ve also become aware of the newer Walther pistols, the PPS and PPQ, and am interested in those, but have not fired either of them.
I would like to be able to carry this pistol most places (maybe even while running; weight is not a factor for PT, only concealment), but I would also like to be able to use it at the range. I’ve never liked the chopped grips of subcompacts, and range use is not as enjoyable as a slightly larger pistol, where I am able to get a full grip.
I am seriously considering the PPS, as it seems to be very thin and ideal for concealed carry, but the Glock 19 is a good all-around weapon. I had one before, but I had to sell it. I didn’t carry it concealed a whole lot, and never tested the limits of concealment with it.
Any advice or input on concealment factors, personal experience, and the overall best choice are appreciated.
You can’t go wrong with the Glock 19. Period. But you’re going to hear a thousand replies here that will tell you to go rent them at a range and get what feels best.
I personally am a Glock Fanboy for the reliability, size, firepower, and cost effectiveness. But youve got to make the decision based on what YOU feel is right. Some guys hate Glocks but LOVE their H&Ks. Go figure.
Glock 19 is great advice. The PPS is easier to conceal, but, if I understand your post correctly, you are a relatively new handgun shooter and you might be served better by having a larger weapon that would be easier to learn the basics on while still being a great carry weapon. I could see someone picking up some bad habits easier while practicing on a smaller pistol.
If you take a training course, my own inclination is to take a mid-sized or full sized handgun so that your time is spent learning technique instead of constantly reloading and struggling with the limitations of a sub-compact. The Glock 19 would cover you there.
Otherwise just buy the one you like the best and if it isn’t what you hoped for, save up and buy the other one. I have done this for years.
As far as concealment goes, for me, inside of the waistband carry conceals better than OWB and a quality leather holster is more comfortable than Kydex. Kydex holsters are usually cheaper and easier to come by with a shorter wait time. When you find the position that the gun conceals in best with a Kydex holster, then you can confidently order a nice leather holster if you want a bit more comfort.
Buy a high quality gun belt from a gun holster manufacturer. Do not skimp on this. It is thicker, more rigid and basically imperative if you are serious about carrying.
I’m a big proponent of try before you buy. Every gun seems to have its fans but that doesn’t really tell you if you will like it.
Personally, I’m a fan of the PPS for concealed carry. I like the PPS for what it is. However, in my opinion, it is easier to shoot 200 rounds or so of well aimed fire in a single range session with a bigger pistol like a Glock 17 than with the PPS.
Instead of it being a typical one or the other scenario, you’d probably be better served getting a good all around pistol and then getting a separate pistol specifically for times when you need a smaller, thinner pistol for concealment.
For what it’s worth, if you have already had a Glock 19 and liked it, I think you have your answer as to what you should get first. You can always save some additional money and get a PPS down the road as your second pistol.
I’m 5’11’', 170 and I can’t conceal a G19 comfortably in 99% of my wardrobe, hence why I bought the PPS. It’s much much more comfortable than a G19, G26, the HK, or any of the guns you listed above. That being said, if I was big enough, or wore clothing that was less fitted and could carry something larger, I would probably consider it, only reason being the higher capacity.
The PPS shoots just as well as a full sized pistol for me, it’s not uncomfortable for high round count range sessions, and is actually quite fun to shoot bc of it’s accuracy for the size. If a mix of comfort and shootability is what you’re looking for, I think the PPS is hard pressed to be beat. That’s just my opinion based on my body type and clothing.
It is tough to beat a earlier Gen 3 G19 for all around use. Light, accurate, fairly inexpensive, and reliable to a fault. My G19 will NEVER be sold as other pistols come and go. With that said my H&K P2000SK is a tack driver and H&K’s reliability is well known. They do cost more and it is more suited to my CCW role. My H&K USP Compact on the other hand fills the size role of my G19. It is heavier and more expensive but it too is a tack driver.
Remember that just because a pistol feels good in your hand does not always mean that you will shoot it well. Trying before buying can save a lot of buyer’s remorse. And also don’t expect that the first time you pick up a new pistol unless you are already a marksman that you skill that that firearm will be outstanding. Like everything in life practice makes perfect (or as close to perfect as your God given skills will allow). just my $.015
Can you define “can’t”? It sounds like you and I are the same size (I’m 2" taller and 5-10 lbs heavier) and I carry a Glock 19 quite frequently. I live in SE Florida so there isn’t an option for a lot of heavy clothes, but I’m not wearing skinny jeans and a tank top either.
You may find this link helpful. The point of this article is NOT to tell you what to do, but to give you some things to think about and get your mind moving in the right direction.
I had both the Glock 19 and 26, both gen 3. Sold the 19 and kept the 26. The 19 is awesome as is the 26, the advantage I see of the 26 over the 19 is that on my case I like to carry in front of my hip (1 o’clock to right handed or 11 o’clock for lefts). The longer barrel gets a little uncomfortable when seating.
I am not a big Glock fan as I don’t shoot them well–but in my agency most of the female agents found them a good fit. My then 13 yr old daughter took to the G19 and a few years later did well with it at Gunsite. They work, the ergonomics are pretty good, parts are everywhere, they’ve got a track record. Just about as exciting as a Craftsman crescent wrench.
The short answer is it’s hard to go wrong with one.
I’m just glad to be retired and don’t HAVE to carry anything chosen by a committee anymore.
You really can’t go wrong with a gen 3 Glock 19 or 26 or an xdm 3.8 compact, or a PPS 9mm. All carry well in an MTAC holster and are pretty easy to conceal. All are pretty reliable. Even a Gen 4 is reliable if you are carrying +P ammo. Make sure whatever you get, that you shoot at LEAST 250 rounds out of it and know that the ammo you carry will feed reliably and that YOU feel proficient enough to use it. And like everyone one else will say, train, train, train. Your body does what it is taught to do.
I’m 5’11" about 175, with a 31" waist. I can carry a Glock 19 all four seasons, with the proper holster.
For the OP, I’d suggest more of a general purpose size gun vs. one that was smaller to maximize concealment.
The Glock 19 size package is ideal for this. (I really like the Gen3 Glock 19’s) The Sig 228 was also another gun that was in this size package. I have no experience with the HK 2000, so can’t comment on it.
Picking a defensive gun is a very personal thing. Kind of like picking a wife. Asking for suggestions is a good way to obtain a starting point. But I’d go to a rental range and try out the guns you’re interested in. With HK, you’d want to try both the LEM trigger and the DA/SA trigger variants.
The money you spend at a rental range would be a fraction of what you might spend only to have a gun that doesn’t suit your needs.
