Redundant Handgun Purchase or Trade for CCW?

[Khukuri]

After a recent trip to Dallas and getting into a questionable area of town, I was thinking about carrying something a little more capable than what I had. When I was down there I took my Taurus TCP and my S&W 642. I have a XD Subcompact 40 also and am considering carrying it. However, it seems so heavy and bulky. I was considering trading for a CW9. I really don't want to give up my XD for one but what I'm questioning is if the CW9 is too close to the same thing or filling the same role as the TCP and 642. I'm not sure if it would qualify as a lightweight replacement for the XD and I also have questions about it reliability which I don't have with the XD. If I really had a SHTF situation at home in the country, I'm thinking the XD would be a lot better than the CW9 and if it's basically fills the same role equally as the other 2, is it worth the money? I hope that I haven't made this question to confusing.

I did try carrying the XD this weekend with my Comptac Minotaur but it was so much more noticeable and heavy than when carrying the 642 in a Remora IWB.

 

[Jason1221]

I have carried the xd subcompact. After a day IWB at about 3-330 on side with a snug belt u will get use to it easily I'm not a big guy only 5'6" 175 at 3:30 it was comfortable. I now carry a Glock 27 wich is a subcompact 40. I love this gun more than any I have ever owned or shot. If your looking for something in a thinner frame the Kahr is a very nice gun. It runs about $600 brand new I believe. Sorry I can't help with the CW9. But deffinetly go with something to protect you! I wouldn't carry anything smaller than a 9 I prefer 40 myself. Good luck to ya. And plz post what ur decision was

 

[ccwnwv]

I carry a cw9 and have for years, I regularly practice with it and it is extremely dependable, I have encountered minumal misfeeds (3 in 4k rnds) with PD ammo the 9mm will stop a gorilla if you hit your marks. It is ultra light and ultra thin, easy to conceal anywhere you may carry it on you. Cant speak as to its comparison to a taurus, but it is probably equal.

 

[Troy Everette]

I've carried a 9mm for years and it will do the job. If I were going to carry anything larger I'd just go ahead and carry my .45 ACP. You can feel safe with the XD .40, though I don't find the .40 as accurate as either the 9mm or .45 ACP. It might just be something with me but I just don't get the groups I'm used to with any other handgun round and I have shot most cal's if not all. If you do go to a smaller size pistol be sure it's big enough to get hold of and control when your heart is racing and your hands are shaking! It's not nearly as easy as it would seem to access, draw and acquire your target when you are full of adrenaline! In a time like this you don't want to have to fumble for something so small you can't get a good hold on it. I have considered a smaller frame pistol for Summer carry but stick with a full size/power pistol but that's just a personal preference for me. The good thing is that there are a lot of great compacts out there, but be careful and look at their stats because some aren't that much smaller than the medium sized pistols like my Sig P-229. Good Luck!

 

[Khukuri]

We'll I've been thinking that I would get used to it. It didn't happen this weekend but what I'm being told on another forum is that I really have to have a gun belt or similiar to make it ride comfortable.

 

[Hoganbeg]

If I were not comfortable with 5-6 shots of the lesser cartridges, I'd immediately start carrying the XD subcompact. Then, I might check out a slimmer. lighter weight option in 9mm.

 

[Troy Everette]

I've found getting used to carrying a medium frame such as my Sig P-229, Ruger SR-9, Glock 19 or Taurus 24/7 it is a huge matter of just getting used to carrying it with the right holster and a good gun-belt does help to support the weight. I've got smaller framed pistols but opt 95% of the time to carry one of the above mentioned because they're not too big but plenty to get a hand on with a good hold in an emergency. To me, and this is just a personal opinion, some of the smaller pistols would be hard to access, draw and get a good (correct) hold on when adrenaline is pumping through your system. On the other hand with plenty of practice you can be sufficient with any size as long as you're willing to put the time in and to get the right holster for smaller frame carry. I hold with the saying "I'd rather have a .22 than the .45 I left at home" In other words it's better to have a pistol you'll carry than one you find uncomfortable and don't carry. I always instructed my students to carry all of the time, where legally allowed. Sometimes carry will get you in trouble. It's my opinion if you're going to carry carry all of the time except where it's not legal.
Good Luck,
Troy.
"You gentlemen may go to hell and I'll go to Texas." Davy Crockett addressing Congress for support to defend Texas.

 

[bullmooose]

I carry my XD45 with a Smart Carry holster. I'm a big guy and this is a very comfortable set up for me. I wouldn't trade my 45 for any of the smaller caliber guns ... hopefully I'll never need it but if I do I have the confidence that it will place the bullets where i want them to go.

 

[Khukuri]

If I were not comfortable with 5-6 shots of the lesser cartridges, I'd immediately start carrying the XD subcompact. Then, I might check out a slimmer. lighter weight option in 9mm.

I think most of the time I am comfortable or was when thinking about some situation like some punk asking for my wallet. It's times like getting stuck in a rough area of Dallas or one of these situations where u have a heavily armed shooter whose goal is to kill as many innocents as possible that's making me second guess. I was reading about a cop Jim Cirilio I believe that did pretty good with a snubby though so maybe I just need to really practice with what I have that is easily carried. It's a tough balancing act.

 

[sig_man]

I have been carrying a CW9 for sometime now. I can carry either IWB, OWB or ankle and it is comfortable all day. I am actually thinking of buying a second one and carrying both.

 

[Hoganbeg]

Practice is the main key to being effective at self-defense. That said, it is easier to obtain hits with a heavier gun and longer sight radius. If all you are concerned with is round count, You might consider Jim Cirillo's "New York" reload technique, and start carrying both of your lightweight guns. That would balance out your gun belt too.

By the way, Jim Cirillo is one of the real-deal modern gunfighters who is worth listening to.

 

[XD357grandpa]

Guess what I am most comfortable with? And it shoots where I aim it. Never ran into a perp that needed shooting but I did come around a corner in the trail and came nose to nose with ole blacky bear. That XD just jumped into my hand and I was amazed at how steady I was. Bear saw he was outgunned and skeedadled right out of there and I got to save my ammo for the next time.

Sorry but I guess this didn't answer your question. My answer to that is whatever feels and shoots best for you, find the right set up to make it work.

 

[rilkil23]

My xd40 sc is my cold season gun while i prefer my lc9 for the warmer months. I live in colorado so i am glad i have guns for different roles. The lc9 is really comfortable in the smartcarry and conceals perfectly in work clothes while the xd40 sc requires additional layers to conceal. I have a lcp for the times when the bigger guns get in the way. My xd is worn in a crossbreed style holster, comfort is really good but it is a lot heavier, obviously. I sold my full frame sr9 because i have not been carrying it for a few months. Different guns fill different roles but i am always looking for that "perfect" carry piece.

 

[SGB]

While I'm a full size service sidearm kind of guy I believe in redundancy. Simplifies mags, ammo, holsters and spare parts.

 

[Khukuri]

I think more what I was trying to ask is guns like the TCP, LCP, J Frame, etc are small pocket type concealed carry guns that basically serve the same purpose and are about equally suited. A 1911, full size glock, XD, etc are in another class. If I trade the XD for a CW9, am I basically adding one more gun that is basically the same as my TCP and 642, or is it different enough or that much better suited for self defense similar to the XD but in a smaller package. If it's basically the same as the pocket guns with not perceived or major differences, then I would probably be better off not taking a hit on my trade in for the XD. If there is a distinct upgrade in defensive ability and it's basically equal to the XD except much more carryable, then the trade might be worth it. I'm in the process of researching holsters, belts, carry methods, etc to be able to comfortably carry the XD but I still think it's going to be too bulky for me. However, with the chance of something going wrong in our country or threats by the NBP that I read about, I still want something more combat ready like the XD. This question may not make any sense to anyone but me.

 

[Mobuck]

Like the man said "carrying a weapon should be COMFORTING not necessarily comfortable".
You have to make the decision as to whether you want more/bigger bullets or more comfort.
I've carried for many years and very seldom do I wish I had an itty bitty peashooter instead of my Ruger P95.

PS
With the smaller 5-6-7 shot guns, you have to be extremely cognizant of your shot count if you encounter multiple assailants. With 14-15 shots, you just shoot everyone 3-4 times and swap mags.

 

[hestes]

I'm a woman and I have started carrying an XD Compact .45 in a Comp-tac MTAC holster, appendix carry. A gun belt makes a HUGE difference, and there is even a difference between the gun belts themselves. I previously wore a Galco belt, but when I ordered my new holster for the XD, I also purchased a belt from Comp-tac that had the Kydex sewn it. It felt MUCH more stable than the Galco. A good sturdy gun belt can make carrying any gun more comfortable.

 

[Khukuri]

I'm a woman and I have started carrying an XD Compact .45 in a Comp-tac MTAC holster, appendix carry. A gun belt makes a HUGE difference, and there is even a difference between the gun belts themselves. I previously wore a Galco belt, but when I ordered my new holster for the XD, I also purchased a belt from Comp-tac that had the Kydex sewn it. It felt MUCH more stable than the Galco. A good sturdy gun belt can make carrying any gun more comfortable.

I've been researching quite a bit about belts and I think I'm going to give one a shot before jumping into a trade with the XD. If push comes to shove I would rather have that one than any of the others.

 

[wizard]

If you have a good belt and holster it makes all the difference. It may take a few days to adjust to a new gun, but if you are that worried about not having enough gun, just get what you need to comfortably carry your XD and know you are as prepared as you can be.

 

[fudo]

We'll I've been thinking that I would get used to it. It didn't happen this weekend but what I'm being told on another forum is that I really have to have a gun belt or similiar to make it ride comfortable.

With ANY CCW gun you need to spend what it takes to get a quality gun belt and holster. The belt needs to be stiff enough to support the gun and not let it move around. I'm a big fan of the kydex lined belts made by Looper Leather in OKC. The holster needs to cover the trigger guard completely and still give you a good firing grip on the gun. The style of holster you need depends on what you need it to do.