Like some others, my EDC choice has changed several times in the last few years. With all the new offerings that keep popping up I assume I'm not the only one to switch things out....
I started with the super duper subcompact mouse guns. I got it stuck in my head that concealability was THE MOST important thing to EDC. The problem is that these tiny little subcompacts just plain suck to shoot. And I think that one's EDC should be the gun they shoot not necessarily the most, but AT LEAST as often as others. So I bounced around, tried the LCP's, the G42/3's and a few others looking for the ultimate in concealability. The problem was every time I went to the range I found myself not shooting it. I didn't enjoy the tiny size, the snappy recoil and honestly I'm not super great with them accuracy wise.
After a few trial and error type experiences, I ended up with a Glock 26. It concealed OK, shot OK and I carried it for a few years. But it still wasn't my favorite and it was chunky so I wasn't exactly getting the "ultimate concealability" that I was longing for. I just kept telling myself that even though I didn't shoot it much, it was better than a knife or a beer bottle so I was good.
Then I met a few cool dudes from NWFA and realized that it IS possible to conceal a larger firearm quite easily so I moved up to a G19. I absolutely HATED carrying it. For about a week. Then I got used to it and then I forgot it was on me most of the time. 15 rounds, a grip I could actually hang on to and a gun I can shoot. I thought my quest was over. But my OCD and laziness kicked in and I realized that I didn't like having a pile of G17 mags for my other guns and 3 G19 mags for my EDC. Going to the range meant I had to make sure I brought the appropriate mags for my carry as well as all my other Glocks. Yes, I know that G17 mags work in a 19 but it doesn't equate to real-world situations since I never carried it like that. Also, the 19 mags don't work in larger framed guns so that kinda got to me.
Soooo......I rehomed the G19 and picked up a G45. Yes, it was a Glock I kinda poked fun at when it first released. I like to stir the pot around here, it keeps things interesting. Even when it comes to Glocks. So yeah, I wasn't too kind.
But it checks the boxes. G19 size slide, uses my existing holster, feels good in the hand and uses G17 mags just like all my other 9mm Glocks. The extra 1/2" or so of grip length doesn't make it conceal any worse and gives it the familiarity of my other Glocks so shooting it will be second nature.
My point here? Tiny subcompacts have their place. But if you hate shooting it, or don't shoot it often/well then you probably aren't going to be good when it absolutely counts. An occasional print isn't a big deal and 99% of the general public isn't going to notice anyway. I think some of us get so wrapped up in worrying about printing that we lose sight of the fact that our EDC's need to be an extension of our bodies and smaller isn't necessarily better.
I started with the super duper subcompact mouse guns. I got it stuck in my head that concealability was THE MOST important thing to EDC. The problem is that these tiny little subcompacts just plain suck to shoot. And I think that one's EDC should be the gun they shoot not necessarily the most, but AT LEAST as often as others. So I bounced around, tried the LCP's, the G42/3's and a few others looking for the ultimate in concealability. The problem was every time I went to the range I found myself not shooting it. I didn't enjoy the tiny size, the snappy recoil and honestly I'm not super great with them accuracy wise.
After a few trial and error type experiences, I ended up with a Glock 26. It concealed OK, shot OK and I carried it for a few years. But it still wasn't my favorite and it was chunky so I wasn't exactly getting the "ultimate concealability" that I was longing for. I just kept telling myself that even though I didn't shoot it much, it was better than a knife or a beer bottle so I was good.
Then I met a few cool dudes from NWFA and realized that it IS possible to conceal a larger firearm quite easily so I moved up to a G19. I absolutely HATED carrying it. For about a week. Then I got used to it and then I forgot it was on me most of the time. 15 rounds, a grip I could actually hang on to and a gun I can shoot. I thought my quest was over. But my OCD and laziness kicked in and I realized that I didn't like having a pile of G17 mags for my other guns and 3 G19 mags for my EDC. Going to the range meant I had to make sure I brought the appropriate mags for my carry as well as all my other Glocks. Yes, I know that G17 mags work in a 19 but it doesn't equate to real-world situations since I never carried it like that. Also, the 19 mags don't work in larger framed guns so that kinda got to me.
Soooo......I rehomed the G19 and picked up a G45. Yes, it was a Glock I kinda poked fun at when it first released. I like to stir the pot around here, it keeps things interesting. Even when it comes to Glocks. So yeah, I wasn't too kind.
But it checks the boxes. G19 size slide, uses my existing holster, feels good in the hand and uses G17 mags just like all my other 9mm Glocks. The extra 1/2" or so of grip length doesn't make it conceal any worse and gives it the familiarity of my other Glocks so shooting it will be second nature.
My point here? Tiny subcompacts have their place. But if you hate shooting it, or don't shoot it often/well then you probably aren't going to be good when it absolutely counts. An occasional print isn't a big deal and 99% of the general public isn't going to notice anyway. I think some of us get so wrapped up in worrying about printing that we lose sight of the fact that our EDC's need to be an extension of our bodies and smaller isn't necessarily better.
