Another point is if you are comfortable carrying at/drawing from the 4-5 o’clock position instead of 3-3:30 the least concealable gun on this list becomes as or more concealable then the most, as demonstrated.
I carry the 43X MOS with an EPS Carry optic. Love the set up. Easy to conceal and I'm most comfortable with Glocks. Trigger, controls, all the good and the bad... Just feels right in my hand and I'm really comfortable using them.
Love my 365x. I now have 15 round extended mags. I keep the flush 12 round with 1 in the chamber and a spare 15 round on my belt. It’s such a great shooting pistol. No optics on it. Just the night sights and that’s been great for me. Someday maybe I will put a Romeo zero on it but for now it’s perfect as it is. Thanks for the excellent content!!
@@2aTommy definitely they are just so damned expensive. That is the one major benefit of running a Glock. Mags are really easy to get and inexpensive for Glock brand
I carry my XMacro every day appendix. The grip does print more because I’ve got some extra tactical cushion but with the right shirts it disappears. I got it because I can’t afford multiple firearms right now and I wanted to start training with a grip I can get my hand around, the capacity and I’m a bit of a Sig fan boy. It’s comfortable enough to carry 10-12 hours a day in a professional setting, large enough to start training comfortably with and the 17 +1 is a bonus. For now the XMacro is my Swiss Army Knife because it’s on my person all day, my nightstand and big enough get a full grip on at the range every week. Great list and breakdown. Definitely enjoyed it
You can get pinky extensions for that CR920 flush mag. They’re like $15 directly from Shadow Systems. Game changer. I used to avoid carrying that gun without the extended mag until I bought one of these.
For me the S&W Shield Plus w/13 round mag strikes the perfect balance between comfort and concealability. Shoots great, ultra-reliable. I just picked up my first Glock, a Gen5 19. Anxious to see if it might kick the Plus out of its current #1 carry choice position.
With a P365 and an X-Macro I can decide to carry anywhere from 11, 13 or 18 rounds depending on wardrobe. Any of the magazines will fit in the original P365, and it allows me to be very consistent by using the same basic platform. I could also buy an XL grip mod for $50 and essentially have a Spectre Comp. I find the X-Macro pretty easy to carry, except appendix. The P365 solves that problem for me. In my opinion there’s no single “perfect” carry gun…everything has trade offs. For me a pair of Sigs equals 99% perfection. Not for everyone I’m sure, but that’s the beauty of having options!
Hola brother! I thought I might be the only one who owns 2 P365. P365XL was my first purchase. TBH I HATE it in the first month, but few months later - after a lot of training- it became my favorite for subcompact/conceal carry. I like it so much I wanted a smaller version, so I got the P365X (so I can add red dot), then switch out the grip to P365n grip. Then switch out the iron sites to suppressor height, and I got a near perfect micro-compact P365 for conceal carry. The other P365XL, I’m looking to get a threaded carrel and a comp and have that as bag carry. My wife has the P365 Rose which is pretty much the P365XL Spectre. I’m considering getting another P365X because my current one as the Sig Lima installed, I like it a lot but there is few holster options for it. So, really considering a 3rd P365 without the Lima for wider holster compatibility.
In reality, whichever one you choose after you put some time in with it you’re good to go. If reliability is there, you can learn to shoot any gun very well
I never liked any kind of optics on my carry guns. I just see them as distractions and another thing to worry about. Too much factors to consider from holster compatability, weight, battery, screen fogging up, another protrusion that can get caught on your clothes. It's just too hectic. I'd rather just be a master of normal sights than half with optics and half with normal. And I'll be honest. I think a lot of people just get them for cosmetics rather than actual functionality. I think the trend will eventually die out like the corny laser pointers that people use to attach to their guns.
So glad you did this type of video 🎥🎥 As gun owners we need to know what we think we know 😉 Iam going to use this video 🎥 when I meet new gun owners & those who think they know 😀
I just got a Walther PDP compact SD Pro. That thing is super fun to shoot. I’m not carrying it yet being it is still being vetted with ammo and such, but man it is becoming my favorite gun in my collection.
I carry a S&W M&P Shield 2.0 9mm EZ. Picked it up used like new. Love the gun. Carries nice. Just wish it held more than 8+1. I'm really thin so IWB is tough. I carry OWB with a Phalanx Defense systems compact holster. The one mode to fit like 150+different guns but it fits like it's made solely for this pistol. Very positive capture and I haven't jumped it out the holster or anything wearing it all day, detailing cars etc. Works for a skinny dude like me. 5'9" 140lbs.
I'm a small old guy with hand issues so the EZ9 was my 9mm carry til I discovered the Equalizer. I traded the EZ9 in for it and have no regrets except I do miss the really slim profile of the EZ9. I don't move around like you do so the weight is not an issue.
Shield Plus/Equalizer combo is unbeatable IMO. Either one is a great option. But together, you've got a great combo. There's not a bad choice here at all. But SW takes it for me. I alternate carry between a Shield Plus, Equalizer, and an M&P40c (40/9/357s barrel options). I run TechnaClips on all but the Equalizer. 4Bros TLR7 holster for it. Cheers.
@@9770G well for one, Because the video is "7 best carry guns of 2023" not "7 best duty guns of 2013". Those you mention are a totally different class.
@@J.Wick. ahhh yes because the g19 and g26 haven’t been two of the most popular carry guns for the last 30 years 🤣🤡. U and 5 other ppl are seriously delusional af🤣
You keep talking about shooting o$f the reset. I don't worry too much about the reset. I find I shoot faster and better if I let the trigger come all the way out after each shot. I was taught this way at an early age by an uncle who shot IDPA and it has stuck with me over the years. Everything else in your videos is spot on. I enjoy your videos and you provide a lot of good information. I like the variety of handguns you review. Please keep up the good work.
The only gun that I shoot better than my Sig P320 and my M&P 2.0 Shield 9mm is my EDC FN509C. Love your show brother, see you and Mrs. Hegshot next episode!
I have a shield plus performance center 4" barrel with the CT optic if anyone's interested. Figured I'd throw it out there. Not sure why your optic was dim, the one I got is plenty bright and easy to pick up, it's just not a real big optic. You're spot on the extended mag makes it way easier to shoot with your whole hand on it
I rented a Shueld Plus PC with CT dot. My brief experience was that it was too dim. A relatively dark indoor shooting range with the overhead light turned off, and I had to work to see the dot and it was quite small. I blamed the low attention to detail of rental/range. It was a very impressive shooter however. I would like to have both 3.1 barrel and 4 as a matching pair for carry and home defense.
I can agree with almost all the points, but since I’ll likely never even use it, I really want the smallest and lightest gun I can shoot well (as long as it has at least 12rds). So I carry a CR920, but it has a JG Trigger…so it’s coming in at $900 and the 2nd most expensive option. The Spe Comp is great, but doesn’t point as well for me and is a bit longer and heavier. All the S&W and Hellcats are too heavy and big for me to CCW.
The Optics Ready Shield Plus for me. To me it’s the most shootable with the least amount of felt recoil for such a small pistol. The grip swells out just slightly to fill out my palms, has an excellent trigger, great grip texture, has the orange and green night sights (on the OR model), and it was 350 with S&W’s rebates. It’s hard to beat that. I could almost get 2 O.R. Shield Plus for the same amount as a P365xl, Hellcat, Shadow Systems CR920, and so forth. It’s a shame the rebate ended on 4/2, but it was such a good deal.
My 9mm CCW is the Equalizer. When the nerve damage in both hands is really bothering me my CCW is the Sig P365-380. This 380 in this one is just a bit easier to control when my hands hurt. I plan to get more time on the Equalizer because I'm pleased with how I shoot it and the last time out I only used the 10-round mag to really test it. I now have a pinky extension for that 10-round mag to help with the grip. I'm 71 with nerve damage in both hands which means recoil sensitivity and difficulty racking some guns. I like my EZ380 when I just want to plink but it is a tack driver for me at defensive distances. With Underwood Extreme Defender P+ I feel fine when those times come when that's all my hands will tolerate. That changes day to day so options are a must for me. I'm even gonna try the Ruger Security 380 as it may serve a purpose for me. The nerve damage has progressed as a few years ago the regular Sig P365 was my CCW. The EZ9 came next and I traded that in on the Equalizer. The Equalizer has already replaced my home defense 9mm which was the Ruger Security 9. The Sig P365 grips and Shield grips work great for me. I had the original single-stack Shield but it became too hard to rack. Shoulder issues require me to carry cross-draw. By the way, I really like how you review pistols. I trust your reviews like I do Sooch.
EZ 9 Performance Center its perfect! Crisp clean on point, hi viz fiber optic night sights and flat trigger, ported barrel and slide right out the box, super thin, and that hammer!
Shadow Systems has a replacement policy if your rig ends up in the evidence locker. They kinda keep it on the DL - but its there if that difficult day ever comes
As for my favorite carry guns...hmmm. i am torn between the Shield Plus and the Shield 2.0. I took some emory cloth and smoothed out the stippling on the grip of the Shield 2.0 a little which made it a lot more comfortable gun to shoot. When i am in a situation where i have to carry DEEP concealed, i carry the LCP Max. Both of my Shields have fiber-optic with Tritium sights, but that is the only modification i have made. I do not modify my carry guns with triggers and the like. Pistols are for up close and personal self defense. In a self defense situation, things are happening so fast that there is not time to take precise aim, you are shooting center mass to stop the threat, not to score points on a target at the range.
I'm surprised so many people choose the "xl", "macro" and "pro" versions of all the micro 9's. I much prefer the original micro versions, like the Hellcat and P365.
I have loved my P365 since I bought it a couple of years ago. It's always been on me. I have probably run 5,000 rounds or so through it. It has never once failed, no matter what ammo I have run through it (and I have run a lot of different stuff, it just shoots everything). Now, I have just upgraded my bone stock P365 to convert it into a Spectre Comp by swapping out the slide, replacing the recoil springs with an XL recoil spring assembly and finally, yeah, a Holosun 507k X2 optic. This should be an awesome new EDC for me. I would rather have a flat trigger like my P320, but, still, it is a rock'n little pistol that is excellent shooting and super easy to conceal carry. I have yet to see anything that can beat it.
I am having a disconnect with my Shield Plus PC 4" too. I have a Shield Plus PC 3.1" and it MY GUN. A dream. They truly see to be different guns at times. I had a Hex optic on my Springfield XDM Elite and it died after two sessions for me too. I want an EPS Carry for Shield Plus PC.
M&P lost me with the shield plus. Not a fan of the grip at all. It is long and slender compared the the Sig and the Hellcat which just fit my hand a better. I have not cared for any of the grips on the micro Smith guns. The CR920 is quickly becoming my favorite. I replaced.the rear sight(simple fix). The triggers get much better after break in and proper lube. Mine has gotten much better. All the great build features of the Glock without the Glock grip angle. It shoots so flat with the 13 rd ext too. It is surpassing my HC Pro in the rotation. Out of the box the Sig 365 grip, even the xl is too small. I like the macro but don't care for the longer grip. If it's stock, pass on the Sig, with the addition of the WC grip it is much different. The only complaint I have with the HC Pro is the square back of the grip is a little uncomfortable after putting several rounds through it. The reliability of the HC pro is 100% as is the CR920. Love the reviews, it shows just how much different one gun can be to the next for each one of us.
Getting out of the military I went with what was familiar and got a Beretta 92X compact, reliable, accurate, strong, also heavy and bulky but workable concealability-wise. After carrying for over a year I decided to pick up something smaller and lighter and after looking around for a while and checking out handguns at a local gunshop I went with a Hellcat Pro because I valued the full grip, longer barrel, love the sights actually, the controls and high capacity because I hate carrying spare magazines I carry too much stuff already. My Pro cannot dream of shooting half as nice as my Beretta but it's accurate, very reliable, and comfortable, but it took me a while to get proficient with shooting it since it's my first "micro" and feels almost like I'm shooting a .40 Lol. I'm currently looking at the S&W Shield Plus Performance Center with the 4 inch barrel now tho (non ported), because it's around the same size with the extended magazine and shoots a bit flatter although it's 2 rounds less which I think I can live with.
hellcat pro and P365 x-macro tacops. smaller barrels need specialized ammo for full expansion. The grips are phenomenal they are thin. the round counts are amazing and I do carry a light on my EDC. it goes everywhere all the time except camping, then it's P226 all the way. everything has an optic. so the stock sights don't really matter much to me.
Shield 40 or 45 M 2.0, is my rotation. Also had Shield Plus in there for a while, but prefer 40 and 45 for power and performance. 9 has pretty much become a range caliber for me.
So, it's not just me? I am bored to death with EVERYTHING being chambered in 9mm only. I'm having a hard time spending big bucks on YET ANOTHER 9mm pistol. Most manufacturers are phasing out .40 and especially .45, while everyone is making pistols chambered in 10mm and Five Seven, neither of which interest me. I mostly carry my Sig P-320 C in .45 ACP but, like you, I shoot 9mm the most just because I can get 1000 rounds for $200.
@@johnlacasse8893 Both .40 and 10mm are expensive and harder to get than other calibers. One big reason people use to dismiss the .45 is recoil... but the 10mm recoils harder and I'd worry about over-penetration. We do get a few more rounds in the magazine w/10mm or .40, but to me capacity isn't the biggest factor in choosing a caliber and I live in a 10-round state anyway.
@@David-cc9ww Lakeshore Ammunition, Re-manufactured 115 Gr ball. I have fired many thousands of these and only had 2 rounds that gave me an issue.1 bad primer that wouldn't light off... and 1 that didn't want to go all the way into battery.
I think I'm a S&W CZ Beretta/Glock Kinda guy when it comes to carry guns in 9mm I like revolvers & 1911's & 10mm's too but as far as carry guns in 9mm/40 I love S&W & CZ the most
My new EDC is the Equalizer, I am still trying to decide which mag (10, 13, or 15) will be my primary carry, may depend on weather but I have found that I can carry the 15 with an untucked button down shirt with little problems, only issue might be the weight of the full 15 rounder. Open to suggestions
@Hegshot87 you are my favorite gun guy. I currently carry a LC9S, I will be getting a Sield Plus in the near future. We also have the same body type. 😂
I have about six handguns...but I love my M&P 2.0 Compact 3.6 with a Apex flat trigger. Its just a great gun...its small but not tiny...fits my hand well...shoots great...carries great....just haven't found another handgun that made me say wow this is so much better I'm going to change my carry gun. I like it so much that I just bought another and had it Cerekoted in flat dark earth...lol
Cr920 combat w/ cyelee cat ( poor man's 507k 😂) north tactical T.U.C. appendix holster and the extended mag are great for my Goya Gut and me. 😂 With the flush mag, I almost forget I'm carrying. 😉
@@hiwayhighway9925 I don't like it at all, love my M&P's that I do have though. The grip safety is butt ugly. Springfield knows how to make one that functions well and looks good too.
@@whatsup24_7 I guess I'm more of a function over looks guy. I mean it's CONCEAL CARRY. Why would anyone care how it looks? I don't believe you have ever picked one up personally. I asked over ten people who have at the gun store and NO ONE thought it was a bother. Funny huh?
Told the guy at the shop I wanted a pistol under 400 for my first carry and the dude put a p365 x macro for whatever reason knowing dang well I can’t afford it. Needless to say I’m already planning on selling what I got later on and upgrading to it.
Could you give the Bushnell rx-series of optic a try? I love the auto brightness feature, always visible no matter the environment and the fact it's always on, it's just peace of mind whenever I carry
I feel like I'm the only one who really doesn't like those little tiny micro 9s. It feels like I'm holding a toy, I struggle to get a full grip on them and they don't shoot nearly as well as full sized or even compact pistols. Smallest I'll go is the Glock 19, believe it or not
canik mc9 with pinky rest should be in the convo best trigger on that table period and 12 rd cap flush hair larger then cr920 oh and it under $500 with loads of accessories and a usable holster all for again under $500
Has anyone noticed that the latest trend is to make all these "Micro-nine" pistols larger? Is that because tiny 9mm pistols are great to carry but suck to shoot? Hmmm... The XL, XMacro, Hellcat Pro, 43X... the larger - or even larger still - versions of the micro-nines keep coming out one after another. Yeah, I just carry a 'compact' instead of any of these. Is there REALLY a significant difference between carrying a Performance Center Shield Plus 9mm and carrying the M&P 2.0 Compact 9mm? I can conceal a CZ P-01 fairly easily too, but I mostly carry the Sig P-320 C in .45 ACP. It's kinda big, but what a great shooter and 10-rounds of .45 ACP while weighing less than 26 ounces. My wife wanted to get a smaller carry gun. After checking out all the available micro nines, she decided that a little bit easier to conceal doesn't make up for much harder to shoot/operate, so she opted for 'none of the above'. I was surprised she came to this conclusion on her own, I thought she would surely buy a GX-4 or a Canik Mete MC-9.
CCW is just starting here in Hawai’i so I never really carried. I have a Shield 1.0 that is Gucci’d but it doesn’t fit well in my We The People Shield holster plus it’s rather a one off pistol. I am purchasing a Hellcat (standard) without a dot cut so it is smaller. I picked it because I have a gut and need something small.
I hear ya Hegshot when it comes to those Grip Safeties. Aesthetically they're Not very good-looking and just make the gun's overall appearance look worse. I don't see the point in em if the pistol already has Safeties built into it.
I just got a shield plus and like it so far. I really want a 365x or xmacro. Been doing a lot of research on these Shadow Systems guns really want a full size for the night stand. All hard to get in CA though 😢
I dropped the links to the individual reviews in the description box for y'all.
Standard Shield Plus without thumb safety. Best gun for size, price, and shootability. Good trigger and shoots like a larger gun.
I've been carrying a Shield 2.0 9mm for about 2 1/2 years. I got an Equalizer the beginning of February and it's rapidly becoming my favorite..
Another point is if you are comfortable carrying at/drawing from the 4-5 o’clock position instead of 3-3:30 the least concealable gun on this list becomes as or more concealable then the most, as demonstrated.
Sig p365 with 12 rd mags is still the king for me
Its a great one for sure. I just cant get past the trigger.
Get the 14rd mag guts base plate. Its so nice knowing i have 14+1 in such a small package.
I carry the 43X MOS with an EPS Carry optic. Love the set up. Easy to conceal and I'm most comfortable with Glocks. Trigger, controls, all the good and the bad... Just feels right in my hand and I'm really comfortable using them.
I've only shot the shield plus and I'm really happy with it. Plus I got the 15 round magazine so it holds plenty of rounds for me
I am with you...I love my shield plus.....
Love my 365x. I now have 15 round extended mags. I keep the flush 12 round with 1 in the chamber and a spare 15 round on my belt. It’s such a great shooting pistol. No optics on it. Just the night sights and that’s been great for me. Someday maybe I will put a Romeo zero on it but for now it’s perfect as it is. Thanks for the excellent content!!
You should check out the 17 round macro mags, they’re essentially the same length as the 15 rounders.
@@2aTommy definitely they are just so damned expensive. That is the one major benefit of running a Glock. Mags are really easy to get and inexpensive for Glock brand
@@tamadrummer001 I feel your pain lol. Sig needs to drop the prices on their mags by $10 or $15.
Sig night sights are no joke
I carry my XMacro every day appendix. The grip does print more because I’ve got some extra tactical cushion but with the right shirts it disappears. I got it because I can’t afford multiple firearms right now and I wanted to start training with a grip I can get my hand around, the capacity and I’m a bit of a Sig fan boy. It’s comfortable enough to carry 10-12 hours a day in a professional setting, large enough to start training comfortably with and the 17 +1 is a bonus. For now the XMacro is my Swiss Army Knife because it’s on my person all day, my nightstand and big enough get a full grip on at the range every week. Great list and breakdown. Definitely enjoyed it
You can get pinky extensions for that CR920 flush mag. They’re like $15 directly from Shadow Systems. Game changer. I used to avoid carrying that gun without the extended mag until I bought one of these.
For me the S&W Shield Plus w/13 round mag strikes the perfect balance between comfort and concealability. Shoots great, ultra-reliable. I just picked up my first Glock, a Gen5 19. Anxious to see if it might kick the Plus out of its current #1 carry choice position.
Micro Dagger
@@shanecolunga2484yeah good luck
Not gonna happen.
I held the Shield plus for the first recently and I love how it feels in my hand and will most likely be my first carry gun!
Did you get one?
With a P365 and an X-Macro I can decide to carry anywhere from 11, 13 or 18 rounds depending on wardrobe. Any of the magazines will fit in the original P365, and it allows me to be very consistent by using the same basic platform. I could also buy an XL grip mod for $50 and essentially have a Spectre Comp.
I find the X-Macro pretty easy to carry, except appendix. The P365 solves that problem for me.
In my opinion there’s no single “perfect” carry gun…everything has trade offs. For me a pair of Sigs equals 99% perfection. Not for everyone I’m sure, but that’s the beauty of having options!
Hola brother! I thought I might be the only one who owns 2 P365. P365XL was my first purchase. TBH I HATE it in the first month, but few months later - after a lot of training- it became my favorite for subcompact/conceal carry. I like it so much I wanted a smaller version, so I got the P365X (so I can add red dot), then switch out the grip to P365n grip. Then switch out the iron sites to suppressor height, and I got a near perfect micro-compact P365 for conceal carry. The other P365XL, I’m looking to get a threaded carrel and a comp and have that as bag carry. My wife has the P365 Rose which is pretty much the P365XL Spectre. I’m considering getting another P365X because my current one as the Sig Lima installed, I like it a lot but there is few holster options for it. So, really considering a 3rd P365 without the Lima for wider holster compatibility.
Agreed with your opinion on no perfect ccw. For me I can't stand sigs but the shield plus is perfect for me
I went with the Hellcat. Reason: Capacity. When I bought it, it had the highest. Now Im just partial to it because Ive used it extensively.
In reality, whichever one you choose after you put some time in with it you’re good to go. If reliability is there, you can learn to shoot any gun very well
SIG P365 Macro
it's also modular, so you can effectively change the hand grip for another.
AIWB
Good holster / belt I can conceal it well.
I never liked any kind of optics on my carry guns. I just see them as distractions and another thing to worry about. Too much factors to consider from holster compatability, weight, battery, screen fogging up, another protrusion that can get caught on your clothes. It's just too hectic. I'd rather just be a master of normal sights than half with optics and half with normal. And I'll be honest. I think a lot of people just get them for cosmetics rather than actual functionality. I think the trend will eventually die out like the corny laser pointers that people use to attach to their guns.
So close to 250k subs! I can feeeelllll it. You deserve it my man, have a good weekend.
So glad you did this type of video 🎥🎥 As gun owners we need to know what we think we know 😉 Iam going to use this video 🎥 when I meet new gun owners & those who think they know 😀
I just got a Walther PDP compact SD Pro. That thing is super fun to shoot. I’m not carrying it yet being it is still being vetted with ammo and such, but man it is becoming my favorite gun in my collection.
Another honest review...becoming rarer and rarer on UA-cam. Thanks!
I carry a S&W M&P Shield 2.0 9mm EZ. Picked it up used like new. Love the gun. Carries nice. Just wish it held more than 8+1.
I'm really thin so IWB is tough. I carry OWB with a Phalanx Defense systems compact holster. The one mode to fit like 150+different guns but it fits like it's made solely for this pistol. Very positive capture and I haven't jumped it out the holster or anything wearing it all day, detailing cars etc. Works for a skinny dude like me. 5'9" 140lbs.
I'm a small old guy with hand issues so the EZ9 was my 9mm carry til I discovered the Equalizer. I traded the EZ9 in for it and have no regrets except I do miss the really slim profile of the EZ9. I don't move around like you do so the weight is not an issue.
I love my shield 45. But nobody seems to talk about the 45. But since I live at the beach I carry a bodyguard when wearing a bathing suit.
Shield Plus/Equalizer combo is unbeatable IMO. Either one is a great option. But together, you've got a great combo. There's not a bad choice here at all. But SW takes it for me. I alternate carry between a Shield Plus, Equalizer, and an M&P40c (40/9/357s barrel options). I run TechnaClips on all but the Equalizer. 4Bros TLR7 holster for it. Cheers.
Ha that’s cute. A G19 and G26 is a drastically better combo to have but ok😂👍🏻
@@9770G thanks for your opinion. Also a good combo. But those aren't relative to this video.
@@J.Wick. and how is that? They are both carry guns and also the compatibility between the two is very high.
@@9770G well for one, Because the video is "7 best carry guns of 2023" not "7 best duty guns of 2013". Those you mention are a totally different class.
@@J.Wick. ahhh yes because the g19 and g26 haven’t been two of the most popular carry guns for the last 30 years 🤣🤡. U and 5 other ppl are seriously delusional af🤣
You keep talking about shooting o$f the reset. I don't worry too much about the reset. I find I shoot faster and better if I let the trigger come all the way out after each shot. I was taught this way at an early age by an uncle who shot IDPA and it has stuck with me over the years. Everything else in your videos is spot on. I enjoy your videos and you provide a lot of good information. I like the variety of handguns you review. Please keep up the good work.
The only gun that I shoot better than my Sig P320 and my M&P 2.0 Shield 9mm is my EDC FN509C. Love your show brother, see you and Mrs. Hegshot next episode!
I have a shield plus performance center 4" barrel with the CT optic if anyone's interested. Figured I'd throw it out there. Not sure why your optic was dim, the one I got is plenty bright and easy to pick up, it's just not a real big optic. You're spot on the extended mag makes it way easier to shoot with your whole hand on it
I rented a Shueld Plus PC with CT dot. My brief experience was that it was too dim. A relatively dark indoor shooting range with the overhead light turned off, and I had to work to see the dot and it was quite small. I blamed the low attention to detail of rental/range. It was a very impressive shooter however. I would like to have both 3.1 barrel and 4 as a matching pair for carry and home defense.
I can agree with almost all the points, but since I’ll likely never even use it, I really want the smallest and lightest gun I can shoot well (as long as it has at least 12rds). So I carry a CR920, but it has a JG Trigger…so it’s coming in at $900 and the 2nd most expensive option. The Spe Comp is great, but doesn’t point as well for me and is a bit longer and heavier.
All the S&W and Hellcats are too heavy and big for me to CCW.
CANIK MC9
IWI MASADA SLIM
HK VP9SK
The Optics Ready Shield Plus for me. To me it’s the most shootable with the least amount of felt recoil for such a small pistol. The grip swells out just slightly to fill out my palms, has an excellent trigger, great grip texture, has the orange and green night sights (on the OR model), and it was 350 with S&W’s rebates. It’s hard to beat that. I could almost get 2 O.R. Shield Plus for the same amount as a P365xl, Hellcat, Shadow Systems CR920, and so forth. It’s a shame the rebate ended on 4/2, but it was such a good deal.
Agreed even without the rebate it's still a great buy
Yea I'll take my Canik over all of them. Triggers insane with 100% reliability hasn't jammed in 2 years and I rarely clean it
Sheild 45 ACP which you didn’t show here. It just fits my hand better. 😉
My 9mm CCW is the Equalizer. When the nerve damage in both hands is really bothering me my CCW is the Sig P365-380. This 380 in this one is just a bit easier to control when my hands hurt. I plan to get more time on the Equalizer because I'm pleased with how I shoot it and the last time out I only used the 10-round mag to really test it. I now have a pinky extension for that 10-round mag to help with the grip. I'm 71 with nerve damage in both hands which means recoil sensitivity and difficulty racking some guns. I like my EZ380 when I just want to plink but it is a tack driver for me at defensive distances. With Underwood Extreme Defender P+ I feel fine when those times come when that's all my hands will tolerate. That changes day to day so options are a must for me. I'm even gonna try the Ruger Security 380 as it may serve a purpose for me. The nerve damage has progressed as a few years ago the regular Sig P365 was my CCW. The EZ9 came next and I traded that in on the Equalizer. The Equalizer has already replaced my home defense 9mm which was the Ruger Security 9. The Sig P365 grips and Shield grips work great for me. I had the original single-stack Shield but it became too hard to rack. Shoulder issues require me to carry cross-draw. By the way, I really like how you review pistols. I trust your reviews like I do Sooch.
Shadow systems for the win in my book. I love my cr920 elite
EZ 9 Performance Center its perfect! Crisp clean on point, hi viz fiber optic night sights and flat trigger, ported barrel and slide right out the box, super thin, and that hammer!
Shadow Systems has a replacement policy if your rig ends up in the evidence locker. They kinda keep it on the DL - but its there if that difficult day ever comes
365xl , wilson combat grip module crew checking in.
Shield Plus 12+1 is my edc.
As for my favorite carry guns...hmmm. i am torn between the Shield Plus and the Shield 2.0. I took some emory cloth and smoothed out the stippling on the grip of the Shield 2.0 a little which made it a lot more comfortable gun to shoot. When i am in a situation where i have to carry DEEP concealed, i carry the LCP Max. Both of my Shields have fiber-optic with Tritium sights, but that is the only modification i have made. I do not modify my carry guns with triggers and the like. Pistols are for up close and personal self defense. In a self defense situation, things are happening so fast that there is not time to take precise aim, you are shooting center mass to stop the threat, not to score points on a target at the range.
*Sig Sauer P365 XMacro TACOPS 17+1* is IT (for me).
I'm surprised so many people choose the "xl", "macro" and "pro" versions of all the micro 9's. I much prefer the original micro versions, like the Hellcat and P365.
I use a p365x. Great gun.
I have loved my P365 since I bought it a couple of years ago. It's always been on me. I have probably run 5,000 rounds or so through it. It has never once failed, no matter what ammo I have run through it (and I have run a lot of different stuff, it just shoots everything). Now, I have just upgraded my bone stock P365 to convert it into a Spectre Comp by swapping out the slide, replacing the recoil springs with an XL recoil spring assembly and finally, yeah, a Holosun 507k X2 optic. This should be an awesome new EDC for me. I would rather have a flat trigger like my P320, but, still, it is a rock'n little pistol that is excellent shooting and super easy to conceal carry. I have yet to see anything that can beat it.
I am having a disconnect with my Shield Plus PC 4" too. I have a Shield Plus PC 3.1" and it MY GUN. A dream. They truly see to be different guns at times. I had a Hex optic on my Springfield XDM Elite and it died after two sessions for me too. I want an EPS Carry for Shield Plus PC.
M&P lost me with the shield plus. Not a fan of the grip at all. It is long and slender compared the the Sig and the Hellcat which just fit my hand a better. I have not cared for any of the grips on the micro Smith guns. The CR920 is quickly becoming my favorite. I replaced.the rear sight(simple fix). The triggers get much better after break in and proper lube. Mine has gotten much better. All the great build features of the Glock without the Glock grip angle. It shoots so flat with the 13 rd ext too. It is surpassing my HC Pro in the rotation. Out of the box the Sig 365 grip, even the xl is too small. I like the macro but don't care for the longer grip. If it's stock, pass on the Sig, with the addition of the WC grip it is much different. The only complaint I have with the HC Pro is the square back of the grip is a little uncomfortable after putting several rounds through it. The reliability of the HC pro is 100% as is the CR920. Love the reviews, it shows just how much different one gun can be to the next for each one of us.
I love to carry the spectre comp with a flush magazine and an extra 17 shoot great with that gun if I had to buy it again I would
Damn boy get that belly some sunlight i got flashbanged. Great review thank you
Had a g43x, too snappy, p320 compact, feel uncomfortable with all the issues with the p320 platform. Went cz with the p01 and couldn't be happier...
got a equalizer for my wife to carry, after shooting it, several hundred rounds I am seriously considering carrying it as a EDC
Getting out of the military I went with what was familiar and got a Beretta 92X compact, reliable, accurate, strong, also heavy and bulky but workable concealability-wise. After carrying for over a year I decided to pick up something smaller and lighter and after looking around for a while and checking out handguns at a local gunshop I went with a Hellcat Pro because I valued the full grip, longer barrel, love the sights actually, the controls and high capacity because I hate carrying spare magazines I carry too much stuff already. My Pro cannot dream of shooting half as nice as my Beretta but it's accurate, very reliable, and comfortable, but it took me a while to get proficient with shooting it since it's my first "micro" and feels almost like I'm shooting a .40 Lol. I'm currently looking at the S&W Shield Plus Performance Center with the 4 inch barrel now tho (non ported), because it's around the same size with the extended magazine and shoots a bit flatter although it's 2 rounds less which I think I can live with.
When I shot the S&W Equalizer i thought that it performed very well. It was a really good shooter and it had a crisp trigger break and reset.
I'm a Sig guy, so I switch between my P365xl and my P320 M18
hellcat pro and P365 x-macro tacops. smaller barrels need specialized ammo for full expansion. The grips are phenomenal they are thin. the round counts are amazing and I do carry a light on my EDC. it goes everywhere all the time except camping, then it's P226 all the way. everything has an optic. so the stock sights don't really matter much to me.
Shield 40 or 45 M 2.0, is my rotation. Also had Shield Plus in there for a while, but prefer 40 and 45 for power and performance. 9 has pretty much become a range caliber for me.
So, it's not just me? I am bored to death with EVERYTHING being chambered in 9mm only. I'm having a hard time spending big bucks on YET ANOTHER 9mm pistol. Most manufacturers are phasing out .40 and especially .45, while everyone is making pistols chambered in 10mm and Five Seven, neither of which interest me. I mostly carry my Sig P-320 C in .45 ACP but, like you, I shoot 9mm the most just because I can get 1000 rounds for $200.
@@HalfCrazy520 1 thing to remember about 10 is, you can shoot 40 in SHTF situations... But yeah otherwise I'm not into 10 either
@@johnlacasse8893 Both .40 and 10mm are expensive and harder to get than other calibers.
One big reason people use to dismiss the .45 is recoil... but the 10mm recoils harder and I'd worry about over-penetration. We do get a few more rounds in the magazine w/10mm or .40, but to me capacity isn't the biggest factor in choosing a caliber and I live in a 10-round state anyway.
@@HalfCrazy520 that sounds like a deal is that local price or a website?
@@David-cc9ww Lakeshore Ammunition, Re-manufactured 115 Gr ball. I have fired many thousands of these and only had 2 rounds that gave me an issue.1 bad primer that wouldn't light off... and 1 that didn't want to go all the way into battery.
P 365 with Willson combat grip 12 round pluss 1
My p365xl with a magguts plus 2 makes my xl 15 total rounds. And I have a holosun 407k love it.
I think I'm a S&W CZ Beretta/Glock Kinda guy when it comes to carry guns in 9mm I like revolvers & 1911's & 10mm's too but as far as carry guns in 9mm/40 I love S&W & CZ the most
G43x/48 mos with s15 g2 but waiting on g3 mags!
Great video bud!
I’m still loving my Taurus Gx4 Toro with a holosun 507k.
Just so you know you can adjust the brightness on the macro x red dot. The button is hard to see but it’s right behind the glass. 👍
My new EDC is the Equalizer, I am still trying to decide which mag (10, 13, or 15) will be my primary carry, may depend on weather but I have found that I can carry the 15 with an untucked button down shirt with little problems, only issue might be the weight of the full 15 rounder. Open to suggestions
Standard P365 with Wilson Combat grip module and maguts for 12 round flush fit and 14 rounds in the extended magazine.
I’m new to this, is a gun belt any different than a normal belt or do you just call it that because it’s the one you use when you carry?
The three Guns I carry the most 1. Kahr CW380 2. S&W M&P Shield Plus (30SC) 3. Springfield XD Sub Compact (9mm)
@Hegshot87 you are my favorite gun guy. I currently carry a LC9S, I will be getting a Sield Plus in the near future. We also have the same body type. 😂
I have about six handguns...but I love my M&P 2.0 Compact 3.6 with a Apex flat trigger. Its just a great gun...its small but not tiny...fits my hand well...shoots great...carries great....just haven't found another handgun that made me say wow this is so much better I'm going to change my carry gun. I like it so much that I just bought another and had it Cerekoted in flat dark earth...lol
Cr920 combat w/ cyelee cat ( poor man's 507k 😂) north tactical T.U.C. appendix holster and the extended mag are great for my Goya Gut and me. 😂 With the flush mag, I almost forget I'm carrying. 😉
XMacro currently. Have also carried Glock 45 and Hellcat pro. Started with XDS.
I'm sure the one he will carry the most is the S&W Equalizer because that's the one he raves about the most by far.
I tried it yesterday at the range. Way better than I thought. The grip safety is not even noticed to me.
@@hiwayhighway9925 I don't like it at all, love my M&P's that I do have though. The grip safety is butt ugly. Springfield knows how to make one that functions well and looks good too.
@@whatsup24_7 I guess I'm more of a function over looks guy. I mean it's CONCEAL CARRY. Why would anyone care how it looks? I don't believe you have ever picked one up personally. I asked over ten people who have at the gun store and NO ONE thought it was a bother. Funny huh?
Im content w my Shield Plus it shoots better than gun of its size should
Put the EPS carry on the P365 already and call it a day.
Told the guy at the shop I wanted a pistol under 400 for my first carry and the dude put a p365 x macro for whatever reason knowing dang well I can’t afford it. Needless to say I’m already planning on selling what I got later on and upgrading to it.
Could you give the Bushnell rx-series of optic a try? I love the auto brightness feature, always visible no matter the environment and the fact it's always on, it's just peace of mind whenever I carry
CR920 is my everyday carry
Warpoet 🔥
@@sushipapitv I just went with the combat version
@@stevieweebee either way! Great choice! You cant go wrong with Shadow Systems 💯
Idk about the Hellcat Pro but my Hellcat OSP has some failure to feed issues with SIG V-Crown JHP. Hurts my confidence in the gun.
Any personal opinions on the Canik MC9 or reason why that pistol isn’t in the top 7? Was sig P938 disqualified because it’s too small?
I'd say to many reported issues
I'm a shield plus guy! Also, czp07 depends on clothing.
I feel like I'm the only one who really doesn't like those little tiny micro 9s. It feels like I'm holding a toy, I struggle to get a full grip on them and they don't shoot nearly as well as full sized or even compact pistols. Smallest I'll go is the Glock 19, believe it or not
See I got small hands and shoot my shield plus better then I do with full size guns 😂😂 I can get a better grip with them
Have tried the CYLEE red dot, I like them
Love my m&p shield
How does that CR kick like that? I have one, and it recoils less than my MR (both are stock).
canik mc9 with pinky rest should be in the convo best trigger on that table period and 12 rd cap flush hair larger then cr920 oh and it under $500 with loads of accessories and a usable holster all for again under $500
Mossberg MC2sc 🔥
I got a kore essentials belt last week and I agree it's a great belt.
Has anyone noticed that the latest trend is to make all these "Micro-nine" pistols larger? Is that because tiny 9mm pistols are great to carry but suck to shoot? Hmmm... The XL, XMacro, Hellcat Pro, 43X... the larger - or even larger still - versions of the micro-nines keep coming out one after another.
Yeah, I just carry a 'compact' instead of any of these. Is there REALLY a significant difference between carrying a Performance Center Shield Plus 9mm and carrying the M&P 2.0 Compact 9mm? I can conceal a CZ P-01 fairly easily too, but I mostly carry the Sig P-320 C in .45 ACP. It's kinda big, but what a great shooter and 10-rounds of .45 ACP while weighing less than 26 ounces.
My wife wanted to get a smaller carry gun. After checking out all the available micro nines, she decided that a little bit easier to conceal doesn't make up for much harder to shoot/operate, so she opted for 'none of the above'. I was surprised she came to this conclusion on her own, I thought she would surely buy a GX-4 or a Canik Mete MC-9.
I'm still in the stone age with a pile of glocks. And a jframe.
Use what you have. Nothing wrong with that at all
@@aleffel9668 I've had the new cool shit, I just stick to what's always worked.
I have the Shield Plus PC4” but I don’t shoot it well. Very accurate with the Shield 2.0PC standard size
CCW is just starting here in Hawai’i so I never really carried. I have a Shield 1.0 that is Gucci’d but it doesn’t fit well in my We The People Shield holster plus it’s rather a one off pistol. I am purchasing a Hellcat (standard) without a dot cut so it is smaller. I picked it because I have a gut and need something small.
I hear ya Hegshot when it comes to those Grip Safeties. Aesthetically they're Not very good-looking and just make the gun's overall appearance look worse. I don't see the point in em if the pistol already has Safeties built into it.
For me the Equalizer is the winner. Thanks for another interesting video. 👍
Nice comparison video!
Kimber R7 Mako
Canik Mete MC9
Both should be honorable mentions at least
kimber 4sho, the mc9 he prolly aint got his hands on yet
Mc9 has had way to many reported issues. Maybe once they get it ironed out
On the shield plus
Does the pin in the trigger came out?
If it did how did you fix it?
Shield plus is the best
Yes yes & Glock, H&K too...
I personally carry sig p365 x. And pocket carry
I carry the 43x and the Walther pdp
im going standard hellcat with the comp 11 rd no base plate
I just got a shield plus and like it so far. I really want a 365x or xmacro. Been doing a lot of research on these Shadow Systems guns really want a full size for the night stand. All hard to get in CA though 😢
Hopefully the roster gets struck down.
@Justin Young yeah hoping so. I've been watching very closely! Just waiting to see what the 9th Circus has to say now.
I Prefer The Sig 365 With Icarus Grip Module And Flat Trigger With 12 Round Factory Magazines !
Call me crazy I'm over the micros went back to full size with a spare mag
Hellcat OSP 13+1 mag my EDC