[ActionJackson]

I've been carrying a small, S&W 638-3 revolver as my conceal-carry for more than two years (maybe closer to three years). It's a decent little gun, but I want something with a bit more capacity. This revolver is a 5 shot, .38 special. If I want to carry more ammo ... I either have to carry a speed loader which is bulky or extra loose rounds rolling around in my pocket. Neither option is ideal.

So I think I've narrowed my search down to two pistols: The Sig Sauer P365 or the Ruger LC9 (or possibly the EC9 economy version). I really wanted the Wilson Combat SFX9 but they're $3000.00 which is out of the question.

My revolver is about 6.5" from the tip of the barrel to the far end of the grip. The cylinder is almost 1.5" across. So both of these semi auto pistols are a bit shorter and not as wide. Great for concealment.

Anyway ... has anyone had personal experience with either of the above and, if so, what are your thoughts? I'd really like to hear from someone who owns both or who's at least shot both fairly extensively. I'm not too concerned about price, although the Ruger is almost $300.00 cheaper than the Sig.

I'm leaning towards the Sig because it's a 10+1 capacity to the Ruger's 7+1. The other benefit to a semi auto is that I can carry an extra mag instead of a fat speed loader or loose rounds. Both are 9mm which is fine with me.

P.S. If there's a better option out there (like the Springfield Armory Hellcat) feel free to make some suggestions. Thanks.

 

[ActionJackson]

Only thing I can say is I owned the LC9 previously and it was horrendously inaccurate. I'm not the best shot in the world but even I can get a decent group with a Glock at 50 feet or so. But with the LC9 could not even hit the target. Neither could my dad and he's a far better shot than I. Maybe it was just that particular gun, or maybe that my hands are just really big for a small gun like that. I am really not sure. But that was just my experience.

With that short barrel and long trigger pull ... it'll certainly take some practice. Since it will be purely for self-defense (most likely at close range) I'm willing to get a small gun and just practice until I master it. I had a similar issue as you with a very small Taurus .45 cal. Horribly inaccurate, but I think a lot of that was due to me firing a high caliber gun with little experience with it. I believe I was flinching at the last second. I ended up selling it.

 

[ActionJackson]

I have various handguns (full frame). I was looking for something small but 10 or 12 capacity, micro frame but big enough to have a full grip. I really liked the P365 micro, quality, weight, feel etc. then I test fired a range gun and was horribly inaccurate. Missed like 6 outta 10 at 10yds which normally I rarely miss any. So was going to go with a diff mfr till one of the staff noticed my struggle. He asked what the problem was and told him I was jerking the trigger. He brought another P365 with a flat trigger. Fired 30 rounds @ 100% accuracy. That was it. Bought one that day then ordered a flat trigger from Sig and replaced it. I am very satisfied with the purchase and reccomend highl. Try it out

I was just reviewing the Springfield Hellcat. It's 11+1 (and a 13+1 mag is available) which I really like. Good company. Good quality. Good price. I may have just talked myself into a third option.

 

[ActionJackson]

365 , lc9 isn't even in the same ballpark. There are 12 & 15 round mags available for the Sig and its tons more accurate than the ruger. Really nice trigger on the sig as well. You'll pay about $150-200 more for the sig but well worth it.

I was leaning that way for sure. But this Hellcat has got my attention.

 

[ActionJackson]

My Buddy got one a few months back and really likes it. Can't go wrong either way.

I was just watching Hickock 45 testing both the Ruger and the Springfield side by side. He says he prefers the grip of the Hellcat but believes there's less recoil with the Ruger. I'm not too concerned about recoil but I like the idea that the Springfield has a slightly larger grip. I think it just took the lead for me.

 

[ActionJackson]

The Sig is a stellar piece. However, I ended up with the Hellcat as my daily.

I upped it to 15 round mags

I was inches from hitting the "place order" button (for the Hellcat) last night but wanted to hear from more folks first. I will take a look at the S&W Shield & the Canik (as suggested by others) before buying the Hellcat but it's currently at the top of the list. I love Ruger and Sig products and was almost set on the Sig but grip size matters (that's what she said).

 

[ActionJackson]

Just for information's sake:

I just tried to buy the Springfield Hellcat from Bud's Gun Shop and got a message that they would only sell to "professional users." So I went to some other sites like Sportsman's Warehouse and Cabela's (better price) and both will sell to all Americans. Sad to see Bud's restrict sales, since I've purchased two other guns and lots of ammo through them.

 

[ActionJackson]

Wow can't believe Buds went that route. i haven't bought anything from them in a few years. They had a great layaway program about 5 years ago that was hard to beat. Go to ammoseek and search for the firearms you're looking for and it will list prices from lowest to highest. Cabelas I find to be 10-20% higher on average than most other vendors.

Great. Thanks for the site information.

 

[ActionJackson]

Well everyone ... thanks for all of your input. I just purchased this:

$601.08 after tax and shipping. Purchased through Palmetto State Armory. I opted for the Desert Tan. All of my other pistols are black so I thought I'd spice things up.

 

[ActionJackson]

I found the Hellcat to have great sights but was horribly inaccurate. Thanks in large part to its awful trigger and weird grip shape. Make sure you hold and shoot one before you buy if at all possible.

I watched Hickock45 do a side by side yesterday and he hit everything he aimed at with both guns (Hellcat vs. P365).

 

[ActionJackson]

Hope it's all that you wanted...but that sounds expensive? Been a while since I looked though.

It was priced around $535 but with the $17.00 shipping and tax ... it went up fast.

 

[ActionJackson]

He always does.

He's incredible! He gets frustrated when he misses a target 500 yards away by an inch with a 12ga slug. Hahahaha.

 

[ActionJackson]

I like the sig p365x, but I also really like the IWI Masada slim. The latter is hard to find holsters for . If you can wait HK has a micro compact coming soon

HK is a great company. I wanted the Wilson Combat but it costs nearly $3000.00 which is insane. Maybe if I get rich some day. I ended up buying the Hellcat for three reasons:

1) Larger grip.
2) Higher capacity.
3) A little less expensive than the Sig.

I do love the Sig Sauer name and quality and had a service sized, .40 cal ripped off. I was so devastated by that loss because I really loved that gun.

 

[ActionJackson]

Sig can be found for $500 Bro. Get them both. I've become fond of these mouse guns as the old timers refer to them.

Maybe next paycheck (while money is still money).

 

[ActionJackson]

Well, since you already made your decision without consulting me, I'll just say, Glock 43.

I never got into the newer Sig 365/320. In fact I haven't bought a gun in 6 or 7 years. Everytime I want a new gun I look at my Glock and ask myself, "Is that gun better/more effective than a Glock?

I sometimes carry an LC9 walking around the neighborhood if I'm wearing shorts in the summer, simply because it has a nice "clip on" iwb holster. If I carry a BUG, or need a high concealment gun, which I don't anymore except on rare trips to a city, I carry a G-43 with a 9 rd extended mag base (I think it's 9, shows how long since I carried it). If I needed a gun for a non-permissive environment I'd go with an LCP.

With few exceptions I have carried the same G-19 for the past ten years or so. I am of the school that you will not reload in a gunfight and so I'd like as many rds as possible.

As for SEAL's, or military, their pistols are generally last ditch defensive weapon if their long gun fails, so their mission is different from ours as civilians. Otherwise we'd all be carrying HK MK23's or something. The way things are going we prolly should be...

Thanks. I had a G19 second generation from 1988 to about 3 years ago. I sold it to help buy a Walther PDP. I ended up with two Walther PDPs (one larger and one smaller). But both of those guns are too large to be a good conceal carry gun. I like Glock, but I'm not certain they're keeping up with the competition these days. Not saying they aren't, but I'm seeing some great innovations from other brands.

 

[ActionJackson]

My wife upgraded from the horrendously heavy LC9 DA trigger pull to the LC9s; she loves it. The trigger is pretty decent and it's been utterly reliable for her. I'm glad, because I didn't want to share any of my P365's. I simply prefer them a little more:



While I do prefer the P365 platform, I also have shot the Hellcat and Shield Plus (I own a couple of the older single stack 9mm and .40S&W Shields). Both were reliable and the Hellcat has some excellent stock features as well. Lots of real good options these days!

ROCK6

I always wondered what happened to the Terminator. You're him!

 

[ActionJackson]

I have owned every gun discussed herein except the Hellcat. The EC9s mentioned above, is a $250 gun that is bet your life reliable and very simple. I have shorter fingers and love the feel. Sights are just machined in the slide. It is really easy to carry. The 365 XL has a red dot sight and also feels great and is bet your life reliable. Cost over twice as much and it is reflected in the construction. Easy to carry but the Ruger is really easy to carry. Both make sense to me. Hope you find what you’re looking for. Lot of great choices.

The only thing I didn't like about the EC9s was the large gaps around the action. It appeared that debris might collect in there pretty easily.

 

[ActionJackson]

This was a good thread.

I was sorta afraid that there would be 100 such threads. I expected mine to be moved to an existing thread. Surprised that this topic hadn't already been hashed over.

But now that I have a Hellcat on the way ... I'm thinking that I'll have to get the Sig in the very near future.

 

[ActionJackson]

First time I saw this thread...
FWIW... I own 2 P365's (SAS & XL) and a Ruger LCP ll with a viridian laser.

The Ruger is for "dressy" occasions when smaller is required.
The SAS is the summer daily.
XL = winter.

Feel free to message me about any specific questions.

I'm sure to end up with a P365. Way too many comments not to. I chose the Hellcat (for now) because of the grip size; round capacity; and company reputation -- and because I saw more positive reviews than negative ones. I've heard from two individuals that they are very inaccurate and I've seen five dudes say that they are highly accurate. So I'm guessing it depends on the individual's experience, training, hand shape/size, etc. But that's true of most weapons. I believe that if I practice enough with it ... I'll be able to iron out the kinks.

 

[ActionJackson]

Did you try a Masada slim ?

I haven't even heard of it until now. Are they decent?