Advice for an EDC

[scref]

As I am waiting for my CHL to come in the mail I have been doing some shopping for an EDC. I currently have a 9mm that is to big to carry but I would like to stay with the same caliber. I also want to carry IWB with a tuckable holster.

I think I have narrowed it down to 2 guns. The Taurus PT 709 slim and the SA XD9 sc.

If you had to make a choice between the two, which would it be and why?

Thanks

[Transplant]

Those are two pretty different guns. The xd9 is great, but it's quite a bit wider and heavier than the 709. What will work better for you depends on how you normally dress, how you plan to carry, and how many rounds you're comfortable with. The Springfield carries nearly twice as many rounds as the 709 in the mag, but I find it hard to conceal my xd9sc when I'm wearing shorts and a t shirt.

[scref]

I will be wearing shorts and a shirt most of the time during the summer ( very lax dress policy at work)

The thickness and weight of the XD9 sc is a concern for me.

[Transplant]

There are a number of guns similar to the 709 that are worth looking at. Kel Tec PF9, Kahr CM9 and PM9, Ruger LC9, soon there will be a Sig P938...I'm sure I'm missing some.

I'd recommend you do as much reading of reviews as you can about all of them, check out the reviews and comparisons on youtube, and go to a gun store and handle them. Go to a range that rents guns and shoot them. See what you like and don't like to shoot for yourself.

Buying a carry gun is actually a pretty personal decision. The best thing you can do is be as informed as possible and buy the one you like the best and trust the most.

[gigag04]

SA, because of the outstanding customer service.

[zero4o3]

There are a number of guns similar to the 709 that are worth looking at. Kel Tec PF9, Kahr CM9 and PM9, Ruger LC9, soon there will be a Sig P938...I'm sure I'm missing some.

I'd recommend you do as much reading of reviews as you can about all of them, check out the reviews and comparisons on youtube, and go to a gun store and handle them. Go to a range that rents guns and shoot them. See what you like and don't like to shoot for yourself.

Buying a carry gun is actually a pretty personal decision. The best thing you can do is be as informed as possible and buy the one you like the best and trust the most.

[RPB]

I own a PT709 Stainless, not a bad choice at all, heavier than a keltec PF9, but has additional features like double strike capability.

I carry a Glock 26 in cargo shorts IWB though with a Glock 19 mag and grip spacer.

I own an XD45 Service model Stainless I can also carry IWB in Cargo shorts.
So, if you are set one one of those 2 and nothing else, I'd go with the XD which is a better choice imho.

Thickness isn't a problem really, I used to worry years ago, but I gained/lost weight, and my guns got bigger.
I wear a long tail T-shirt covered by another short sleeve summer type shirt, like a Guayabera, which I leave unbuttoned.
This isn't me, and the top shirt isn't what I wear, but you get the idea on the ease of concealing with this look/style

http://wardrobeadvice.com/is-it-fashion ... nderneath/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Is It Fashionable To Wear An Unbuttoned Collared Shirt With A T-Shirt Underneath?

Wearing an unbuttoned collared shirt with a T-shirt underneath is always fashionable. It is a classic look for men of all ages

Big Bang Theory uses the layered look a lot too.

[zero4o3]

Thickness isn't a problem really, I used to worry years ago, but I gained/lost weight, and my guns got bigger.
.

This is a good point, when I started looking for my first EDC, I was very worried about size and wasnt sure how large of a gun I could carry, I went with a Sig p239, im a small guy 5'7 at the time 135 lbs and carried it with nothing more then a T shirt and shorts I also have a P226, which isnt a small gun that isnt a probably 90% of the time either.

what ever you choose, a quality belt and holster is going to be what really makes or breaks how easy it is to carry

[speedsix]

...I wear pocket Ts, tail out...one size larger than necessary...and carry a Ruger P90 and any one of GP100 3", Taurus .44 3", Taurus .44 2", or 2" j as backup, with mag pouch and speed strips...on a Wilderness Products nylon/velcro belt...comfortably and up ladders and under sinks/houses...couldn't stand the heat of the second shirt...

[terryg]

Nothing is going to beat the mini/micro 9's (PT709, PF9, LC9, PM9, etc) for concealability. But there are a few double stack options that are thinner/smaller than the XD9 if you still want a higher round count.

I carry the Ruger SR9c. It is one of the thinnest double stack 9's out there. But I also carry a PF9 when I need something a little smaller for concealment.

[Russell B]

I carry my xd9 sc everyday...often with shorts & t-shirt. A good holster is the key.

[ixslr8]

I recently bought a pt 709 for my girlfriend to carry. We took it out the range with a box of ammo. In the first 50 rounds it had 6 failure to ejects. Needless to say i wasn't a happy camper. Took it back to the gunstore and asked for advice. They reccommended a different ammo besides the federal i tried. I shot a 100 round box of WWB and 50 round box of blazer without a hiccup. So maybe it was just the ammo, but after some research it sounds like they are having problems with the ejectors breaking. Imho i'd go with the SA anyday over the 709. The 709 has a terrible trigger imho, it's a mile long and then just when your finger is about to cramp, it goes off. Have you looked at a Glock 26? No they're not pretty but there has to be a reason 60% of LE uses them....

http://shieldedholsters.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; i'd reccomend a holster from these guys, same lifetime warranty as a crossbreed for less money and quicker turnaround.

[G.A. Heath]

Interesting post, and only 1 unsolicited Glock recommendation and no unsolicited 1911 recommendations. Asking for advice choosing between these two handguns is like asking for advice choosing between an Indian Motorcycle and a Chevy Blazer. They really serve difference sub-markets within Concealed Carry Market. Let me ask this, have you shot either of them and if the answer is yes I have to ask which did you shoot the best? Finally how do you plan to carry and which do you personally like the best? All other issues such as magazine capacity, weight, customer service, and so forth can be trained around or dealt with. And in all honesty those criteria can be worked around and dealt with as well.

[Nano]

Be sure to have a look at the Beretta Nano before you buy. It conceals easily, is very accurate and reliable and fun to shoot. I am very happy with mine.

[The Annoyed Man]

Big Bang Theory uses the layered look a lot too.

Do you mean like this?