Best CA-compliant EDC handgun?

[swruger]

The comments on the Glock 26 ring for me a little as well, IE a barrel longer than three inches; I prefer to have around a 3.5" barrel, and with aging eyes, the option of optics ready is important to me today. Light rails are also important to me as well. I do not own a Glock 26 because of the lack of a rail, but I am going to buy one now before I can't. (Wish I could find OD green but that's a different story.) From the compatibility side, being able to use use other model glock mags as they can be found most everywhere is highly desirable.

Other options on the roster that I like for concealed carry;

Hellcat Pro optics ready, I believe the barrel is 3.7 or 3.8, very slim and easy to conceal; HK VP9 SK, optics ready, around 3.4" barrel, trigger is smooth and light, short reset; Springfield Armory XDM Elite Compact, 3.8" barrel with a short grip; or full size, same barrel length but full size grip, trigger is smooth and light, short reset. All optics ready and light rails.

Shorter barrel
I haven't shot the Canik METE MC9 yet, 3" barrel, optics ready and rail, but from dry fire, I believe this is one I would carry as well.

Anyway just some additional options.

 

[New_Spin]

Whoa yours got a BBL. The Shield feels great in the hand and I actually shot better with it than the p365. But like you, I got the Sig before the Shield Plus came out. I may change to the Shield eventually. And is your P365 the CA roster version? I hear those firing pin and spring problems were with early versions. I don't know how prominent it is with more recent ones.

Yeah she thicc now
And yes, CA version
Same, I'd only ever heard issues with like the "gen 1" models when the P365 first came out. I think there have been technically 2 revisions since then?
I never did get to shoot the Shield Plus myself. Would still be interested though.

 

[blacklight]

I like glocks more but P365 x macro all day for iwb carry

 

[SteamedHams]

I absolutely love my P365 XMacro Comp slide on a regular P365 grip module. With the regular 10rd flush mag, the grip is short enough not to print when AIWB carrying, and with the 12rd XL mag (with sleeve) it's short enough not to print for 3 oclock carry while still being comfortable to hold. I don't have huge hands, so the XL grip length is perfect for me, whereas the XMacro grip length is a bit much.

 

[Brandon Breeze]

For CA? Absolutely the best single option out there is the P365 due to its insane modularity. This is coming from a huge Glock fan of decades.

Especially since many areas are limited to 3 slots on the (illegal) CCW permit.

Obviously you would have to check with your IA specifically (providing you care), but if they don't have specific restrictions around changes to your pistol configuration you can set the P365 up however you like.

P365 Micro in 9mm or .380 (3.1" bbl, but you could add the XL slide here as well)
P365 X/XL Longer Grip/Longer Grip & Slide (3.1 or 3.7" bbl)
P365 Macro Even longer grip and longer slide or Macro "comp" (3.1 or 3.7" bbl)

All sorts of aftermarket grip modules of any size or variety you could ask for and probably even more. You can mix & match to your hearts desire and it could potentially only take up one slot on your permit and fill just about any role you could want it for. Then you have the other slots for whatever else tickles your fancy.