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New CCW - Torn between three choices

Which EDC CCW should I get?

  • P365 XMacro

    Votes: 18 40.0%
  • Shield X Carry Comp

    Votes: 8 17.8%
  • Hellcat Pro Comp

    Votes: 3 6.7%
  • Upgrade the Glock and keep the Shield

    Votes: 7 15.6%
  • No mods, put it all in the S&P 500

    Votes: 9 20.0%

  • Total voters
    45

GAAPlebees

Active member
Messages
98
With the powers that be in Contra Costa county blessing us peons with red dots, I am strongly considering revamping my CCW setup.

I am currently carrying either a G19 or Shield 1.0. My tentative plan is to send my Glock slide off to Wager for a red dot cut. I haven’t settled on a footprint yet as I am not super up to date on what the current red dot meta is, I just know I would want something enclosed. I’ll likely also end up putting a WML on this gun. With the dot and light plus the bulk of the G19 I likely will not be carrying this every day. But freedom week mags and my familiarity with the platform make this a lock on my CCW permit.

The shield is on roster and would have to lose the LCI if wager could even mill it out. I think after this much time it is ready to find a new home on the classifieds.

For my EDC, there are three top contenders, all on roster and all comped/ported. The p365 XMacro, Shield X Carry Comp, and the Springfield Hellcat Pro Comp.

I have only held the XMacro, and it feels good in the hand, the grip is longer than I would prefer. There isn’t currently a P365 XL comped on the roster other than the Rose version which is significantly pricier than the others. Technically I’m not allowed to make any modifications to the handgun but swapping an OEM frame for another shouldn’t cause issues. I err on the side of not modding anything.

I have not held or dry fired the other two, but if the dimensions are accurate the Shield X is somehow the same width as my Shield 1.0. I am not a fan of the Shield 1.0 grip, it’s too narrow and the oval shape doesn’t fit my hand well.

Enter the hellcat. Based on reviews it’s Glock-esque in grip and trigger, which I actually do not mind, my Gen 3 with grip tape feels excellent in hand.

I’m mostly decided on the Hellcat, but I’m open to suggestions. Including not updating anything and saving the $1500 this CCW revamp will cost me.
 
It's all just personal preference, what works for you is gonna be different for everyone so I would try to shoot them and see. I would consider the shield plus though, it doesn't come comped but comps are a novelty with as many drawbacks as advantages.
 
Shield 1.0 with the Apex trigger is a great handgun, I'd save your cash instead of buying basically the same gun again. Sell the Glock and get a Walther PDP Compact
 
It's all just personal preference, what works for you is gonna be different for everyone so I would try to shoot them and see. I would consider the shield plus though, it doesn't come comped but comps are a novelty with as many drawbacks as advantages.
Agree with this. Shield Plus OR is on-roster. Better grip than the 1.0 and the X. 10-round capacity. Better shooting than the Hellcat.

But it's all personal preference...
 
I’m not well versed in modern polymer striker guns. But everyone I know with a CCW carries a Shield, so I randomly have a lot of trigger time on the various generations. Seems like a solid choice.

Gawernator’s suggestion of upgrading the trigger instead of buying a newer one seems like a solid, cost effective option.

When I got my CCW, I chose something small (Beretta 950), medium (S&W 637), and large (Springfield EMP) for flexibility based on clothing, weather, situation.

As I approach renewal time, I think I’ll stick with that framework; but in carrying for over a year, I realized that it’s actually pretty easy to conceal well, and you don’t need the tiniest pistol possible.

My advice would be, make sure there’s a meaningful size variation in what you pick.
 
If the 7 or 8 round Shield capacity is an issue, Galloway Precision makes a +1 for $19 & Magguts makes a +1 for $25 or a +2 for $34. I'm no mathemagician, but 8+2=10 (+1).
 
Shield 1.0 with the Apex trigger is a great handgun, I'd save your cash instead of buying basically the same gun again. Sell the Glock and get a Walther PDP Compact
I’m probably not selling my Glock. Unfortunately my county also expressly prohibits any modifications to triggers. It is not lost on me that a CA shield 1.0 and 2.0 is a marginal difference of two rounds 😂

Free state mags are another story
 
I’m probably not selling my Glock. Unfortunately my county also expressly prohibits any modifications to triggers. It is not lost on me that a CA shield 1.0 and 2.0 is a marginal difference of two rounds 😂

Free state mags are another story
2 rounds, a better feeling grip, a much better trigger, and it comes Optics Ready so you don't have to mill your slide ... and when we finally get the 10-round restriction lifted, it gives you flexibility in 13 and 15 round configurations.
 
2 rounds, a better feeling grip, a much better trigger, and it comes Optics Ready so you don't have to mill your slide ... and when we finally get the 10-round restriction lifted, it gives you flexibility in 13 and 15 round configurations.
other thing is you can probably find a used OR sheild plus for like 400-450 while you would spend 300 on a slide and barrel to make a shield 1 optic ready. The grip is substantially better on the plus. I still find it too small but it's a lot better.
 
@GAAPlebees

If you're near Turners in Orange, THIS is the way. On Consignment: Off-Roster 4" Optics Ready Shield Plus Performance Center with Ported Barrel. $599 + tax, exise and DROS, so you're looking at $748.51 out the door. A little more than what you mentioned above, but it's off roster, with the PC trigger, and v-ports. If I didn't already have one, I'd be on the way there now.

Edit...I just remembered you're in Contra Costa...:cautious:
 
I’m probably not selling my Glock. Unfortunately my county also expressly prohibits any modifications to triggers. It is not lost on me that a CA shield 1.0 and 2.0 is a marginal difference of two rounds 😂

Free state mags are another story
Well another reason the PDP Compact would be a good CCW for you, amazing factory trigger. Which IA is that? Do they even enforce it and how? How are they going to know if you put in a short reset trigger kit etc
 
The Shield Plus was the first gun I bought for CCW and the gun I've carried the most. I have no regrets.
I did shoot a lot of guns before I decided and I kept coming back to the Shield.
My advice is to shoot all of the guns that interest you, several times. Make your choice on what feels the best and what you shoot the best. Don't let what you have now limit your choice. Buy what best suits you.
 
Id say try the others, as the new S&W triggers are outstanding. I have. Shield Plus and a Shield X, and I kind of prefer the Shield Plus for how it feels in the hand.

I'm not a big fan of the comp system on the X-Macro...you lose a lot of barrel, and that equals velocity, which can mean poor expansion of your hollowpoints. The Hellcat Pro has a better comp system than the Sig, as does the Smith.

Just some feedback from the cheap seats.
 
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