Something something new year new me, new beginnings, this is my year and so on. We all like to make changes around this time of year, it is just in our nature. Some are out of necessity, and some are just somewhat of a “why not?” as we cross the arbitrary boundary to a new year on the calendar. Who the heck uses paper calendars anymore? I wonder how that industry is doing with calendar sales…random ADD thoughts. On to the business at hand. This is one of those “why not” projects borne of gun industry product improvements and availability that have reached maturity for me to opt for a change. This is the first article in a series over the coming weeks as I build out a new primary CCW system next year. Many of you know I am not an advocate of chasing solutions as they come to market just for the sake of getting the newest product. I am an early adopter of new things and try them out, but I tend to stick with primary solutions as long as my requirements are met…right up to the point where I feel like making a change will bring about a significantly increased payoff in capability. I think I am there for the next iteration of my CCW.

Unless you are jocked up in a plate carrier and maneuvering through the post apocalyptic rubble or a participant in the next government outing for the military industrial complex profit margins odds are your concealed carry handgun is your primary defensive firearm. You may consider your long gun as your primary at home, but to borrow some VA language it is more likely than not your CCW is your primary when out and about in polite society. It may be the only thing remaining between you and becoming the recipient of a violent criminal’s three round group in your chest cavity. With the high stakes CCW choice and warrants careful consideration (and a lot of training). When we use the CCW term this morning we are speaking in general of the concealed handgun, not the licensing that is (unconstitutionally) required by some states.

Reliable. This is in the “yeah no kidding” realm but it needs consideration. When we monkey around with accessories or chase the latest defensive ammo solution a CCW carrier needs to have a method for verifying gun reliability remains intact. Changing ammo types, spring weights, optics, and even carry methods can negatively affect reliability.

Combat Effective. The chosen loading must be predictably effective in stopping a threat and it must have enough ammo capacity to be predictably adequate. Why use the term “predictably”? There is a mountain of data and case studies that can point you to a CCW solution that will probably work in a defensive shooting. There are no guarantees, but there is enough data that will help you decide what right looks like. While a .22 LR round in each eye socket of an attacker is combat effective and will stop many assailants, there is plenty of data that demonstrates the effectiveness when other factors are in play. Caliber and loading, on board ammo capacity, etc all play into this. Recoil sensitivity can drive CCW carrier to choose a predictably inadequate low recoil solution. Realize there is a floor to just how small and light one can go for a weapon/ammo combination. Yes, shot placement and speed of engagement is critical for combat effectiveness, but ballistics and on board ammo capacity always get a vote.

Trainable Setup. What do I mean by this? A chosen CCW setup (gun, holster, ammo, belt, light etc) should be supported by a viable training plan. I need to define what I need to accomplish before choosing a specific model / type (this is driven by a set of requirements, what is your lifestyle and what do you need from a CCW?). Do I have an ammo budget to support shooting sustainment practice during any given year? Will I be willing to shoot it for training? (all the .357 snubby and .40 sub compact bros are experiencing some cognitive dissonance reading that question). Is my CCW something I would be willing to use during classes, or would I opt for some “class gun”? Before anyone gets twisted there are legitimate reasons for carrying differently in shooting classes, it depends on what your goals are for a particular class. Freely admit I carry AIWB but for formal pistol classes I have used a belt and OWB holster because drawing from AIWB was not my learning objective (for those classes). Dry fire and range practice iterations are a different story, the associated AIWB tasks must be trained, but we need to apply some common sense. And while we are here talking about training, I won’t kid you or myself - formal training classes have become unaffordable for many of us. The reasonable priced pistol class (that is worth going to anyway) is obscenely overpriced now. Couple in travel and ammo costs with high course cost and what was once a $5-600 weekend training has become $2k or more when you add all of it up. If you can do so it is well worth it. If not, the CCW firearm you choose must support your ability to train and practice with it.

Concealable. Is my choice concealable on the daily? Is the firearm and holster combo concealable from most people in public? This isn’t deep concealment consideration (unless your circumstances call for it). I always choose something I can easily dress around that will go unnoticed. Some options are easier to deal with, and I know there is a direct correlation between speed and concealment, so I took that into account.

Quick comment on multiple CCWs. John Bianchi is quoted as saying “one gun, one holster” and I agree. For the most part. A serious Citizen should not be chasing and changing CCWs / carry methods on the regular; we must keep carry method, draw, manual of arms etc consistent to maintain proficiency. However - there are exceptions. Carrying AIWB while running or rucking is untenable so there must be a common sense solution that differs from your daily carry for either the gun, or holster, or both. The other consideration is one of convenience and carry discipline. Yes, we are all hard-core warriors but I don’t know too many intellectually honest shooters who consistently strap on their belt to walk 20 steps to the mailbox or take the dog out. I always tell students and readers “J frames keep you honest”. What this means is having a gun you can stash in your pocket for short routine outings; this will keep a gun on you (vs leaving the mid size carry gun and appendix rig in the house). It is not a replacement for a legitimate CCW and should not be the default lazy carry, but it may be an option to fill those gaps in CCW access. This discussion and new project is the focus so we will stick to our primary CCW in this content series.

This will drive the gunfluencers crazy, they hate when shooters stay with a solution that works for them. For years I have stuck with the G19 series as my primary CCW. They are beyond reliable and have a seemingly unlimited amount of aftermarket accessories and improvements. Through the Gen 2, 3, 4, 5 and now 6 I have managed to avoid the temptation to jump on board as new Gens rolled out. I’m trying not to bore you with a personal history of Jack lesson, just kind of show you what decisions I made and why. And I don’t consider my decisions to have been “right” by any means, they just worked for me and my requirements. I immediately adopted the Gen 3 when it came out and sold my Gen 2; having a light rail was a significant improvement and helped meet one of my requirements and I considered it a valid upgrade. The new generations did not provide enough of a bump in capability to upgrade, most of it could be accomplished by a little gunsmithing and aftermarket parts. While I do own a couple of Gen 4s they were not purchased as a “better than” option for the Gen 3, it was still my primary. The reason being I was an early (way early) adopter for the pistol mounted red dot. My Gen 3 has a milled in slot for an RMR sight…and is still my primary carry gun because of it. Even with the advent of the Glock optic ready MOS slides there was no real additional capability they brought to the table over my Gen 3 with the RMR. Yeah I have a walk the dog down the block J frame that goes in a pocket, but for daily CCW it is this AIWB carried G19 for my one gun / one holster carry option. However, the G19 setup is soon to be the “was my CCW” if this change works out for me…

There have been incremental improvements and advances in the industry the last few years, and at this point my assessment is these have stacked up enough to warrant me making a change. The stars have aligned and enough marked improvements are available to implement a new CCW setup for me.

I’m aware all this “I “ and “me” talk seems narcissistic, but I thought this whole mental process might be of interest, maybe give you something to think about. Not the actual solution, but the process and the why behind the decision making. As always this is not a recommendation, just “A” way. I am not trying to talk you into using the same solution (brand, model, holster, setup etc) as me or think you are wrong if you don’t. What I do encourage is use a similar thought process if you are considering a new CCW setup or just tweaking your current one.

The gun. I’m staying with Glock, so no surprises there. I’m also staying with 9mm due to the ammo cost for training and the defensive ammo availability. I’ll talk more on specific ammo choice in a future article. I have a G43 that I somewhat regret buying (bought it when they first came out). I had avoided the G42 altogether but considered it to be a great addition for Glock, it was just in the wrong caliber. Being chambered in .380 the 42 did not appeal to me or meet my requirements, but “man if they only made them in 9mm”. Then they did. I got one when as soon as they (a G43) came out. It really didn’t do anything well other than be a small semi auto, so I never carried it during the typical CCW day. I used it (and still do) in a HPG runners kit bag when I go out for a run. They (Glock) got me on that one, I bought in right away. I so wanted the 43 to be a solution…I got caught up in the excitement and violated my own requirements rule. Then the 43X came out. Hmm now it is getting interesting. And then the 43X MOS. So now I am thinking “a slim higher capacity 43 with the addition of a RDS and light rail”. What is not to like? 10 round capacity, that is what is not to like. Now 10 rounds (11) is nothing to scoff at, and we in the community have become somewhat spoiled by the 15-round standard. A 30 percent decrement of on board defensive ammo was something to really evaluate (compared to my full size G19) but the concealability and lighter weight may be worth the tradeoff. Still wasn’t sure if it was a viable replacement for old reliable. A G19 is a “heavy” and relatively large gun to carry around, and the more time on earth I have the lighter I want that load to be.

Gun, holster, light, sight. Looking at the CCW as a system I require a mounted light (not at all times, but more about this in part 3 of this “new to me carry gun” series) and RDS for the primary. With the advancements in both lights and sights there are options that will work great with the 43X MOS. I have been a Surefire WML man the whole way, on long guns and for pistol lights. The early X200, then X300, X300 Ultra “U Boat” have given years of reliable service. But what now if I go with the 43X? The TLR 7X is an appealing option, but that is only one possibility. Will have to wait and see. RDS options are plenteous, so there are choices to be made. More on that later as well.

The process. For now, I think the 43X MOS is a my best option. The 48 may be a little more shootable, but I like the idea of a more compact (and shorter than the current G19) gun. While not as recoil friendly as a 19 or even a 48, the 43X is where I am focused. So I should buy everything and get it setup, right? Hell yeah! Well, I’m gonna’ slow my own roll, I need to make damn sure this is going to be a true solution before adding combat multipliers like lights and RDS. Does it meet the baseline requirements? Is it something I will shoot and train with? Is it reliable with my defensive ammo? Will it be tolerable for concealed carry? Is the recoil impulse manageable to allow fast follow on shots? Is 10 rounds enough? Is there a reliable aftermarket solution to push it to 15 rounds? (lots more on this aftermarket 15 round magazine subject in a future newsletter, it will be a challenge that may cause me to stay with 10 round OEM mags).

So off to the range we go to see if I can consistently shoot the 43X reasonably as well as the G19. Just a stripped down out of the box setup for now though, no need buying the optic and light if it is a non-starter. More to follow soon, will keep you informed as this develops.

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