Basically I am looking for a small CCW handgun.  I have had a couple of interesting experiences in the last month, which has reinforced my desire for a gun that I can carry while at work.  I was carrying my .357 Performance Center at work one week, due to aggressive black bears.  And then spent almost a week at an out of town at a crackhead motel.  Different caliber requirements I know. 

I think I want a 9mm single stack with a sub 4" barrel.  My first thought was G43.  I have several different Glocks and find them acceptable in general, but very replaceable if lost for whatever reason.  I have never owned any of the so called small pistols, except for a G36 and I don't have a good holster for it, and am not sure I want to stay with .45 ACP for this role.

I am not comfortable with off body carry, and as I seldom take my keys or wallet out of my truck, I am not comfortable leaving a gun in my truck without securing it.   And as I wear a nail belt with approximately 30lbs of gear in it on my waist and shoulders while I am working, I know that finding a reasonable carry method will be a challenge, so looking for a gun with lots of after market support.

I have been approached about helping with security at church, and as we meet at the local High School concealed needs to mean CONCEALED.   I am thinking that ankle or appendix will likely be my best option, I have never carried in either of these locations so advise there is welcome.

So in short I am looking for recommendations on guns, carry options, holsters.  Price on all these items do matter though not a huge issue.   

So, the index finger you cut - is that the bang switch finger or the booger hook finger?    I hope its healing nicely but if there's going to be a scar it might make a difference as to whether or not you want a pistol with the Glock style trigger safety. 

So, the index finger you cut - is that the bang switch finger or the booger hook finger?    I hope its healing nicely but if there's going to be a scar it might make a difference as to whether or not you want a pistol with the Glock style trigger safety. 
Posted by: coelacanth

Bang switch, no scar.  It bled off and on for two days, wife would have stitched it if I had showed her it when I first got home, but I hate stitches.  Cut was almost to the bone right in the crease of the first joint.  Electrical tape and a clean shop rag make the best bandages.  But inhibit movement.

Other guns I am remotely interested in and are looking for recommendations for or against, are G43, LC9, Shield 9, or the little Springfield XDS 9.  Or anything else similar.

I have the Springfield Armory XDs in .45 ACP.  Nice little pistol even if the recoil is a bit snappy.  Not sure I would recommend it for your application though if you have a problem with sawdust.  The grip safety on the back of the grip is going to get stuff worked in around it in that kind of environment and could cause a malfunction. 

Not much experience with the others but if you're experienced with Glock and happy with the performance maybe the G 43 is a good choice.   

I have the Springfield Armory XDs in .45 ACP.  Nice little pistol even if the recoil is a bit snappy.  Not sure I would recommend it for your application though if you have a problem with sawdust.  The grip safety on the back of the grip is going to get stuff worked in around it in that kind of environment and could cause a malfunction.
blah
Not much experience with the others but if you're experienced with Glock and happy with the performance maybe the G 43 is a good choice.   
Posted by: coelacanth

Good to know.  I owned an XD for about 3 months, not sure I even fired it.  Never even thought about the grip safety being an issue.  I did like the feel of the XDS 4" version I held a couple of years ago.

I have experience with Glocks and find them very blah.  They work and continue to work in adverse conditions, but are just blah.

I'll make my perennial suggestion: Kahr K9...
Posted by: booksmart

Why?  I looked at Kahr's years ago, and was not all that impressed.  Of course small 9mm, or any 9mm were just meh to me then.

BTW, looks like the quote function is fixed...

Solid stainless gives it enough mass to tame recoil, the trigger on mine is fantastic, very accurate, and fits your size parameters.

I was thinking, what about the keltec PF9? Aren't those small, cheap, decent guns that sold like crazy and have pretty good after market support?

To the OP, myself, I would try out a few before buying one.  And I mean actually shoot them, and see which one you like.  In my case, I bought a Walther PPSm2, and while it looked good in the store, I found that it 'dips down' when I apply a proper shooting grip.  So much so that I can't see the front sight.  It is just an issue of the grip shape/angle, and how it interacts with my hand.  I imagine a Glock 43 would have been a better fit, but now in am stuck with this one.  So make sure of this before you buy. 

Since nobody has mentioned it, I"ll add the S&W M&P Shield to the list.  I have one that's my main summer (i.e., light clothing) carry gun.

I owned a K40 years ago.  Good gun, good trigger.  My main gripe was it as a royal PITA to disassemble for cleaning.  (It breaks down the old school way, by popping the slide stop out of the frame, and there's not a lot to grip on while trying to hold the slide back to pop the slide stop lever out. YMMV.)

Since nobody has mentioned it, I"ll add the S&W M&P Shield to the list.  I have one that's my main summer (i.e., light clothing) carry gun.

I owned a K40 years ago.  Good gun, good trigger.  My main gripe was it as a royal PITA to disassemble for cleaning.  (It breaks down the old school way, by popping the slide stop out of the frame, and there's not a lot to grip on while trying to hold the slide back to pop the slide stop lever out. YMMV.)

I will agree that this is accurate.

bought 2 (for my wife and my daughter) of the Ruger LC9s (striker fired version).  Wife picked it out. it's compact, easy to carry, decent trigger, fair sights (for the size of pistol).   They both like it.

just FYI, Buds gun shop has them listed at $262.00.

 https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/93837/Ruger+LC9S+9MM+3.12+7RD+BL

So tough call. I'll start with holsters, I didn't see anything above that I don't build for;) So any of the stuff I recommend of my own gear I know I can build for virtually anything up there. On the holster front I see a couple options all with downsides but what carry method doesn't have that.

Ankle, this actually might be the best option of the bunch. As much as it pains me because I'm really not an ankle rig fan, but it does get it out of the way. Size of the gun and weight is paramount to making ankle rigs work for ya. I've carried light and heavy guns on the ankle, light guns are all I would carry there anymore it's just too much PITA with heavier guns. Also footwear plays a role in this one as well as weather. Ankle sucks in winter weather. Also your gun is going to be exposed to all sorts of stuff like salt wicking up your pant leg in winter etc. So whatever you go with go to something with a pretty hard core finish on it. And despite the fact I'm not a fan typically get a thumb break for your application on the ankle rig.

Pocket, this is a second but very gun dependent. Pocket will get full of junk and crud more so than ankle. But it's an easy go to option for a small enough gun.

Appendix, or any normal IWB rig. I think this is out because of your tool belt. I could be wrong, but typically anytime you run a belt over your regular belt a holster is a serious PITA to make work. I think the additional pressure from a heavy tool belt just makes this not workable including the belt slipping over/under the holster or other belt. It just is a PITA in my experience. Also appendix for allot of bending and moving is probably not the best position. It's great for certain things myself I don't think actually working is one of them, strong side IWB is better but again belt issues here.

Kangaroo pouch/smart carry. This will work also, it's got it's draw backs and I'm only a fan within it's niche. Get a gun that has a hard core finish it's gonna get allot of sweat on it and will rust without that. But this is workable in a work environment as well as church. You can tuck a shirt and if you do print it's at your crotch and generally people don't want to point out anything strange happening in that area;)

So my own rigs, appendix kydex isn't a bad option considering how much abuse it's going to get sweat wise while working heavily. But either of my appendix rigs are pretty high up the list according to the guys who are "appendix guys" and have tested allot of the options out there. I think either would work but I still wouldn't recommend it, but if you go that route try one of those.

Ankle I've got a prototype I've been working on that I could slap together a version for ya to try, works pretty well it's actually almost done just haven't had time to put the finishing touches on the design for release. Otherwise Alessi makes a good ankle rig, and the Galco isn't bad either. I'm not a sheep skin fan but it works.

Pocket, sharkbite but I'm bias, but stick with a small gun.

Gun wise, I'd consider the Sig 365 won't be easy to get but it's an interesting size/bang for the buck gun. Don't mind the keltec but the finish isn't going to take the abuse without rusting. Glock 43 not a bad option, a touch big but not too bad. Honestly I think the shield is also a touch big but would work, I wouldn't run the XDs it's just too big, when dealing with small guns it makes a big difference. The Kahr's aren't bad at all, but I don't know how their finish holds up to hard abuse either.

Personally if it were me, I'd do something like an LCP or P3AT in an ankle or pocket. Cheap throw away almost priced gun, smaller than the 9mm options. I'm not a 380 fan, but it beats a sharp stick, and plan to use it to fight your way to a real gun in the truck etc.

Take care!

Luke

Right now, as a pure paper exercise it looks like it is down to the LC9S pro, the G43 and the Shield 9.  All three are available relatively close by and not really expensive and holsters are common.

To the OP, myself, I would try out a few before buying one.  And I mean actually shoot them, and see which one you like.  In my case, I bought a Walther PPSm2, and while it looked good in the store, I found that it 'dips down' when I apply a proper shooting grip.  So much so that I can't see the front sight.  It is just an issue of the grip shape/angle, and how it interacts with my hand.  I imagine a Glock 43 would have been a better fit, but now in am stuck with this one.  So make sure of this before you buy. 

I don't think I will get a chance to shoot one before purchasing. If there is a gun rental place in AK, it is in Anchorage or the Valley which is a 10-12 hour round trip.  That is interesting about the Walther, I had only heard good things about them prior to this.  I had mostly ruled them out due to lack of holster support, besides Luke of course.

I have a couple of co-workers who are using an Occidental Leather vest system, and as I seldom tighten the belt on my current bags, I am also looking at them as part of this exercise.  I think that would open up appendix/pouch carry, if not traditional strong side carry.