@MW1.
Welcome to the community.
Train Hard and Stay Safe
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I like the Rugger LC9. It shoots well, easy to carry and inexpensive.
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I have been carrying a H&K VP9 and haven’t had any problems. Takes a little bit of extra time to get the gun and holster in place so I’m not printing, but no complaint.
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Your IWI Masada is glock19 sized. In fact, I think they market it as being compatible with glock19 holsters. Just about any 9mm pistol with similar capacity is going to be around the same bulk.
Anything significantly thinner will be either a single stack 9mm, or one of the new micro sub compact 9mm (Sig P365 and Springfield Hellcat). Now before running out to pickup a single stack 9 mm, or a micro sub compact 9mm. Realize that since you’re new to pistols. These smaller pistols are going to have more felt recoil, shorter sight radius, and you’ll likely be noticeably less accurate with one compared to your masada. I don’t recommend carrying these mouse sized pistols until you’ve got your shooting fundamentals down.
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I have a problem carrying with a holster inside my pants just not comfortable {I am 6’ 175lbs}. I liked my previous Sig so I got a Sig 365 to fit inside my coat which has a pocket. I was not quite comfortable with the gun the original trigger hurt my finger and it was suggested to go with a straight trigger which solved that problem. Next I went to a 12 magazine so I had a place to put my little finger for a full grip and that improved my shooting. Should have gotten the 365XL which has both features, live and learn. I also carry a North American revolver in my pants pocket {a real small gun} which shoots 5 22LR, Everyone that sees it thinks it is a lighter. If I am not wearing a coat it is better then nothing at 10 feet I can hit a target.
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Just as an FYI because I don’t want people to buy something mistakenly. The Masada is actually more of a Glock 17 size. Definitely want to check the holsters for them too, as I think the Masada has a wider slide than Glocks. Some may work, but I don’t think they’re universal.
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I have the S&W M&P Shield 2.0. I am very pleased with it.
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I also own the same pistol and I love it @SWIdaho118.
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I have only owned two handguns. I have fairly small hands and have added magazine extenders to allow an additional finger for grip. Both have fit well for me and I trust and can easily field clean. I own a glock 26 9mm and glock 30 sf 45 cal. They both can fit in the same small of the back holster. (One at a time of course) There are many modifications that you can make with a glock, many you can do yourself.
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The best 9mm is a 45 ACP.
(Sorry, I’m not funny)
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Sometimes you’re hilarious & humble
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You have probably figured it out by now but my understanding is Massachusetts requires handguns to either have a heavy trigger pull or a manual safety. The P365 MA you were looking at has the manual safety and should otherwise be the same as other P365s. I own the non safety model and really like it. It’s almost as fast and accurate as my G19, at least out to 15 yards or so, but is closer in size to a G42 and fits in my pocket fairly easily.
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I have to say I have considered getting a 10mm just because of the issue of ammunition availability.
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Hello!
You might check out the Glock 43 or 43x. I carry a Glock 48 because of the longer sight radius (old eyes). They are single stack and fit nicely in a iwb holster or a shoulder holster.
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The best 9 mm to carry is:
A) one you can get
B) one you can shoot comfortably and accurately.
C) one that you can conceal relatively well.
D) one that is not too heavy for you to carry all day.
I am new to CC but carry a Stoeger STR-9 inside the waist band with an Aliengear Cloak Tuck 3.5. It is a double stack 9. Has a lot of features found on more expensive guns and you can still find them.
The STR-9 is roughly about the size of a Glock 9. For me it checks all the boxes.
Welcome and good luck.
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Have to agree with the one you can shoot accurately ,…Carried a 92FS M9 for my first year so I could get used to 1 in the pipe, But was able to shoot accurately at 50ft with it Then I ended up with a P220 in a Crossbreed Supertuck That I carry now…
Also helped with dressing around the pistol and stop fidgeting for carry…That has it’s own learning curve …
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I found a P365 XL in a local gun shop. They had one, and I traveled about 100 miles round trip to buy it. I canceled the MA which was still on back order. I love the XL. Totally my new favorite. Funny how people ask what something cost. The gun is just the beginning. Then there’s holsters, more magazines, cleaning kits, range fees, ammo, etc. I love gun people!
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It is an expensive rabbit hole to jump into;) But fun and useful at the same time. Enjoy the XL! Have not gotten to try one yet but seems like it hits a pretty good sweet spot between carry ease and shootability. If I didn’t need to pocket carry regularly I would likely trade my little P365 for one.
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I fell hard for the P365XL, so much that it convinced me to switch back from carrying various .40 cal Sig models to carrying 9mm again after 30 years. Congrats @Michael554 on the new Sig.
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My view is that this is an ongoing learning experience. Find something that works for you but don’t expect it to work for you forever. Many things can change that will cause you to look for a new solution. I would add a number of thoughts to the discussion:
- Glock 19, 23 - I find the recoil on plastic guns to be noticeable and just starting to be painful. This shut down Glock, XDS, M&P, etc. for me.
- Beretta 92 - Pretty big gun. The grip is too fat for me, my hand won’t reach all the way around. I found that I can fire Beretta 92 compacts which might be better for concealment but they are still pretty sizeable. I had a problem that I think is ammo related, extraction failures which led to double feed and a real problem to clear. I don’t shoot Magtech practice ammo and switched to American Eagle.
- Sig Saur P226 - Another big, fat grip that I couldn’t get my hand around. Haven’t had a chance to try other 9’s in the Sig Pxx series.
- CZ 75B - I was amazed the first time I picked this up. Really comfortable to grip. 16 rd double stack mags are fine. I also tried the CZ 75 Compact. I found that I liked the full size better and the compact wasn’t really very much smaller. I also found that the CZ 2075 (subcompact) works in a pocket holster or even an ankle holster if I think I am likely to want a backup. Some might be uncomfortable with the grip which doesn’t allow most of us to put three fingers on the grip. There is an extended magazine that lets you use all three fingers. I found that I am more comfortable without the little finger.
Issues that I think play into the decision:
- Cost. You won’t be well served by liking an expensive gun that you can’t afford. Not being able to have what you are real comfortable with can drive you to distraction.
- Plastic vs. Metal. I am squarely on the metal side of this discussion, mainly because of felt recoil.
- Blocky and unattractive doesn’t work for me. I want to be happy and even proud of my pistols and guns that look nice are just better. To this end I will invest in aftermarket grips.
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