Hate carry pistol after defensive pistol course?

[mab22]

So I realized I no longer like my carry pistol after using it in a defensive pistol course. 
Wondering if anyone else has run into this after actually doing some drills with your firearms, and realizing it might be time for a replacement or trade in.

 

For me I realized:
The mags are too small to grab, orient, and quickly reload. Maybe it’s my Simpson fingers, not cartman fingers. It’s a single stack 8 round capacity. 

The mag release button sucks.

The slide release sucks,

I think I would like using a normal size pistol, that is probably banned in Illinois because our politicians are just plain stupid!

And I learned I really done like IWB holsters so I might need to relocate to an open carry state. 
 

Now I have a whole list of 💩 that a concealed pistol needs to meet other than fits the hand well and is “concealable”. 
 

 

[davel501]

On 6/15/2025 at 9:36 PM, mab22 said:

So I realized I no longer like my carry pistol after using it in a defensive pistol course. 
Wondering if anyone else has run into this after actually doing some drills with your firearms, and realizing it might be time for a replacement or trade in.

 

For me I realized:
The mags are too small to grab, orient, and quickly reload. Maybe it’s my Simpson fingers, not cartman fingers. It’s a single stack 8 round capacity. 

The mag release button sucks.

The slide release sucks,

I think I would like using a normal size pistol, that is probably banned in Illinois because our politicians are just plain stupid!

And I learned I really done like IWB holsters so I might need to relocate to an open carry state. 
 

Now I have a whole list of 💩 that a concealed pistol needs to meet other than fits the hand well and is “concealable”. 
 

 

 

This is why we train. 

 

It's also why my g34.5 is my favorite appendix carry gun. 

 

What did you hate about your holster? 

[mab22]

On 6/15/2025 at 9:47 PM, davel501 said:

 

This is why we train. 

 

It's also why my g34.5 is my favorite appendix carry gun. 

 

What did you hate about your holster? 

This is true!
 

I think congealed adds an extra step to expose the pistol, quite possibly ties up 2 hands/arms instead of 1 when it’s time to remove it. 
While 1 hand is removing clothing your other hand is reaching for the pistol.

Depending on the distance between you and your opponent you might have both arms “unavailable”, or they might lock you up by wrapping their arms around you. 
 

couple of times the holster didn’t lock on the belt and out it comes with the pistol. 

[Jeffrey]

You don't need to give us all an excuse to buy another gun.  We all have the same problem.

 

 

[stigz]

I've tried out the micro pistols and found them to be lacking in many ways. I understand they're a bit of a thing right now but I'll put up with the weight and bulk of something that handles much better.

 

As for the holster, I've been using a black arch iwb holster in the summer and it's never come off the belt.

 

Winter is an owb paddle.  Very quick if your coat is unzipped.

 

 

[Yeti]

On 6/16/2025 at 7:45 AM, Jeffrey said:

You don't need to give us all an excuse to buy another gun.  We all have the same problem.

 

 

Yes, and to that point, share the specifics on the pistol/holster you hated and we will all "enable you" with ideas of how to spend your money next!

[davel501]

This is a good series to check out: https://www.phlsterholsters.com/deep-carry

 

If you're worried about someone holding on to you while you draw then you probably don't want to draw due to the risk of losing your gun when they grab it. 

 

This course has been on my list to take for a while: https://shivworks.com/extreme-close-quarters-concepts/.

[John Q Public]

I love it that you did some training to find these flaws. There are a few times when I carry a sub, but almost never. I carry two full size, one a revo and one a semi I have worked on and trust as much as anything other than the wheel. 

 

I'm shocked about how little the typical CC holder knows about all of it. 

[Jeffrey]

On 6/16/2025 at 10:58 AM, Yeti said:

Yes, and to that point, share the specifics on the pistol/holster you hated and we will all "enable you" with ideas of how to spend your money next!

That is one of my biggest complaints of forums in general.  Stop giving me options because I'll opt for all of them.

[luckydawg13]

I'm on my  6th carry gun xds sp101 p938 1911 G48 I find that for ME my ks6 it checks all of my boxes 

[Yeti]

On 6/16/2025 at 3:16 PM, Jeffrey said:

That is one of my biggest complaints of forums in general.  Stop giving me options because I'll opt for all of them.

It’s the only way to be sure you’ve made the best choice.  We are here to help Jeffrey… 

 

😀

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Train, train, train. I switched pistols, carry holsters, belts, clothing/dress (I carry Appendix), added optics and lost 30 pounds a few years ago to accommodate AIWB concealed carry. In my training and in my CCL class, I have come to view Open Carry as a "Shoot me First" advertisement - giving up my strategy of surprise at being well armed and trained is something I'm not gonna do. Maybe for others but, for me, moving to another State purely for Open Carry is a no go for me. But there are plenty of reasons to flee Illinois.

 

Consider the options and choose. Then make your choices valid via training and modifications. It's gonna take a Lifestyle adaptation to make it all work.

 

VooDoo

[Black Flag]

On 6/15/2025 at 11:29 PM, mab22 said:

 

I think congealed adds an extra step

It is inconvenient when the pistol congeals right when it is needed the most.

[John Q Public]

I would not open carry if I could. There are a couple exceptions, one of which is bear/cat country...  I don't have to worry about the bear taking my firearm, nor surprise. I want to be able to draw and fire without clearing garments.

 

The cons for typical CC are firearm retention, and element of surprise. 

[yurimodin]

The only holster I will use......IWB, single retention, sweat barrier

 

https://www.crossbreedholsters.com/product/professional-g2/

[John Q Public]

It's all about the individual, there is no universal firearm/holster/ammo/clothing/anything. It's one of my top gripes where instructors tell students this is not good, or that caliber is to small. etc.

 

What I have learned in my 40+ years of teaching folks about firearms. Get them to spend enough time behind a gun to figure out what they need, on their own with you being a safety steward. 

[Daffy]

I do leathercraft so I make my own holsters. Two of my favorites are a simple IWB with the flesh side out and a replica of Andrews Leather Monarch Shoulder rig.

[John Q Public]

I use, Craft Holsters, among others. 

[mab22]

On 6/17/2025 at 10:40 AM, Vodoun da Vinci said:

Train, train, train. I switched pistols, carry holsters, belts, clothing/dress (I carry Appendix), added optics and lost 30 pounds a few years ago to accommodate AIWB concealed carry. In my training and in my CCL class, I have come to view Open Carry as a "Shoot me First" advertisement - giving up my strategy of surprise at being well armed and trained is something I'm not gonna do. Maybe for others but, for me, moving to another State purely for Open Carry is a no go for me. But there are plenty of reasons to flee Illinois.

 

Consider the options and choose. Then make your choices valid via training and modifications. It's gonna take a Lifestyle adaptation to make it all work.

 

VooDoo

 

On 6/17/2025 at 12:45 PM, John Q Public said:

I would not open carry if I could. There are a couple exceptions, one of which is bear/cat country...  I don't have to worry about the bear taking my firearm, nor surprise. I want to be able to draw and fire without clearing garments.

 

The cons for typical CC are firearm retention, and element of surprise. 

Some of my my considerations for open carry are, 

1. In nature sometimes things are a warning not to mess with it, if someone see's your armed in public they may move on to someone that isn't. 

They may also decide to give it a try. 

 

2. As far as being "the first one" or "the target" if your at a concert or outdoor venue you could be first because you are closest, or just there. If same terrorist decides to do something they may go where they think people are unarmed, so if they see armed people, they may move on. 
Maybe not. 

 

Let's say there is more then one terrorist, and you get the surprise on 1, what if their partner see's you drawing on their partner, NOW your the target. 

 

I'm not trying to poo poo any thoughts, just share mine, but I think we have seen enough scenarios that the end game is.... Unpredictable and you need to do what you feel is best for you. And based on the scenarios you considered.  

 

 

[mab22]

On 6/17/2025 at 1:05 PM, John Q Public said:

It's all about the individual, there is no universal firearm/holster/ammo/clothing/anything. It's one of my top gripes where instructors tell students this is not good, or that caliber is to small. etc.

 

What I have learned in my 40+ years of teaching folks about firearms. Get them to spend enough time behind a gun to figure out what they need, on their own with you being a safety steward. 

Agreed! 
And I think that is what made Paul Harrell a hit, he didn't tell you what to choose, he presented the evidence and then you could decide what was right for you. 

[John Q Public]

Paul 58yrs, what a loss.

[Lou]

After carrying a few tools over time I couldn't wait to buy a G43 when they came out.   After I got one I found it carried just like I was hoping for but after doing a few realistic drills with it i found it just didn't live up to what I felt I needed.  Fortunately someone at the range that day was practicing with a SIG P365 and let me try it.

 

I found it carried just as comfortably as the G43, much better than my G26 and my hits were much better and more consistent

 

Been my EDC since.  It even works with shorts and a tee shirt  

[SiliconSorcerer]

On 6/20/2025 at 11:39 AM, Lou said:

After carrying a few tools over time I couldn't wait to buy a G43 when they came out.   After I got one I found it carried just like I was hoping for but after doing a few realistic drills with it i found it just didn't live up to what I felt I needed.  Fortunately someone at the range that day was practicing with a SIG P365 and let me try it.

 

I found it carried just as comfortably as the G43, much better than my G26 and my hits were much better and more consistent

 

Been my EDC since.  It even works with shorts and a tee shirt  

I liked the P365 so much I bought 3

What have i change on them? NOTHING

I will buy spare barrel(s) in case one gets lost in a fishing accident. 

 

[ealcala31]

I've stuck with traditional double stack firearms. The micro pistols are awesome for those who have small hands. It gives shooters another option, but even with my small hands, they seem a little too small and have more recoil. It's all about trade-offs. If you're tall and overweight, your viewpoint is different than someone who is skinny and short. A suit and tie lawyer will have a different take than a trades guy coming off of work. I'm sure joggers and bicyclist will have a different take. I had a customer come in and his 'go to' is a NAA .22LR pocket carry. Said it was easy & convenient. The only advice I give anyone, is to carry a spare mag or speed loader. 

[ragsbo]

You have to figure out what fits your natural put together and EVERYONE is different. 

[SiliconSorcerer]

On 6/21/2025 at 2:41 PM, ealcala31 said:

I've stuck with traditional double stack firearms. The micro pistols are awesome for those who have small hands. It gives shooters another option, but even with my small hands, they seem a little too small and have more recoil. It's all about trade-offs. If you're tall and overweight, your viewpoint is different than someone who is skinny and short. A suit and tie lawyer will have a different take than a trades guy coming off of work. I'm sure joggers and bicyclist will have a different take. I had a customer come in and his 'go to' is a NAA .22LR pocket carry. Said it was easy & convenient. The only advice I give anyone, is to carry a spare mag or speed loader. 

P365 is a double stack just but where it matters... even with my big mitts I can't reach the mag release on Glock without shifting my hand that's why the extended mag release seems so popular for them.   That's a no go for me, 

[ealcala31]

On 6/22/2025 at 12:23 PM, SiliconSorcerer said:

P365 is a double stack just but where it matters... even with my big mitts I can't reach the mag release on Glock without shifting my hand that's why the extended mag release seems so popular for them.   That's a no go for me, 

I'm not trying to convince you, or anyone else why a traditional double stack is better than a stack and a half micro compact. My only advice, is to carry a spare mag or a spare speed loader. Now, if that's a no go for you, 10-4. 

[Smallbore]

On 6/19/2025 at 12:58 PM, mab22 said:

 

Some of my my considerations for open carry are, 

1. In nature sometimes things are a warning not to mess with it, if someone see's your armed in public they may move on to someone that isn't. 

They may also decide to give it a try. 

 

2. As far as being "the first one" or "the target" if your at a concert or outdoor venue you could be first because you are closest, or just there. If same terrorist decides to do something they may go where they think people are unarmed, so if they see armed people, they may move on. 
Maybe not. 

 

Let's say there is more then one terrorist, and you get the surprise on 1, what if their partner see's you drawing on their partner, NOW your the target. 

 

I'm not trying to poo poo any thoughts, just share mine, but I think we have seen enough scenarios that the end game is.... Unpredictable and you need to do what you feel is best for you. And based on the scenarios you considered.  

 

 

One of the reasons I like shooting is that every time you try a new endeavor you get to start over again with new gear searching for the right stuff. I like stuff. I tell my ccl classes your first gun and first holster starts your collection. Enjoy the flow.