I'm looking into one of these holsters, they appear to be very nice: https://www.facebook.com/OldFaithfulHolsters
If I could afford a $1500 gun I'd purchase it in a heartbeat - in the meantime I'll stick with something that's inexpensive and reliable.
I am an M&P fan boy. I know quite a few friends who think a $3,000 Wilson Combat 1911 is the end card..... but if I can put 1,300 rounds through my M&P (without cleaning it... at all) without a single malfunction, I guess I think my $500 handgun is just as effective. lol
I wouldn't want an accurized 1911 as a concealed carry weapon. I've owned several. They tend to be very finicky in what ammunition they will reliably feed and I don't want something that is finicky. I want something that will eat anything and shoot accurately. Smith and Wesson makes a fine line of guns. I personally think they make the best revolvers out there. I know many will disagree, but that is my experience. I know you said you carry an M&P 40 subcompact. I tried to look it up, but didn't find any that actually said subcompact. Is your model no longer made? What is the exact model if you don't mind divulging that information.
For CCW purposes I either carry my M&P9 or my HiPoint c9. Both are rather inexpensive and reliable. Hell I only paid 154.99 for my HiPoint and that comes with a lifetime warranty
Personally, I really like my Walther (S&W) PPK. Compact, lightweight, accurate and very intuitive. Besides, if it is good enough for James Bond, it is good enough for me.
That is kind of funny- i looked at a PPk because it was the only little gun I knew the name of, also coz of James Bond. But I found out it has all these buttons and levers and switches that make it come apart or the magazine fall out or something. The revolver is whats intuitive for me! Point and pull the trigger.
I can understand that, my nightstand gun is a 2" 38 special double-action revolver. It is a great gun, small, reliable, accurate (especially with the laser sight). The PPK is pretty intuitive, its magazine release isn't too close to where my thumb sits, so I'm not too worried about dropping one, and it really shoots nice. Besides, it is just plain cool.
I use the ladysmith 38 for carrying in my fanny pack or in the car. At home there is a short double- barreled shot gun, and the cell phone is always there too, by the bed. i was taught to be behind the bed speed dialing 911 and the gun pointed to the bedroom door, which I lock every night. Bad experience made me hyper vigilant, I know i overdo it but i kind of have to. I dont really think any gun is cool, Id be glad to sell it and get something I actually want. My friends think i turned into some sort of redneck the way i argue gun rights now. Its not that at all, I just didnt understand and now I do, that a person has to be able to defend herself.
My wife was the same way. She didn't really like guns. She had a bad experience and now carries everywhere she can. Of course, now she really likes them and enjoys going to the range and seeing how good she can get. Ironically, shooting has the opposite effect on us. I find shooting very calming and relaxing by the time I am done. She gets wired and needs to do something to relax her after time on the range. You're absolutely correct, though. The ONLY person responsible for your safety and defense is you. Many people don't understand this simple concept until they've lived through a bad experience. I wish a bad experience didn't have to be the learning mechanism.
Sorry to hear of the bad experience for her. Its a hard way to find out. I have also learned to enjoy shooting, much to my surprise.
I have yet to meet someone who didn't enjoy shooting once they really tried it even when they were deathly afraid of guns or extremely prejudiced against guns. Education is the key to almost everything. I "forced" my step daughter to try just one shot out of a .22 so she would know what it is like. 300+ rounds later she whined because our time was up.
Unfortunately, in commiefornia, I can only carry a commie liberal holier than thou attitude. I try and fail miserably.
Part of the fun is that once they have seen that i observe all the rules, the guys are so happy to let me try out their weapons. Like what was it, 30 ctgs from one of those AK things? Wow. That was really something.