This is a similar piece to one I wrote for Personal Defense World Magazine a few years ago, but when a Patron asked for a video it made good cause to reinvent this piece.
I've had the rather uncommon opportunity to not only try, but review more than 400 handguns in the decade of GBGuns. This has enabled me to not only handle, but also get to know more models than any cluster of stores have on the shelves, and certainly more than could be rented at a range. I've taken reviewing gun seriously, and that includes continual training, from major institutions like ITTS, Front Sight, CENTER-T, and Thunder Ranch to local trainers like VFT, USCCA events, or national events like the Guradian Conference.
That training has afforded me the chance to try different guns in a controlled environment, and has also shaped my opinions and preferences, but of course I haven't always been at this level. Carrying concealed is a journey that is as individual as we each are.
I do not want this list to be seen as a ranking, but do hope that some of my reasons and experiences are applicable or relatable to your own. My choices were right for me at the time. Inclusion in this list doesn't mean it's the perfect gun for you, just as exclusion from this list doesn't mean it's not a good gun. I'd love to hear from you as well in the comment section. What you've learned, if you've changed preferences and why.
Springfield Armory 1911 A1
Why: This was my first handgun, and at the time I got my first carry license (other than the license implied by US citizenship) it was my only handgun. This pistol began life as a WWII 1911 A1 reproduction , and after my first real handgun training (ITTS in 2004!) I sent it off to the Springfield Armory custom shop with a laundry list of modifications that cost me several times the inital price of the gun to have done. Back then such features were rarely offered on a factory model.
Why I moved on: About a week of carrying a 5" all-steel 1911, especially when my lifestyle and clothing hadn't yet adapted to carry life, was all it tok for me to want something different. Combined with not knowing much about holsters, carrying that gun felt like I had tied an anchor to my hip.
Springfield Armory XD-M 3.8 in 45acp
Why: Springfield Armory was a brand I knew and the XD-M was smaller, lighter, and higher capacity than the 1911 was. It seemed like a great fit without needing to worry about a different caliber.
Why I moved on: I was getting more serious into shooting during this point and couldn't help but notice the cost-per-round difference 9mm offered. It was also while at a pin match that I learned about muzzle energy and how sensitive rounds can be to barrel length (45acp is really intended for a 5" barrel). Upon studying the math I learned this 3.8" 45acp was weaker than a 4" 9mm would be, and cost more to shoot, and had lower capacity than a comparably-sized 9mm.
Glock 19 Gen 3
Why: Not knowing much about handguns I walked into the local store and asked the guy behind the counter what he recommended. He of course was quick to point me to a used Glock 19. At this time I also didn't know that just because someone works at a gun store doesn't mean they know all the guns on the shelf, let alone all the options out there. The Glock 19 was lighter, smaller, higher capcity, and cheaper to feed than the XD-M.
Why I moved on: I loved the simplicity of the Glock. It was far easier to take down and clean, never malfunctioned on me, but after the ergonomics and trigger of a 1911 I felt like the Glock was both readier to fire than the 1911 and at the same time more difficult to control. I again spent more money on the gun trying to modify than the original cost of the gun. Modifications were easy, and I learned a lot, but the ergonomics never fit my hand and I never felt comfortable as a shooter carrying it even after courses. During a hasty draw my hand never easily found home.
Why: Unhappy with the ergonomics and trigger of the Glock 19, even after training and modifying it I went looking for something else. I knew the Walther name, but had never held one and when I spotted this in a shop and held it I was amazed. How could this gun fit so perfectly? The trigger felt different, both safe and crisp at the same time. The guy at the shop couldn't explain much about the gun, but it felt so good in hand I had to take it home.
Why I moved on: I LOVE my Walther P99 AS and it continues to serve me well, but at the time, I believe it was a change of employment when my attire couldn't be as forgiving of a "compact" sized gun. It was time to look for something smaller.
Walther PPS M2
Why: Those Walther ergonomics in a more portable size! Super slim and yet it gave my entire hand a place to be. The trigger is somewhat a compromise between the DA and SA of the P99 AS. I felt like I could carry the PPS M2 anywhere, adapting magazine size to my clothing.
Why I moved on: After learning that it typically take three hits to incapacitate an attacker I grew uncomfortable with 6-9-round capacity and didn't like carrying a spare magazine. That meant that, considering the imperfections of stress and moving threats the PPS M2 might onyl serve me for a single attacker. I do believe many confrontations stop when the good guy draws, but I had lost confidence in carrying a single-stack. Now to look for more capacity.
Walther PPQ SC
Why: Familiar ergonomics, quality I could trust, and higher capacity without going back to the size of the P99 AS. Walther pulled a unique trick in the construction of this one that made it cycle rediculously quickly, and when paired with the PPQ trigger it made for a gun I felt really confident on the range with. With the short mag it was very easy to conceal, or I could use the 15-round magazine for a whole-hand grip.
Why I moved On: Further training had me reconsidering the trigger again. It was incredible on the range, but could I trust myself with it in a defensive situation? What if there's a bump in the night and I wake up after a night of some adult beverages? I wanted something with a trigger that allowed me to not be on my A-Game.
Grand Power K100 and P11 (Mk12 Decocker Models)
Why: Excellent ergonomics, the DA/SA trigger system I was looking for, and unique rotating barrel action that reduced recoil. I felt both safer and more competent with these guns. The K100 might feel slightly large to carry, but was a perfect fit for me in hand and made for great draws from the holster. During times when concealing such a large gun was difficult the P11 fit the same holster, had the same manual or arms, and very similar shooting cahracteristics while being a bit smaller. This pair served me for several years and I never really needed to move away from them. Also Falco holsters now makes just about any holster configuration you could think of for Grand Power pistols. Even if it's not listed, ask them and they'll take care of you.
Why I moved on: No fault of the guns at all aside from limited holster options. After a few years of carrying the Grand Powers, training with them, and reviewing several models they are a solid personal favorite for me, but as a reviewer I felt an obligation to be able to speak to more than just a Grand Power, especially one of very few people advocating them without taking a check, I felt like I was speaking the wrong language to the audience when I mentioned a gun they'd likely never see in person without buying.
BUL Armory SAS II TAC 4.25 (now "EDC") & SAS II UL 3.25 (now "Ultralight")
Why: By this point my confidence in shooting, carry, and some lifestyle changes had me seriously considering the return to single-action only. There was a time when I wanted a double-action second-strike capability, but in recent years out of all the rounds fired I hadn't seen the same hard/proud primer problems I had in the past. I know that Grand Power's ignition system is extra robust as more than once I had been able to fire round that failed in other guns, but I felt confident enough to give up that second strike, plus with the increased capacity of the BUL Armory pistols it wasn't as big of a loss to need to rack out a potentially bad round. The BUL Armory pistols for me represented reaching a new height in handgun capabilities and a new attitude towards carry.
They are far from the easiest to conceal, but over the years my lifestyle, clothing choice, and tolerance has also changed to accept this. The pistols are becoming the same extension of my will on the range that the Grand Powers became, I know I have plenty of ammnuition on tap, and if need be can pull off back-to-back 0.13s splits (3 shots in .26 seconds). Carrying these pistols comes with a higher level of responsibility needed as the trigger are shorter and lighter than anything else I've carried, but my skills have advanced and I've also come to have a different attitude about it all since I've begun.
Bedside: Bersa TPR9
This is a bonus, but I think something worth mentioning as I have different criteria for bedside. The Bersa TPR9 is a reliable, very accurate, and very soft-shooting. Most importantly it's a DA/SA gun with a safety that decocks and can be left on "safe" or turned off for a smooth, but longer and heavier double-action first pull. Combined with night sights and a light/laser combo this 17-tound full size is a gun I'm comfortable grabbing when woken up from a dead sleep. yes, of course I have other home defense pieces such as the Extar EP45 and Genesis Arms Gen-12, but this is one that is easier to tuck away while still being accessible.
OH! I forgot to mention that I am a Kahr 9mm double-action-only pistol afficionado! I got a very early all-steel large one and a very late micro polymer model. Simply a brilliant and totally safe and reliable design, worth every penny. I have shot both a lot with never a fail. I often carry the micro Kahr, and the only pistol left that I might buy is the coming NEW 9mm double-stack made in Montana........................elsullo
Thanks for a very interesting and useful survey! I have no military training and so am self-taught, but my history with handguns is very similar to yours, and might be useful to others. I can STILL hear the first round I fired from my first handgun; all the time in fact! It was an excellent High Standard .22 Magnum revolver, which I thought would not need hearing protection since it was ONLY a .22! I SAID self--taught!
My history is a string of great pistols that I have been forced to sell due to economic fluctuations and personal disasters. My next guns were a wonderful S&W Model 13 Heavy Barrell revolver, and a superb US Army Mauser HSc .380 pistol…