alank2
10-07-2008, 07:38 PM
Hi,
First, my main carry is a Glock 23 with a Wilderness belt and a CTAC at about 5:30. It does a great job and I am confident in its capability if I were ever in a bad situation where I needed it.
I also have a 442 with the integrated lock. If I stay with the J-Frame, it will be sold and replaced with a non-IL 442 if/when they become available. Yes, I despise the lock and even though it may cost me $75-$100 to get into a non lock version by time I sell my old one, it is worth it to me.
My 442 gets used for very a specific carry role - chuch carry in a smartcarry holster. I used to pocket carry it, but all the dockers shorts I had which concealed it so well are falling apart at the seams. I have looked and looked to find more ideal pocket carry shorts, but so far I've not found them. What used to be the best feature of the 442 (pocket carry) doesn't happen much anymore because it prints horribly in my new shorts. The truth is it was too convenient to just pocket carry it and not belt up my G23, and I really should be belting up the G23 unless the conditions demand more concealability. So, for now, my 442 gets used once a week for the deep conceal church role.
So, here I am thinking to myself, if I am going to sell the 442, should I stay committed to the J-Frame (non-IL 442) or jump to a G26 instead. I've had a 26 and 27 in the past and sold both, but they were also workable in the smartcarry. Not as comfortable, but as the phase goes, more comforting. Nothing wrong with the 27, and I like the 40s&w for carry, but in that small frame size, I preferred the 9mm G26.
So, I am comparing the 442 and G26 for this one role, church and or higher concealment carry.
442 Advantages: It is lighter (18 oz vs 26 oz), and more comfortable to conceal in the smartcarry. If I ever find some shorts that work well with it again, it was really great for pocket carry.
G26 Advantages: Probably the most important advantage of all, it is easier to shoot more quickly and accurately. Stronger ballistically (9mm vs 38spl+p). Twice the capacity (11 vs 5). Much better sights including tritium 3 dot as an option. Much better trigger. Superior recoil management. Longer sight radius and barrel. User replaceable sights. Much easier to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair. More durable.
One reason I didn't love the G26/27 in the smartcarry before was that the smartcarry is not hard sided for trigger coverage. It is pretty good, but not solid like my CTAC. I tried the saf-t-block, but I wasn't happy with that solution and honestly I felt like it was worse than nothing at all because it could become dislodged and perhaps interfere with the trigger. But, that LWD siderlock might work really well for a little added trigger safety, so I don't think this will be an issue if I go the G26 route. My only real beef with the G26/smartcarry solution was the pressure it puts on your junk. It is an extra 1/2# more weight and you feel it. On the other hand, I tell myself that if I am ever in a SHTF situation and need it, I will be wishing so much that I was drawing a G26 instead of a 442. Not that the 442 isn't capable, but it is not in the same league in capability as the G26. Probably would never need it, but if I did...
So, let's hear it, what is your take!
Thanks,
Alan
First, my main carry is a Glock 23 with a Wilderness belt and a CTAC at about 5:30. It does a great job and I am confident in its capability if I were ever in a bad situation where I needed it.
I also have a 442 with the integrated lock. If I stay with the J-Frame, it will be sold and replaced with a non-IL 442 if/when they become available. Yes, I despise the lock and even though it may cost me $75-$100 to get into a non lock version by time I sell my old one, it is worth it to me.
My 442 gets used for very a specific carry role - chuch carry in a smartcarry holster. I used to pocket carry it, but all the dockers shorts I had which concealed it so well are falling apart at the seams. I have looked and looked to find more ideal pocket carry shorts, but so far I've not found them. What used to be the best feature of the 442 (pocket carry) doesn't happen much anymore because it prints horribly in my new shorts. The truth is it was too convenient to just pocket carry it and not belt up my G23, and I really should be belting up the G23 unless the conditions demand more concealability. So, for now, my 442 gets used once a week for the deep conceal church role.
So, here I am thinking to myself, if I am going to sell the 442, should I stay committed to the J-Frame (non-IL 442) or jump to a G26 instead. I've had a 26 and 27 in the past and sold both, but they were also workable in the smartcarry. Not as comfortable, but as the phase goes, more comforting. Nothing wrong with the 27, and I like the 40s&w for carry, but in that small frame size, I preferred the 9mm G26.
So, I am comparing the 442 and G26 for this one role, church and or higher concealment carry.
442 Advantages: It is lighter (18 oz vs 26 oz), and more comfortable to conceal in the smartcarry. If I ever find some shorts that work well with it again, it was really great for pocket carry.
G26 Advantages: Probably the most important advantage of all, it is easier to shoot more quickly and accurately. Stronger ballistically (9mm vs 38spl+p). Twice the capacity (11 vs 5). Much better sights including tritium 3 dot as an option. Much better trigger. Superior recoil management. Longer sight radius and barrel. User replaceable sights. Much easier to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair. More durable.
One reason I didn't love the G26/27 in the smartcarry before was that the smartcarry is not hard sided for trigger coverage. It is pretty good, but not solid like my CTAC. I tried the saf-t-block, but I wasn't happy with that solution and honestly I felt like it was worse than nothing at all because it could become dislodged and perhaps interfere with the trigger. But, that LWD siderlock might work really well for a little added trigger safety, so I don't think this will be an issue if I go the G26 route. My only real beef with the G26/smartcarry solution was the pressure it puts on your junk. It is an extra 1/2# more weight and you feel it. On the other hand, I tell myself that if I am ever in a SHTF situation and need it, I will be wishing so much that I was drawing a G26 instead of a 442. Not that the 442 isn't capable, but it is not in the same league in capability as the G26. Probably would never need it, but if I did...
So, let's hear it, what is your take!
Thanks,
Alan