Handguns
Spoiler:
Gen 4 magazines can be used in any generation of Glock pistol, however you must use Gen 4 magazines in a Gen 4 Glock if you want to switch the gun from a right-handed magazine release to a left-handed release.
Use only Glock factory magazines. There are a number of knockoff, aftermarket magazines available on the market. Currently Glock magazines are inexpensive and plentiful. There isn’t any reason not to use the real thing.
You can use the high-capacity 33-round 9mm and 31-round .40 S&W magazines in full-size (Glock 17 & 22) and compact-size (Glock 19 & 23), however these magazines may or may not be reliable in the sub-compact frame (Glock 26 & 27) pistols.
You can use any caliber appropriate magazine in any smaller version Glock than what the magazine was originally intended for (with the exception of the new single-stack Glock 43). Example: In a subcompact Glock 26 you can shoot larger Glock 19 or 17 magazines. A compact Glock 19 can use magazines from a full-size Glock 17.
If you add a magazine extension intended to add two rounds to 9mm magazines or one round to a .40 S&W magazines, you will not have to change springs in subcompact magazines (Glock 26 & 27), you will need to use a spring intended for 17-rounds with compact size magazines (Glock 19 & 23), and if you want to add the extension to full-size magazines (Glock 17 & 23) you can order directly from Glock a spring that is intended to push 19-rounds. Only use genuine Glock parts, including the extension.
If you don’t have the patience for a detailed explanation, then you will still be well served by the information above. If you want to know more, keep reading.
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Spoiler:
Off-duty police officers and plain clothes detectives, as well as lawfully carrying civilians really need to pay heed to this. When you openly carry a firearm everyone knows that you have it. Like it or not your firearm will be the elephant in the room. It will get noticed. This is bad for a number of reasons reasons, and isn’t good for any reason.
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Introduction To The S&W Shield:
For a while these were highly sought after and nearly impossible to find. They are much easier to locate now.
The Shield uses single stack magazines to help create a much slim and easy to conceal frame. The magazines are not compatible with the other M&P pistols that use double stack magazines.’
The pistol is available in 9mm or .40 S&W.
The trigger has a very distinct reset (like a Glock) that is missing on the factory triggers of the full-size and compact size M&P pistols.
Smith & Wesson recommends that you limit your use of +P ammunition as it will wear out the pistol much faster (unlike a Glock in which you can use +P ammunition all of the time). S&W says not to use +P+ ammunition at all.
I recently bought a Smith & Wesson Shield in 9mm. I don’t normally get giddy about guns, but I can’t believe how great it shoots, and how easily is conceals in a Kydex in-the-waistband holster. It won’t replace the Smith & Wesson 642 J-frame revolver that’s been in my pocket for 20 years, or the Glock 26 that also rides in a Kydex IWB holster, but it will definitely be a frequent part of my everyday carry. Just like when you have another baby, you don’t love your other children any less. Your heart creates more love for the new child. My heart has created new love for the Shield.
The following YouTube videos provide some good reviews of the new S&W Shield pistol.
Toys Or Serious Fighting Gear?
Smith & Wesson and Taurus both make revolvers capable of firing .410 gauge shotgun shells as well as .45 Colt and .45 ACP (in moon clips). The Smith & Wesson Governor holds six rounds of ammunition and the Taurus Judge holds five. The are both considered handguns rather than short-barrel shotguns because the barrels are rifled. If they were smooth-bore they would require the owner to register them as a short-barrel shotgun with the BATFE, and pay $200 for a tax stamp from the Treasury Department (as with machine guns and suppressors).
In my humble opinion (and I’m sure that there are many people who will disagree with me) I consider these firearms to be novelties and not serious self-defense gear. But wait?! It’s a shotgun! How can it not be a serious fighting tool? First, the .410, whether you use rifled slugs, buckshot, or birdshot, is a pathetically anemic performer out of a full barred shotgun. If you fire it out of a two to four-inch barrel you will be getting only a small fraction of what little potential stopping power that the round can offer. The shotgun rounds will only be effective at very close range. If you want to shoot any distance farther than 10 yards will have to shoot the .45 Long Colt or .45 ACP (on moon clips) handgun ammunition. Rather than shoot .45 Colt or .45 ACP ammunition out of the giant revolver, I’d rather shoot them out of a firearm specifically made for that ammo (and carry more rounds in the firearm with most .45 ACP offerings). If I want a shotgun I’ll shoot a 12 or 20 gauge regular size shotgun rather than .410 out of a “micro barrel”.
Of course I don’t want to be shot with one of these revolvers, but when I’m analyzing what is going to be the most effective handgun (in terms of stopping power and cost) for me to purchase and carry, these .410 revolvers don’t add up. Please feel free to scroll down to the bottom of the page and post friendly and informative comments with any of your experience with these firearms. I’d love to hear them. You might convince me to give them another chance.
If you have carried a handgun for any significant portion of you life, then you probably have the ubiquitous shoebox in the closet full of holsters that you spent hard-earned money for, used for short time, and then vanquished to the shoebox.
After years of carrying I have found that a good pocket holster for my J-frame S&W .38 special, and in-the-waistband (IWB) holsters for the same J-frame and for a small or mid-size Glock will fulfill 99% of my carry needs. Occasionally I might carry a handgun outside the waistband on a belt type holster, such as when camping and hiking, but most of the time I want the deep concealment of a IWB type holster.
Several followers of this blog are shopping for IWB holsters at the same time. “J²” was generous enough to share his research into many of the IWB offerings from the major manufacturers, as well as some cottage industry companies.
Shown below are his findings, showing holster names, prices, and photos. Click on the name of the holster to take you to their website. Click on photos to enlarge.
Research by J²
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The Savannah Arsenal Project 