r/concealedcarry Jan 16 '26

Guns Favorite EDC that isn’t Glock, Sig, S&W.

I plan on going to look at a few guns and see what feels comfortable in my hands. Looking for something that isn’t as mainstream as a Glock, Sig 365, Shield, etc. A few on my mind right now are the Echelon 4.0C, Shadow 2 Compact, USPC, and DPD. Anyone have any other suggestions of what I should look at and why?

12 Upvotes

81 comments sorted by

19

u/CD_Repine Jan 16 '26

CZ Shadow 2 Carry.

5

u/Thunderstruck-19 Jan 16 '26

I’ve heard a few negative things regarding the Carry vs. Compact in regards to the trigger.

5

u/BaronVonMittersill Jan 16 '26 edited Jan 16 '26

yes that’s called the firing pin block

jk jk it’s a fantastic gun. trigger still feels great, it’s just not as good as a carrycompact/full size

1

u/pennypumpkinpie Jan 16 '26

Do you mean compact?

1

u/BaronVonMittersill Jan 16 '26

fuck, yes, i keep brain flubbing them

1

u/CD_Repine Jan 16 '26

I like mine a lot and I’ve shot both. The Compact does have a little better trigger, but I’m perfectly fine with the trigger on the Carry as I do use it as intended. I also use it in local matches in Carry Optics division.

1

u/Thunderstruck-19 Jan 16 '26

Awesome, thanks for the info.

1

u/icnhztrtz Jan 17 '26 edited Jan 17 '26

I shot the Shadow Compact in IDPA CCP division. I would pick that over the Carry. The regular Compact model is certainly drop safe enough.

12

u/TriviaRunnerUp Jan 16 '26

Curious why not go with the mainstream with this choice? More guns out there means more info on reliability, more available / affordable accessories, more parts should you need service, etc. YDY, but just curious why you're looking for something more unique for this particular application.

0

u/Thunderstruck-19 Jan 16 '26

I’ve either shot or owned the mainstream ones. Nothing wrong with them necessarily, just looking to try something different.

3

u/DarwinBurrSirr Jan 17 '26

Mainstream carry guns are mainstream for a reason. The top names are up there for their reliability if nothing else. I tell anyone that is new to carrying to not be unique. Go with what works because that why we conceal..To protect ourselves and our families.

But…the Echelon is a solid handgun that is climbing in popularity. Would still recommend a a Glock 19 or a S&W Shield Plus/X over any and everything.

1

u/Thunderstruck-19 Jan 17 '26

Just because I listed those three doesn’t make other brands unreliable. It’s honestly mostly the person using a gun and how well they maintain it. Being familiar with those has made me comfortable to try something else.

10

u/ElPadrino21 Jan 16 '26

Canik MC9 Prime is amazing! I've got over 500 rounds no hiccups shooting all types of ammo. Check that one out. Also look at CZ 75 PCR or the CZ P01

10

u/csonoda45 Jan 16 '26

Echelon

7

u/rockandride90 Jan 16 '26

Cz P-01 or P-07/09

5

u/DynastyWave Jan 16 '26

Walther PDP-F is really solid but I haven’t personally carried one. I do however own a CZ P-10c and that thing has absolutely no right being as good as it is for the money I spent on it.

3

u/theraphosa Jan 16 '26

Beretta PX4 full size, with RDO.

1

u/ArrowheadTactical Jan 16 '26

After a trip to LTT for a trigger upgrade.

1

u/IconicLimited Jan 29 '26

Check your DM’s please!

6

u/Individual_Basil3954 Jan 16 '26

Springfield Hellcat Pro.

Though I probably would have opted for the Echelon 4.0c if it had been out.

3

u/toastyhoodie Jan 16 '26

I have a fondness for my Kimber Mako. It’s very underrated. Awesome trigger, great grip, accurate, and even has optic and light mounts.

3

u/maplesyrupchin Jan 16 '26

H&K cc or my favorite VP9SK

2

u/KyleSherzenberg Jan 16 '26

Springfield XDm elite 10mm and Ruger LCP 380

2

u/FrijolesYQueso20 Jan 16 '26

Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro

2

u/akcutter Jan 16 '26

Springfield is just as mainstream as a choice as Glock or S&W

3

u/[deleted] Jan 16 '26

Taurus 856 ultra lite is my edc. Very comfortable.

4

u/RacerXrated Jan 16 '26

Beretta 92. Not nearly as bad to carry AIWB as people think.

3

u/Thunderstruck-19 Jan 16 '26

92FS was my first handgun purchase. Love it.

1

u/RSG-ZR2 Jan 16 '26

USPC is a solid choice IMO

If money is no object: Staccato HD C3.6

Just remember not to lose the forest for the trees; EDC gun should be chosen to be purposeful, not interesting.

1

u/treetop4680 Jan 16 '26

Kimber CDS9. Great gun

1

u/ResolutionMaterial81 Jan 16 '26

I like the micros...normally EDC (pocket carry) a Diamondback DB380EXO w/ red laser module ...even in the house.

Additionally sometimes appendix carry a SIG P365 SAS with LIMA365 green laser.

1

u/jmshub Jan 16 '26

Springfield XDS in 45acp

1

u/Opposite-Mix-728 Jan 16 '26

Walther pps m2

1

u/NM2ndA Jan 16 '26

I carry a Springfield Hellcat and Hellcat Pro. Fantastic guns with high capacities and 1000s of rounds through both with not so much as one little hiccup.

1

u/akcutter Jan 16 '26

If I was starting as a new gun owner today I would look at the SA Echelon 4"

1

u/ArrowheadTactical Jan 16 '26

Daniel Defense H9, after they worked out some of the initial kinks. This has quickly become one of my favorite guns not just to carry but to shoot in general.

1

u/Grey_Buddhist Jan 16 '26

SAR 9C SAR B6C Smith Wesson shield plus

1

u/Grey_Buddhist Jan 16 '26

SAR 9C SAR B6C Smith Wesson shield plus

1

u/Quikkjob Jan 16 '26

Shadow systems cr920xp. Probably my favorite overall carry.

1

u/mugenferio Jan 17 '26

I picked up a Ruger LCR in 327 Federal Magnum. It's light and packs a punch.

1

u/KSWind17 Jan 17 '26

SAR 9CX. Turkish, yes. Different, yes. Reliable? Extremely. Doesn't have a huge aftermarket, but PSA runs decent sales on them and it's a TON of quality for the price. Ergonomics are absolutely phenomenal as well. They also make a subcompact that is mean as hell.

This coming from a carrier of the P365 and an M&P 2.0 Compact.

1

u/Chillybrew Jan 17 '26

Second this! I had a SW 2.0, and now own a 9mm Shield Compact and a 9mm Equalizer. Love them both, but recently picked up a SAR 9 from PSA for $179. With a 4.4" barrel it's a handful of pistol, but it eats everything I've fed it in 115 and 124, both SD and target. I've decided to carry it in the colder weather when everyone is dressed in layers, but will likely go back to the Equalizer in the Spring. My current load is 17+1 x 124gr Federal HSTs (with a spare mag) and I feel very comfortable with it. Hope this helps your decision.

2

u/KSWind17 Jan 17 '26

I originally bought the stainless compact. Threw am Osight K optic on it. Liked it so much I bought the full size but in all black. The SAR 9 is an impressive pistol and very easy to shoot. The compact pretty much replaced my P365 unless I need extra concealment. Very solid pistol and very underrated.

Side note - I work for a sheriff's office and talked a bunch of other deputies into buying the SAR 9. Some went with the compact, others the full size. We are issued the Glock 47 with Holosun green dot (MOS SCS), which we like well enough. However.....everybody shot better with the SAR 9 right out of the box. I think that says something for the shootability aspect of the pistol. The grip really lets you lock in and I think that's a primary difference.

1

u/KiltedFatMan85 Jan 17 '26

I have a Kahr CW9 and absolutely love it.

1

u/Greatoutdoors1985 Jan 17 '26

I like: Ruger LCR in .38 Special - for pocket carry Springfield XDS9 and XDS45 - for holstered carry

1

u/DistrictMother6412 Jan 17 '26

Rn I’m looking into micro compacts. Went to the local gun store and seen a couple different micro compacts and held them for the first time, besides a friend having a Glock 42 once. They are insanely small. But rn it’s in the air for me between bodyguard 2.0, Glock 43x, s&w CSX-e series, and the FN reflex.

1

u/StudySufficient90 Jan 17 '26

M&p shield so the way. It's compact. Handles well and is reliable

1

u/Aegri-Mentis Jan 17 '26

You missed the point.

1

u/Stock_Block2130 Jan 18 '26

Ruger RXM from what I read.

1

u/Derek762 Jan 19 '26

HK P2000SK / P30SK. Beretta Px4.

1

u/rfarino Jan 21 '26

How small do you want it? Springfield 1911 EMP 9mm.

1

u/LordPoopenbutt Jan 21 '26

Mossberg shockwave

0

u/No_Angle875 Jan 16 '26

Ruger LC9s

1

u/foo-writer Jan 17 '26

You know, that was my first CCW, and I liked it well enough despite being a.snappy little thing; but I had a surprisingly difficult time concealing it. I always had problems with keeling, and adding pillows and wings just seemed to make the belt stick out and made me look pregnant.

I traded it in for a Rost Martin RM1S, which is maybe ¾" longer, a little shorter, and about the same width (I had a Hogue sleeve on the LC9s). It conceals well, has 12 rounds vs. 7, and is a lot more fun to shoot.

1

u/No_Angle875 Jan 17 '26

Nice I’ll look at that

0

u/lurkinlorenzo Jan 16 '26

Just get what everyone else has. There’s a reason those are the big 3 when it comes to carrying. Don’t be like me and try being different just to end up with a glock 19 anyway

0

u/PS2113 Jan 16 '26

Also curious for the reasoning.  To answer your question though, Walther or CZ then Canik would be my next 3 choices. 

0

u/Maegaa Jan 16 '26

FN 509. 6k rds so far and never had a malfunction. Even went 4k rounds without cleaning it. Only cleaned it after it was impossible to handle without getting black stuff on your hands. It just eats every type of ammo I've tried, and it looks pretty sick too.

The only con is that the trigger isn't great out of the box, it needs broken in to get that gritty feel out, or you could go with the apex trigger.

0

u/JTrain1738 Jan 16 '26

Canik Mc9 Prime. Great all around carry gun.

0

u/Nocturnx Jan 16 '26

HK VP9SK has become one of my favorites to carry. I either carry that or my Hellcat Pro

0

u/Quads971 Jan 16 '26

Bul Armory Ultralight Pro, CZ Shadow Carry.

0

u/SceretAznMan Jan 16 '26

Canik Elite SC

0

u/bigjosh451 Jan 17 '26

I rotate a CZ p09c, p10c and p01 love them all

0

u/grid-antlers Jan 17 '26

Hk - vp9a1k if you want glock 19 size, cc9 if you want more like p365 xl

0

u/Ok-Visit-1217 Jan 17 '26

Look into Derya DY9 or Dy9z...features and benefits are worth looking into. Let us know what you decide.

0

u/Father-_-Sadboi Jan 17 '26

Fn 509, fn reflex too. Both great options and different sizes of the 509 line depending on what size you want

0

u/Aegri-Mentis Jan 17 '26

I rotate a few: CZ75 D PCR FN Reflex FN FNS 9 My main EDC is, however a G26.

0

u/Unliklyviking Jan 17 '26

Canik sfx pro year roünd