My CHL (TX) CCW guns are a Ruger SR9C and an SP101 .357. I've worked too hard keeping in shape to want to wear clothes two or three sizes too large. TX has had "printing" of your firearm as a misdemeanor, that recently changed but I was unaware of it until today.
So, I went to Bass Pro Shops today to try a couple guns. I had considered several, Kel Tec P11, Beretta Nano, Kahr, S&W Shield, LC9 etc. On paper, several seemed to be significantly smaller. When I held the Nano and the LC9 over my SR9C on the gun counter, the differences weren't too large. The Nano, supposedly 0.4" shorter from the bottom of the grip to the top of the slide was almost identical in dimensions to the SR9C but felt very short of hand room. The SR9C is far more roomy grip wise.
Nano has only Glock like safeties, no manual or loaded chamber indicator. It also had a long, creepy trigger that made my SR9C trigger feel like a high end tuned 1911 by comparison.
Adding points to the SR9C is that it has no limitations on +P ammo although of course I do most of my shooting with cheap ball ammo. The Nano and LC9 recommend limiting +P usage.
Well, TX eliminated the obsession with printing and now an inadvertent exposure of the CHL gun is no issue. Only problem is if you're an idiot and intentionally display the gun in a non threat situation.
So, the SR9C can fit in the pockets of some of my shorts, good for carry when we walk at night. Can run into some animals I'd prefer not to, unlikely but possible. Don
So, I went to Bass Pro Shops today to try a couple guns. I had considered several, Kel Tec P11, Beretta Nano, Kahr, S&W Shield, LC9 etc. On paper, several seemed to be significantly smaller. When I held the Nano and the LC9 over my SR9C on the gun counter, the differences weren't too large. The Nano, supposedly 0.4" shorter from the bottom of the grip to the top of the slide was almost identical in dimensions to the SR9C but felt very short of hand room. The SR9C is far more roomy grip wise.
Nano has only Glock like safeties, no manual or loaded chamber indicator. It also had a long, creepy trigger that made my SR9C trigger feel like a high end tuned 1911 by comparison.
Adding points to the SR9C is that it has no limitations on +P ammo although of course I do most of my shooting with cheap ball ammo. The Nano and LC9 recommend limiting +P usage.
Well, TX eliminated the obsession with printing and now an inadvertent exposure of the CHL gun is no issue. Only problem is if you're an idiot and intentionally display the gun in a non threat situation.
So, the SR9C can fit in the pockets of some of my shorts, good for carry when we walk at night. Can run into some animals I'd prefer not to, unlikely but possible. Don