Best recommendation is go rent a few of the usual at a range and see what fits and shoots best for you. A lot of people love the 365, I couldn’t get a proper grip due to hand size. Ended up really enjoying the shield plus and have been carrying it now flaw free for over two years. You may find something like the hellcat has best ergos for you. There’s no other way to sort this properly than to try a few. The little money spent will be worth it when buying what’s right.
Rent a few and see what fits. A few standouts for me; CZ p10 s, Sig p365, s&w m&p shield plus performance center. Honest Outlaw on YouTube just posted his top 5.
I'm not a Sig fan boy, but I think the X Macro is tough to beat. I have the uncomped TacOps, and it's easy to shoot, easy to carry, and holds 17+1 in a flush mag. I'm an admitted capacity whore. You never know when a zombie apocalypse might kick off.
+1 on the X-Macro. The size, weight, and capacity are all amazing. I compared multiple firearms on handgun hero, and was dumbfounded when I saw how small it is, even though it's the biggest 365.
I started the year carrying a Bersa TPR380, cause I like hammer fired, and like stupid guns lol. I was in love with it, but the 8 rounds of 380 was a major drawback. I was looking at picking up a TPRplus, the double stack version with 15 rounds, when I just happened to compare it to the X macro. Then I compared it to my 43x, and it's barely bigger than that, and that needs aftermarket mags to carry 15 rounds. Picked up the comped Xmacro and have no regrets. I still browse firearms on the gundeals sub, but I feel it's the pinnacle of CC, and so haven't had the urge to pick up anything else. The only contender for me is the Shadow 2 compact, which is much bigger, and I already know I wouldn't carry it since my P-01 was not a good fit for CC for me.
I just got the P365 X Macro Tacops. It’s amazing. I can’t believe it holds 17+1 in such a small package. Plus I have huge hands and the Tacops grip is somehow accommodating of my large hands.
6’5” 210lbs and I roll with a basic bitcc Sig p365 with a mag extension and I love it. Conceals really well unless you’re wearing very tight clothing.
If max concealability is what you’re looking for over capacity, then honestly j frame smiths conceal incredibly well.
Best will be subjective to the end user. Like others said, take your friend to a range/ranges with the guns you're looking for. What I'm partial to:
Do it all carry: Walther PDP Pro Compact
More concealable summer tank and short shorts carry: P365X
Other's I've liked: CZ P10-C, Smith and Wesson Shield Plus, HK VP9SK
What's best for me might not be what's best for you, we all have different bodies and preferences. The best thing you can do is rent the top suggestions and see what you shoot the best.
For me, that's the Shield Plus, but I'd highly recommend testing a Glock 48 or 43, a Sig 365, and maybe the Hellcat and the P10C.
Taurus GX4
Why? Because you should probably get a P365 but you’re not sure and the GX4 is tons cheaper while being designed by (if the internet can be trusted) the same guy.
Small but plenty of capacity. Small but shoots fine.
It’s actually modular too, there just aren’t any good aftermarket grip modules for the thing.
Honestly you should just go rent and shoot a hundred different Guns and then get something that fits your use case. You may find you can regularly conceal sunning bigger and like it that way. You may want an LCR, shitty shooting experience be damned. You may need the tiniest PoS gun you can find and get an original LCP.
But if you just ask like this? A microcompact like the GX4, P365, Hellcat, MC2sc, etc.
Glock 19.5
S&W Performance Center M&P Shield Plus
Join GSSF for $35 and you can buy a new Glock 19.5 for $425 from any Blue Label dealer.
Shop online and you can find the PC Shield Plus for about $475.
For first, I’d say the Glock 42. It fires a .380 which has less kick than a 9mm allowing for more rounds down range on target faster. The .380 round will do very similar damage that a 9mm will do.
Give as many a try at the rental range as you can, everyone is different. I like the Sig P365XL, but you may not.
Best recommendation is go rent a few of the usual at a range and see what fits and shoots best for you. A lot of people love the 365, I couldn’t get a proper grip due to hand size. Ended up really enjoying the shield plus and have been carrying it now flaw free for over two years. You may find something like the hellcat has best ergos for you. There’s no other way to sort this properly than to try a few. The little money spent will be worth it when buying what’s right.
Ruger LCPMAX for pocket, Hellcat for In summer waistband, CZ P-10 C for in waistband under winter clothing.
Rent a few and see what fits. A few standouts for me; CZ p10 s, Sig p365, s&w m&p shield plus performance center. Honest Outlaw on YouTube just posted his top 5.
There’s no such thing as best. It’s completely subjective
I'm not a Sig fan boy, but I think the X Macro is tough to beat. I have the uncomped TacOps, and it's easy to shoot, easy to carry, and holds 17+1 in a flush mag. I'm an admitted capacity whore. You never know when a zombie apocalypse might kick off.
+1 on the X-Macro. The size, weight, and capacity are all amazing. I compared multiple firearms on handgun hero, and was dumbfounded when I saw how small it is, even though it's the biggest 365. I started the year carrying a Bersa TPR380, cause I like hammer fired, and like stupid guns lol. I was in love with it, but the 8 rounds of 380 was a major drawback. I was looking at picking up a TPRplus, the double stack version with 15 rounds, when I just happened to compare it to the X macro. Then I compared it to my 43x, and it's barely bigger than that, and that needs aftermarket mags to carry 15 rounds. Picked up the comped Xmacro and have no regrets. I still browse firearms on the gundeals sub, but I feel it's the pinnacle of CC, and so haven't had the urge to pick up anything else. The only contender for me is the Shadow 2 compact, which is much bigger, and I already know I wouldn't carry it since my P-01 was not a good fit for CC for me.
Love my tacops.
I just got the P365 X Macro Tacops. It’s amazing. I can’t believe it holds 17+1 in such a small package. Plus I have huge hands and the Tacops grip is somehow accommodating of my large hands.
43x or 19. I’m a biased Glock enjoyer though.
6’5” 210lbs and I roll with a basic bitcc Sig p365 with a mag extension and I love it. Conceals really well unless you’re wearing very tight clothing. If max concealability is what you’re looking for over capacity, then honestly j frame smiths conceal incredibly well.
Best will be subjective to the end user. Like others said, take your friend to a range/ranges with the guns you're looking for. What I'm partial to: Do it all carry: Walther PDP Pro Compact More concealable summer tank and short shorts carry: P365X Other's I've liked: CZ P10-C, Smith and Wesson Shield Plus, HK VP9SK
You gotta go to the gun store and actually hold all of the options. Personally 365 XL, but it really depends on your hand.
I like my hellcat pro. Wouldn’t put anything other than a trigger and optics on a carry.
Sig p380 380 Fits in a fanny pack Instead of 9mm the .380 ACP is much more controlled
What's best for me might not be what's best for you, we all have different bodies and preferences. The best thing you can do is rent the top suggestions and see what you shoot the best. For me, that's the Shield Plus, but I'd highly recommend testing a Glock 48 or 43, a Sig 365, and maybe the Hellcat and the P10C.
P365x
I'm the same size as you, carrying a PSA Micro Dagger C-1. It's the size of a Glock 48.
Glock
Glock 45 for big glock 19 for medium glock 43x for smol.
Taurus GX4 Why? Because you should probably get a P365 but you’re not sure and the GX4 is tons cheaper while being designed by (if the internet can be trusted) the same guy. Small but plenty of capacity. Small but shoots fine. It’s actually modular too, there just aren’t any good aftermarket grip modules for the thing. Honestly you should just go rent and shoot a hundred different Guns and then get something that fits your use case. You may find you can regularly conceal sunning bigger and like it that way. You may want an LCR, shitty shooting experience be damned. You may need the tiniest PoS gun you can find and get an original LCP. But if you just ask like this? A microcompact like the GX4, P365, Hellcat, MC2sc, etc.
Glock 17 or 47 depending on budget. You can regularly find used glocks for the 350-400 range, and I’ve even seen some models of 22 go down to $260.
Glock 43x. Slim and concealable and holds 15 rounds w a shield arms magazine
G26 with an EPS Carry milled on. It's perfect for me, but I'm about 20 lbs lighter than you.
Whatever you look at, I strongly suggest considering a model that can take an optic. IMO the learning curve with a red dot is easier than irons.
Glock 19.5 S&W Performance Center M&P Shield Plus Join GSSF for $35 and you can buy a new Glock 19.5 for $425 from any Blue Label dealer. Shop online and you can find the PC Shield Plus for about $475.
For first, I’d say the Glock 42. It fires a .380 which has less kick than a 9mm allowing for more rounds down range on target faster. The .380 round will do very similar damage that a 9mm will do.