Kleanbore,
I appreciate this thread, and as an old system engineer (SE) , I'm good with your starting off with requirements. For the crowd, I'll point out that we SEs try to get folks to narrow down the core
requirements (needs) and also identify their "
desirements" (wants). [Getting some folks to admit to themselves that some of their supposed
requirements are actually
desirements is an advanced process for SEs.] Once those are nailed down, then we can work on best solution, moderated by the cost and time limits.
Just over ten years ago, after a few years of range shooting, I decided to start carrying. My first EDC purchase was a J-frame snubby, S&W 642. My stated requirements at the time were
revolver for simple operation;
easily concealed, pocket or IWB;
DA only (no nervous light trigger pulls); shrouded or
hidden hammer (to avoid catching in a pocket); and
lighter color (642 rather than black 442, so bad guys will see it if I have to present). At the time I gave little thought to the holster, but first got suckered onto one of the "cell phone belt pouch deep hidden" holsters at the gun show. That was a mistake. After extensive recommendations here on THR, went with a
Robert Mika pocket holster.
Other mistake, putting off for years any defensive tactical training, concentrating only on range accuracy and groups.
Now, many years later, several speakers at the NRA Expo in Fort Worth convinced me I need to re-evaluate y SD firearm requirements.
Primary new requirement is much higher capacity, preferably double stack. John Correia (
Active Self Protection) showed how bad guys are working in groups more in recent years. Years of reading arguments about "best" calibre for SD, led me to move from .38SP to 9mm. Lots of reviews got me to narrow down to a M&P 2.0 9 mm. I am experimenting with two IWB options, a simple single clip from Mika, and a modern hybrid from Tucker.
Which to use and where to put it will eventually be influenced by my first tactical class (correcting my earlier mistake), at the end of February.
Also, Kleanbore, the recent r
eview of the M&P Shield9 EZ in American Rifleman has caused me to put that on my "gonna need it someday" list. All the reasons for the EZ are compelling. I agree with you it is quite interesting.
Thanks, all, for some very good comments in this thread.