Posted: 6/7/2013 4:34:27 AM EDT
I've been carrying an M&P9 FS and spare mag for coming up on a year, and I thought I'd take a second to post up some of the modifications I've performed to make it a fantastic daily companion.
 
I came from using a USP .45 FS, which is a fantastic machine, but too large for my hands, and only controllable for me while wearing gloves (I coulnd't bring myself to stipple the thing). I use my own custom kydex holster with RCS hardware to carry primarily OWB at a little forward of 3 O'Clock, with my mag carrier just behind my left hip at about 8:30. I was having trouble with comfort, especially while seated in a car, so I decided to cut off the beavertail and radius the rear sight, and now it is exactly what I've always wanted it to be. Modifications: Apex RAM Apex DCAEK Ameriglo I-dot Pro sights (radiused rear) Stippling wherever my hands make contact Beavertail removed TLR-3 light I chose the sights because I've got a dual-dominance, or soft-dominance problem, and the front sight and two-dot night sight arrangement makes it very easy for me to pick up the sight as I press out. During the day, the rear tritium vial is not even visible, so it is a great sight picture for most light levels. The TLR-3, while not my first choice (I'd prefer an X-300u), is great for OWB carry, as it has a minimal footprint, and squares the holster off to the point that when it is visible it really does not look anything like a gun, while not extending down past the muzzle. I chose the Apex parts because coming from the HK trigger, I was having difficulty with my first striker-fired gun, and I missed the tactile reset, and the stock trigger was allowing enough post-travel that I was shooting low left due to the gun moving before the bullet exited the muzzle. I could clearly see the deviation in my followthrough, and knew it had to be fixed. Now, some may wonder why I chose a fullsize, even though I am 5'9" 170-175lbs. After the CO theater shooting, I realized that there was no way I could employ a smaller gun than this effectively in a situation where there was a lot of background and one target. Honestly, I don't ever feel like this is too large or hard to conceal; with a little layering and a good belt (I use a Wilderness Instructor belt until I pick up a Ares Ranger later this year) I have no issues, even when wearing athletic-fit collared shirts. Now, I don't ever wear just a T-shirt over this, but my wife certainly doesn't mind me looking a bit more spiffy at all times... As I mentioned earlier, the rear sight radius was needed not only for comfort, but because it was the first thing to print - I don't bend at the waist to pick things up, so the grip has never been an issue, but the sharp rear sight would catch on clothes and move very unnaturally. I'm sure I'll think of some other stuff later on, and I'll try to post up picks of my current Kydex rig (wife had the camera last night) but I do plan on finishing another holster for this piece soon. I welcome any comments or questions - this is a learning process and while a lot of thought has gone into it, there is still a lot I'm sure I haven't considered. |
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Nice choise! One of my usual carry guns is a full size M&P9, with or without a TLR-1 (depends on IWB or OWB setup.) I'm a little bigger than you though, so it's not too hard to hide in most outfits.
Now if Apex would just get the thumb-safety compatable RAM out.... 
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