Guide to the Best EDC Gun of 2025

by Shooty McBeardface | Jan 22, 2025 | Blog

2025’s Top Contenders for the Best EDC Gun

Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro

SIG Sauer P365 XMacro

Glock 43X MOS

Lone Wolf DUSK19

Ruger LCP MAX

Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield EZ

First Shots Review: The M&P Shield 9mm EZ

by Shooty McBeardface | Aug 28, 2020 | Blog

I remember a couple of years back getting to spend some time shooting the M&P 380 Shield EZ, and being rather impressed. I also remember thinking that it’d be great if Smith & Wesson would build that idea in 9mm. And so they did.

The M&P 9 Shield EZ brings the positive features of its predecessor into a 9mm, internal-hammer-fired pistol that very nearly mirrors the dimensions of the .380 model.

Why Consider the 9 Shield EZ

The M&P 9 Shield EZ is a pistol in a size and configuration that makes it rather easy to carry concealed. While it is larger than its original Shield namesake, it is still rather compact. It is slightly smaller and thinner than a Glock 19, but it’s still enough gun to be easy to grip and control while firing.

You might consider the 9 Shield EZ for the fact that it is deliberately made to be easy to rack the slide—as the spring is far softer than is found on most pistols. It is therefore well suited to people who may have trouble manipulating the slide of other pistols. You might also consider the 9 Shield EZ for the 8-round magazines that are extremely easy to load. Pull tabs on either side of the single-stack magazine allow virtually anyone to easily load the magazine to full capacity. Or you might consider it for the fact that it’s one of the few modern poly-pistols that has a grip safety; a feature that some find very appealing and comforting.

I recently got the chance to try out the 9 Shield EZ and have a few thoughts to share on the experience. Let’s start with the specs:

• Caliber: 9mm Luger
• Action: Internal hammer fired
• External Safety: Grip safety, models with & without thumb safety
• Length: 6.8”
• Height: 4.85”
• Barrel: 3.675” Stainless Steel – Armornite ® Finish
• Slide: Stainless Steel – Armornite ® Finish
• Grip: M2.0 textured polymer, 18-degree angle
• Weight: 23 oz.
• Sights: 3-dot (white), drift-adjustable rear
• Capacity: 8+1 (2 magazines included)
• Trigger: ~4.5 lbs.
• Color: Black
• Price: ~$479

Shooting the 9 Shield EZ

Despite the prominent visual feature of the large grip safety protruding from the backstrap, I’m happy to report that it is a non-factor in running the gun. I never felt it or noted its engagement. And that’s the way it should be. Yes, it looks a bit weird when the gun is not in your hand, but it’s something one should and likely will get over.

The frame is right in what I consider to be the sweet spot for size and configuration. It’s small enough to be somewhat compact, but large enough so that you get a full grip and full control when firing. The grip features M&P’s M2.0 texture, which is pretty nice, but still not rough enough for my taste. But it’s better than you’re apt to find on most poly pistols.

Loading the magazines is as easy as reported and anyone should be able to load them. Similarly, racking the slide to chamber the first round was ridiculously easy. That is one soft spring! I took my first shots for precision and slow fire to get a feel for the gun. Pretty much what I expected; neither too stout nor overly soft-shooting. If feels like a gun its size and weight should feel when shooting 9mm. It was not at all difficult to control the gun in shooting strings. I then picked up the pace.

I later ran some fast shooting strings, with 4 shots in 1 second to a torso target, followed by one round to the face. It was not as easy as doing it with my Glock 19, but this smaller gun was still manageable for keeping rounds where I wanted them. The one thing that did give me a bit of trouble was the front sight.

The 9 Shield EZ’s front sight is a white dot, but not just a white dot. The “dot” is a hole in the front sight post and that hole is filled with white paint (or whatever material). The white is fine, but the fact that it’s a hole means that dirt and dust and gunpowder residue can get in there and render the “white” dot invisible. It was especially hard for me to pick up the front sight and to maintain a good sight picture when shooting faster strings of shots. Were I to own this pistol, I would trade out the stock 3-dot sights for something far more bright and visible.

The trigger on the 9 Shield EZ is pretty darned good. The action is smooth and the trigger breaks at around 4.5 lbs. The reset is very soft; while the spring on some pistols’ triggers push your finger forward in the reset, the EZ’s trigger reset is comparatively weak. I don’t think that’s good or bad, it’s just different from what I’ve found in most triggers. I had no trouble with the trigger and it completed what was, overall, a very easy-to-shoot experience.

Features and Components

The grip safety is large and runs for about 2/3 of the backstrap. This feature prevents the trigger from engaging unless the grip protrusion is fully depressed, ensuring that a full grip on the frame is required for the pistol to fire. This feature allows you the benefit of reholstering while not depressing this backstrap lever, ensuring a far safer operation even if some foreign object catches on and depresses the trigger. It’s a feature found on a number of pistol models and one that many people prefer.

The 9 Shield EZ looks like a striker-fired pistol, but it’s actually an internal-hammer gun. If you’re not familiar with internal-hammer-fired pistols, they’re not at all uncommon and, for operation, you likely won’t notice any difference from what you’re used to. There are differences on the inside, but you run it like any other modern pistol.

It sports white 3-dot sights that are serviceable, but problematic, as detailed earlier. The stainless-steel slide has nice cuts on the rear and those…silly M2.0 machining marks on the lower front of the slide (I can’t help but make fun of that terrible design feature). The slide is remarkably easy to rack and this is an excellent feature that suits the “EZ” brand. The rear of the slide has short “wings” machined from the slide to act as an easy anchor for racking the slide.

The M&P 9 Shield EZ comes either with a thumb safety lever or without. My experience here was with the non-thumb-safety model, so I cannot comment on the adequacy or action of that needless gadget. The slide-stop lever and takedown-lever are located in the traditional positions and neither got in my way when running the gun. The magazine release, which is reversible, I found well positioned and easy to manipulate when it was time to reload. Smith & Wesson know how to design pistols.

The frame sports a picatinny rail for lights or other accessories. The M2.0 grip texture is nicer than can be found on many poly pistols, but I’ll still argue that it must be stippled for proper everyday carry security (rain, and especially sweat and blood are very slick). The grip angle is 18-degrees, which is common to the M&P line—it’s more vertical than is found on a Glock, for instance.

The trigger, as detailed earlier, is quite nice. The shoe is a one-piece component instead of the two-piece hinged design common to the Shield model. Like all M&P pistols, the trigger shoe is clean and does not have a center “safety tab” common to most modern pistols.

Conclusions

Pros:

• The M&P 9 Shield EZ is of sufficient size to be wieldy, but still small enough for easy concealment.
• The easy-to-load magazines and easy-to-rack slide make this model perfect for many individuals who might otherwise have trouble with those two operations.
• The grip safety is a feature many will enjoy, especially those who may have trepidation when reholstering a loaded pistol.
• The grip texture is better than is found on many other similar models.
• It’s built on a proven design from a proven line of guns from a reputable company.

Cons:

• The sights—front sight especially—is not optimally design and begs for a replacement model.
• Eight rounds is fairly anemic for a pistol of this size; these days especially.

As you can see, there are few problems with this design and it’s hard to find something really wrong with this pistol. I would not hesitate to recommend the M&P 9 Shield EZ to anyone who wanted an easy-to-load and easy-to-rack slide for their carry gun. If you’re interested in these features, I recommend you rent the pistol and give it a try yourself!

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Like an MLB Hitter Facing Jenny Finch

by Shooty McBeardface | Aug 12, 2020 | Blog

One Quirk of Using a Red-Dot Pistol Optic

A few weeks ago, I pulled out my Glock MOS slide, put a Vortex Venom red-dot optic on it, and put it on a G19 frame and started practicing with it. I had tried a red-dot optic a couple years ago and did not warm to the experience. This time, though, I committed to the learning experience and aim to push though the initial uncomfortable phase to get at least to near-current competence using this optic; just to see if I can find any superiority to irons in the approach.

For whatever reason, this time I had little trouble in quickly finding decent competence using the red dot. I expect that it’s easier this time because I’m using a decent-quality optic, while last time I was using a cheap one. But within a few hours I had no trouble at all drawing, pressing out, and finding my dot right where I expected it. Muscle memory counts! But I had less success in doing the nonstandard movements, like pressing out one handed or performing a reload and then pressing out. Clearly, this is going to take work.

As an experienced and continually practicing shooter, I’m able to push through the little difficulties a new sighting convention brings as I’m able to rely on much-practiced fundamentals. There is, however, one issue particular to the red-dot (or at least it is, so far as I can tell) that conflicts with my fundamental approach to pressing out and breaking the first shot. I’m talking specifically about fast first shots out of the holster.

I don’t know if this technique is common to many pistol shooters or just particular to me, but my habit for achieving a quick first shot is to see the sights as I begin to press out and the gauge the instant where they’ll be properly aligned with my target at the end of the press so that I can time the terminus of my trigger press with the alignment of the posts on target. In this way, I don’t have to wait to get a good sight picture, recognize the alignment on the target, and THEN press the trigger—which would take many milliseconds longer. Rather, I’m estimating a few things all at once and completing several actions at one point, at which time my shot breaks on target.

Using this technique, I’m able to routinely get good hits on 8” or 6” steel at 25 yards while stepping to one side, clearing my garment, drawing from concealment, and pressing out for the shot…all in less than 1.4 seconds.

Here are some examples:

But with the red-dot optic, I can do none of this. Unlike irons on the top of the slide, I cannot pick up the red dot in the window until I have completed a proper press-out. So I’m not able to calculate the variables of dot, press-out, target, and trigger press to coalesce at a single point. Instead, with the red-dot optic, I must complete the draw and press-out and THEN find and place the dot on my target, and THEN press the trigger to break the shot. The difference in time between the two approaches is quite small, but it is rather significant when we’re talking about milliseconds. From my little practice so far, my average time with the red-dot for the shot described earlier is around 1.7 seconds. That’s a difference of 30+ milliseconds (which could possibly be huge in a defense situation).

Pro Analysis

Last weekend I told one of my instructors about this quirk of the red-dot and he said, “Oh, you’re like a major-league hitter trying to hit a softball pitcher.” I looked at him like he was crazy. I had no idea what he meant.

So he went on to explain: it was some years ago, but women’s softball pitcher Jenny Finch faced 24 big-league baseball hitters and struck out all but one. Not no-name players, we’re talking the monster hitters of the MLB. Of the 24 hitters, only Scott Spezio managed to get a base hit off her. Her underhand-style pitch totally baffled them, and with good reason.

The technical keys here are reference to the fact that baseball hitters don’t follow the ball onto their bat—the ball is moving far too fast and often with far too much movement to gauge the proper point of impact by following the ball. Instead, they typically watch the pitcher’s mechanics and point of release to tell them what’s coming, how fast, and where the ball will end up. They’re performing a calculation based on the coalescence of a few factors.

My Dilemma

So in my case, I’m the big-league hitter who is used to seeing certain elements and estimating the point of conversion. But with the red-dot, I’m unable to see the pitcher’s mechanics or point of release. I have to wait until the ball is at the plate before I swing (or just break the shot at the end of my press-out based on nothing recognizable for accuracy—not gonna do that).

His analogy makes perfect sense. Those baseball hitters had no relevant frame of reference to hit Jenny Finch’s underhand pitch. At best they had to make a snap guess (and only Spezio got lucky—yes it was pure luck).

Obviously, this is no bar to the red-dot, it’s just different in that it does not allow for any estimation before the sight picture is visible at the end of the press-out. But I chafe against this limitation; that quick estimation is a much-practiced component of my fundamental technique and it relates directly to my method of practice and measurable ability. But when it comes down to it, it merely changes my expectation. It’s something I could learn to live with. But I’m trying out the red-dot to see if I can prefer it to iron sights.

So the question is, will I decide to live with this limitation or decide not to. We’ll see.

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First-Shots Review: The KelTec SUB2000

by Shooty McBeardface | Jul 31, 2020 | Blog

KelTec is ever the innovative maker of odd and interesting firearm variants, most of which are comparatively inexpensive and seem to capture the imagination in some compelling way. With the SUB2000, they took the idea of the pistol-caliber carbine and made it compatible with Glock and other magazines. But other manufacturers have done that. So, even though it has a 16” barrel, they made it fit easily into a small backpack without disassembly. That was kind of a neat trick.

I’ve had my eye on the KelTec SUB2000 ever since they first came out and have long contemplated picking one up. Something else always took precedence and I never actually got one. This month, though, I had the opportunity to spend some time running the KelTec SUB2000 Glock 9mm model at both static-indoor and practical-outdoor gun ranges, and now I get to share my thoughts on the experience.

Why Consider the SUB2000

The KelTec SUB2000 is a full-sized pistol-caliber carbine (PCC) that folds in half to pack easily into a backpack or bag, or stows away in a vehicle, for relatively quick deployment at need. It is made specifically to be a utility rifle that conceals and/or pack for easy daily or situational carry.

You might consider the SUB2000 for its small footprint in basically any backpack or duffle (folded, it’s just a bit larger than a laptop computer). You might also consider it for the fact that it comes in a Glock-mag-specific (G19/27 or bigger) or “Multi-Mag” configuration in either 9mm or .40 cal chambering. So feeding the rifle should be easy. Otherwise, you might consider the KelTec SUB2000 for the fact that, unlike other small-footprint PCCs, it sports a full-length 16” barrel.

Note that the SUB2000 is not what I consider to be an ordinary PCC. When I think of a PCC I think of an AR platform with receivers made to run pistol rounds. I’ll confess that I am not and have never been a fan of pistol-caliber AR rifles. I say if you’re gonna have a rifle, get one made for rifle rounds and do rifle things with it. I believe that if you don’t need a rifle round, a plain old handgun is just fine…even better than a PCC.

The SUB2000, however, is a bit of a different animal. It is lighter than a typical AR-platform PCC and it has the peculiar talent of packing a full 16” barrel in a package that folds down to just over 16” overall and can be deployed from a ruck and fired on target in less than 10 seconds. That alone is compelling and the SUB2000 has long piqued my interest.

Anyway, let’s start with the specs:

• Caliber: 9mm (or .40)
• Length: 30.5” (16.25” when folded)
• Height: 7”, open or folded
• Barrel: 16.25” with 1:10” or 1:16” twist ratio
• Weight: 4.25 lb
• Sights: Barrel-affixed steel front, rear peep sight
• Capacity: varies with magazine used (Glock & others)
• Color: Black
• MSRP: $556

Shooting the SUB2000

I started out standing in a static-indoor range lane just learning how to operate the thing. Not that it’s difficult, but its odd configuration means some peculiar controls. Owing mostly to the bottom-of-stock-arm charging handle I had to learn which hand should do what and when for basic manipulations, like sending home the bolt for an initial loading and then what changes when performing a speed reload.

The charger locks up into a notch at the rear-right of the stock arm. After a couple of trials I found that for an initial loading with a locked-open action, you pretty much have to grip the gun up front on the handguard with your secondary hand and slap the charger down with your right hand (similar to how an MP5 works). However, for a reload, it’s best to keep your primary hand on the grip, then with your secondary hand load the mag and reach back to charge the handle, then re-grip the fore-end and fire. For reloads, it’s kind of like running an AK-47. Heh, it’s easier than it sounds. At just over 4 pounds, the gun is light and easy to shoot and manipulate.

The front sight is fixed to the end of the barrel and the rear peep sight pops up into position when you unfold the rifle. It is not terribly difficult to get a proper sight picture, but it’s neither as easy nor as comfortable as doing so with a real rifle. The “stock” is just molded hard plastic and it does not have anything like a smooth, rounded, elevated surface for your cheek to weld. It’s all rather uncomfortable and I immediately found myself wishing for a red-dot optic so that I didn’t have to get my face down quite so far onto the hard, bumpy stock. In fact, my third outing to the outdoor range with the SUB2000 I did mount a red-dot on it, and found shooting it to be far more enjoyable.

The trigger is a bit heavy and not so smooth, but I didn’t notice it causing any problems when running drills. The trigger breaks at about 10 pounds and it has a very plastic feel. The charging spring is pretty darned stiff and you have to charge it like you mean it. The bottom-of-stock-arm placement is a bit awkward, but not a dealbreaker. I soon learned to run it pretty smoothly for basic manipulations.

That folding lock at the rear of the stock is NOT an inviting cheek rest. This is definitely a utility gun and not a fun plinker or main range gun.

When the magazine runs dry, the bolt does not lock back and, instead, you get the “thunk” of a trigger falling on an empty chamber. Reloads are accomplished in much the same way as with a pistol. The mag release is in the same position as for the average pistol and I had no trouble running reload drills, as seen in this video:

I spent quite a few rounds running deployment-drill reps and reload-drill reps. Took a minute to get the hang of deploying quickly from my backpack, but that was due mostly to figuring out which way was best to stow it in the pack pocket to make deployment as quick and easy as possible. The video above shows that it took me roughly 8 to 10 seconds from “go” to get a round on target. Not bad.

Features and Components

The KelTec SUB2000’s main feature is that it folds down from a 30.5” rifle down to a 16.25” stowable assembly. Barely larger than a laptop computer, it fits easily into nearly any backpack, shoulder bag, or day bag. In this way, it’s the kind of rifle one can keep with all day, concealed, without fear of detection. At just over 4 pounds, it’s no great encumbrance either.

For folding the gun (with a clear chamber, only), you pull forward on the trigger guard a bit and the lock releases allowing you to fold the barrel back on the action and stock arm. Easy peasy. To unfold, give the plastic lock that holds the front sight a slight tug and the barrel is again free to fold down and lock into operational position. It’s all quite easy.

As mentioned earlier, the trigger is just okay and breaks at about 10 pounds. The safety is a crossbolt style button on the rear of the receiver. It is not placed for ergonomic operation—as with an AR selector—but I’ll argue that it shouldn’t have a “safety” mechanism anyway, and should be left in the fire position so there’s no need to interact with it (safety is a human behavior, not a lever on the receiver).

The model I used was fed by Glock magazines, and you can use anything from the G19 size, up. When ejected, the magazines dropped free for me and I had no trouble with quick reloads…except where the only way you know it’s time to reload is when the trigger goes “thunk” on an empty chamber. The charging handle is kind of ugly, but serviceable.

Mine had a threaded barrel for mounting a muzzle device or a suppressor. Not sure either is warranted, as they would mar the small fold-down size of the stowed rifle. The handguard has M-LOK slots on the sides and picatinny on the top and bottom, so there’s room for accessories. However, putting anything on the top picatinny rail means you can’t fully fold the rifle. There are aftermarket accessories to mitigate this issue, but out of the box, the top rail has to remain clean.

Conclusions

I think the KelTec SUB2000 is pretty darn good at being exactly what it’s supposed to be: an easily concealable, packable, full-length pistol-caliber rifle. It is quite bare-bones and utilitarian out of the box, but with some aftermarket love it can become quite a bit more effective and easier to use well.

There are some tradeoffs as compared to AR-style PCCs, but the full-length barrel, weight, and packing-size of the SUB2000 make it compare fairly well. And the fact that it will take your mid-size or larger pistol magazines, and thus sort of maintain your platform efficiency, is quite a boon. I wouldn’t want to fight a foreign insurgency with this thing, but I think it’d be good in a pinch, and it makes for a helluva survival rifle. You can buy the Keltec SUB2000 here in our online store. 

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