Slim, single-stack pistols were all the rage for concealed carry in the mid-2010s. The concealed carry movement was hitting its stride and many people wanted smaller, lower-profile sidearms. These guns filled the gap between sub-compact guns like the Glock 26 and the pocket-sized Ruger LCPs of the world, while offering common self-defense calibers like 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP.
I first noticed the trend when Springfield Armory released the XD-S pistol in early 2012. An acquaintance bought one, and I soon saw the advantages of having something smaller than my habitual Walther PPQ.
I eventually bought a Walther PPS M2, which is so comfortable that it became my everyday carry gun. It lacked the PPQ’s capacity, but its carry profile was more versatile, and I could bring it along in just about any situation. It didn’t hurt that the slimmer magazines made me more likely to carry a spare or two.
Finally, the PPS gave me a solid backup gun option. Many times, I carried the PPQ on my hip with the PPS tucked inside my left ankle. It’s a versatile gun.
End of the Single Stack?
The knock on single stack pistols like the PPS and XD-S was always their lack of capacity. It was a valid criticism. My 9mm PPS’ capacity was anywhere from 6+1 to 8+1, depending on which magazine I used. But carry guns always come with compromises. I and many others traded capacity for concealability and comfort.
My personal experience was that I carried my PPS more than I had carried my PPQ, which justified the compromise in my eyes. You may feel differently, and that’s fine. But I think carrying a smaller pistol 90-95 percent of the time is better than carrying a larger gun 50-60 percent of the time.
But someone would eventually address that lack of capacity. That someone was Sig Sauer with 2018’s P365. The new Sig product was smaller than my PPS and packed 10 rounds in a revolutionary flush mag, whereas I could only carry eight in an extended mag with the PPS. The P365 and 12+1 P365XL all but killed the slim, single-stack trend.
My son gave me a P365XL for Father’s Day in 2021, immediately relegating my PPS to the bench. I still loved the gun, but the Sig made more sense in the EDC role. But I didn’t sell the PPS, nor has it just languished in the safe. I found other ways to use it.
Not Quite
I had already been using the PPS as a backup gun or a deeper concealment gun. So, it wasn’t hard to continue doing that, though the P365XL is also effective in the latter role. The PPS rides on my ankle, but I’ve expanded it to off-body carry too.
Off-body carry isn’t ideal. Like most people, I like my firearm firmly within my personal control. But I’ve found two instances where I like it: in a backpack or daypack, and in the car. But I’m particular about how I execute those two roles. Let’s start with the packs.
I have two Vertx packs with dedicated concealed carry compartments. Their integral loop material allows me to attach a holster, so I know exactly where my pistol will be at all times. I can also orient that holster so I can reach it every time. But those compartments have limited depth, making them perfect for a slim firearm.
Moving on to the car. I carry on my hip at the 4 o’clock position. I don’t like appendix carry, so I don’t do it. But drawing from 4 o’clock while buckled in a seat belt is problematic at best. The obvious solution is a gun for the car, located where I can easily reach it. But leaving a gun in the car is also problematic.
The PPS solves both problems. I tuck it into a sleeve holster next to the seat. When I get out, it goes in the ankle holster so I’m not leaving it behind. I could switch my Sig back and forth, but I don’t want to. I get that the car offers an opportunity for a bigger handgun, and I sometimes do that on road trips. But around town, I don’t like leaving a gun in the car, even when it’s locked.
The point is that the PPS’ slim, compact profile is still useful to me, so I take advantage of it.
Nuanced Perspectives
But I’m starting to see a new trend geared toward maximum concealment with still-very-capable firearms.
I got my hands on a super slim 9mm pistol with a 4-inch barrel and full-length grip frame, the Avidity Arms PD10. It’s 10 percent thinner than my PPS with a higher capacity. A gun like the PD10, combined with emerging holster ideas, makes for a powerful combo when it comes to low-profile carry. The PD10 holds 10 rounds of 9mm or 12 rounds of .30 Super Carry.
My PPS will still be my ankle gun and around-town car gun. But the PD10 is about to enter my system as a hip-carry and pack-carry gun. I sometimes feel like I’m over-specializing, but if I have a gun that excels in a particular role, I’m gonna use it. The PD10, PPS, and P365XL give me three very good options for maximum concealment without resorting to a pocket pistol.
Why is This a Big Deal?
Honestly, it’s not. Carry options abound. If you can’t find the right gun, or guns, well, you just aren’t trying very hard.
When I first started carrying concealed, I looked for a do-it-all gun. First, because I was poor. Second, I wasn’t experienced enough to see different roles for different guns. But I know many people who carry the same gun every day, no matter what. Who am I to say they aren’t right? We’ve all heard that we should “beware the man with only one gun.” There’s some truth to that.
I just happen to do things a little differently, and I like guns that fill certain roles. I’ll admit that it also allows me to rationalize buying cool guns and putting them to good use. And these slim, single-stack pistols are very useful indeed.
Do I still sometimes carry a big honking Beretta 92FS? Yes, I do. But not often. And when I do, you can bet I have a slim backup gun somewhere else.
The deep concealment stuff intrigues me too. I may not do it very often. But I like having that capability via these slim pistols and purpose-designed holsters. I never liked those light pocket pistols. Better than nothing, but I’m not a fan. But carry philosophy and technology are combining to give us other options. And the slim, single stack pistols are part of that.
So, if you have a PPS or XD-S lying around, maybe look at it in a different light. Or maybe you perceive a use for one but don’t have it. Both guns are still in production, and Walther also offers the slim PD380. The PD10 deserves a serious look too. Or maybe there’s something else you like better. Plus, used guns are in every pawn shop. If nothing else, it might give you another option you didn’t know you had.
