A CCW question that came up elsewhere...

I've carried a 5" Ruger Mk3 with target barrel, which isn't exactly small. Out fishing, where what I would expect would be smallish venomous wildlife, so quick accuracy was more important than a heavy round.
In my usual travels I used to carry a CZ PCR, so compact, and now a .38. I just don't see myself going many places or dressing in ways that would make me keep much smaller. Maybe if I ever get a desk job, but I absolutely detest business dress anyway.

99% of the time, it's the J-frame. When it's cold enough, and I'm not going anywhere where I'll have to remove my jacket for long when I get there, a full size .45. Schlepping out for the mail in sweat pants, the baby .380.

S&W J frame or Makarov PM or XDS.

I carry a 4" M66. Probably not the ultimate in comfort, but I would like a bit more edge if I am facing an active shooter situation in a mall or other place where the target distance is beyond the 7 yd usually called out as most common self defense distance.

And to make lugging the M66 around (actually sometimes forget I'm carrying it) worth while, I practice at distances up to 25 yds and intend to try to gain some competency at 50 yds, These distances are used in a standard stage in ICORE, IRC and PPC competitions

armoredman said:

Sort of. How big is too big? No, put the testosterone down, gents, talking about your sidearms. How big is too big for YOU to conceal? In your situation/required dress, what do you normally carry? I put in four choices to reasonably accommodate most choices, both auto and wheel gun, I believe.
I personally carry a full size duty pistol, either my CZ P-09 or SP-01 Phantom in a High Noon Holsters Close Encounter or Down Under, respectively, both mounted on a High Noon Rock Steady gunbelt.

Just curious. And would you kindly state what carry rig you are using, if you don't mind, because I firmly believe that is as important as the chosen firearm.

Thank you for your time, much appreciated.

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I have no problem carrying and concealing a full sized pistol with a good belt and holster, but I often think a compact is a nice sweet spot. So many manufacturers offer magazine compatibility between compact, full sized, etc. that you can get some of the benefits of both (e.g. carry a compact pistol with a full sized spare mag). I started carrying with a mouse gun, then moved a subcompact, then a compact, etc. With a good gun belt and a good holster, most people can conceal a lot more than they think they can (especially those who are new to carrying), and the shootability, capacity, and potency of larger gun is generally better when caliber is held constant. It's also much easier to train with a compact or full sized than with a mouse gun, and one should train with what one carries, ideally.

Since you mentioned CZ, I'm a fan of JM Custom Kydex holsters, and he has a good number of CZ options. Nice guy to talk to on the phone, too. I've tried High Noon, other leather manufacturers' holsters, various hybrid holsters, and others but did not like them as much. Obviously, YMMV. I've generally moved from leather to hybrid to kydex holsters.

For gun belts, I've found the Ares Aegis Enhanced to be the best functional gun belt and regular belt as it's rock solid and infinitely adjustable for size. It carries weight very well and much better than any other belt I've tried. For nicer clothing where a leather belt is necessary, I like The Belt Man. I have a nice horse hide belt from him that looks great and is pretty sturdy, though not as sturdy as the Aegis Enhanced. I also have a bull hide one with a stiffener that's older, but I think I prefer the horse hide. His belts have held up well in my experience, and I've been using them for years.

Back in the day, just prior to retirement in '06 I was carrying a SIG P220 concealed daily. Honestly, as a Detective working in the hot Southwest daytime, summertime concealment was something we just didn't worry about too much. Just make sure the badge was next to the gun. Nights and winter it was easy enough. In retirement I must conceal it or not carry it so now its a M642 pocket carried most of the time.