Has anyone stepped up from medium-size to full size + and not looked back?

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cogun4hire

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I currently carry a G19 with TLR-1 (plus trijicon HD's, but possibly an RMR here in the near future) and am considering stepping up to a G34 with same light. The length of the two pistols is the same...as the TLR-1 lens is the furthest point, leaving approx. 1.3 inches of unused "space" on the G19. The big question is the grip size. I have seen that in most clothing, aside from a heavy coat (I normally wear light hoodys) I print bad with the G34, even though I am 6'1 200 pounds. Any alternatives out there? Don't get me wrong, I love my G19 setup but am curious as to any alternatives out there.
 
I did, replacing my carry Glock 19 with a 17, then 19X, then Sig 226 (roughly 17 size), interspaced with some 1911.

Sold my 19s.

To be fair, with my setup and body type I found the Glock 19 concealed better than the 17 only by a slight margin and neither with difficulty and my hand size is such that the 19 felt just that bit too small and the finger grooves did not at all fit right.

Edit: I'm 5'8" and around 210 (and going down) and I carry everything with a Vedder Light tuck at 2 oclock.
 
cogun4hire

Has anyone stepped up from medium-size to full size + and not looked back?

No, can't say I have gone from a medium size auto to a full size auto. As a matter of fact I have continued going smaller and smaller, from a full size (SIG P226, Browning Hi-Power, Colt Government), to a compact size (CZ P01, CZ P07, Ruger SR9c, Colt Commander, Colt New Agent), to micro size (Kahr CM9).
 
I recently acquired a PHLster Floodlight AIWB holster and have been trying it out. Obviously a Surefire X300U is not a small light, and on my stock VP9 LE slide the light sticks out beyond the muzzle probably 1.5” or so. Thus the light makes the gun longer, and the holster conceals it just fine. So I have taken to carrying the pistol with the new long slide kit that I bought for the VP9. Light is still the determining length factor, and it carries exactly the same for concealment and comfort.
 
I’m 5’7”, 150, and went from a shield to an SR45 for a summer. Ditched it and bought a G19 and haven’t looked back as far as carry goes. I’m not sure if it was your post I responded to earlier but here goes again...

A light on my G19 isn’t much fun to carry due to extra bulk, weight, and width, and I’ve found that to be true of bigger pistols as well.

Of course all of that comes from a guy who has a 5” barrel 1911 on the way and might carry sometimes!
 
I have nothing against compact or subcompact pistols, but I just prefer full size. Have carried a Glock 26 and 19 but have switched to the full size 17, M&P full size, 5" 1911, Beretta 92, and CZ SP-01s. I do still have a shield but that is the only one small handgun I have anymore.
 
I started with a S&W model 10, then went NAA mini-revolver in .22wmr, then LCP .380, then G22 (worst decision ever), FNP-9, LC9, LCR, S&W mod 10.

I have gone full circle, and carry what I shoot best, a revolver. It’s full sized, decent caliber, proven platform, and I don’t need a fancy optic or laser. I’ve got easier carrying both slimmer and lighter but I prefer my S&W.
 
I went from a 4" Model 29 to a Model 60 to a S&W MP Compac to the Ruger LCP for everyday carry. Going the opposite I guess.
 
I started with a S&W model 10, then went NAA mini-revolver in .22wmr, then LCP .380, then G22 (worst decision ever), FNP-9, LC9, LCR, S&W mod 10.

I have gone full circle, and carry what I shoot best, a revolver. It’s full sized, decent caliber, proven platform, and I don’t need a fancy optic or laser. I’ve got easier carrying both slimmer and lighter but I prefer my S&W.

I totally understand carrying what you shoot best. I have a couple revolvers myself, one as small as a Ruger LCR, but find myself shooting Glock pistols the best
 
I appreciate the input. For those that mentioned the newer, compact lights, like the TLR-7, I would prefer to carry the TLR-1 as that is what I carry for work (a G34 with TLR-1) and the "switchology" is the same. I may have to check out the TLR-7 in person though before I discount it.
 
I totally understand carrying what you shoot best. I have a couple revolvers myself, one as small as a Ruger LCR, but find myself shooting Glock pistols the best

It’s not their shoot-ability, I had a gen 2 hand grenade on me due to poor metallurgy. I think they make a good product, but they broke my confidence. Doesn’t matter anymore anyway I’m too old to be some low speed high drag operator. I like my drinks hot and my duck blind cool.
 
I'm back to lugging a full size most places, my M9A3 is my only full size Pistol and I just stuff it into a pocket until I find the time to search for a pocket holster.
 
Some of us grew up and were introduced to semi-automatics when there weren't many medium sized semis available. Oh, there were a few imports from France, Germany, England, Spain and Italy that could be called medium sized and most often in 32acp and sometimes 380 (they would be full size in Europe). There were lots of pocket semis, really little 22 and 25acp offerings but they were not known for reliability. The more reliable semis were all full size, the Colt 1911, Browning Hi Power, Walther P-38 and Luger P-08, Smith & Wesson M-39. There were no Sigs, no Glocks, no full size Berettas ...

The range of frame sizes in revolvers though was pretty extensive from tiny to small to medium to large to very large and all were pretty much equally reliable. There were two shot derringers that would fit in a vest pocket all the way up to the Colt New Service. And in cartridges the range ran from 22 short to 44 Magnum.

I tend to see size as only relevant in relation to the particular use at the particular time. I'm equally comfortable with a modern pocket pistol, snub nose revolver, mid size revolver or semi or full size in either and move between them depending on the days program. The bigger handguns come out for woods, field and range while the smaller guns do duty for everyday carry.
 
I've gone the opposite direction.

I started carrying with a Glock 30 and a Taurus Ti 44 spl snubbie, which I guess are at the upper end of mid size.

A few times I carried a full size Ruger P95 and S&W 625 during the winters in PA, but they always felt too bulky for me.

I dropped down to S&W 3913 Ladysmith which was very comfortable to carry and shoot.

My EDC eventually became a S&W 340PD which was incredibly easy to carry but incredibly hard to shoot.

I then moved to FL and took several years to get my ccw. I started carrying a PC Shield in 9mm. I occasionally carry the Taurus 44 (which is one of the few old guns I kept due to life getting in the way). I recently got a Beretta Pico which splits duty with the Shield now as EDC.

The Pico us becoming my default carry choice due to its easy of carry just like the 340 was back in the day. It lacks the raw power of the 340, but the Pico has a 6th round and is a much more shootable gun compared to the S&W.

I wouldn't mind carrying a larger gun, but work, life style, and the heat of FL make smaller guns a better choice for me
 
I've settled on a p229 for EDC and a p226 for field carry. Here's my current EDC:

View attachment 837400

I love your setup. The new P320 / Romeo Optic package (complete with suppressor sights) for 800.00 out the door (in my neck of the woods) is an incredible value. I may pick it up just to give Sig pistols a whirl. I have always like the P220/226 pistols as well. Thanks for sharing.
 
I currently carry a G19 with TLR-1 (plus trijicon HD's, but possibly an RMR here in the near future) and am considering stepping up to a G34 with same light. The length of the two pistols is the same...as the TLR-1 lens is the furthest point, leaving approx. 1.3 inches of unused "space" on the G19. The big question is the grip size. I have seen that in most clothing, aside from a heavy coat (I normally wear light hoodys) I print bad with the G34, even though I am 6'1 200 pounds. Any alternatives out there? Don't get me wrong, I love my G19 setup but am curious as to any alternatives out there.

Literally hundreds of choices out there, from cutting your 34 frame down to 19 sized, or a totally new manufacture.
 
My first handgun was a Glock 23. I very quickly realized it was far too large for conceal carry, and it became my nightstand gun. But then, after a few years I did step up to a CZ75b for nightstand duty and got rid of the G23. All my home defense guns are full sized now, unless you count the S&W 66 in the living room as a medium size.

For me personally, I don't have a need for compact/subcompact/medium sized handguns. I like full sized for home defense and range use, and microcompact single stacks for carry, and I own nothing in between.
 
I tend to "match" my caliber to the largest I can shoot well.in that class. Then pick the size that works that day.

Full Size.Double Stack - .10mm
Full Size Single Stack - .45 ACP +P.
Compact Double Stack - .40 S&W
Compact Single Stack - .45 ACP
Subcompact Double Stack - 9mm +P
Subcompact Single Stack - 9mm
Micro - .380 ACP
 
I started with a FM90 Hi Power and have moved up in size and currently carry my HK Mark 23 as my primary EDC.
 
I started with a FM90 Hi Power and have moved up in size and currently carry my HK Mark 23 as my primary EDC.

Out of curiosity how do you carry your MK23? Given that it is one of the biggest pistols in existence (excluding a .50 Desert Eagle) I cant imagine you conceal it under a shirt. Maybe a heavy jacket?
 
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