Full Grip + Short Slide?

earlthegoat2 said:

The Commander is not the greatest example relative to what is normal these days. Full grip and 4-4 1/2” barrel is pretty normal on autos for the last few decades.

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Is this a typo?

S&W 3rd Gens ring a bell?

Or we are referring to different things entirely.

earlthegoat2 said:

S&W 3rd Gens ring a bell?

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Sure, I've owned one for the past 30 years.

My point was you said a Commander is not a good example of what is normal and then said a 4(ish)" barrel with a full grip is normal.

Seems like my preferance for compact frames and full size barrels has me in good company. Apparently, it's a popular/common desire. I to have a very strong penchant for at least a 4" barrel, regardless of caliber. I'm still slender(ish) around the waist, so a full size grip is at times, problematic.

There is no such thing as a free lunch. IMO shorter grips are usually easier to conceal but shorter slides are easier/quicker to draw. Full grips offer a better hand filling grip. Long slides offer a greater sight radius. That's why there are different combinations available for those of us of different minds can choose our favorite.

JTQ said:

Sure, I've owned one for the past 30 years.

My point was you said a Commander is not a good example of what is normal and then said a 4(ish)" barrel with a full grip is normal.

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Yeah that was a typo. I’m sorry to you because I didn’t even read back what you quoted of me. My carelessness.

More explanation of what I meant though is that it is true that the Commander is to the Government model what the 19X is to the 17. However the proportions of the Commander are much more appealing and have decades of evidence to support it. That being a bunch of 3rd gen Smiths and a few Rugers and Sigs and so on built with similar grip to barrel proportions.

So I am with many others in bemusement over this new trend of making the grip as long as the barrel.

How new? Walther P99, HK P30, Beretta PX4, S&W Sigma, whatever FN wants to call their gun these days, etc. Like it or not, the full-size grip with a 4(ish)" barrel is pretty much the "duty gun" definition these days. Glock is just the last ones to get on the boat.

tarosean: said:

A proper grip is paramount to shooting good. That said we have to decide what is good enough for carry situations.

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I know that I tend to shoot better with a pistol grip that fits my large hands “properly”. But I can also shoot smaller guns that I practice with on a regular basis. I just can’t accept the idea that you should carry a smaller gun that you don’t shoot as well as a larger gun, but which is easier or more convenient to carry. And when I hear folks say that a Glock 19x doesn’t carry well than I think they should spend more time on selecting a better holster, the companies that make the best cc holsters on the market all make excellent G19-19x holsters.

I'll step up as the odd man out. On anything except a pocket pistol I want to get all three fingers on the grip so 7 rounds in a single stack configuration is the bare minimum. I carry outside the waistband so I don't want a longer barrel, somewhere around 3.5" is about right for me. I also find single stack magazines easier to conceal than double stacks.

I’m certainly no expert and have generally believed a shorter grip is easier to conceal. However, being one of the small group that is quite fond of the discontinued Sig P290rs, I was pleasantly surprised that the little Sig with its 8 round extended magazine and approximately 5 inch height, conceals extremely well. I think it is because of its extreme grip thinness plus the short 2.9 inch barrel allows it to ride rather deep AIWB. I was a bit surprised how well the 8+1 configuration disappears. It conceals as easy as my Glock 26 with its 4.17 inch height. At least that’s my experience. I’m not a large man. A Glock 19 is out of the question.

I have a G19X and a G45. I like them both, but prefer my G45.
I do not concealed carry either one right now because I don’t have the permit yet here where I live. Moved to CA a few months ago. I usually carry a revolver but will carry my G45 when I can wear a coat or jacket which will be a lot as I ride a motorcycle year round.

For those of you who want a Glock with a 17 slide on a 19 frame I recommend you contact Glock and request it. Maybe they’ll listen if enough people request it.