Full size to Compact to Micro

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Terry G

Terry G

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In Winter or coat months I carry a CZ 97b. Big heavy gun, but I have a custom OWB holster and I'm used to the weight. In jacket weather or even hot I carry a CZ P-01. This past Christmas I was browsing the handgun's in big box store and asked to check out the Springfield Hellcat. My Wife was at my elbow and said "Do you have one like that? Why don't you buy it? It will be your Christmas present.." Well, hard to resist on her dime, so to speak. Brought it home, to clean and lubricate it only to discover it was cleaned and oiled. It shoot's very well and no malfunctions with either FMJ or 124 Grain Golden Saber Plus P. The thing is I don't really know if I want to carry it. I've never CC'd a gun this small with the exception of a Ruger LCP II, and that's a whole different category. Anyone else feel, well, a little under gunned with the Micro's? Maybe just a matter of getting used to it. IMG_3704.JPG
 
I'm going to go with "a matter of getting used to it." I went from 1911->G19->Shield. I don't feel undergunned. Admittedly, it probably helps that I carry two spare mags with the Shield. FWIW, I also carried 2 spares with the 1911, but only 1 with the G19.
 
Terry G said:
Anyone else feel, well, a little under gunned with the Micro's?
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Micro 9? I would, simply because I cannot draw and shoot one with an effective balance of speed and precision. If I could, I would not so feel.

I'm speaking of the Hellcat here, which has adequate capacity

Terry G said:
Maybe just a matter of getting used to it.
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If you mean "becoming proficient with it", I guess so.

I prefer a longer barrel.
 
Kleanbore said:
Micro 9? I would, simply because I cannot draw and shoot one with an effective balance of speed and precision. If I could, I would not so feel.

I'm speaking of the Hellcat here, which has adequate capacity

If you mean "becoming proficient with it", I guess so.

I prefer a longer barrel.
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That's kind of where I am. I'm so used to the draw feel of the 97 and P01 that the Hellcat makes me feel that I'm groping a little on the draw.
 
I’ve gone the other way. I started with a PF9 as it was the smallest 9mm at the time. I switched to an XDs45. Now I’m switching again to an M&P 9 Compact. I also have an M&P 5” for 3 gun but that bigger than I want to carry.

IMHO the 9 Compact is as large as I want to go. And the PF9 is as small. That said, I got to shoot a friends 911 and I nailed the bullseye with it unloading a magazine. And that thing has tiny sight that my aging eyes found a bit hard to focus on. So practice and training help more than the gun. We can blame what we are shooting, but the reality is most modern guns shoot better than most of us.

My personal opinion is practice, practice and practice more.
 
Since going from a G19, to an M&P40c, and now to a P365, I was concerned that the P365 would be tougher to draw from concealment, and it was initially, but when comparing the G19 grip to the P365 grip with the 12-round magazine, the grip lengths are nearly identical. So it was just getting accustomed to a new holster/grip shape than the P365 being too small.
 
I went from a 41 Mag Revolver Duty weapon to a 10mm Govt Mdl 1911, to a CCO mdl 10mm on the ranch, to a Colt 45 ACP Defender when I moved back to town, and recently to a Sig P365 with 12 round magazine. I'm done.
 
I wouldn't have a micro. Not that I feel "under gunned" with one. More that I don't like the way they feel in my hand. I like a full size grip. Can't stand it when my pinkie is hanging off the end. I just wear one size larger shirt, leave it untucked, and don't give a crap if it prints a bit. 95% of the public is too engrossed in their phones to notice...
 
It's another tool for the tool chest. If you feel better carrying the bigger gun carry the bigger gun. But there may be days where for whatever reason the bigger guns don't work. That's where the small guns come into play.

My main carry gun is a Glock 26. Small enough to carry comfortably every day yet big enough to shoot well. Sometimes I'll carry a full size and sometimes the circumstances require me to carry my J frame 38.
 
I can carry and comfortably conceal a 10+1 G6, 13+1 XD Mod2 and Beretta APX Compact, so I don't see the point or need to d
go smaller just for the sake of going smaller.

I use to have a multiple sized pistols for different occasions, now I only EDC my Beretta APX Compact. I'm not really interested in the Sig P365 or the Hellcat. The larger double stack sub-compacts are easily concealed and easier to shoot, so what's the point?
 
With my smaller size hands I have always been of the mindset that small in a CCW is good and smaller is even better! Have gone from full size (Colt Government and Browning Hi-Power), to compact (CZ P01 and Ruger SR9c), to micro size (Kahr CM9). All have been a great fit in my hand, totally ergonomic, and a dream to shoot. The CM9 is just so easy to conceal and so comfortable to carry with it's abbreviated slide and lightweight polymer frame.
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bannockburn said:
With my smaller size hands I have always been of the mindset that small in a CCW is good and smaller is even better! Have gone from full size (Colt Government and Browning Hi-Power), to compact (CZ P01 and Ruger SR9c), to micro size (Kahr CM9). All have been a great fit in my hand, totally ergonomic, and a dream to shoot. The CM9 is just so easy to conceal and so comfortable to carry with it's abbreviated slide and lightweight polymer frame.
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I found that it's not really about the size of the gun. It's more about the ergonomics of the grip and controls. The M&P Shield is smaller and thinner, but I can't hit the mag release, etc without braking my grip and cocking the gun to the side so that I can reach the controls. I have even more of an issue with 1911s in that respect. With the CZ P01, Springfield XD, and the Beretta APX, the guns fit my hand better than most single stacks despite being smaller... That's not even taking into account that they don't hurt your hand as much when shooting, have less recoil, and are generally more accurate.
 
Styx

When I was looking for a compact 9mm. I tried out all of the top contenders (Glock, Springfield Armory, and S&W), and found that for me the CZ P01 and the Ruger SR9c were the best fit ergonomically. Same thing happened with the Kahr CM9 when comparing it side by side with a Beretta Nano. Hands down (forgive the pun), the CM9 was way more comfortable and easy to get a good grip with it than the Nano was.
 
My carry guns as percent.
1911 commander .45acp 5%
SR9C 9mm compact. 40%
Sp101 snub .357 5%
LCP. 380. 50%

I live and work in a very rural farming community. I feel my threat level is low. In fact, I dont know anyone besides myself, that carries daily.

I am happy with my micro gun. I practice with it specifically once or twice per month, just today in fact. Carrying the gun discretely and comfortably is so easy. Reloads too.

Put me down for a micro that is reliable and accurate.
 
Give it time. I used to Cary an all steel revolver. When I went to a polymer and later an even smaller alloy gun, I actually wanted to carry more.
 
All I’ve ever carried is a sub compact handgun. I started with the PF9 and now carry a Glock 43. I’ve never felt like I was “under gunned”, the first rule in self defense is have a gun. However my next gun will be a full size! Space ghost is spot on, owb large shirt highly doubt anyone would even notice. Sub compacts have their role they’re very easy to conceal. The more you carry the hellcat I’m sure you’ll come more comfortable with it! Congrats on the purchase!
 
bannockburn said:
Styx

When I was looking for a compact 9mm. I tried out all of the top contenders (Glock, Springfield Armory, and S&W), and found that for me the CZ P01 and the Ruger SR9c were the best fit ergonomically. Same thing happened with the Kahr CM9 when comparing it side by side with a Beretta Nano. Hands down (forgive the pun), the CM9 was way more comfortable and easy to get a good grip with it than the Nano was.
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I'm different though that I started out carrying smaller single stacks and went up to sub-compact double stacks. There aren't many occasions where I need to go smaller, so I EDC a double stack 90% of the time.

We kind of sort of have the same taste. I found that the CZ P01 and the Beretta APX fit my small hands the best out of all the guns I experienced that are the on market (no experience with the SR9). I don't have any experience with the polymer Kahrs, but on the rare occasions I need deep concealment or something lighter and smaller, I carry a Kahr MK9 which takes the same mags and is about the same size as the CM9...

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Styx said:
I'm not really interested in the Sig P365 or the Hellcat. The larger double stack sub-compacts are easily concealed and easier to shoot, so what's the point?
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You need to drink the Kool-Aid and get a P365. Seriously. I resisted and finally got one just because my state was trying to take away my ability to buy one. It's been an eye-opener. It shoots like a larger pistol, is accurate, feels amazing, and is the holy grail of carry guns. It defies physics and I'm sure black magic is involved somehow.
 
Trey Veston said:
You need to drink the Kool-Aid and get a P365. Seriously. I resisted and finally got one just because my state was trying to take away my ability to buy one. It's been an eye-opener. It shoots like a larger pistol, is accurate, feels amazing, and is the holy grail of carry guns. It defies physics and I'm sure black magic is involved somehow.
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I handled the Hellcat and P365 XL at my LGS. Seemed like great little guns, but I still wasn't impressed enough to plop down $500+ or so for one and a couple of hundred more on extra mags and holsters. I already have a Shield, Kahrs, the Walther PPS M2, and I can conceal my APX without a problem. Just not worth me spending $500+ for a P365 XL just to gain 2 to 3 rounds over the single stacks I already have, but don't carry.

What state was trying to ban the P365?
 
Kleanbore said:
Micro 9? I would, simply because I cannot draw and shoot one with an effective balance of speed and precision. If I could, I would not so feel.
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I feel the same. If they would perform in my hands as well as a slightly larger option I would have no issues with the lower mag capacity or shorter barrel.

But there are just a myriad of fit issues that preclude me shooting guns smaller than a Glock 26 (and even that is pretty borderline for my likes) that I just cannot accept when a Glock 19 size gun carries very easy for me.
 
I have found that over 45 years of carrying that it is an evolutionary/changing/ experimental process. You will go through many guns and much gear. Yeah you may stick with some setup for 4 or 7 seven years, but you will eventually try something else out.
 
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