Any reason to not carry a full size

[nathan]

I carry my Russian Makarov most of the time . It feels very light and comfy in hot Houston. That i marvel at the Russian designer for such a well thought out pistol.

 

[Fastlane]

Matt

I carry the Glock 30 for comfort and it is somewhat easy to conceal. I use an IWB holster form Tommy Theis. I have shot the Glock gen 4 21 and it is a great pistol. For me it would make a great night stand weapon but carrying concealed would not be comfortable for me unless I was to use a shoulder holster. I not too concerned about printing but comfort is important and the Glock 30 carrying 11 rounds of performance 45 ammo is also comforting.

 

[the duck of death]

Full size=range/competition guns--to big/heavy to carry.

Glock 27 small size--10 shots of potent ammo--perfect for me.

 

[easyg]

My question this all boils down to is at 5'7" 135lbs if I can carry and conceal a 17 is there any reason not to?

If you don't mind the bulk and the weight, and if you don't mind wearing a holster on your belt, then go for it.

I prefer a small pocket pistol for ease of carry and for the fact that I don't have to dress around the gun.

 

[VAPOPO]

At 5'7" and 135 the full sized Glock is going to make you look deformed. At 6'6 and north of 300Lbs I can conceal just about anything short of a M1 Abrams. So either start eating pasta or find something a bit thinner with smoother outline otherwise even with the best IWB holster you are going to telegraph to everyone in eyesight that you are carrying. If you routinely wear a jacket disregaurd this advice and carry whatever makes you feel safe.

 

[mljdeckard]

I very much agree with the sentiments in post #2. I carry a full-size, all-steel 1911 year round. this summer we missed the record for 100+ degree days by one. I tell my students; "pick your wardrobe and lifestyle to fit your gun. Not the other way around. When people say; "It's impossible to carry a full-size gun year-round.", what I hear is; "I am unwilling to adjust my wardrobe and lifestyle to make it possible, or buy the correct gear to make it comfortable".

Having said that, it's a (mostly) free country. Most people shoot full-size guns better, but not necesarily a LOT better. when people ask me what gun to start with, I usually steer them to a G-19. Carry what works best for you, make adjustments if you need to, and make sure you can run it well. But if you have convinced yourself you are just as effective with a SNS .25, it's your keyster, not mine.

 

[ritepath]

I carried my SR45 yesterday....for me carrying a full sized gun is fine if it OWB and for only a few hours. Anything beyond that I'll down size to a compact or my LCP.

Since I traded my 9c the LCP has been my best friend. It's now time to find a new compact...if only ruger would come out with a SR45c.

 

[M1GarandDeerHunter]

I am with SAM1911. Carry the biggest gun your comfortable with. I carry full size Colt series 70 45 auto daily. I am very trim and yet it conceals well. I find it easier to shoot well. I also compete with my carry rig and carry gun. It goes everywhere I do except for no gun zones, which I avoid anyway. Clint Smith is quoted as saying your carry piece should be comforting, not necessarily comfortable. YMMV.

 

[GJSchulze]

I'm 5'3" and 140 lbs. I carry a XD subcompact 9mm with an IWB at about 4 o'clock. At best with a loose T-shirt you can see a large bulge even if you can't actually see the outline of the gun. I have to wear a vest or shirt over it. I suppose if someone asked about the bulge I could say it was a tumor, or an unborn twin, or a full colostomy bag. I imagine any of those would stop the conversation dead.

If you are not the right shape so that a shirt drapes right, you have to wear a second garment to hide it. I suppose someone whose waist is small enough compared to their chest could do this. OFWG certainly can't.

 

[peacemaker45]

I'm 5'3" and 140 lbs. I carry a XD subcompact 9mm with an IWB at about 4 o'clock. At best with a loose T-shirt you can see a large bulge even if you can't actually see the outline of the gun. I have to wear a vest or shirt over it. I suppose if someone asked about the bulge I could say it was a tumor, or an unborn twin, or a full colostomy bag. I imagine any of those would stop the conversation dead.

If you are not the right shape so that a shirt drapes right, you have to wear a second garment to hide it. I suppose someone whose waist is small enough compared to their chest could do this. OFWG certainly can't.

There's really no need for silly stories. With the advent of smartphones, blackberries, iPods and the like, most people have bulges on the waist. It's the new normal.

Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Garmangabis]

A good holster, a good firearm, and a good belt - carry whatever you like.

I have carried twin full size firearms as a civilian for over 20 years now.

I'm 5'7" and average sized.

 

[jimbo555]

A j-frame is the smallest I own, my main carry is a springfield xds 45 currently back at the factory for recall. Always on the lookout for the best combination of caliber capacity and weight that's not a Glock.

 

[skoro]

if I can carry and conceal a 17 is there any reason not to?

Each of us has to analyze our individual situations and prepare accordingly. If a 17 works for you, then it's a good fit.

 

[peacemaker45]

A good holster, a good firearm, and a good belt - carry whatever you like.

I have carried twin full size firearms as a civilian for over 20 years now.

I'm 5'7" and average sized.

That's a nice rig! My own first CCW setup was a single sided shoulder rig for a S&W Model 10, but it was always a hairy nuisance because of the uneven weight distribution. I always thought about trying a double rig, but never did.

Out of curiosity, what are the pouches in the back? For speed strips? Does that location give much access?

Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2

 

[jigglyjames29]

What on earth do you wear that you are able to conceal a G17 at that size?
I'm 5'7" 160lb at around 10% body fat and there's just no way.

 

[Nomad]

I started out carrying a full size but as the years have past my carry guns have gotten smaller. I find smaller is easier to hide and in the 110 degree summer heat of AZ that can be a factor at least to me.

 

[bdickens]

For self defense shooting someone at 25 yrs will land you in jail unless he shot first and you couldn't find cover. Otherwise, capacity is important. A longer sight radius is meaningless in self defense because you won't have time enough to aim for it to make a difference. You'll be point shooting.

Being able to hold the gun while your hands are shaking from the adrenaline is important.

Sez you.

 

[GJSchulze]

Sez you.

You are the second person to disagree with what I said without saying why. You, at least, were polite. If you are going to disagree with someone, it is proper to give a reason, otherwise your argument is only an appeal to authority (your own).

Let me explain what I meant, because I can see I didn't really give reasoning either. Also, understand that I'm try to include how a jury will see this, meaning we want to protect ourselves, but prefer there not be any doubts. Think of Zimmerman at 0 yds and still people had doubts and not go to jail.

To use lethal force three elements must exist: Ability, Opportunity, and Jeopardy. This is a common statement, so I'll assume you know this. If there is any question, a good explanation is here: http://www.corneredcat.com/article/legal-concerns/ability-opportunity-jeopardy/

I also assumed (which I didn't state) there was one bad guy and one good guy. At 25 yards, unless the person has a projectile weapon (gun or bow), he does not have the ability nor the opportunity to hurt you. Unless he says something or points the gun at you, you aren't in jeopardy (yet). If he starts shooting, you are or if he starts moving towards you, pointing the gun at you, you are. At that distance you may have a good chance of getting away and if you can, you should. SYG or not, why have to justify it? Why kill someone if you can just get away? Even if it's a justified shooting, you'll probably be sued. And unless you have insurance that covers that, you could lose your savings and house.

What I said about the longer sight radius is based on what I've been told and read by self defense instructors. When you're being threatened, your fine motor control disappears. You will get a huge shot of adrenaline. Think of a time when you were scared <deleted>; could you have aimed a gun carefully? I shoot USPSA and when the buzzer goes off, you get tunnel vision and stop consciously thinking. That's nothing compared to being attacked.

 

[Sam1911]

What I said about the longer sight radius is based on what I've been told and read by self defense instructors. When you're being threatened, your fine motor control disappears. You will get a huge shot of adrenaline. Think of a time when you were scared <deleted>; could you have aimed a gun carefully? I shoot USPSA and when the buzzer goes off, you get tunnel vision and stop consciously thinking. That's nothing compared to being attacked.

This gives the impression that you have to be consciously focusing on a procedure in order to accomplish it. In other words, you won't be using the sights well and accurately, because your conscious thoughts won't be able to concentrate on that function.

What I said previously was this: "You'll do whatever you've trained to do in the situation that presents itself. "

You use the gun routinely without being fully conscious of deactivating a safety, or even of pressing the trigger when you're really in the zone. The shot breaks when your body perceives that you're in the proper alignment to fire. Not when you've pondered it out and consciously decided to start pressing the trigger now. Making your firing steps conscious thoughts requires too much time for truly fast, effective shooting.

Similarly, if you've trained yourself to prepare and react to a certain sight picture, you will do so -- regardless of what you were consciously focused on. In other words, you don't need to be aware of your sights to use them effectively. They are there and your body will do what it needs to do with the tools it is used to.

Your conscious thoughts may be quite otherwise focused, or even frozen, but that doesn't negate the benefit your sights will give you.

 

[jp0319]

weight, size, weight, weight,... you see what I did there ?

Most often it is a comfort thing, lots of guys can conceal a 1911 or Glock 17 but anything more than a run to the corner store can get annoying quick the bigger the iron. getting in and out of a car, adjusting your pistol, etc. Most of these issues diminish more and more the smaller the fire arm.

JP

 

[Rexster]

If you can conceal your G17 well enough, and you shoot it well, then carry it! I am taller and heavier than you, though fairly slim, and was boney-skinny when I started carrying. I have usually carried full-sized revolvers and autos for 29+ years. (I consider my P229 full-sized because its fat grip frame, with mag in place, makes it just as tall as a G17 or other service pistol.)

As the snappy .40 recoil has really started to hurt my arthritic wrist, a G17 has become my new normal carry gun, with my full-sized 1911 being carried somewhat less often, as my P229 is only carried at work, where I must have one of the specified .40 pistols in my duty holster.

FWIW, my hands are fairly large, but my fingers and thumbs are medium to short. I like a fairly large and hefty gun, but not too large, with a medium-length reach to the trigger.

 

[Warp]

I am curious if there is any downside to carrying a full size gun.

Lack of concealment and lack of comfort.

Those are the reasons I don't carry a full size very often.

 

[jimbo555]

Why do the police and the military carry full size? Because they realistically believe they may have to use that pistol and want the most effective one. If you think you may have a reason to carry a handgun everyday you should have the same reasoning.

 

[Warp]

Why do the police and the military carry full size? Because they realistically believe they may have to use that pistol and want the most effective one. If you think you may have a reason to carry a handgun everyday you should have the same reasoning.

And because they generally don't have to conceal it, of course. Go ask a few dozen police officers what they carry off duty.

Everybody is free to make their own choices about whether or not they carry, how they carry, what they carry, where they carry, when they carry, etc.

There are legitimate reasons for people to make ALL KINDS of different choices.

 

[C0untZer0]

I walk a little funny when I have this shoved down my pants but it is well worth it to have the extra muzzle velocity.