Compact and Full-Sized

[luckylogger6]

I was wondering how many people have both the full size and compact versions of a particular gun, for example full size for range/training and compact for CCW. I ask because I recently took a training course with my M&P compact and at the end of the day (500 rounds) the instructor let me shoot his full size XD and having the full grip made a huge difference in comfort. I was thinking about adding the full size M&P to my collection but also see this a waist of precious $$$ and slots in the safe. What is everyone’s opinion and experiences?

 

[chupacabrah]

do you not have the extended grip magazine thing? It is my understanding this would make it like a fullsize.


I have a full size M&P, kind of wish i'd gotten a compact

 

[Thernlund]

Whatever you're going to carry is the pistol you should train with.


-T.

 

[Butter]

Get both!

I own the subcompact XD 9mm and the 5" barreled XD. The benefit is that the manual of arms is the same, sight radius is better on the longer barrel, but you essentially have the same triggers and a similar feel to both pistols that doesn't detract from practice.

There isn't that training disparity where you might have to figure out a decocker vs a safety and how that affects your grip and handling.

 

[mickeys]

Wait, luckylogger6 has the compact and wants full size, whereas chupacabrah has a full size and wishes he'd gotten a compact... hmmn.

I've fired both flavors of H&K USP .40 and found that the compact better fitted my big 'ol hands and felt better while firing. I'd suggest trying to duplicate the experiment with someone who owns the full size (or renting it at a local range) and if you still covet it, sell the compact. There are only so many guns you can carry at any one time...

 

[wuluf]

i've got both a full size and a 3" 1911, both by Kimber. both are extremely reliable and accurate. the 3" is 13 oz lighter and easier for me to carry.

 

[chupacabrah]

Wait, luckylogger6 has the compact and wants full size, whereas chupacabrah has a full size and wishes he'd gotten a compact... hmmn.

hmm interesting huh
the grip just pokes my love handles , but its not really that bad. i've been wearing it for about 2 hours today. went for a walk and just watching tv, sitting, standing, playing w/ the baby. i can hardly tell its on. wilderness tactical belt w/ UBG canute holster. if i lost the lovehandles, it'd be even better, though

 

[copper4262]

if you can afford it get both!!! - its great to be able to interchange mags holsters etc - if you can't afford it or just cant justify it then keep what your going to use/carry the most!

 

[M2 Carbine]

I've got a thing about compact size guns, like S&W 2 inch barrel J Frames. I can shoot them as well as the bigger guns and just like the handy size.

Of my five Kimbers four are "Ultras", three inch barrels. I have a couple full size 1911 pistols but I prefer the smaller guns.

 

[mljdeckard]

First of all, buy whatever you can afford, carry whatever you can shoot best.

HAVING SAID THAT, I have said many times that I get tired of the industry and the magazines seeming to have a lot of people convinced that you MUST carry a compact, and that you CANNOT carry a full-size. (It sells more guns if they convince you that one gun isn't good enough for everything.)

Comfort becomes relative very quickly. If you take a non-gun person, and tuck a Walther into their waistband, they will say it's the most uncomfortable thing they've ever felt. On the other hand, you can take the 5' 0" guy who turned 21 61 days ago and got his carry permit in the mail yesterday, hang a full-size Desert Eagle under his left arm, and he'll swear that he doesn't even know it's there.

Therefore, for ME, in the interests of doing what I want, rather than do what the magazines TELL ME TO, I carry the platform that I like best, in the configuration that I can shoot the best. Pure reality is that the longer sight radius on a full-size gun makes it easier to shoot accurately. More weight on a full-size gun means less felt recoil. Full size frame means (most of the time) higher magazine capacity. This means that a full-size auto allows for the highest number of well-placed shots in the shortest amount of time. To me, this far outweighs any comfort distinctions between a compact or full-size.

Most shooters who are used to a full-size, and switch to a compact of the same model and caliber won't be able to shoot it as well. But if you have both, and you are really that good that the difference between the two is negligible, go for it. (If you're NOT really that good, practice until you ARE.)