Do you really think there is that much advantage to carrying a full sized pistol?

[Ohen Cepel]

Yes, there is an advantage to a full size pistol. Better sight radius, and more/larger ammo. For years I carried a S&W 66, Hi-Power, 1911, or Beretta 92FS for that reason.

Now, is the gain enough for you, I don't know.

 

[Kleanbore]

...I now save the full-size for where the real danger lies: at home.

Why do you believe that the real danger lies at home?

 

[Danoobie]

In town, there's people around, police nearby, generally, I'm with somebody else, and always in a crowded public place.

At home, in the woods, there is nobody around. And help, if you can manage to summon it, could be over a half-hour away.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

I think if you can shoot a full size better then the answer is yes.

Since everyone's hands are different it's entirely possible some folks might shoot a compact or even subcompact better than a full size.

For me there is no question I shoot my FS pistols better than my EDC (LC9S). I can hit at much greater distances and follow up faster at closer distances. However I'm confident with my LC9S at normal self defense distances, I would not carry it if I wasn't.

A lot of folks simply compromise (me) for ease of concealment and carry. I do occasionally carry a FS but it's rare. If I was an OC only guy I would carry a FS for sure.

 

[JohnBiltz]

If you had to defend your life with a handgun, is the one you're carrying the same one you'd want to be using?

Yes, yes it is. I shoot a Glock 26 better than a G17. I've got 35,000 rounds through G26s. When I take lessons its what I am shooting. Quite simply my hand knows a G26 better than any other gun. I will also say this at close range I shoot a G42 better than a G26. I don't know why but that little thing just shoots and I can dump a magazine and the sights never leave the target.

Full size guns are simply too big for most people to carry and conceal. There is a reason they are called service or duty guns and smaller guns are considered concealed carry guns. Its because its true.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Do I really think there is an advantage to carrying a full sized pistol?

Yes.

Next question...

How much advantage is really about the individual doing the shooting.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Whenever this question comes up the first thing I have to ask is how do you define " full-size"?

My Glock 19 is considered a compact my Smith & Wesson M&P 9 is a full size gun. There's only a quarter inch difference in barrel length between them. If I decided to go with a Glock 17 there's only a half inch difference in barrel length.

Both the M&P 9 and the Glock 17 normally carry 17 rounds as compared to the Glock 19' 15 rounds BUT in Colorado that's moot because I'm limited to 15 rounds anyway. Actually it would be moot anyway because I can put a 17 round magazine in my Glock 19

So I guess to me it depends on the gun. I carry my Glock 19 pretty much exclusively. I find I'm able to conceal it well and I can certainly shoot it as well as my M&P full size.

 

[bangbang01]

Whenever this question comes up the first thing I have to ask is how do you define " full-size"?

My Glock 19 is considered a compact my Smith & Wesson M&P 9 is a full size gun. There's only a quarter inch difference in barrel length between them. If I decided to go with a Glock 17 there's only a half inch difference in barrel length.

Both the M&P 9 and the Glock 17 normally carry 17 rounds as compared to the Glock 19' 15 rounds BUT in Colorado that's moot because I'm limited to 15 rounds anyway. Actually it would be moot anyway because I can put a 17 round magazine in my Glock 19

So I guess to me it depends on the gun. I carry my Glock 19 pretty much exclusively. I find I'm able to conceal it well and I can certainly shoot it as well as my M&P full size.

One could argue that a Glock 19 is a full size pistol, as it's one of the more common service pistols on the planet these days, but when I say "full size," I'm more referring to guns than weren't designed for concealed carry like a full sized 1911, Berreta 92, CZ-75 etc. Guns that were designed to be open carried on the battlefield that are also offered in compact models.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

One could argue that a Glock 19 is a full size pistol

One can argue all one wants, Gaston says it's a compact.

Look man if a pocket gun is all the bigger you want to carry then carry that you're not required to justify that decision to us

 

[Trunk Monkey]

when I say "full size," I'm more referring to guns than weren't designed for concealed carry like a full sized 1911, Berreta 92, CZ-75 etc. Guns that were designed to be open carried on the battlefield that are also offered in compact models.

First gun I carried was a 75B. Carried it for 8 years before switching to a S&W4006. Carried it for a year before switching to an M&P9. I've only been carrying the Glock for 9 months or so.

 

[bangbang01]

One can argue all one wants, Gaston says it's a compact.

Look down if a pocket gun is all the bigger you want to carry then carry that you're not required to justify that decision to us

K

 

[Kendal Black]

For a lot of us, the decision is that between a small gun and no gun. I tried the full sized pistol for concealed carry. I tried it on the assurance of gun gurus writing in popular magazines that you could do it if only you "dress around the weapon."

In the end, I concluded that people giving that advice do not get out much. A fashionable opinion gets formed among gun writers and they repeat it despite facts to the contrary. Nobody tells them it is nonsense because they only talk to each other. Perhaps they are cops, and having their guns "made" in public is of no important consequence. Or perhaps they are rural dwellers, known to the law and on friendly terms with the constabulary.

In the end, the answer was to go to the range and see how much practical accuracy I could get out of a gun that would stay out of sight in clothes I can wear in all seasons. For my build about the biggest that will go unnoticed is a D Colt or a Glock 43.

I do think it is sensible to set a floor limitation on the caliber or power level you will carry. I think we already did that thread eight or ten times.

 

[harrygunner]

The threat is always the same: loss of life or grave bodily harm, regardless of the situation. I carry a service sized handgun, in perpetual comfort.

If there is a threat to life, I want all the advantages a full sized gun from a strong side holster provides.

 

[If1HitU]

Well I carry revolvers, Bulldog .44 Spl. 2.5" & SP 101 .357 Mag.3" and Taurus140 G2 40 Millennium & S&W 40 Shield.

 

[Browning]

P.S. I had a dentist appointment this morning. I had my exam and teeth cleaning performed with my LCP in my front pocket. Do people really have a full sized 1911 on them when they are tilted back in a dentist chair having their teeth worked on or cleaned?

No, not me anyway.

My Walther PPS is my dentist appointment or Doctors office gun.

That's one of those occasions where it's perfectly fine to go with something smaller.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

I carry the biggest gun I can conceal. Jacket weather it's a full size, summer it's a compact or sometimes a sub compact. Once in a while I get lazy and just throw a G42 in my pocket. That is a rare day.
You know what? If carrying a two shot derringer is the only thing you'll carry, then that's what you should carry. Being in a gunfight without a gun is worse than being under gunned.
BTW, last trip to the dentist I had my Sig 239 on my hip. Girl that does my cleanings gets a kick out of it.

 

[Slamfire]

The best gun is the gun you have with you. If I had my choice, I would be packing my M1a, maybe with a bayonet attached.

Actually, if I had my choice, I would be as far away from a hot zone as I could make it. I learned, from the LA riots (1992), don't go see the riots. Two motorcyclists thought it would be neat to see the riot in Long Beach. Both were pulled off, one was shot and killed, the other beaten almost to death. Stay away from trouble and you will live longer.

 

[BSA1]

Two years ago I would argue that a 5 round J-Frame revolver and a small sub-compact semi-auto was enough gun for citizens to carry. I was very confident carrying my 2" barrel J-Frame 38.

But in real life things change.

For me it was a mass shooting near I live early in 2016. Other mass shootings such as at the Gay night club caused me to reevaluate and I came to believe that suppressive firepower has a role by citizens. A disturbing common factor in shootings is the slow police response. In the Vegas shooting it took Officers 10 minutes to reach the floor the shooter was on and the Officers were already in the Hotel. Then about another hour before they stormed the room the shooter was in. While the Police were trying to get organized the shooter could easily have resumed shooting.

Use of suppressive fire is something not usually associated with citizens but in real life forcing the shooter to discontinue his attack even for 30 seconds may give people a chance to escape. Unlikely? But so is being robbed or attacked in your own home.

 

[MikeInOr]

You are going to start popping off random shots in the middle of a crowd when you have no clear shot at the perp and call it suppressive fire? That is just crazy! At best you are going to make yourself target number 1 when the police arrive and take a bullet through the head (hopefully!). At worst you are going to kill some innocent civilian and give every responsible gun owner a bad name.

Do every responsible gun owner and innocent citizen a favor and leave your gun at home!

 

[Spats McGee]

Let me start of by saying that I absolutely believe there is a HUGE advantaged to carrying a full sized service pistol if you work in LE or basically any field that requires one to carry a gun for a living. . . .

For those that Cary a full size service pistol everyday, what type of situation do you see yourself possibly encountering that warrants being perpetually uncomfortable? I'm not against one packing a full size duty gun every day, I'm just curious.

When I first started carrying, I carried a gov't profile 1911. I'm a proponent of carrying the biggest gun that you reasonably can. If I OC'd, that would mean a full-sized pistol. I don't, so I carry something smaller. The advantages of big pistols have already been laid out: longer sight radius, more comfortable to shoot, more ammo, etc. The advantages of little pistols are basically comfort (in carrying) and concealability.

 

[CDW4ME]

To each his own, but that just looks super uncomfortable.

Only took me about 24 years of carry to arrive at that; been carrying that way for about a year.

In my first reply to thread, I said I carried a Glock appendix IWB for many years (almost 2 decades)
That was a Glock 26/27 which I eventually replaced with a 30SF (pictured here)


Does that look more comfy. (Its not)

 

[BSA1]

You are going to start popping off random shots in the middle of a crowd when you have no clear shot at the perp and call it suppressive fire? That is just crazy! At best you are going to make yourself target number 1 when the police arrive and take a bullet through the head (hopefully!). At worst you are going to kill some innocent civilian and give every responsible gun owner a bad name.

Do every responsible gun owner and innocent citizen a favor and leave your gun at home!

Er No. Your response is clearly emotional and shows you have a lack of knowledge about tactics.

First I am going to identify the shooter and his location.

Next I am going to determine if it is possible to take clear a shot or shots at the shooters location with the least amount of risk to other people. I will change my position as needed to give me a clear field of fire.

My use of suppressive fire is too force the shooter to break off his attack long to distract him or cause him to change his location or seek cover giving people at least a few precious extra seconds to escape.

As for your desire to have the Police arrive "and take a bullet through the head (hopefully!)" you obviously did not read and understand my post and are reacting as a Liberal. For your benefit I will repeat it here;

"A disturbing common factor in shootings is the slow police response. In the Vegas shooting it took Officers 10 minutes to reach the floor the shooter was on and the Officers were already in the Hotel. Then about another hour before they stormed the room the shooter was in. While the Police were trying to get organized the shooter could easily have resumed shooting."

I know many THR members believe that their only responsibility is to save themselves and loved ones and get out of Dodge as quickly as possible. I can not fault that logic. But I wonder how many folks have thought enough about tactics to see where in certain situations suppressive fire may give their loved ones and themselves (along with other innocent people as a bonus) a little more time to escape?

Highly unlikely. Certainly. But times are changing. We now have attacks by people that are terrorists, claim to be inspired by ISIS and mentally disturbed. Then we have shootings that are the result of domestic situations with the shooter coming into the work place or public location. The motives of some shooters may not even be clear such as Hesston, Kansas and Vegas.

As for your demand that I "Do every responsible gun owner and innocent citizen a favor and leave your gun at home" I suggest you evaluate your shooting skills and lack of knowledge about effective use of tactics.

As Dirty Harry said; "A man has to know his limitations."

 

[Tallball]

I carry something that will help me defend myself against a mugging or a car jacking. Those things are fairly common. They happen every day, all over the country.

I don't worry about mass shootings. I am statistically more likely to be struck by lightning. Neither a full-sized handgun nor a compact one is any use against someone way up high in a building, or a bunch of guys with assault rifles, or anything like that.

 

[Hangingrock]

Now in my seventh decade during the cold months a S&W MP9c plus one additional magazine and during the warm months a S&W Shield 9mm plus one additional magazine. Both with Federal 147Gr-HP+P-HST. Cold and warm months as a backup a S&W M640. We don't do stupid places, things and people.

Since we have our own handgun range on the property, we do a lot of shooting with movement, multiple targets, sighted and index shooting - (visually imprinting the outline of the weapon on target) at 7&10Yds.

 

[bangbang01]

Only took me about 24 years of carry to arrive at that; been carrying that way for about a year.

In my first reply to thread, I said I carried a Glock appendix IWB for many years (almost 2 decades)
That was a Glock 26/27 which I eventually replaced with a 30SF (pictured here)
View attachment 771379

Does that look more comfy. (Its not)

I've never been a big fan of carrying inside the waist. I will sometimes carry a Kel-tec pf9 inside the waist that has a belt clip on it at 4 o'clock while in sweatshirt weather, but since I live in a pretty brutal climate, i have the luxury of wearing a heavy jacket for almost half the year which allows me to carry on my hip with a paddle holster. I've had several different carry guns over the years, but right now I'm packing a CZ-p01. If I go indoors for any length of time or out to eat I can take my jacket off, as my state is an open carry state; however, I try not to do this because I'm also not a big fan of open carry in an urban environment. I'll open carry while fishing or walking my dogs, but rarely will I open carry in a restaurant or while shopping.

In the summer and at work, I pocket carry a little Kel-tec p32. I have tried to replace it several times over the years with a 380, but I have owned a long list of less than reliable pistols that failed to do so such as:

• the S&W bodyguard - Gen 1 &2 light-strike-o-matcs even after coming back from the factory
• Kahr cw380 - Thing literally exploded in my father in law's hand with commercial bulk ammo. Scary stuff. He had a nice cut in his thumb and some bruising but was otherwise alright. It was a used gun that looked pretty worn in. Who knows how many rounds had been put through it?
• Ruger LCP 2 - really accurate, but it was a jamomatic even after coming back from the factory
• Glock 42 - it's just a little too big for pocket carry which causes too much printing at work and affects the draw. I also feel the trigger is too good for a pocket gun without an external safety of some sort. Otherwise, it is a flawless shooter and quite accurate for what it is. My wife carries it in a fanny back while road biking sometimes.
• Kel-tec pf9 - too big for pocket carry at work, but I love the gun. It's less accurate than the Glock, but it's a 13 oz 9mm that has never had a single hiccup. I will sometimes take the belt clip off it and pocket carry it in cargo shorts with deep pockets.
• Kel-tec p3at - Not as reliable or nearly as accurate as the p32 which has been flawless. Sent it back twice, but it still couldn't go a 100 rounds without a stovepipe. It just wasn't reliable enough to be a carry gun for me.
  
• NAA black widow - Flawless and REALLY accurate. It doesn't conceal as well as an auto and it's single action. I Mexican carry it in a waterproof pocket while doing stuff on the water. It's my floating the river kayaking gun.
• ?........thinking about the Colt Mustang or a baby Sig as my next pocket gun.