Full size pistol - concealed carry

[Ben86]

I think there is an effort in place by the gun magazines and the manufacturers, to convince people that they need more than one version of everything.

Interesting observation. This sudden subcompact religion does seem media produced.

 

[bang_bang]

Winter is too easy to conceal full-size weapons. I have been carrying my P95 in a shoulder holster or SOB. Sometimes I wear both rigs, and if I want to go out to eat, simply move the pistol from the shoulder to SOB. Easy enough.

I'm no big guy by any means, actually quite "stumpy" as an easier way to put it. I carry my Rock Island 4-inch 1911 with a Clipdraw inside the waist at about 1 o'clock a lot too.

Full-size is nothing to conceal, it just takes the right rigs to completely hide it.

Weight, of course...well. I can clearly tell a difference toting around my 1911 or P95 opposed to my Kel-Tec P11 after about 30 minutes.

 

[oboe]

Well, I do appreciate your post! That's exactly my own view. As for the Beretta, it has maybe an inch on some other full size guns, but it's otherwise comparable. As I have said, I live in south Florida, and one of my shooting friends - who is my size or actually just a bit more slight than I am - carries and has for a long time carried tbe Beretta 92 Inox. He says he has absolutely no problem carrying it. He has a Beretta PX4 in 9mm that he enjoys. But he says that the Inox feels better and shoots better for him - so that's what he carries. NOW. . . as for the oboe and the bassoon. . .

The oboe is a double reed instrument about the size of a clarinet. A bassoon is a double reed instrument that looks like a bazooka and is about that size.

 

[Ben86]

I applaud your efforts to put performance over comfort and convenience.

 

[blitzen]

Your mod. 92A1 might not be "optimal" for carry but it is "optimal" for a gun fight. Let others carry what they want. Who cares what they think.
Just thought I'd add that it's either cold or raining here all the time so packing a full size gun, as I do is no problem. If I lived in Arizona I would figure out a way to do it as well.

 

[oboe]

That is exactly my thought. My very first consideration is, "How well do I shoot this pistol, and what can it do for me when I need it?" Compared to others that I've shot, I just do better with it. I have confidence in it and would have no concerns about it. That confidence can be crucial.

 

[easyg]

I notice several folks have mentioned how easy it is to carry a full-sized pistol in winter due to heavier clothing (coats, jackets, etc...).

But it has been my experience that while such clothing does make concealment easy, it also makes drawing the weapon much more difficult.

For example, a shoulder holster under a coat makes carrying a large heavy gun not a problem, but when it's cold outside and the jacket is zipped up, drawing becomes much slower.

A small pocket-pistol or snub-nose revolver in one of the jacket's outside pockets seem a better solution to me.

 

[AK103K]

I just lift my fleece/windbreaker, and the guns right where it always is. Draws basically the same any time of year too.

This only has to be as difficult as you want to make it. For me, trying to get a small pistol out of a pants pocket is much more work and not near as fast as simply drawing my 17. Other than my Seecamp in its Smart Carry, the small guns are actually more work than the bigger ones.

 

[Shipwreck]

Check with THR member Shipwreck if he doesn't check in soon. He has posted pictures of his concealed carry Beretta 92 in a Comp-tac IWB holster.

Yea, I actually responded to this thread on another forum (the Beretta Forum)... But, I'll repost it here too

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I conceal this gun EVERY day - I have done it for about 14 months now. I'm not a big guy either... 6'1", 180 lbs...

I carried my HK USPc45 for about a year, and compared the grip to my 92FS one day - the grip length was almost the same.

So, I bought a comptac Pro Undercover holster for my 92FS, and have carried it daily ever since...

I carry it all year long, in every season. In the summer, I can even conceal it with just a t-shirt. I have discovered that I cannot do it with a super cheap $8 t-shirt from wal-mart that is super thin. But in a nice quality short sleeve t-shirt, it hides fine. I always carry it in the 3 o'clock position.

The only thing to be aware of is that if ya bend down at a grocery store to pick something up - make sure to either bend at the knees, or have your right side facing the shelf... Things like that are important even when carrying smaller guns...

 

[Ben86]

How about undershirts? I insist on keeping some kind of barrier between the gun and my sweaty chest. Is anyone else like this? I usually end up wearing an undershirt even when it's hot. I need to get some of those tank top types for the summer.

 

[QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW]

when i got my CCW 3 years ago i ALWAYS carried a full sized S&W Sigma 40VE. i still do today if i don't have my Taurus PT1911 on my hip. im average, 6ft 190lbs.never had a problem keeping it concealed. the first few months where a little odd but once you get used to it you forget its there.

and as stated already in here, you feel odd when you don't have it with you on the off chance you aren't packin.

 

[KodiakBeer]

I keep looking (and never finding) a cross draw holster that fits on my left front (rather than on the side). But instead of the near vertical style they make, I want one that holds the pistol laterally, with the butt elevated perhaps 30 degrees.

Such a design would make for an easy draw and easy concealment, but also be out of the way and comfortable when sitting in a vehicle, chair, whatever. If I could find a holster like that, I'd carry a full sized gun year-round.

 

[Commander Crusty]

You are not an idiot. The best gun to carry is the gun you shoot the best. If that's an M9 for you, I say go for it.

I carried a S&W 645 for 15 years concealed in a Milt Sparks Summer Special with no problems. Now, I carry a S&W M&P .45 concealed in a Dillon dual slot with no problem. Sometimes I do switch off to a pocket gun, mostly so I don't have to worry about the wind blowing up my shirt, or because I just don't want to worry about it. With a professional grade holster and a real gun belt, you'll do fine, and you'll have a lot of confidence in your choice.

 

[oasis618]

I hear ya.

But when we're talking about pistols like the Glock 19 or Glock 23, we're not really talking about a "small" gun at all.

We're talking about a "smaller" (and lighter weight) gun than the Beretta92, which is rather heavy and big for a 15-shot 9mm pistol.

Beretta 92A1:
Length = 8.5"
Height = 5.4"
Width = 1.5"
Weight empty = 33.9 oz
Mag. cap. = 15


Glock 19:
Length = 6.85"
Height = 5.0"
Width = 1.18"
Weight empty = 20.99 oz
Mag. cap. = 15

As you can see from the numbers, the Glock 19 is NOT a small handgun.
Just smaller and lighter than the Beretta.
The slightly smaller dimensions, and the significant weight difference (nearly 13 oz) makes the Glock a much better carry pistol, yet is has excellent shooting characteristics.
It's not a "mouse gun".
And it gives up nothing to the Beretta in capacity or caliber.


Easy

You saved me a whole lot of typing.

 

[Cards81fan]

My thoughts are that a Beretta would be too large for me to carry, given my work environment, the clothing I would need to conceal it well on my frame (would look out of place here). It's also a bit thick and heavy for my preferences, but then that is just me.

This is a very personal decision, and I certainly wouldn't call anyone stupid for carrying what they are comfortable with, if they can carry it well. So if you can, go for it!

 

[oboe]

Yes, undershirts, and tank tops for undershirts in the summer. The less cotton content, the better. You don't want that beautiful gun up against a sweat soaked piece of cotton fabric to the extent that you can avoid it. So here's an idea for a new product: a cotton/poly tank top with sweat proof panels at waist level - or make 'em yourself

 

[Well armed]

Hell Yes!!

I use a 1911a1 .45 98% of the time. All my other pistols are secondary. A number of years ago I purchasd a Desantis HRT (Hostage Rescue Team)
conceal carry holster. It was designed by the FBI to carry safely a 1911
platform pistol cocked and concealed. It rides high and very tight to the
body, but draws amazingly well and quick. Very stealthy for a Government
model. Don,t know if they still make, if not, someone should make one close
to it. It definitely worth looking into. Very comfortable to wear. A .45 is
certainly my comfort zone. Make certain you have the training to carry in
this manner.

 

[Nushif]

It's doable, carrying a large fullsized gun. You may have to dress different than you wanted, but it's not super hard. Most people who can't conceal a fullsize have problems with even a compact or subcompact mainly because of their choice of dress, not that I'd fault them that.

Me? I like compact and below for the same reasons I like my cellphone smaller, and my car smaller. Saying this subcompact trend is media induced isn't entirely accurate, I think. My hypothesis would be that it is "technology induced." If *everything* is becoming smaller, the idea that one ought to drag around the same sized pistol from 100 years ago seems a bit odd, no?

 

[bikerdoc]

I sit here with a 92 on my hip. Iwb owb or paddle, dress around the gun. Sure I got revolvers, mouse guns, and a couple of CZ 75s. all have a place, especially the full size ones.

Any way this got answered in post 4

 

[Shipwreck]

I wear a shirt untucked with my cargo pants most of the time. I don't wear a shirt underneath - too damn hot here in TX.

I always get a holster with a sweat shield for the slide. So, only the grip area will get sweat on it. In years past, a polymer gun made this a non issue...

With the Beretta, I did have some issues with grip screws rusting. I took them off 1x a week and covered them in CLP. However, I discovered NP3 covered grip screws that CDNN sells. I have those on my two carry Berettas - it's a non issue now. And, the frame is aluminum, so rusting isn't gonna matter for that.

I also put back the polymer magazine release - to avoid any rusting issues.

 

[AC45ACP]

You can carry a 5" gun !! Repeat after me I need a GOOD GUN BELT and a GOOD holster!!!
My DC is one of these two 1911

 

[oboe]

I have seen an ad for that horizontal or near horizontal holster. It exists, and there are several others than can be adjusted. The more I read and think about it, the more I'm optimistic about the plan to carry the Beretta 92A1 concealed.

 

[KodiakBeer]

I have seen an ad for that horizontal or near horizontal holster.

Well, if you see it again, PM me.

I only carry a full sized gun (compact 1911 - still pretty big) in winter. I put it on my Yaqui slide and forget about it. It's under my jacket, sweater, whatever.

In summer I carry a Mustang .380. I tried with the full sized gun, but it's a PITA. You need to buy oversized clothes to go with an IWB holster (which also make driving uncomfortable), or wear something long to cover a standard holster.

Maybe I'm just not dedicated enough, but I think a lateral type holster would solve all those problems. You wouldn't have the barrel sticking down your pants, or outside of cover.

 

[AC45ACP]

Kodiak, Alaska Can't you walk around with a Bazooka on your shoulder?

There's no need to conceal a weapon, you're open carry right?

 

[AC45ACP]

IWB holster and you'll be fine!!