Full-sized autos for CCW.
- Thread starter bestseller92
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swinokur
Member
What he said.
I decided about two years ago I wanted ONE weapon that could do the most for me. I wanted it to be large enough to shoot it well and small enough to conceal well in the summer. I also wanted it to fit my hand well enough that I could practice a lot. If I got into IDPA, which I haven't gotten around to, I wanted it to be the gun I could shoot for that too. That is a lot to ask but I settled on the M&P 9C. Today I was playing around with my wife's full size M&P and it felt really good on my belt. I might start carrying it in the winter.
Wags
Member
Browning Hi-Power.
Evil One
Member
Full sized steel 1911 every day in either a Bianchi carry lok OWB or a Lobo Gunleather IWB.
No more uncomfortable than my wallet.
Jim
No more uncomfortable than my wallet.
Jim
NWCP
Member
I carry a full size pistol whenever possible. It's not just a greater ammo capacity that's comforting it's having a longer sight radius as well. As long as I can wear the proper clothing and proper holster to conceal a larger pistol I find them to be comfortable as well.
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SwampWolf
Member
I tote my SIG 220 Carry model whenever practical (which is most of the time) but I carry other (smaller) handguns when carrying a larger one isn't so practical. What I resent are the high-minded people who go about quoting gunwriters and citing personal experiences as fodder for criticizing other people's choices; in at least one instance having the unmitigated brass to suggest that a person should not carry at all if said person failed to conform to the poster's idea of what should be and what should not be.
The op asked for opinions regarding the issue of carrying full-size autos for ccw. I think it's pretty bad when people can't come onto a thread to express their opinion without fearing the threat of chastisement and ridicule from another poster simply because their opinions differed. Imo, if you've got an opinion regarding a question, feel free to come on board and express it and let said conviction rise or fall on its own merits-no need to attack someone else's viewpoint just for the purpose of enhancing your own.
The op asked for opinions regarding the issue of carrying full-size autos for ccw. I think it's pretty bad when people can't come onto a thread to express their opinion without fearing the threat of chastisement and ridicule from another poster simply because their opinions differed. Imo, if you've got an opinion regarding a question, feel free to come on board and express it and let said conviction rise or fall on its own merits-no need to attack someone else's viewpoint just for the purpose of enhancing your own.
rbrtweber85
Member
Glock 20SF in a custom carry concepts looper holster at the 12:30 position with one mag in a basic made pouch from the same company, and a Glock 29SF in an uncle mikes ankle holster. I carry like this for 12 hours out of the day, and the rest of the time, just the Glock 29SF in a looper holster.
Proven to be extremely effective, comforting, and comfortable to my 5'11, 235lb build.
Proven to be extremely effective, comforting, and comfortable to my 5'11, 235lb build.
EOD Guy in VA
Member
The S&W M&Ps are slim and still have a nice mag capacty.
With a good IWB holster they a very easily concealed.
With a good IWB holster they a very easily concealed.
The M&Ps are slim enough in the grip but the slide is plenty bulky. Compare it side by side with a Hi Power and it looks downright FAT. But it's still my favorite carry gun. I may get a Pro or a 45 full size for winter carry in the near future.
sleight of hand
Theoretically I like full size autos for capacity and shootability - they come in effective calibers, recoil less, have big ergonomic grips to help the shooter hang onto and control them, and long barrels to get more velocity than chopped compact barrels. That said, I'd almost rather have a glock 26 or j-frame for CCW. In most self defense situations it's more important that you can get the gun out of concealment and on target quickly, before the opponent can react to it - he's probably already drawing down on you or actually attacking you. The gun should appear in your hand as if by magic and surprise him. Capacity is good but most civilian SD shootings involve three shots or less getting fired, at close range. A short barreled compact handgun would be much easier to produce from concealment, and may be much better suited to the mission. As well as more concealable...
Anyone see the Robert Altman movie McCabe and Mrs. Miller? There is a scene where a tiny vest pocket derringer prevails over much heavier weaponry because it was better at it's intended use - the surprise draw while the opponent is nearly on top of you - than the rifles a SA revolvers used in the same scene.
Theoretically I like full size autos for capacity and shootability - they come in effective calibers, recoil less, have big ergonomic grips to help the shooter hang onto and control them, and long barrels to get more velocity than chopped compact barrels. That said, I'd almost rather have a glock 26 or j-frame for CCW. In most self defense situations it's more important that you can get the gun out of concealment and on target quickly, before the opponent can react to it - he's probably already drawing down on you or actually attacking you. The gun should appear in your hand as if by magic and surprise him. Capacity is good but most civilian SD shootings involve three shots or less getting fired, at close range. A short barreled compact handgun would be much easier to produce from concealment, and may be much better suited to the mission. As well as more concealable...
Anyone see the Robert Altman movie McCabe and Mrs. Miller? There is a scene where a tiny vest pocket derringer prevails over much heavier weaponry because it was better at it's intended use - the surprise draw while the opponent is nearly on top of you - than the rifles a SA revolvers used in the same scene.
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I like to carry a Sig P232 IWB with a Raven Concealment Holster, which is a large gun for the .380 round but not a very large gun in the grand scheme of things. I can shoot this gun very well and have trained quite a bit with it. Its what I carry most of the times.
However, I find the 5" 1911 to be a good gun to carry IWB too. Its heavier than the Sig, being larger and made of steel, but it just fits IWB great.
I find that the right holster makes all the difference to comfort level.
However, I find the 5" 1911 to be a good gun to carry IWB too. Its heavier than the Sig, being larger and made of steel, but it just fits IWB great.
I find that the right holster makes all the difference to comfort level.
SwampWolf
Member
Well, thanks for ruining the ending...
Sorry! The ending was the part relevant to my point about little hideout guns vs. full sized artillery. It's still worth watching even with the spoiler, but I'll edit my post...Well, thanks for ruining the ending...
I routinely carry a Yugo M57 Tok modified for the 9x23 Winchester in either a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 or a Smart Carry if I feel the need for more concealment. It is a full sized pistol, but is thin enough that it hides easily. The 9x23 Winchester is the ballistic duplicate of the .357 Magnum, so I do not feel undergunned.
SwampWolf
Member
No worries, squinty. I was just messin' with you.
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