I feel like this is something that changes from individual to individual, but is anyone able to make an argument for one pistol size over the other? Stated another way, is there a good reason to go with one over the others?
For my situation, I'd like a compact pistol (CZ P01) since I work in a very bad part of town and the higher capacity (14+) would probably make a difference (a compact pistol also being concealable should I have to leave my car i.e. change tire). I imagine that the most likely defense encounter I may have will likely take place during my commute to work. It would probably be multiple armed assailants looking for a car jacking or robbery (several of my co-workers have been beaten and robbed outside of company property).
However, I'd also like to be able to conceal a gun in dress or tight-fitting clothes, which I frequently wear on my days off. A defense encounter here is unlikely, but still possible, so a lower-capacity sub-compact or even micro gun would be ok. I don't have a lot of experience concealing a gun, so I'm not sure how easy the different sizes (compact [CZ P01], sub-compact [S&W Shield], and micro [Ruger LCP]) conceal under a tight and/or tucked shirt. I was thinking a S&W Shield for these days, but I have little experience concealed carrying a gun. Would a micro gun like the Ruger LCP make more sense? I prefer a 9mm, but would go smaller if it meant a significantly reduced risk of printing.
Basically, I feel like I need to buy two guns because these situations are quite different; one for traveling to work (high capacity very important, with concealability a distant or even non-existant attribute) and another for off-days/formal occasions where tight/tucked shirts are the norm (concealability a priority). Can (or should) I get by with just one gun (forcing a sub-compact into a more duty-like role or concealing a compact in tight clothes)? I realize this is probably a question only I can answer, but I thought I'd ask anyway since this board has a lot more knowledge on this subject than I do.
OR, Mec-gar can make a 16rd. Shield mag that I can leave in my car .
For my situation, I'd like a compact pistol (CZ P01) since I work in a very bad part of town and the higher capacity (14+) would probably make a difference (a compact pistol also being concealable should I have to leave my car i.e. change tire). I imagine that the most likely defense encounter I may have will likely take place during my commute to work. It would probably be multiple armed assailants looking for a car jacking or robbery (several of my co-workers have been beaten and robbed outside of company property).
However, I'd also like to be able to conceal a gun in dress or tight-fitting clothes, which I frequently wear on my days off. A defense encounter here is unlikely, but still possible, so a lower-capacity sub-compact or even micro gun would be ok. I don't have a lot of experience concealing a gun, so I'm not sure how easy the different sizes (compact [CZ P01], sub-compact [S&W Shield], and micro [Ruger LCP]) conceal under a tight and/or tucked shirt. I was thinking a S&W Shield for these days, but I have little experience concealed carrying a gun. Would a micro gun like the Ruger LCP make more sense? I prefer a 9mm, but would go smaller if it meant a significantly reduced risk of printing.
Basically, I feel like I need to buy two guns because these situations are quite different; one for traveling to work (high capacity very important, with concealability a distant or even non-existant attribute) and another for off-days/formal occasions where tight/tucked shirts are the norm (concealability a priority). Can (or should) I get by with just one gun (forcing a sub-compact into a more duty-like role or concealing a compact in tight clothes)? I realize this is probably a question only I can answer, but I thought I'd ask anyway since this board has a lot more knowledge on this subject than I do.
OR, Mec-gar can make a 16rd. Shield mag that I can leave in my car .