230therapy
Member
Draw a triangle from the top of the slide to the muzzle, from the muzzle to the bottom of the magazine and from the bottom of the magazine back to the top of the slide.
The height of the gun will determine the concealability of the gun (when mounted on the belt). A height of four and three quarters inches is a very good maximum for convenient concealed carry. You can increase concealability by choosing a holster with adjustable cant. More forward cant means less grip sticks out straight back. If you can find a gun that is 4.5" tall or less (excluding the sights), you will probably find that gun to be VERY concealable.
1911 pistols are very tall at approximately 5.5". The S&W 686 is as tall and the dog leg shape does not improve the situation. You can increase concealability with extreme forward cant, one size larger shirts, and revolver stocks that do not extend past the bottom of the revolver's frame.
Width does matter somewhat. However, this can be mitigated by choosing a holster with split loops. Mounting the loops on the face of the holster needlessly increases the overall thickness of the package: gun + two layers of holster + belt + loops + outside snap. Eliminate about 1/4" by splitting the loops like on the Milt Sparks VersaMax II.
Width in the grip can also make a difference. It's important to not have competition magazine wells on the bottom of the gun. Bumper pads are fine on the spare magazines, but not on the one in the gun if your goal is to avoid printing. A standard Glock 17 grip is not too wide at all.
The length of the slide generally does not matter if you're using an inside-the-waistband holster. Obviously, it does matter if you're concealing the gun on an outside the pants holster. I have also found that the longer slides can cause the gun to dig into the torso when seated in a soft chair. Also, the backside of your pants can press upon the muzzle area of the holster (especially if the holster has forward cant) and cause the gun to rock back. This can be alleviated somewhat by sitting with good posture, a heavy gun belt (such as the Comp-Tac kydex reinforced belt), and looser pants.
Incidentally, the Glock 19/23/32 is approximately 4 3/4" tall with magazine inserted. If you go to the store, get a Glock 19 out and start comparing overall heights. You will find that the XD 45 Compact and S&W M&P 45 Compact are Glock 19 sized! You get 10+1 with the XD and 8+1 with the M&P. I have found these two pistols seem to be the most compact while maintaining decent capacity. The SIG P220 Compact is also Glock 19 sized, but the capacity is only 6+1. It's too inefficient for the price, weight and size. If you need a 1911, then look at the Dan Wesson CCO and similar guns. Another gun to consider is the HK USP 45 Compact with flat based magazines. Its shape is a bit weird and it's a bit too tall, but it may be what you're looking for (note: felt recoil is a bit high due to the high bore axis).
Another contender is the Glock 30 SF. It shoots almost like a Glock 19! The only issue I have with the gun is how the magazine is cut up into the grip. The bumper pad is where the small finger has to rest. Not an issue? Try doing fast reloads! You'll smack the pad of your pinky between the bumper and the frame. The shooter also has to release the grip with his or her pinky...it's very, very annoying. Glock really needs to change the design to be like their other models.
My vote goes for the M&P 45. You get the same capacity as a 1911. APEX makes M&P trigger kits that significantly improve the feel and performance of the M&P trigger. I tried a stock M&P next to an APEX equipped M&P and much preferred the APEX equipped gun.
I've already done this search and came up with the following list:
S&W M&P 45 Compact
Springfield XD 45 Compact
HK USP 45 Compact
"Officers" length 1911's (I prefer 4.25" slides versus very short slides)
Glock 30SF
SIG P220 Compact (lots of roll to the recoil, single stack)
Glock 36 (lots of recoil, single stack)
Glock 21 with grip cut to Glock 30 dimensions
Kahr K45 (I think that's the model. Single stack and it's a Kahr...so could have reliability issues)
Notice the Kahr is last. I've not had great luck with reliably running Kahrs. I think there are better guns out there.
I'm not big on Taurus either. I just don't think the quality is there for the price. I'd rather spend $150 more and get a better gun, especially for carry. For me, I'm just more patient than most and will wait the extra months it takes to save up. Then again, I did have to learn the hard way...about 10 times.
The height of the gun will determine the concealability of the gun (when mounted on the belt). A height of four and three quarters inches is a very good maximum for convenient concealed carry. You can increase concealability by choosing a holster with adjustable cant. More forward cant means less grip sticks out straight back. If you can find a gun that is 4.5" tall or less (excluding the sights), you will probably find that gun to be VERY concealable.
1911 pistols are very tall at approximately 5.5". The S&W 686 is as tall and the dog leg shape does not improve the situation. You can increase concealability with extreme forward cant, one size larger shirts, and revolver stocks that do not extend past the bottom of the revolver's frame.
Width does matter somewhat. However, this can be mitigated by choosing a holster with split loops. Mounting the loops on the face of the holster needlessly increases the overall thickness of the package: gun + two layers of holster + belt + loops + outside snap. Eliminate about 1/4" by splitting the loops like on the Milt Sparks VersaMax II.
Width in the grip can also make a difference. It's important to not have competition magazine wells on the bottom of the gun. Bumper pads are fine on the spare magazines, but not on the one in the gun if your goal is to avoid printing. A standard Glock 17 grip is not too wide at all.
The length of the slide generally does not matter if you're using an inside-the-waistband holster. Obviously, it does matter if you're concealing the gun on an outside the pants holster. I have also found that the longer slides can cause the gun to dig into the torso when seated in a soft chair. Also, the backside of your pants can press upon the muzzle area of the holster (especially if the holster has forward cant) and cause the gun to rock back. This can be alleviated somewhat by sitting with good posture, a heavy gun belt (such as the Comp-Tac kydex reinforced belt), and looser pants.
Incidentally, the Glock 19/23/32 is approximately 4 3/4" tall with magazine inserted. If you go to the store, get a Glock 19 out and start comparing overall heights. You will find that the XD 45 Compact and S&W M&P 45 Compact are Glock 19 sized! You get 10+1 with the XD and 8+1 with the M&P. I have found these two pistols seem to be the most compact while maintaining decent capacity. The SIG P220 Compact is also Glock 19 sized, but the capacity is only 6+1. It's too inefficient for the price, weight and size. If you need a 1911, then look at the Dan Wesson CCO and similar guns. Another gun to consider is the HK USP 45 Compact with flat based magazines. Its shape is a bit weird and it's a bit too tall, but it may be what you're looking for (note: felt recoil is a bit high due to the high bore axis).
Another contender is the Glock 30 SF. It shoots almost like a Glock 19! The only issue I have with the gun is how the magazine is cut up into the grip. The bumper pad is where the small finger has to rest. Not an issue? Try doing fast reloads! You'll smack the pad of your pinky between the bumper and the frame. The shooter also has to release the grip with his or her pinky...it's very, very annoying. Glock really needs to change the design to be like their other models.
My vote goes for the M&P 45. You get the same capacity as a 1911. APEX makes M&P trigger kits that significantly improve the feel and performance of the M&P trigger. I tried a stock M&P next to an APEX equipped M&P and much preferred the APEX equipped gun.
I've already done this search and came up with the following list:
S&W M&P 45 Compact
Springfield XD 45 Compact
HK USP 45 Compact
"Officers" length 1911's (I prefer 4.25" slides versus very short slides)
Glock 30SF
SIG P220 Compact (lots of roll to the recoil, single stack)
Glock 36 (lots of recoil, single stack)
Glock 21 with grip cut to Glock 30 dimensions
Kahr K45 (I think that's the model. Single stack and it's a Kahr...so could have reliability issues)
Notice the Kahr is last. I've not had great luck with reliably running Kahrs. I think there are better guns out there.
I'm not big on Taurus either. I just don't think the quality is there for the price. I'd rather spend $150 more and get a better gun, especially for carry. For me, I'm just more patient than most and will wait the extra months it takes to save up. Then again, I did have to learn the hard way...about 10 times.
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), no-nonsense and not expensive. I have to find a way to get one of those down here.
