The *largest* handgun for summer / winter CCW?

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Mark-Smith

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Everyone always talks about the most compact available handgun in X caliber or with X feature for CCW - how about something different for a nice change of pace?

What is the *largest* handgun you can comfortably use for CCW in the summer / winter?

The summer in Texas means you aren't going to be wearing a jacket, so that takes what's available down a notch, but with a 3/4 length jacket in the winter, it's possible to (somewhat) comfortably CCW a pair of S&W Model 500's in a shoulder rig. :eek:

So what are your largest CCW summer / winter gun choices?
 
Summer Carry ... hrm.

Let's go to winter Carry first!

Winter Carry!

I've managed concealing a 92D quite nicely. Along with a PT911 and anything smaller. So that's some pretty big gunnage. Especially the 92D. Back to Summer Carry ...

Summer Carry...

I've found the biggest thing *I* can conceal is a Beretta 9000S or a Kahr E9. The PT 911 requires some pretty significant shirts that I'm just not willing to deal with in summer. so:

Kahr E9/Beretta 9000S for summer carry.
Beretta 92D or a PT911 for winter carry.
 
My two carry weapons are a 4" S&W Model 64 or a Ruger KP97DC. Neither are small - you learn to do what needs being done.
 
I could carry a K9 in the summer in "ThunderWear" without much issue. Not preferred, but I've done it before.

In the cooler months, on many occasions, have carried a full-size 1911 in a simple belt holster if wearing a jacket or coat.

However, I usually carry a P64 in ThunderWear" during the summer months and a Bersa UC9 or Kahr K9 the rest of the time.
 
Summer - Kahr PM9, Kel-Tec PF-9 with no problem. Glock 26/27 or M&P compact with the right holster.

Winter - anything except maybe a Desert Eagle. But usually a USP .45c, Glock 23 or 1911.
 
Winter - anything except maybe a Desert Eagle.
Click to expand...

A friend of mine once CC'd a Desert Eagle .50 AE w/ the 10" barrel in a chest rig. All it took to hide it was a heavy coat.

In a similar 'proof of concept' experiment, I once concealed an 18" machete at 3:00 IWB in a pair of Levi's jeans (the tip of the blade was just above my right knee). I walked around like that for several hours - it was uncomfortable, but nobody noticed.

Neither of which are practical for EDC, obviously, but you can conceal just about anything if you dress around it.

R
 
I once concealed an 18" machete at 3:00 IWB in a pair of Levi's jeans (the tip of the blade was just above my right knee). I walked around like that for several hours - it was uncomfortable, but nobody noticed.
Click to expand...

Glad and slightly disturbed to know I'm not the only one who's done this! Can't sit down very well, but if you get in a knife fight... Well, you get to say 'No, *this* is a knife'.
 
I've carried a full size 1911 and M&P in both summer and winter though I usually go with a compact version. I've also carried a G21 in winter OWB. I don't have a IWB holster for it or it would probably be carried more often.
 
I dont like carrying anything bigger than a J frame in summer here. If I had to I could carry a Hi Power though with an oversized button down shirt.
 
Both Winter and Summer I was comfortably carrying a CZ PCR, sometimes still do. I decided to replace it with a longer barreled pistol with a thinner grip. My EDC is a SIG RCS 1911, a commander length slide/barrel on an officer size frame. These are about as large as I go, but if I could conceal a longer barreled pistol in a belt holster I would. I take a SIG P238 with me when I am not carrying a gun.
 
My rear-round regular carry is a 6" 2011 that weighs about 4 pounds loaded. It conceals just fine in a homemade IWB holster. A new one actually designed for carry is on the way - the barrel is just a little too long and renders my back right pocket more or less useless.

I also carried a 8 3/3" 629 for a day just to see if I could - shoulder rig under a heavy winter jacket. Felt and concealed just fine, but the ridiculous draw time makes it a silly choice for serious carry.
 
with an m85 jacket I can conceal my 8 inch 460 during deer season, good for going in stores since hunter holsters sent me a holster that doesnt unsnap from the belt ( 3 times they sent me the wrong holster, right packaging wrong holster) and I have to take my belt off to remove the gun. but Im 6'4 and around 180 so I have problems concealing much during the summer, if I want to wear a tanktop I have to carry my 21a in a pocket, with a t shirt I carry a glock 27 in front pointed right torward mr happy so Im looking for a better way.
 
My XD service works fine all winter, and in summer IWB with shorts and a shirt (button down or polo). But if I am doing any type of summer activity or out in a tee in the heat, it's an LCP in the pocket.

Still kicking myself for getting rid of my Glock 26, and trying to decide if I should pick up another Glock subcompact or a Walther PPS. Those are a great in-between size, and honestly more practical for me than a compact- or service-sized weapon.
 
G36, G19, commander size 1911 anytime in Texas. Weather don't matter. I only carry the Glocks because sweat doesn't bother them. Shorts and t-shirt will hide them all very easily.
 
P220 full-size .45 Auto in a C5 IWB along with C5 1/4" thick heavy leather belt 1.75" wide and C5 leather magazine carriers.

All this requires is for me to be wearing a shirt that is long enough to pull out and let hang over the 220 grip and over the holster and magazine-holders and all associated connecting straps.

C5 Leather (click here)
 
I carry a 5", 38 oz, all steel 1911 year-round, including 100+ degree summers.

I think there is an organized effort between the magazines and the gunmakers to try to convince everyone that they can't carry full-size guns. They need at least two of everything, one for the range and one for carry.
 
I think we can all carry just about anything if you dress around the gun. How about those of us that can't always do that? It's not always an option to walk around with an untucked shirt. My always is a Colt Mustang. I'm thinking I can start packing the Kahr PM45 most all the time if I get an ankle rig for it.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
 
Glock 26 or XD45C summer or winter. Sometimes I will also carry my Sp101 in a fanny pack depending on what I'm doing.
 
It's not always an option to walk around with an untucked shirt.
Click to expand...

I agree, and I was not referring to carrying with my shirt hanging out. I only have it out enough to kind of "bag-over" the gun, it still comes back up and is fully tucked in all around! It is only that, where the gun is, the shirt tail is pulled up perhaps five inches and wraps down over my stuff, then back up and tucked in!
 
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