What percentage of shooters actually carry a full sized gun

[george burns]

Most all of us have them if you have been doing this forever as some have. But who really carries a full sized gun anymore, unless it's for work?
It seems including myself, that the smaller or sub compact pistol, in any caliber, from 380 to 45, including revolvers in 38, 357, 44 etc. are more the norm now, even more than a year ago.
Are they the new normal? Or will folks go back to carrying a steel or full sized Poly gun again with 2 spare mags and a Tac light.

 

[Deanimator]

Before I had to sell it to pay the rent a couple of years ago, I used to regularly carry a full sized Norinco M1911.

I also used to carry a Browning Hi Power. Unfortunately, when I sold the Norinco, I sold all of the holsters for it, which also fit the Hi Power. So, until I get around to making a holster for it, I can no longer carry the Hi Power.

 

[doctorjohn]

Any more, I'll stick the Ruger LCP in a pocket holster in my back pocket; however, if I perceive that the potential for mayhem be larger than normal or if I'm traveling away from home for a reasonable distance, I'll go with a 5" 1911 plus a spare magazine. For example, I needed to go out and get some repair parts today, and the wife had some things to get as well. Given that today is Black Friday, I felt that there could be an increased number of on-edge people out as well as an increased number of thieves, and I chose the 1911.

This mode of operation may not make sense to everyone else, but it is the way I've been doing things for the last couple of years.

 

[ROAshooter]

Never was a fan of the "pocket guns"...have carried a full size since getting my CCW. If I ever have a need for defending myself with a firearm...I want all the power and reliability I get with a full size. Its what I have shot all my adult life..... S&W 686(1980)....or Browning HP(1990)...depends on what I am wearing.


it may have something to do with the fact that I got my first 357(S&Wm19)...in 1970....and when I shot my first snub nose 38...same year...I learned hitting the target was more important than shooting at the target....

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Define "full size".

I would consider a. Glock 19 or a S&W model 15 to be fullsized but they're not physically large pistols.

I carry an M&P 9 frequently

 

[huntsman]

What percentage of shooters actually carry a full sized gun

I believe more than will readily admit on gun forums.

 

[herrwalther]

I consider what I currently carry to be a full size. 12+1 .40S&W with a 4" barrel. While not as big as other full size guns like 5" 1911s, it is still much larger than the latest trends of pocket guns and single stack 9mms. That being said, I am looking out for a few certain models that I would carry around the house and close property that are smaller.

 

[FROGO207]

Well lets see, would a Commander size 1911 qualify as full sized? That or a S&W 5906 are my usual choices FWIW. Yes I have a couple mouse guns just in case but the weight of a larger handgun is by now reassuring to me.

 

[Jeff White]

When I went to work for a department that allowed the 1911 for duty carry, I bought one of the first Kimber Warriors produced, mounted a Surefire X200 on it and it became my duty weapon.

I have a Colt Series 80 Officers Model (steel frame) that I intended to carry off duty after sending it out for Novak sights.

I started carrying my Colt MK IV Series 70 Government Model that had MMC fixed sights of a bit higher profile installed years back, until I got the Officers Model back and discovered that it wasn't a lot of trouble to carry the full size 1911 concealed.

I never sent the Officers Model off for new sights and I've carried the full size Colt ever since.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I carry a full sized .40 in the colder months when I can leave a blazer on all day.

If it's not cold, I carry a smaller gun simply for ease of concealment when wearing shorts and a t-shirt. It's a compact 9mm and I've never felt undergunned with it.

 

[Candyman87]

Compacts here... I've carried a full size 1911 IWB but find it rather uncomfortable. If I had an opportunity/reason to carry OWB, I'd absolutely carry full size. But I'm not stuffing anything bigger than my PPK/Shield/J-Frame inside my waistband.

 

[gbran]

I have about 16 handguns, 6 of them are on my ccw permit. I've always had full sized guns on my permit, but lately I'm moving away from semi's to revolvers.
I recently picked two Smiths that I hope will cover my ccw and sd. A 627 snubbie with an 8 round cyl. 357 and a 638 J-Frame. I will still keep my Glock G26 and my Colt Series 80 on my permit as well as a few hunting/plinking guns.

 

[Onward Allusion]

I love winter carry. 15+1 40S&W or 8-shot 357. I guess that would be full-size.

 

[Barry the Bear]

I frequently carry an n frame or even a ruger vaquero, the weight doesn't bother me, in fact I feel like somethings missing without it.

 

[1911 guy]

Count me in. Government model all the time.

 

[edwardware]

Colt Combat Commander, year-round. Bring enough gun.

 

[Overkill870]

I carry either a government size 1911 or a s&w k frame 357 magnum model 66 about 98% of the time. If I really need a small concealed pistol I carry an airweight j frame.

If I need to use it I want to have a full size.

 

[49willys]

I always pack a full size 9mm

 

[Haywood]

For the last few years I have carried 2 Snubs daily. Lately I am carrying a 4" 7 shot 357 and a Snub.

 

[Caliper_Mi]

6'1" and 165# here. A full size gun looks like I have a tumor of some sort...

Summertime, it's singlestacks. I usually carry a KT PF9. DB9 or P32 if I want really low profile.

In winter, I can carry something doublestack with the aid of a heavy jacket/coat.

 

[ljnowell]

When I first started CCing I carried a full size. Then I went through snubbies, compact single stack 9s and now in back to a fullsize. This time it's a 9mm though.

 

[R.W.Dale]

When I first started CCing I carried a full size. Then I went through snubbies, compact single stack 9s and now in back to a fullsize. This time it's a 9mm though.

You just saved me some typing.

Except for me I settled on a full sized but very slim Kahr 45 acp.

It's all about the thickness

 

[AZ Desertrat]

I guess a Dan Wesson Valor with 5" is full size.

 

[Mauser lover]

Full size, IWB at four o'clock.

Looking for a compact...

Not ready to go to subcompact, but the full size thing is a little cumbersome. I am 5'10", and 155 lbs, so I don't consider myself terribly thin, but what really gets me is that it prints every time I bend over. Therefore, I avoid bending over, which is inconvenient. Not inconvenient enough to stop carrying, mind you, but inconvenient enough to give me an excuse to get another gun

 

[mljdeckard]

I not only carry a full-size Kimber Custom II 1911, right now I have a double-stack Para SF-45A on.

I have evolved a bit on 'why'. I started with full-size guns because I was enamored with the militaria aspects of them. I grew into them and got used to them. When you're a 21 year-old who has been waiting his whole life to be able to legally carry a gun, it doesn't matter what you carry, you love it so much you will tell yourself it feels great. Desert Eagle at 4:00? No problem. Feels great. The very notion that there are people who would forego the privilege of getting to be Mel Gibson with a Beretta in your waistband, for something more 'compact' or 'comfortable' seems patently absurd. Most of us agree, bigger guns are easier to shoot well for most people.

However, there is such a thing as compromise. (I know, I didn't believe it either the first time I heard it.) Also, there is a new generation of guns made specifically for the civilian concealed carry market. A big part of the reason I still carry full-size is to be able to lecture my students about how this is a lifestyle, not an accessory. It is certainly possible to carry the gun you shoot best. You have to make it a priority, pick the right gun, and then dress around it, not vise-versa.

I am considering changing from .45 to 9mm, but I will still use a full-size 1911.