What percentage of shooters actually carry a full sized gun

[sgt127]

I carry a Sig P239 (357 SIG) 95% of the time off duty with 2 spare mags.
It's not a full sized gun, but, way bigger than what alot of folks carry around.
I want a gun I can get a full grip on and make that 25-50 yard shot if I have to.
The P239 is the best compromise, for me.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I open carry an HK45, 686+, S&W 1911, or 460 mag depending on the possible threat while hiking in different locations.

I pretty much never conceal carry a full sized gun.

 

[taliv]

2 yrs ago, i switched from a wilson combat supergrade compact (4.1" barrel) to a S&W M&P CORE with trijicon RMR. both are IWB

i mostly switched because i wanted to go from 45acp to 9mm but the full size hasn't bothered me at all

 

[Caliper_Mi]

6'0" and 160ish here.

5" 1911s carried IWB are no problem. My 5" 1911 with a surefire X300 conceals well, but is incredibly uncomfortable while seated in any of my cars.

Although, lately, my Kahr K9 has been carried more often. Easier to put on and take off, considering the holster uses a belt clip instead of loops.

Winter does make it much easier, since the additional layers allow my holsters to move to the outside of my belt. At the moment, I'm carrying a Glock 19 with a TLR1 in a KT mech holster.

Maybe my threshold for "printing" is just lower? I can carry them, have an IWB for my 5" 1911, and have used it once or twice. It's a visible lump on my side when I'm doing anything but standing bolt upright though. With the barrel length, it has to go 3:00 or further back and next thing it's making a tent when I lean over to do anything while shopping. I'm also holding my arm out funny from my body as I walk so I don't catch my elbow on the pistol.

 

[AK103K]

Maybe my threshold for "printing" is just lower? I can carry them, have an IWB for my 5" 1911, and have used it once or twice. It's a visible lump on my side when I'm doing anything but standing bolt upright though. With the barrel length, it has to go 3:00 or further back and next thing it's making a tent when I lean over to do anything while shopping. I'm also holding my arm out funny from my body as I walk so I don't catch my elbow on the pistol

Sounds like maybe either youre over worrying the printing issue, or your clothing is inappropriate, or both.

Unless youre somehow drawing attention to yourself (acting self conscious and/or unnatural), even if you are printing, most people dont have a clue, as they are too busy with their lives, to worry about yours.

Of all the different methods for wearing a gun, of any size, IWB has pretty much always been the most concealable and comfortable for me. It holds the gun snug, and tight to the body, and nothing shows below the belt.

For most of my life, I carried at 4:30 or so, in that nook under your ribs, and just under your arm. Your cover garment normally hangs free and over it there, and your arm naturally hags in the same spot, giving more cover and protection.

For the past year or so, Ive been carry AIWB, and wish now, Id switched years ago. For as easy as 4:30 was, 1:30 is even easier, and a better choice. Its more comfortable, more concealable, easier to protect, faster to access and deploy, and with less telegraphing in doing so.

The "tenting" issue youre referring to, is simply a matter of how you move, and something you learn to deal with. With anything carried at the hip and behind, bending at the waist is generally a no no. If you are worried about it, you need to squat, instead of bend. With something like AIWB, its actually a plus, and not usually a worry at all.

 

[w129]

For the past year or so, Ive been carry AIWB, and wish now, Id switched years ago. For as easy as 4:30 was, 1:30 is even easier, and a better choice. Its more comfortable, more concealable, easier to protect, faster to access and deploy, and with less telegraphing in doing so.

I was never comfortable with IWB in any position from 3:00 to 9:00. The first time I tried AIWB, was the last time I carried in any of those positions,

For me, it's AIWB 1:00-2:30 and 9:30 to 11:00 for the spare mag, for the same reasons as above,

 

[DaisyCutter]

For about a decade I carried a full-size CCW handgun, when I could only afford one handgun.

As I made more purchases, and my carry options expanded, I generally started carrying smaller handguns.

My usual CCW is a Glock 30S.


Note, during the 1994-2004 ban, I carried a Ruger P89 9mm, which was limited to 10 rounds. In reality, the smaller Glock 30S I carry now is more firepower.

 

[reppans]

I went from G19 > G26 > LCP > SW638 snub nose. I like deep concealment, but went too small with the LCP - I just can't shoot that thing accurately. For me, the snub nose shoots as well as my Glocks DA, and better SA, and I trust verifiable hammer down revolvers for AIWB. "Half-cocked" semis I can only carry at 4 o'clock (just my own worries) which doesn't deep conceal, draw, or re-holster/re-conceal.... for me. I got over the lower capacity/slower reload thing.

 

[Schwing]

I bounce all over the spectrum with this issue. My initial carry gun back in the 90's was a 92fs. I swore I would put security and my ability to shoot well over comfort forever. Then I started getting older, switched jobs a few times and the 92fs just couldn't be carried either because of wardrobe restrictions or my fat belly hanging over it and making it uncomfortable.

When I bought my first pocket pistol it was a Bersa thunder .380 CC. I carried that sucker everywhere. I didn't shoot it quite as well as the 92fs but well enough. I missed the security of 15 +1 rounds though.

I went back to an XD .45 when they first came out. I am not sure why though since I had the same problems as with the 92fs.

I went back to pocket carry and, since I was in a revolver phase, I bought an LCR in .38.

Only having 5 rounds bothered me so I picked up a Beretta PX4 subcompact in 9mm and carried that both on my belt and in my pocket for a couple of years. For convenience I then found myself carrying the LCR again...

My takeaway from all of these different options was simple. As long as I have something that I can carry every day, I am willing to make compromises. If I am on the road and/or am wearing a suit coat or jacket, one of the full size guns gets carried. If I am in business casual, my subcompacts get carried. Anything else like shorts and t-shirt clothing makes me opt for one of the pocket carry options.

 

[JTQ]

Caliper_RWVA wrote,
Maybe my threshold for "printing" is just lower? I can carry them, have an IWB for my 5" 1911, and have used it once or twice. It's a visible lump on my side when I'm doing anything but standing bolt upright though. With the barrel length, it has to go 3:00 or further back and next thing it's making a tent when I lean over to do anything while shopping. I'm also holding my arm out funny from my body as I walk so I don't catch my elbow on the pistol.

I often link to these pictures from forum member tmoore912 in post #29 in this thread since they are so well done.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=567867&highlight=tmoore912

Notice where he positions his holster, and notice how the grip of the pistol is pressed against his back. Lots of folks want to wear at 3:00 with a straight drop holster. Carrying farther back with more cant is almost always a better way to conceal.

 

[AK103K]

I carried my Commander in pretty much the same spot, and never had any issues.

 

[bikerdoc]

Full size 1911 mostly with 2 extra mags.

Sometimes a CZ 75 (17 round mag) an extra mag.

For BBQ a stainless 1911 with stag grips.

 

[Armybrat]

Too fat to carry a full size, so the biggest I'll tote is my Kahr CW45:

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Right now I either carry my CZ75B or my SIG P220 Combat and I carry a reload for both guns. I also usually have a S&W Shield in my pocket at the same time with a reload for that in my other pocket. I've been carrying a full size since I started carrying. Some really hot days in the Summer I only carry my Shield but I try to avoid doing that.

 

[RT.45]

I sometimes carry a Colt combat commander in.45. Or a .45 lightweight commander. I can carry either one all day with no problems. I recently picked up a commander model in .9mm which will soon become a carry piece with a 9 round mag you plus 1 in the pipe. Will also carry a spare 10 round mag for it.