what's the best fullsize gun to carry

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gym

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Sig, XDM, PPQ,CZ, Glock, Let's try to stick with 9,40 45. Unless you only carry a 10 . I find most in the 500-1200 dollar range, with 14-20 round mag. Starting to like the 32 oz. sig MK2, the 5 inch PPQ , XDM 19/13 round bitone carry, CZ P07 or larger 20 round 09. And of course the original Glock,17,19,21,19 etc. Also are we kidding ourselves when trying to find polymer guns, that have better performance that a Glock, I have tried hundreds and they are pretty much similar other than a DE- cocker or a safety, the pro series and higher end polymer guns are every but as a accurate as anything else out there.
We all seem to want that compact 20 round, under 20 oz, bulpup pistol that is under a inch thick has no recoil a 4 lb trigger. If we get it then we want it in 45. It's obvious we need 2 guns, "well a lot more than 2" but 2 to go. The little one that get's you to the bigger one that has laser/light, and capacity do hold off a catastrophic incident in time to clear your family and whoever else from harms way. I like to think my PM9 or Xds would help, but they have limited use, I would much rather have a CZ 09 with 3 mags nearby. Maybe an AR pistol in my trunk.
 
So, is it a question? My full size carry gun is an XD-45. If I could find a way to shoot a 1911 I would carry that instead. But they are just to small for my hands. Heck I have to have a Hogue grip just to make the XD fit right. And Glocks are great guns. I personally think they are ugly. But it's just an opinion of what's personally aesthetically pleasing to me. A polymer framed 1911 with grip inserts would be the ultimate carry gun in my opinion.
 
Ask 25 people-get 25 different answers. My personal favorite is my fullsize 45 M&P.;)
 
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Whatever full size is lightest and thinnest would be my answer.


If I were to buy a full sized poly it would be an M&P.

My next FS pistol will either be an M&P 45 or p227. Depends on how patient I am.
 
Only you can make that decision. Any one of the guns you mentioned would do. Some people like Glocks and shoot them well. I am not one of them as I do not like how they feel in my hands. It is an individual thing.
 
If you want to carry any sidearm, the method you use will determine the sidearm you can carry. Also, a good gun belt, (not a cheap belt from WalMart), and holster will make the carry system work. The gun belt is critical to keep the gun from shifting and printing. Even full size guns can be hidden with the right gear.

Case in point, my personal carry pistol, CZ SP-01 Phantom, standard magazine is 18 rounds, shown with optional 16 round "short" magazine.

DownUndertwomonthslater.jpg

Pistol is being carried in a High Noon Down Under IWB holster, (and is also as I type this, ;) ), on a High Noon Rock Steady gun belt. I can hide this under a loose t-shirt. Winter months the standard 18 round magazine goes on for use with light covering garments - doesn't get very cold here in AZ. ;)

This set up for a CZ P-09 Duty, (19 round standard flush fit magazine), works well with a light covering garment,

Bisononthebelt1_zps4f5491e7.jpg

That is a High Noon Slide Guard, (a favorite of mine), in the new Bison Hide flavor, also on a High Noon Rock Steady gun belt.

http://www.highnoonholsters.com/

Top quality gear. Just so I can say I gave equal time, here is a Beretta Storm PX4 in a High Noon Down Under with the single C clip - actually a very easy to use clip on that actually stays where it's clipped.

DownUnderBerettafrontlogo.jpg

DownUnderBerettasidelogo.jpg

See the single thing that stays the same? Let me illustrate this in a picture...


closeride.jpg

That's a bad old picture of a High Noon Slide Guard with a CZ P-07...and a generic thick leather belt. One item is bending more than it should, and it isn't the holster. ;)
 
Weight matters if you are talking about a 24/7 carry gun. For me its going to be a Glock. Some people are sensitive to thickness for IWB carry. But I'm already carrying a G26 and a G17 is not any thicker. OWB well thickness does not matter there.
 
Obligatory "Don't Forget Walther" Post. P99, P99AS, P99QC, PPQM1 or 2...

Like others have said, it'l boil down to your personal preference for grip, shootability, etc. Walther has excellent ergos (not including the box-with-a-grip-PPX), but some don't like the paddle-mag release; the PPQM2 addresses that with the more standard push-button mag release.

Standard mag. caps are 15 in 9mm, 12 in .40 S&W.
 
The best gun for CCW is the one that fits these criteria:
1) Largest caliber you can manage
2) Largest frame you can conceal
3) Fits your hands well
4) You shoot it accurately
 
Weight matters if you are talking about a 24/7 carry gun.
Many people believe that carrying around an extra pound is a nightmare ( Really it's less). Other than the extra drag on the belt I have found it to be as forgotten as a light one. Just depends on how you wear it. Heck LE did it for years.

Weight has it's advantages. It adds steadiness and reduces recoil. Also faster follow up shots. Don't get me wrong I am not advocating a truth but dispelling an old myth. More used used to help sell the lighter is better idea. Really no different than the self defense triggers with no manual safety. If you don't give them a real chance you will never buy the reasoning. Steel is expensive, plastic isn't. Sig makes it work as well as Berretta and others (CZ).

I have carried many full sized guns. I currently switch out between the Glock 22 and the S&W 5906. Both have their pro's and con's. But I gave them a real try and nothing hard about them. The 5906 goes in the 5 o'clock position with a Fobus paddle holster. The Glock is in an Uncle Mike's IWB for the moment. I have a shoulder rig I sometimes use both in. but the Glock rides better in it.

I don't like Cross Drawing so not really fond of the Shoulder rig but I usually carry a backup compact 45 when I wear it. Going some of the places where I go, I am sometimes under dressed if you know what I mean.

I have to agree with the holster and carry position being your best friend. You might find the 5-6 o'clock position comfortable while sitting or standing. I like appendix carry if I am standing but not for sitting. 3 o'clock is fine for OWB but pocks and catches on things. It also gets covered up by a seatbelt for me making it hard to retrieve. Armoredman Pointed out some nice holsters that really help with printing and has some great advice.

Bellybands are nice for Smaller pistols IMO. Actually great for concealing them as well as decent comfort. I just don't recommend it for Full size.

I would recommend a few good guns that are reliable. Sig, H&K if you can afford them and M&P or Glock are more reasonable. Good used ones can be had. I will avoid caliber suggestions other than a 9mm minimum. Since you said up to 1200 I would suggest trying the H&K or the Sig if you only want one gun. For 1200 you can have two M&P's or Glock's however. Your choice.

fwiw I carry a glock 22 and love it lol. 15 rds in the mag of .40 hollow point is good protection when bumming around the ol' homestead
Second that^^^>

Never hurts to go to the range and rent them if your range has rentals. See what fits you better. Good Luck and let us know what you end up with!
 
Well lately I'm a big fan of the walther ppq and cz p09 duty pistols. With that said I can shoot my SR45 more accurately then anything else I own and for a fullsize pistol it doesn't really feel that big(slim and trim)
 
I shoot 1911s well but am not comfortable carrying cocked and locked. Plus I would prefer higher capacity in a full sized pistol.

I can acquire sight picture and sight alignment faster using Glock goal post sights than other sight configurations but strongly dislike their grip angle and trigger.

I shoot my XDm Compact well and love the trigger but it doesn’t meet your criteria for a full sized gun. Assuming the full sized XDm shoots as well, I could say that would be best, for ME, but I don’t like carrying a striker fired pistol with a round chambered unless I know for certain I will be in an environment that allows me to keep the gun holstered until needed. That’s not the field I get to play in.

The S&W M&P offers ambidextrous slide lock which might come in handy if I had to clear a double feed while my right hand was disabled. However, I don’t like M&P’s hinged trigger.

I have no experience with HK but hear the triggers are lousy.

I personally prefer a DA/SA hammer fired configuration and carry one often. So for me it would be a Sig 226. I like the idea of the Sig 227 (.45acp) but having only 10 rounds in a full sized go to war gun seems insufficient so the 226 in 9mm wins for me, based on your parameters.
 
I like striker fired guns. Glock or M&P would be fine - M&P would be my preference but there's not a lot of difference one way or another. SR9 isn't a bad choice either but I don't like the thumb safety (even if you don't use it there's a chance it could get flipped on accidentally).

I'm sure the XD is probably fine too but I've never actually shot one so I can't vouch for it.
 
Love my Colt Lightweight Government. In a 9mm. I would go with my Browning Hi-Power.
 
I can acquire sight picture and sight alignment faster using Glock goal post sights than other sight configurations but strongly dislike their grip angle and trigger.
That's confusing to me. I always thought the better the ergonomics the faster the sight aquisition?
 
David I know al the cliché's too. I carry a gun everyday 24/7 for 44 years, I am asking a legitimate question, as I am looking at some new models, like the C, 07,09, sig Mk2,XDM, etc. I already know what I already carry.
 
David I know al the cliché's too. I carry a gun everyday 24/7 for 44 years, I am asking a legitimate question, as I am looking at some new models, like the C, 07,09, sig Mk2,XDM, etc. I already know what I already carry.
24/7, eh? Bet taking showers is tough on blued guns....

Look, not trying to be flippant as it's a legitimate response. A Glock 17 or 19 weighs less an than an all steel full size gun and will be easier for most to carry. But some prefer the thinner 1911 over the fatter Glock, regardless of the weight/capacity difference. What one person prefers another will quickly dismiss.

I'm a little confused why, after carrying a gun "24/7 for 44 years" you're asking this question now. It seems logical that you'd go with what you "already know and already carry."

Do you want to change " just because," or has your current carry gun raised a concern?

Of the guns you list, the Glock 19 is the very best melding of size, power and capacity. It's small enough to make carrying easier, yet big enough to shoot like a full size.
 
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