I have three off-duty guns (I'd have more, but pulling out three to qualify with on range days tends to illicit groans, so I'd rather not waste everyone's time while they wait for me to qualify with more, besides, I can make due with 3). They are:
S&W 37-2 Airweight DAO .38 Special (also my on-duty BUG)
Ruger SP101 DAO .357 Magnum
S&W M&P45 .45 ACP
What I carry depends on my mood. I always carry some combination of 2 of the three. Often its the Airweight and the SP101. I have pocket holsters for the Airweight and SP, and an ankle holster for the Airweight. I have IWB holsters for the M&P and SP.
I've been carrying now for about 15 years. I've had a lot of carry guns over that time, but I've always found that with the right IWB holster (and there are a lot of wrong ones) concealing a full-size auto isn't really any harder than concealing a compact or even subcompact. IMO the reason for subcompact autos and lightweight revolvers are non-traditional carry methods. I do sometimes carry my SP101 IWB, but that is more because I like revolvers and the .357 Magnum cartridge very much and the SP fits into a number of roles. If I wasn't limited by qualification to 3 guns, I've have a larger 6 shot .357 or 5-shot .44 Special for IWB carry.
I've had the various compacts and subcompacts over the years. When my duty gun was a Glock 22, I had a Glock 27 for carry. I eventually determined that with the right IWB I could carry the G22 just as easily. The G27 shines for pocket or ankle carry, I can't fit a G22 in either of those places.
My first duty gun was a Beretta 92. I carried it off-duty IWB all the time. My current duty gun is a Beretta 96. It stays in my locker at the PD, not because I can't conceal it, but because I don't care for the .40 S&W in general, and especially in the 96. If it was a 92, I'd probably use it as my primary off-duty.
We have to remember the reason we actually carry these gun(s). Its because there is a slight chance we might actually need them. If I was told ahead of time that I was going to be in a gunfight and I could only bring a handgun, I wouldn't want a small, low power and/or hard to control handgun. I'll be the first to admit that my SP101, which is often my primary off-duty gun, isn't a full-size weapon. However, its heavy enough to make it pretty easy to control, even with the full-power magnum ammunition I carry in it. I have a lot of faith in it. I couldn't say the same about carrying a LCP, LCR, ultralight weight .357, etc. as a primary.
I left the house today carrying my M&P45 IWB and the SP101 in my pocket to run some errands. That is probably the best combination I use, and it was both comfortable and well concealed.
So, my preference is for a full-sized handgun for carry, but I don't always practice what I preach. Not because I can't, but because I just really like my SP101.
