...just comes easy to me. My body frame is in such a way that ive even CC'd a 4506 without undue discomfort. As I type this I have a 5903 in a Theiss IWB holster on a gunbelt, and there are times I forget its on my hip.

After seeing all the hubub and press on the Shield and other micro-size 9mm, im curious how other people resolve the dilemma of balancing weapon capability with concealment with small size weapons. Another reason I like carrying full frame handguns is that it more or less removes the need to carry spare magazines, so how does one balance carrying a small gun with the fact that it holds 8 or 9 rounds against 15 or so for a full size firearm.

I'm not trying to critique the use of small handguns, I just wish to know why they're so popular. Or perhaps why im so odd carrying heavy metal firearms.

guess i'm naive, but i feel real good w/5 rounds in my j frame revolver.

I, too, have no issues with carrying the large frame autos; but alot do. It's really all a matter of personal preference and then training with what you choose!

Okay, Okay; we're both mutants!

when im in the woods I hump a full size 1911. Ive never CC'd it though but wouldnt think it would be a problem

I carry my 4506 all the time and I'm a tall, lanky fellow. It's all in the holster.

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Wheelguns 'n 3rd Gens.

The smallest gun I'll carry is a 4" 1911; and that only when the weather is hot and I cannot wear heavier clothing.

Preferred carry gun is full size 1911.

I carry a 5 inch barreled Model 27.

I carried a Gummint size 1911 for years. Moved to town and down sized to a Model 19 in the winter and a 640-1 in the summer.

Then I got the N frame fever and as often as not, now I carry a 3 1/2" Model 27 OWB.

So if you're a mutant, you ain't alone.

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Eccentric old coot

You guys are abnormal. Be grateful that you can do the impossible.

I carry 4" N frames or commander sized 1911's, that's about as big as it gets for me during the fall and winter. I usually carry slightly smaller guns in the summer. I will say, the right leather makes a huge difference.

I'm like Iggy in that i often pack my 3 1/2" model 27
Sometimes i carry my model 19 snub but either way i'm
cool with 6 rounds and a speedloader. I'm not LEO so i
figure if i can't get it done with 11 rounds i might as well
use the 12th on myself.


chuck

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They hold no Quarter

11 rounds? If he's still standing there after 6 rounds from my 629 I'm handing him the gun and letting him beat me with it. He's the better man.

Even as an LEO, I have a hard time imagining putting 2 rounds of .44 in someone and them still be an issue....6/2=3....by my cyphering I'm good for 3 people easy.
Of course, that's in direct contrast to the spray and pray Block philosophy.

When I was young a 1911 was cool. After 12 hours my M&P .40 is less than fun..My 442 never gets heavy, never pokes me in bad places. My Model 12 that is unfired has new milt sparks holster and is starting to look very attractive..

Enjoy carrying full size heavy guns while you can.

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The American dream is alive

I carried full sized guns for a long time, including a Glock 21, a 1911, a 5906 and a Beretta 92. I got tired of it. With a good belt and leather, I had gotten used to it, but it's still a big hunk of metal (or plastic) to haul around. I love my Shield. 8 rounds in the gun, plus another 8 available, should take care of anything I'd need. I'm an armed citizen, not a cop - I carry to escape danger, not confront it.

I currently carry a Full Size M&P 45 in an IWB Remora holster. I like having that .45 available (I also carry two extra mags of 10 rounds each in a Remora Dual Mag Holder and a third in my backpack for a total of 41 rounds, just in case I'm caught in a natural disaster or mob situation and need them).

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G21C,Shield.40,LCP

Guess I am a mutant also. I carry my Sigma .40 strong side in a Galco leather holster and my Ruger LCR .357 cross draw on the weak side. I feel naked without them both. I can even draw the LCR with my left hand and have it ready to shoot if need be. I can shoot either gun with either hand just as accurately! I wear a oversized cover shirt all year long. Everyone I know is used to seeing me dress that way, friends and people at the repair shops I frequent alike!

Bob

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SW40VE AF
2000 rounds so far

(Just in fun)
I'm already an old guy carrying a full size, all-steel 1911 most of the time.

I figure that if I can no longer carry it, it's time to call the old folks nursing home and haul me away.

Motivation to keep going!

I hear ya' my friend.
Then you read stories like the one posted on here yesterday about the perp who got shot in NY. I believe the LEO's dispensed 70 some odd rounds and the perp was still standing ???? It was at 70 feet but must have been 9mm's
or something underpowered.

Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

I should be able to get the job done with 5 well constricted hollow points in my 37 no dash.
I have all sizes available to me. First rule, have a gun

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Fe Feo Fuerte

I prefer carrying full size handguns. For me, they provide better control due to a larger grip area and higher round capacity for a defensive situation. I love my Theis IWB horsehide holster. It permits me to carry my XDm .45acp 4.5" all day in perfect comfort, along with my BG .380 in a Desantis superfly and an extra mag or two. I like being a mutant ......You'd be surprised how many "mutants" are out there.

Count me with the mutants! I carry Commander sized 1911, Govt sized 1911, S&W 1076, and various K- and L- revolvers. I'm kinda used to it, so I really feel kinda naked and exposed WITHOUT a bit of weight on my hip! If I had back issues I may feel differently, so overall, I agree with the rule of "have a gun".

I prefer to think of myself a "well-endowed," when I carry my 1911 in a Galco IWB holster. As for the mutant thingie - more power to ya!

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JWS3
1SG, USA (Retired)

I carried a Glock 22 iwb appendix under a loose fitting dark tee shirt for awhile and I live in Florida ,then I got a g27 so the g22 is in the home defense role full time. I want a 9mm and the shield is a strong contender for that niche.

Small handguns are great until you actually need to use one. I used to carry only my J-frame until the shoot out at my precinct. There is no way when the feces hits the fan I want to only have a snub nose to deal with it. I now mostly carry my duty M&P everywhere. If not that, then its a baby Glock. My J-frame goes with me everywhere but it is my reload, not my primary.

I don't think you're odd. I have carried full sized guns,1911, Hi Power, etc. concealed as much as I have carried the more compact guns. One winter I even carried a 4" M-29 off duty. One of my co-workers carried a 6 1/2" M-29 in a shoulder holster off duty year round. I gotta admit, the M-29 was a bit much for me. As an old retired guy now, with emphasis on the Tired, I usually carry something a bit lighter and more compact, like a S&W 642 or 3913.

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NRA Life, COTEP 640

You are OK. I always carried a K frame when everyone carried revolvers instead of a J frame. Now if I'm not toting a K frame I have a Glock 19. Little guns are fine until you need one. A single stack auto with 8 shots or so is viable. I used to carry a 3953 a lot and liked it. Little 5 shooters are not a main line gun.

I carry a 4003 also besides my full size M&P and M&P9c. Different days, different guns.

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M&P .40, M&P 9c & Shield 45

"Ur a mutant. There's something wrong with you, something very, very wrong with you. Something seriously wrong with you!"(a)






a. courtesy John Winger

I love full sized guns. Better grip, better control, more rounds, etc. But there are days were I just get my hip a rest and carry my pocket gun only. With that being said, I know a guy that is tall and skinny and can carry a full size m&p in a OWB holster. I think you can CC almost anything if you have your gear set up right.

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Don't look, reload and shoot!

Model 1006 strong side owb. Does it get any "fuller"? Maybe a desert eagle would do it.

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10MM, SAY NO MORE

If you are going to carry just one handgun, then carry a full size 15 rounds pistol.
I think that "full size" and "small size" handguns are two different concepts; small ones are the "back-up" of the big ones.
I don´t think that carrying only a small "8 round" pistol is a good idea, so if you like carrying small pistols, I suggest you carry them as a "back-up" of your "15 rounds" full size pistol

I'm with you on this...lol... I sure don't want to carry my heavy barreled XP bench guns, nor my HK USP 45 Tactical, I don't even want to carry my 3566 3.5" barreled 356TSWs... I carry an under 2" & 12oz. 340PD 357 Rev. w/5 rounds in my cycle carry vest w/10 extra rounds of ammo on the other side for balance...lol... I don't know they are there most of the time... I think that is what concealed carry is about, if I knew I was going into battle I would carry more, much more...
Have a good one...XPman...

Hey, Cowboy:
Where is the Model 58?
Jimmy

A MESSAGE FROM THE WIMP WORLD:

I like a full size weapon with a lot of rounds!
In a past life when "Push Came To Shove" I was not cool, calm, and collective. My shooting arm/hand was not "Rock Steady" and my knees were having a fit.
I also was wishing I had something belt fed.
Jimmy (an't no "Real man")

For me bigger is better. I carried a Keltec P3AT for a while, but found it uncomfortable to shoot for any length of time. I believe if you don't practice with it, you don't become proficient with it, and the Keltc was just plain painful to shoot.

I'll carry my J frame IWB during the Summer so I don't have to dress up, but any other time, my 6690 or my model 28-2 reside on my side. I've carried a wide variety of larger firearms over the years, including Sig P220's, P229, P228, 2340, Ruger GP100's, S&W 686's, model 19's, model 66's, Glock 21's and 22's, and a couple Taurus 92's. Never been outed and never felt under gunned.

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SFC, US Army, Retired

For those who believe five shots are plenty, you're probably right-most of the time. But I will say this when it comes to how many bullets to have on board when facing a gun fight: As a part of my job over a 26 year career in le, I've had the occasion to interview more than a couple of unfortunate folks who were involved in an exchange of gun shots and, to date, nobody has complained that their gun was too big or that it held too many rounds. Nobody.

For a couple decades I carried a series 70 .45 Colt Gold Cup. It had a few mods by me including pinning rear sight, beveled mag well and a longer slide drop lever. I also changed out the original barrel and fitted a new one & recoil spring just to use for hotter than target load ammo.

As a big guy for the most part I had no trouble concealing this weapon with inside the pants holsters. Only in extremely warm weather would I drop back to my Model 60 or on rare occasions a Walther PPK.

Just for the heck of it I carried a Model 29 4'' with .44 special loads as a test. That nonsense only lasted a couple weeks and back to the .45 I went.

I really envy the ability to carry a full size frame.

Maybe it's my size (6'3" 185) or the way I dress (jeans/t shirts) but I can't make it work. I've got a collection of expensive holsters to prove I've tried.

I do well with a 3913 and spare magazine and am happy with that.

Most of the heavier guys I know can pull it off. The guys I see trying that are my size are fooling themselves. I can spot them across a parking lot.

Dave

model 657 3" 41 mag. or a full size 1911 for me unless it's sweltering hot...the m36 comes out then

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

(and the belt!)

I currently carry my G19 in a supertuck. Not a problem for me at all, I plan on stepping up to a G17 in the future. I'm about 6 foot,185 ish.

How about a S&W 629 in a Smart Carry? That would be okay too.

I'm about as big around as I'm tall. Heck, I once figured out I can get places faster if I lie down and roll! Being a Civvy... I like carrying a M60-9 in my back pocket when around town. When on the road it's a 4013TSW... farm carry is my 4006. I'm slowly making the conversion to wheelies. Still cipherin on what holster for either the 610 or 625. Hmmm... now how would I carry one of each? I just won't go near the water!

Blessings,
Hog

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Isaiah 55:8-9
Phil. 4:13

I'm not a big guy but don't seem to having a problem with carrying a full size. I'd rather have 17+1 than less if needed. I need all the help I can get.

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Why duck?? It's a 9mm!

I carry full sized guns and have no problems with them, I'm not large nor am I all that small about average I guess. My preferred carry guns are a 4" L frame or the full sized M&P45. I do draw the line at carrying the M&P it with the 14 round extended magazine though.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

I'm 5'11" and 150-ish pounds and I have a narrow waist and shoulders that are just as narrow. (No V-shape for me.) I don't dress in large, baggy clothing as it would look like sackcloth on me. So concealing a large weapon is right out.

I don't see any dilemma to resolve, for the following reasons:

(1) If I plug you with seven rounds of Hornady Critical Defense 9mm and you're still coming, then I should have noticed the "S" on your chest.

(2) In a self-defense situation, it is unlikely that I'm going to get off seven shots. I understand that the speed of a situation that requires discharge of my firearm will greatly exceed anything for which I have trained. If I'm fortunate enough to (a) recognize that my gun is needed, (b) pull it from its holster, (c) get the muzzle on target, and (d) get some shots off, then I will consider myself fortunate.

(3) Of the probably-less-than-seven shots I fire, it is unlikely that all of them are going to hit the target. The likelihood of hitting my target decreases as light decreases and the following increases:

-- My fear, which I expect to be off the charts.
-- The speed with which I must move.
-- The speed with which my target moves.
-- The distance between me and my target.
-- The number of targets presenting a threat.
-- Injury I have already sustained.

Based on these factors, I dismiss the premise of your question, much as I dismiss most of the debate about carry caliber. I don't think a typical self-defense situation leaves much room for such considerations.

Well carry what you want and if there is a bulge under your clothes and its still concealed dont worry about it.I carry a 4566 in an uncle mikes inside the pants and yes it sticks out a bit with a shirt over it Im still within the law of ccw,so its all in what you are comfortable with.Its a matter of personal choice.

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The Lord cometh and right soon

All this fullsize carry talk makes me want to carry the 4003 more, and buy a 4566/4506.

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M&P .40, M&P 9c & Shield 45

Full size 1911 and 4506 take some hiding to carry concealed in warm weather. I think alot of people that think it disappears are not aware of how often they are spotted as carrying. When it is 90+ and humid and one wears a fisherman's vest when they are not fishing....

From my experience a G19 is about the maximum i can really conceal in the summer IWB shorts and T shirt. A fullsize 1911 or G22 or 4 inch 19/66 revolver all these are exposed at one time or another going about my daily routine.

Bottom line: carry the largest most effective weapon you can utilize and conceal. I live in PA i can go large Sept- April. Beyond that to really conceal 100% of the time I need to carefully consider the weapon, my wardrobe, and the threat.

Everything about a handgun is a compromise.

The first rule of a gunfight is have a gun.

When I was younger I carried an M-60 machine gun in a shoulder holster, and as a back up I had a BAR in an uncle mikes ankle holster, now that I am older I usually carry mid size handguns, and compacts.