Am I a mutant?Carrying full size handguns....

[Glockman9mm]

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.

 

[ScottieG59]

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

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

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

 

[fiasconva]

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.

 

[Smith357]

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.

 

[BuckeyeChuck]

...just comes easy to me. My body frame is in such a way that ive even CC'd a 4506 without undue discomfort.

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.

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.

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.

 

[waffenmac]

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.

 

[vista461]

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

 

[majbgd]

Carry

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.

 

[coorslight]

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.

 

[Smith357]

When I was younger I carried an M-60 machine gun

The big downside to the M-60 was lack of privacy, being followed by two ammo bearers all the time. It was the same way carrying the 81mm mortar.

 

[vista461]

I've carried my 4003 the last few days now, thanks to you guys...

 

[Glenn H]

Nice thing about being in the Navy

The big downside to the M-60 was lack of privacy, being followed by two ammo bearers all the time. It was the same way carrying the 81mm mortar.

We used big boats to carry the heavy metal

 

[Kursac]

I'm 5' 9" and about 180 and a 50 year old bodybuilder. I carry an E series 1911 in a crossbreed supertuck with no problem all day.

 

[Neal39]

I have large friends who carry large weapons. No need for me to carry, but when I do, I prefer one large frame 14 round .45.
Carrying 14 single shot .22's plus ammo is a bit uncomfortable.

 

[shawn mccarver]

...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.

The FBI always issued full-size duty guns to its agents, who could, and did, conceal them in proper holsters. When issuing revolvers, they issued 4 inch K frames (yeah, I know they had others, but they were all duty size for issue - I am not talking about personally owned or authorized back up) until the end of the revolver era, when they still issued 3 inch K frames.

In autos, they issued all duty size weapons, including the SIG 226, 228, S&W 1076, Glock 22 and 23.

 

[whitepine]

I've searching for my ultimate carry gun for thirty years,,,,, tried and have carried over a dozen different makes and models and several calibers,,,, For two years I've been having a very pleasant affair with a Taurus PT-145 Millennium Pro in .45 ACP. Loaded with 10 rounds it still weighs a pound less than my 1911 when she's EMPTY. The Taurus is light, drop dead reliable, reasonably small, and I can carry concealed in a Don Hume IWB holster for 16 hours a day,,, What a love affair,,,, doesn't bother my bad back and knees one little bit,

 

[Arik]

Once i got a real gun belt and a real holster i sold all my bug guns. Now my smallet, lightest gun is a Glock 19

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[jppezz23]

I only carry full size.I like knowing I have a 14 or 16 round magazine when needed and not an 8 or 10 round mag.I have no discomfert carrying full size concealed.Like someone said small is nice until you need to fire it.

 

[vista461]

Carried the 4003 today, even on a 80ish degree day, it was just fine. It was nice carrying a classic on a nice summer day.