Compact or Full size carry?

[Peakes]

Was wondering for those of us that have both,which one do you find yourself carrying the most? I try to give both of mine equal time, but find when I'm on the trail the 40c is with me more often because of the smaller package, but in reality I don't notice a whole lot of difference when packing either. Gotta say though, its like having two dogs..its hard to leave one at home!

 

[Rgoodwin]

Nice stipple job!

 

[Peakes]

Can't take credit for it..one of Aaron's..

 

[Bkreutz]

Match the tool to the job. If you need concealment and it's summertime, that calls for small. If it's concealment and winter and you have a heavy coat then a full size. If you're going to open carry, then the biggest cannon you own for the intimidation factor . Just the way I look at it. (My options range from a Ruger LCP to a M29)

 

[Denversteve]

Almost always the smallest, that's the whole point. Full size is for duty, range and home protection. Compact, ultra-compact for carry. Smaller = easier to carry. No benefit to carrying larger. Any incident would be within arms reach.

 

[Lew Archer]

Carry the compact model if that means you will be more likely to have it should you need it. A self defense gun has to be within reach to do any good.

On the other hand, if it's a coin's toss, and you would carry no matter what, carry the larger weapon. If you DO need it, you won't regret a weapon that is somewhat easier to shoot and has more ammo.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[spearcrow]

the full size M&P is a sweet gun in the hand, but I gotta say that the mp40c is a sweet carry gun!

 

[Linejudgemick]

I have FS, compact and single-stack pistols. Normally I carry one of the single-stacks, because of it's small size and ease of carry. With winter about here and more clothing being used making it easier to OWB carry, the compact and the FS may get used a little more. That said, a single-stack pistol in a Remora holster is pretty easy to just stick in a pocket.

 

[ginzo]

You took the words right out of my mouth.......
Only I use a kydex holster. Nice leather BTW.

Was wondering for those of us that have both,which one do you find yourself carrying the most? I try to give both of mine equal time, but find when I'm on the trail the 40c is with me more often because of the smaller package, but in reality I don't notice a whole lot of difference when packing either. Gotta say though, its like having two dogs..its hard to leave one at home!

 

[robertrwalsh]

I am a huge fan of carrying the biggest, nastiest thing that you can conceal properly and use effectively. The older I get the smaller that "conceal properly" becomes. I carried a full size government model for quite some time, I now pack an officer size .38 super.

 

[RussC]

Almost always the smallest, that's the whole point. Full size is for duty, range and home protection. Compact, ultra-compact for carry. Smaller = easier to carry. No benefit to carrying larger. Any incident would be within arms reach.

+1

That is why I own a Shield and soon a Glock 42 if it is comparable to the Ruger LCP in weight and size.

Russ

 

[Ben Nelson]

I CC an M&P 9c and OWB carry a full-size M&P 9 at home.

 

[Smithsrevenge]

Compact!

I have large hands. Large enough to palm a basketball, comfortably hold a softball, or open a jar with ease.

Meaning I can comfortably grip large guns, such as the S&W .500, or the Glock 21/20.

I am also 6'4. So i can conceal a full sized weapon, from a highway patrolmen, to a full size 1911, or a full sized M&P or glock.

However. Because I can doesnt mean I do.

I carry compact, 3.4 inch max :-D.

My glock is a 23, My sig is a 229, my M&P is a .45 compact, My beretta is a rare 1984 SB compact.

They carry easier, and feel better in my hand. I'm not one of those guys that needs 17+ rounds to do the job, 10-12 is just fine for me. I dont mind the shorter sight radius. I shoot fine with it.

Also, I dont have to buy as much ammo. I only keep enough carry ammo in stock to do just that. Carry the gun. If i have 3 mags at 12 each, Ill buy 40 rounds per gun. Thus instead of having to buy 60, I buy 20 less and usually save $30 :-D.

Certainly compact for me. But never sub compact, as a guy that wears XXL gloves, they do not fit in my hand and I look like Andre the giant holding a water pistol :-D

 

[MSG Glenn]

I noticed that this thread started in April but I'll add my .02 anyhow. I carry the full size 40 about 25% of the time. I carry the compact 40 the rest of the time. About half the time while carrying the compact I have a full size mag with an X-Grip inserted. When I carry with the compact mag I have a full size on my belt.

 

[B3500]

I prefer 'compact'. One of my criteria for my preferred iwb mode of carry is the overall height of the piece.

Over time I developed the criteria that with magazine inserted and including the sight height my overall ideal height is about 4.75" and the closer it gets to 4.5" just makes it that much easier for me to conceal the grip without having to put in some outlandish degrees of cant that messes with my draw.

I seem to have much more tolerance in measurements like overall length and even width. Although the wider pieces like a Glock G30S do tend to cause me to not choose a more fitted shirt to wear. Also a wider piece makes tucking more of a challenge than it's worth, so generally I don't tuck. When the need to tuck comes up, I am more likely to gravitate to a single stack.

Everyone's body size and shape is different as well as preferred method of carry so your criteria may differ from mine and you should develop criteria for yourself to help you with any future selections you make.

 

[TheGunman]

went from a M&P fullsize to a 3913

i think that kinda explains it. I carried the M&P for almost 2 years, thing is heavy

 

[Deadeye Dick]

I CC virtually every day 12+ hours a day and 95% of the time I carry a compact double stacked 9mm Kel-Tec P11. I carry IWB sans holster at 4:00 using Kel-Tec's belt clip attachment. I know some are squeamish about this style of carry but I've done it that way for the past 4 years without issue. I have become so accustomed to carrying this gun that I practically forget it's on me.

Now if I have to work at night in a particularly questionable area I will carry my full sized S&W M&P40 using an Old Faithful IWB hybrid. Obviously this gun is a lot heavier and bulkier than the compact P11 but the Old Faithful holster does a good job of concealing the weapon and distributing it's weight. I would not say it was uncomfortable to carry but I still know that it's there.

 

[andrewcdub]

I think it depends on your body type. I can cc my fullsize 45 all day and not be bothered by it. But when I carried my friends shield appendix, it just didn't feel like anything was there.

 

[NYlakesider]

I am a huge fan of carrying the biggest, nastiest thing that you can conceal properly and use effectively. The older I get the smaller that "conceal properly" becomes. I carried a full size government model for quite some time, I now pack an officer size .38 super.

Yes for years I carried a modified by me Series 70 Gold Cup .45 with ISWBH as much as I could with weather and what I was doing as limiting factors. As a rather big fluffy guy I carried that Cup many places many times. Other times my Walther PPK .380 was with me, often on an ankle carry.

Since I retired and moved out of the city/burb area and its inherent problems to way out in the boonies my carry weapons changed. For the few rare times I now go into the cities a (Now recalled and Fixed) XDs.45 accompanies me. For more casual carry a Bodyguard .380 rides in a pocket holster for the safer areas. That sucker is so small and light it's easy to forget you have a gun with you.

 

[Etemmu]

I carry my 9c mostly, but agree with the OP that I don't notice a huge difference between it and the FS