Im looking for a full size conceal carry handgun, any tips?

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IBT98

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Now, Im a firm believer that the handguns on the market perform very much the same but its small differences that make it fit an individual person, so caliber, size, recoil, Grip texture. I feel like for people like us, there are many unique people that have a liking to other handguns, certain attributes one has over the other, if they both fire 9MM, they are both reliable, They are cost effective, Then I think choosing a handgun is a persons own choice based on everything they desire and that for us civilians we can be picky, for us one handgun doesn't fit all.
I have no biased against any gun or caliber because at this point, work-energy theorem has taught main stream and popular calibers and handguns all equally equalize.

to my point,So I was looking for a gun that will work for me, I was thinking maybe a gun that has a firm grip texture, its in 9mm and looks good while not being a cannon that I have to lug around, I just think maybe something that is practical, great grip, needs to have a combat trigger for quick reaction and good iron sights that allow me to accurately transition target to target, I want to it look good :D Aesthetics are important too :p


If anyone has any good suggestions about a gun that can fit what Im looking for, that will be great.

thanks.
 
Try before you buy, I would take time to try several calibers as well as several models before I committed. The right gun just fits, it feels good and the shooter shoots it well. It may surprise you which gun and caliber works best for you. Another thing to consider is the purpose for which you are planning to use it.
I carry an air weight 38 snub most of the time but I also carry my 1911 or Browning 380. My attire and place I'm going dictate what I carry. I would be confident with any of the 3 if I had to pick only one.
 
It's hard not to start with a Glock 17/19 or an M&P 9. They are very common, have proven durable, have lots of aftermarket support, etc. You may find something you like better, but those are probably the safest bets for a starting point.
 
If I were going to carry a full sized gun it would most likely be a KAHR specifically the TP series. They're still thin, and light compared to most full sized guns, you just lose some capacity, which wouldn't bother me.

I will just say, probably as a reminder, that finding the right holster is more important than the right gun, as far as comfort is concerned, especially when dealing with a full sized gun.
 
Agree with most of what you have said here with one exception.

The fact that you are casting about for a concealed carry handgun tells me that you may have to use the handgun to defend your life or the life of someone else that is important to you. Your default needs to be set on reliability and ease of use. I find the 1911 very pleasing aesthetically but it is not my first choice in a carry gun. There is nothing wrong with the 1911 except that the length of the butt makes it hard to conceal. In some states, if the pistol "prints" under your clothing you are subject to arrest and prosecution. Also with the 1911 the only way to effectively carry one that can easily be pressed into use is "condition 1"...cocked and locked with a round in the chamber. In a high stress situation taking that safety off when the pistol is being drawn has to be second nature to you and thus will require quite a bit of practice. Then there is the mode of concealment. In the summer months it's likely to get pretty uncomfortable wearing a light jacket or vest to conceal your weapon. You're gonna look pretty funny wearing a light windbreaker in 90+ degree heat and the smarter folks out there are going to figure that you may have something to hide...like a handgun. With handguns in particular everything is a compromise. Full size handguns are easier to shoot accurately but harder to conceal. On top of that carrying a heavy handgun in a holster all day long can get to feeling like you're carrying a boat anchor by the end of the day. Some kind of midsize handgun might very well be a better choice for you. One of the more popular polymer frame handguns would be a good place to start. Smith & Wesson M&P, one of the midsize Glocks or a midsize Springfield XD would be a good place to start. The G19 is one of my favorite carry guns in the winter months. Big enough to hold on to. A good sight radius which helps accuracy and bulletproof reliability. The Glock is not an asthetically pleasing handgun; but when I'm carrying a handgun for self-defense I don't give a damn for asthetics. I want something that is safe to carry with a round in the chamber and easy to press into use. With the Glock and some M&Ps and Springfield XDs all I have to remember is to draw and press the trigger. I don't have to remember to disengage any safety. In a high stress situation this is a valuable asset and just could make all the difference in the world. My advice to you, whatever your decision, is to visit a local firing range and rent several pistols in which you may have an interest. By shooting your possible choices first you will be able to determine which handgun best suits you and you will be able to avoid what might otherwise be a costly financial mistake. Now in addition to this, let's talk about your choice of ammo. Avoid the ultra high pressure hotter than hell barn-burner loads. Go with a managed recoil round in a good hollow point. Muzzle flash will be reduced. You should be able to shoot these more accurately and recovery time between shots will be less...all of which could mean the difference between living to fight another day and going home in a body bag. Once an ammo choice has been made, buy a quantity and make sure your handgun functions reliability. Get a good holster too! My choice in a holster used for concealed carry is one that is adjustable for tension but has no type of manual retention device. If things have gotten so damn bad that I had to pull a gun on someone it's going to have to come out quickly. The situation will usually unfold right in your lap and the distance between you and your threat will be short. As in the case of a manual safety, I don't want to have to remember to disengage a strap or other retention device to take care of a threat to my life.
 
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Sig P320 Compact may be a good fit, too. Find a LGS who has one you can hold, or rent one at a range if you can find one.
 
Full size:

1) Browning Hi-Power
2) CZ75
3) Glock 17

Compact size:

1) CZ P01
2) Glock 19
3) Ruger SR9c
 
Full size:

1) Browning Hi-Power
2) CZ75
3) Glock 17

Compact size:

1) CZ P01
2) Glock 19
3) Ruger SR9c
This is a good sound advice.

However just a note - I, and many others, shoot G26 better than G19 and as well as G17. And at typical self defense range, the difference in muzzle energy is going to be negligible. Finally, to my own surprise, I did not feel the short grip on G26 to be a hindrance at all, especially after outfitting the magazines with GAP plates.

I guess my point is, definitely don't dismiss G26 before committing to G17 if you go the Glock route. It packs the same punch in a much more manageable yet still comfortable to use package. And trust me, at the end of the long day your back will thank you.
And if you want a longer grip, remember that G26 takes G17 and G19 magazines and they sell cheap filler pieces to make them into a full grip (although I fire my 26 with 17 mags without any fillers and it feels fine). You can turn that 26 back into a subcompact by simply swapping mags, but you can't do that with a full sized gun.

If you do want to carry a larger gun, I'd go with SR9c over Glock 19. I love Glocks but I find 19 to be fairly uncomfortable because of the finger groove spacing. It pinches my pinky. I did not shoot SR9c but I did hold it and it felt great, and from all reviews it seems to be a reliable and well shooting gun. It does have an external safety that may be a no-no to some people.

So, my personal recommendation in the order of preference would be:

1)G26 - the best combination of punch and concealability. Outfitted with larger capacity mags if you want a fuller grip.
2)SR9c - if you definitely want a larger gun.
3)G17 - if you insist on carrying a full size pistol.

Here's a photo of somebody's G26 with a G19 mag and a sleeve extension, courtesy of AR15 forum. It's really two guns in one. And I am sure many Glock shooters will agree that it shoots just as well as the bigger Glocks. Highly recommend going this route.

IMG_0278.jpg
 
Get night sights. This is one of the major missing items that stops me from carrying many of my pistols. Polymer frame is worth it for carry and go thin.....long barrel is easier to conceal, its the grip shape and size that matters more on concealed.m.course im assuming you arent going to be open carrying.
 
Glock 17 is probably going to be the lightest full size double-stack 9mm handgun out there. There are many other fine full-size handguns that can be carried, some already mentioned. If you can try a 17 and you shoot it well, IMO, that's the way to go...inexpensive and plentiful parts, accessories, mags, and excellent reliability.
 
Depending on your size and shape that can help or hinder you in what you decide to carry. I'm 5'8 and 260 with a bit of a gut and with just a loose t-shirt I easily carry a Glock 17L iwb occasionally and most of the time I carry a Glock 17. No problems for me but I'm looking for a better holster than the one I have.
9mm is perfectly acceptable for defense and if you ever are forced to use it caliber doesn't matter near as much as shot placement. Go rent or borrow one and see how you shoot it. If you like get one and find a good holster. Life will be good.
 
Well...at least you have a caliber picked out (9mm).

You want "full sized". Which, to me, is something on the order of a 5" 1911 or similar size.

You also want "concealed". Which is more of a challenge with a full size, especially in 9mm in my opinion.

Why? Because full sized 9mm's tend to have double stacked magazine and thus wider grips.

Nothing wrong with this, if that's what you want and you gear up appropriately.

I would suggest a 1911 frame in 9mm. It'll be slimmer and lay flatter along your body when carried concealed.

I'm sure others have good recommendations on other makes/models.
 
You'd love the CZ-p07....somewhat compact (when compared to the 09) but shoots like a full sized pistol.

The best of both worlds.
 
The fact that you are casting about for a concealed carry handgun tells me that you may have to use the handgun to defend your life or the life of someone else that is important to you. Your default needs to be set on reliability and ease of use. I find the 1911 very pleasing aesthetically but it is not my first choice in a carry gun. There is nothing wrong with the 1911 except that the length of the butt makes it hard to conceal. In some states, if the pistol "prints" under your clothing you are subject to arrest and prosecution. Also with the 1911 the only way to effectively carry one that can easily be pressed into use is "condition 1"...cocked and locked with a round in the chamber. In a high stress situation taking that safety off when the pistol is being drawn has to be second nature to you and thus will require quite a bit of practice. Then there is the mode of concealment. In the summer months it's likely to get pretty uncomfortable wearing a light jacket or vest to conceal your weapon. You're gonna look pretty funny wearing a light windbreaker in 90+ degree heat and the smarter folks out there are going to figure that you may have something to hide...like a handgun. With handguns in particular everything is a compromise. Full size handguns are easier to shoot accurately but harder to conceal. On top of that carrying a heavy handgun in a holster all day long can get to feeling like you're carrying a boat anchor by the end of the day. Some kind of midsize handgun might very well be a better choice for you. One of the more popular polymer frame handguns would be a good place to start. Smith & Wesson M&P, one of the midsize Glocks or a midsize Springfield XD would be a good place to start. The G19 is one of my favorite carry guns in the winter months. Big enough to hold on to. A good sight radius which helps accuracy and bulletproof reliability. The Glock is not an asthetically pleasing handgun; but when I'm carrying a handgun for self-defense I don't give a damn for asthetics. I want something that is safe to carry with a round in the chamber and easy to press into use. With the Glock and some M&Ps and Springfield XDs all I have to remember is to draw and press the trigger. I don't have to remember to disengage any safety. In a high stress situation this is a valuable asset and just could make all the difference in the world. My advice to you, whatever your decision, is to visit a local firing range and rent several pistols in which you may have an interest. By shooting your possible choices first you will be able to determine which handgun best suits you and you will be able to avoid what might otherwise be a costly financial mistake. Now in addition to this, let's talk about your choice of ammo. Avoid the ultra high pressure hotter than hell barn-burner loads. Go with a managed recoil round in a good hollow point. Muzzle flash will be reduced. You should be able to shoot these more accurately and recovery time between shots will be less...all of which could mean the difference between living to fight another day and going home in a body bag. Once an ammo choice has been made, buy a quantity and make sure your handgun functions reliability. Get a good holster too! My choice in a holster used for concealed carry is one that is adjustable for tension but has no type of manual retention device. If things have gotten so damn bad that I had to pull a gun on someone it's going to have to come out quickly. The situation will usually unfold right in your lap and the distance between you and your threat will be short. As in the case of a manual safety, I don't want to have to remember to disengage a strap or other retention device to take care of a threat to my life.

WOW! Paragraphs are your friend.
 
The CZ P-07 would probably fit your bill quite well. I carry either the seriously full size CZ P-09 or its not-one-whit-smaller CZ SP-01 Phantom. It's ALL in the holster and belt. If you buy a cheap nylon Rhino holster on a $10 WalMart dress belt, it will fail you. I recommend High Noon Holsters, for both belts and holsters. Find the gun that fits YOU, not us, as it's your rear end in this fight. But please, get a good rig and belt, too. It's a carry SYSTEM.
 
walther PPQ is the most ergonomic with the best trigger and worlds above a glock in my opinion and about the same price tag as far as striker fired polymers go.. for a hammer fired polymer, the CZ P-08. and for a steel framed pistol i would recommend a CZ-75, standard or SP01 version, up to you whether you want the rail or not
 
Go to the range and rent a bunch. There are so many good 9mm pistols that, if you stick with a big-name brand, you cannot go wrong.

You need to figure out, first, what kind of action you want (striker, DA/SA, etc.); that will settle thing pretty clearly for you. Otherwise, it is just what feels good when you pull the trigger.

BTW - you can get 9 rounds from a single-stack 9mm, which is easy much easier to conceal than a double-stack. 9 rounds of 9mm is nothing to sneeze at with modern ammo.
 
Yah know Ammo manufacturers give out velocity claims
.45 ACP 5" / 9x19 & .40 S&W 4" Bbl. because most
'Full' size Service pistols are near that bbl len. respectively
for those chamberings.


Full Size in 9mm Luger

SAO
Full SIze 1911 5" Bbl. Len. Single Stack 9 or 10 rd mag. avail.
Overall.Len. : 8.5"
Overall Height: 5.5"
Width: 1.25" or wider if roundy grip panels
Weight EMpty: 36 oz or more fro some manufacturers

-or- Consider the Commander since it's more in size with 9x19s

Full SIze 1911 4.25" Bbl. Single Stack 9 or 10 rd mag. avail.
Overall.Len. : 7.75"
Overall Height:
Width: 1.25" or wider if roundy grip panels
Weight EMpty: 33 oz Steel frame
29.5" w/Alloy alum. frame

DA/SA
CZ 75B 4.7" Bbl. DA/SA 14+1 in 9x19
Overall.Len. : 8.1"
Overall Height: 5.45"
Width: 1.4" or wider if roundy grip panels
Weight EMpty: 34.8 oz

In the SIg LIne, they generally Full size 4.4" BBl.
but the P220 & P226 are 1.4" width and as tall as full size 1911

Striker Fired/DAO


S&W M&P9 4.25" BBl Double Stack 17 .
Overall.Len. : 7.65"
Overall Height: 5.5"
Width: 1.35" or wider if roundy grip panels
Weight EMpty: 24 oz


Anybody catch theO.P.'s pref. for
ActionTYpe and Budget?

Randall
 
As others have said by far the best way to determine to to rent whatever you are considering and try them out for yourself and then choose what works best for you.

I CCW a Walther PPS, and Walther PPQ, and a Gen 2 Glock 19.

For a 15 round capacity CCW pistol the Glock 19 IMO is the perfect size and the lightest. My PPQ is a little bigger than my Glock 19 and I can CCW that well also.

Here is my Glock 19 in an Ozark IWB holster. Conceals effortlessly and is very comfortable.

e7c70121-6412-4cb6-9373-fc53dfa99385_zpskbvvwkuk.jpg

My PPQ 9MM in a JM Custom Kydex IWB version 4 holster.

1ec25ef9-7d92-4e0f-abae-3c2ac5265d1a_zpslnt0lw0m.jpg
 
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Oh, sorry no recomendation

How about the new offering from colt

Llightweight Commander at 29.4 oz
comes with beavertail grip safety & novak sights

then bobtail it for less 'printing'

Get a good holster and GUN belt whatever your choice.

R-
 
Off duty, I carry my Colt LW Commander in .45 it's light, thin and makes a big hole. It was made in 1959, blue slide, wood grips with Colt Medallions. Love it.
 
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