Compact vs. Full a Size for CCW

[AK103K]

I wear clothes that "fit", if you dont, things look "off", and dont look right. These days, Im still 5' 6", and my weights pretty steady at around 165-170, with a 34" waist.

The fattest Ive ever been, was around 215 when I had to work in an office for a while. I dont see how people do it, such a toxic atmosphere, and all you do is sit and eat.

Still, had no issues carrying a Colt Commander and a reload on a daily basis, under an Oxford shirt and tie.

If you want to carry the gun, you figure out how to do it. If not, you dont. This really is about "want" more than anything
else. "Cant" is such a negative word and mentality. If you allow yourself to believe it, no matter what your circumstance, it will always come true.

 

[Styx]

I wear clothes that "fit", if you dont, things look "off", and dont look right. These days, Im still 5' 6", and my weights pretty steady at around 165-170, with a 34" waist.

The fattest Ive ever been, was around 215 when I had to work in an office for a while. I dont see how people do it, such a toxic atmosphere, and all you do is sit and eat.

Still, had no issues carrying a Colt Commander and a reload on a daily basis, under an Oxford shirt and tie.

If you want to carry the gun, you figure out how to do it. If not, you dont. This really is about "want" more than anything
else. "Cant" is such a negative word and mentality. If you allow yourself to believe it, no matter what your circumstance, it will always come true.

I don't know how else to explain it to you. I can't I jump 20 ft high, run a mile in 2 minutes, grow taller, etc. It's not being negative, it's called being realistic. I can not conceal a full sized gun without it printing badly. Put on a medium shirt (no cover garments), strap the 17 to your waist, and take some photos for me at different angles, and I'll do the same so we can compare and settle it for good.

Maybe I might learn something from you and you'll prove me wrong or can tell me what I'm doing wrong.

 

[Hartkopf]

Glock 17. Sorry I had to get in on this.

 

[JR24]

I wear clothes that "fit", if you dont, things look "off", and dont look right. These days, Im still 5' 6", and my weights pretty steady at around 165-170, with a 34" waist.

The fattest Ive ever been, was around 215 when I had to work in an office for a while. I dont see how people do it, such a toxic atmosphere, and all you do is sit and eat.

Still, had no issues carrying a Colt Commander and a reload on a daily basis, under an Oxford shirt and tie.

If you want to carry the gun, you figure out how to do it. If not, you dont. This really is about "want" more than anything
else. "Cant" is such a negative word and mentality. If you allow yourself to believe it, no matter what your circumstance, it will always come true.

Much the same, and believe as you do.

Started carrying a Sig P220 and government 1911 at 5' 8" and an athletic 160, peaked out at 235 and am now down to a slimmer 220, but shrinking daily (and putting on a lot of muscle lately).

I've carried full size or Glock 19 size guns IWB the whole time and don't have much of an issue with clothes that fit like I prefer.

But I never liked slim fitting clothes, always pinched in the armpits, even when I was skinny.

But it's always a choice, you always can change your wardrobe, discomfort is largely mental and it all boils down to how much you really want to carry what you want to carry, IMO.

Not that carrying something smaller is bad, it's not, but it IS a choice, as far as I am concerned.

I myself decided to stop carrying anything over about 36 oz because I was starting to get back discomfort at the end of the day and I attributed it to my heavier (43 oz) carry guns. Could I have found a different belt/holster/suspender solution to alleviate the pain, or a better way to deal with it (I believe my daily workouts are a contributor as well), yes. But I chose the easier path of just picking a lighter option, which is just fine, but again is a choice I made, not something I HAD to do.

 

[Styx]

View attachment 894121 View attachment 894123 View attachment 894124
Glock 17. Sorry I had to get in on this.

Thanks for the pictures. I will post mine when I'll get off of work, so you can see the grip poking out from the rear cant or no cant do you can understand the differences body types can make. Also, the shirt you're wearing would be to big on me.

 

[Hartkopf]

Thanks for the pictures. I will post mine when I'll get off of work, so you can see the grip poking out from the rear cant or no cant do you can understand the differences body types can make. Also, the shirt you're wearing would be to big on me.

I’m definitely lucky when it comes to concealment. I’ve got freaky wide shoulders and a narrow waist. Had to cant the gun a good bit but draws are quick and natural so it’s not a problem.

 

[AK103K]

Sorry, some pics kind of suck, but youll get the idea....








Somebody asked me about "tucking", which I normally dont do, but it too works. I havent really tried it enough to be 100% with it yet, but its still very doable. If you look close, you can see the holster "clip".

 

[JR24]

Thanks for the pictures. I will post mine when I'll get off of work, so you can see the grip poking out from the rear cant or no cant do you can understand the differences body types can make. Also, the shirt you're wearing would be to big on me.

If your torso is so slim the grip pokes out at 3 o'clock, have you considered moving the holster in front of the hip, even if only a little to flatten out across your stomach. Or even true AIWB, seems to work for slim guys and gals best.

I've got a couple pictures here about 15 pounds ago. Don't have a side view but the only bulge you'd see there is my love handle. Sig 226, roughly the same size as a Glock 17.

 

[Styx]

I’m definitely lucky when it comes to concealment. I’ve got freaky wide shoulders and a narrow waist. Had to cant the gun a good bit but draws are quick and natural so it’s not a problem.

I have narrow shoulders. That might be the difference come to think about it.

 

[94045]

I have narrow shoulders. That might be the difference come to think about it.

It would reduce the "drape". Also if you wear fitted rather than straight shirts. Someone with narrow shoulders that wears a fitted shirt with good shoulder fit will have a very tight lower torso fit.

 

[bdickens]

I think a lot of people don't understand what "printing" really is. Printing is the clear & distinct outline of a gun, or part of a gun, discernable through the clothing. Not a wrinkle in your shirt that looks like maybe, possibly there might be something there but I can't really be sure.

https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/concealed-carry-tips-printing/amp/

 

[Kleanbore]

just wondered how many others find a full size pistol a better CCW choice.

Personally, I do not. The operative word is personally. That means better for me.

It may be a little harder to conceal, but to me it’s more important to have a solid, smooth draw stroke. The last thing I want to do is fumble the draw!!

The holster may be the major factor in drawing.

I gave up on IWB la long time ago, primarily for comforts. I can draw faster and more smoothly from OWB also.

Whether one can conceal a full-size pistol effectively depends on matters personal.

I think most people would do better with the larger pistol in competition, and would probably enjoy it more in a two-day defensive pistol class.

I just don't much like carrying one all day.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Not to mention that it's gorgeous.

There are too many ugly guns in the world to risk that one going to the evidence locker.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

You do realize that others have different attire, are different hights, have different builds, and perform different daily task than you? I'm sure they "can" carry a full sized gun, but they probably can't conceal it or carry it comfortably based on the aforementioned reasons.

I've said this to you before but I think it's a matter of priorities. My life experience has shown me that there really is a non-zero chance that I may actually have to defend myself with a handgun. As a result I'm willing to make accommodation to conceal a duty sized gun and reloads.

I've been dressing around my gun long enough that I suspect people would notice a change if I didn't. Generally speaking I only have to go up a size in my shirts to conceal my Glock 19 and I tend to do that for comfort anyway.

 

[Mark1964]

I have to "ungun" fairly often as I work in a no-guns office and also go into government buildings that are statutorily no-gun.
Pocket carry works the best for me, so the nod goes to compact.