Do you carry a Subcomcact, Compact, or Full size Gun

[Ed Ames]

Having handled and shot a large number of handguns, I think obsessing over tiny differences like trigger reach, pull, safety actuation, etc....
Well...

If you can't adjust to a different trigger, you won't be able to adjust to differences in lighting, number/types of threat, etc. and need to adjust your training so that trivia like type of safety cease to be an issue for you.

 

[george burns]

I agree with Ed, time was a man had 1 or 2 guns that he had his entire life. It seems like the more choices you give folks the more room there is for confusion. Like the Green Baret's used to say, you should be able to pick up any weapon you come across and adapt to it almost immediately. they are fairly simple instruments to use, and all these choices seem to have gotten many folks just more confused about what they expect from a gun.

 

[Gun Master]

Full Size, Compact, or Sub(Standard?)Compact Carry ?

We are all of different ages, physical and mental abilities, socio-economic, in harms way, etc......et al, ad infinitum situations.

That said, the following are "a few" (definitely not all inclusive) observations :
1. We know what we would carry, if we knew there would be trouble.
2. Most of us are limited in what we can carry (money, age, legal, and physical abilities, etc....).
3. There is not (and I'm sorry to disappoint some of you) the perfect weapon.
4. We have our usual carrys (sometimes we don't carry them).
5. Our wish is to be protective of ourselves and our families.
6. Most would "hate" to have to kill someone, but think the alternative "is the better of two evils", if forced to do so.
7. To carry what we can is better than not to carry.

I usually carry a compact or sub-compact for all of the above reasons. ><>

 

[Thermactor]

Full-size. As in, P226 full-size big.

 

[Thermactor]

I bet it would get the Bears attention, you just might not like the attention that the bear gives.......

File down the front sight first, it'll hurt less!!

 

[golden]

For off duty carry, I go with a sub-compact, the GLOCK 42. I can usually carry this pistol without it printing and I have found it totally reliable and easy to shoot. It replaced my WALTHER PPK .32ACP as my carry gun.
I have sometimes carried a BERETTA Tomcat .32ACP when I found the PPK to big. I had the same problem with the 5 shot .38 special revolvers. Depending on how I dressed, the gun sometimes printed through my clothes.

If I can dress for something bigger, I will carry a BERETTA 92D Compact as I use double action only pistols at work, so that is what I am used to.

Jim

 

[Frank44]

My preferred carry is a 4in, K frame in 357mag. I've downsized from an N frame but still carry one occasionally. When I carry a semi-auto, it's usually a Sig 2022 in 9mm. I like a substantial gun that fills my hand so I prefer a full size or at least something close. Smaller guns are fine if you can shoot them well, there just not for me.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Deleted

 

[Nom de Forum]

All this talk about a "carry gun rotation" is the hooey, in my book. Especially if the reach to the trigger, trigger pull, safety actuation, etc, are not nearly identical between the guns. You are just inviting Murphy to your fight. Indeed, you are bending over backwards to help him.

I agree that a “carry gun rotation” can be problematic. A few months ago I went to the range with my new Glock 42. After 200 rounds I transitioned to the PF-9 that was my most carried pocket pistol. When attempting fast strings of fire I occasionally short stroked the trigger causing it to not reset.

Ed Ames - Having handled and shot a large number of handguns, I think obsessing over tiny differences like trigger reach, pull, safety actuation, etc....
Well...

If you can't adjust to a different trigger, you won't be able to adjust to differences in lighting, number/types of threat, etc. and need to adjust your training so that trivia like type of safety cease to be an issue for you.

Tiny differences may or may not cause a problem when under the stress of an SD shooting but the fact that they can should make everyone think long and hard about the guns in their “carry gun rotation”.

The issue is not that you can’t adjust to a different trigger or need to adjust your training, the issue is how quickly will you adjust and will you instinctively when under the stress of a SD shooting default to the correct trigger pull for the pistol you are currently carrying. Under the stress of IPSC competition I never had a problem transitioning from the SA trigger of a 1911 to the DA of a revolver but I was expecting to do so. Another thing to consider is if you have two pistols that are very similar in size and manual of arms like the G42 and PF-9 I mentioned above the “tiny” difference in trigger return even under range conditions can trip-up an experience shooter. I assure you I am a very experience shooter and it certainly tripped me up under stress far from what is experience in a SD shooting.

george burns - I agree with Ed, time was a man had 1 or 2 guns that he had his entire life. It seems like the more choices you give folks the more room there is for confusion. Like the Green Baret's used to say, you should be able to pick up any weapon you come across and adapt to it almost immediately. they are fairly simple instruments to use, and all these choices seem to have gotten many folks just more confused about what they expect from a gun.

Having spent a few years around Green Berets I can assure you they do not always “pick up any weapon you come across and adapt to it almost immediately”. I have seen a few trying to fire 7.62x51 in a 7.62x63 B.A.R. Even though the most trained soldiers prefer to have time to re-familiarize with weapon before trusting their lives to it. During my time at Ft. Bragg the 18B students were trained to be familiar with scores of weapons in calibers ranging from as small as 7.62 Tokarev to 106mm Recoilless Rifle. The big differences between weapons was not much of a problem it was the little ones between similar weapons that was the problem. These differences, especially trigger pull, have long been recognized as problematic. Many times the change from first shot DA to following shots in SA when using a DA semi-auto has been complained about as a hinderance by well known firearms authorities, most notably Colonel John “Jeff” Cooper.

I have decided that despite my decades of experience and familiarity firing hundreds of different firearms, at this point in my life it is wise for me to try keep things as simple as possible with carry guns by using pistols that are as alike as possible when of the same basic type. I carry Glocks in .380, 9mm, .40 and 10mm usually. Occasionally I will carry a J-frame in my coat pocket but that pistol is so very different in feel and appearance from the Glocks my muscle memory and immediate visual recognition of it results in never causing me to have problems transitioning. Very rarely I will carry a P-32 and the trigger reset does cause me some concern so I now re-familiarize with it before putting it in my pocket. YMMV.

 

[dimmee]

:banghead::banghead:This is my first post on THR. I have read forums on here for years and have learned a lot. Like Trunk Monkey, My mother had me tested and I'm "Not crazy." While I was there she had me vaccinated against Lying, which will greatly limit me in posting comments. As far as what size hand gun I carry, I would have to ask which pocket are you referring to? I always carry a NAA 22 Mag in my front pocket. I usually also carry a 940 S&W somewhere on my person and possibly a warthog inside the waist band. I don't want to be outgunned which would have the same effect as being unarmed. I ride motorcycles often which gives me the option of a bulky riding coat which houses a PMR 30 with a couple of extra magazines and a tank bag which usually holds a P7M8. I will add that the P7M8 is the only handgun I can fire as well left handed as I can right, making it the perfect MC firearm. Sounds a little extreme I know but I have been scared for my life a couple of times. If you want to see what your minimum battery should be, ride through the desert in Utah and stop at the only gas station in 150 miles. I guess they are Paiute Indians and they are not very fond of a paleface riding a BMW through the desert of (nothing green) we gave them to live in. About 30 were gathered at the store and having a Beretta 92 with one extra mag had me counting bullets. I was fortunately able to drink a 16 oz. Pepsi in .6 seconds and leave. (ouch a Pepsi cramp). But if you want to know exactly what will give you a chance to defend yourself, ride a motorcycle through downtown Cairo, IL. just before dark. I ran reds lights, did wheelies, was speeding. Doing all I could to get pulled over . I was not sure I would get out without the assistance of some serious law enforcement. You never know when a threat will present itself so be on the safe side. If you are like me, you kinda enjoy carrying a gun anyway.

 

[armoredman]

Full size, CZ SP-01 Phantom in High Noon Holsters Down Under IWB rig.



http://cz-usa.com/

http://highnoonholsters.com/

Once in a while this setup, CZ P-01 in a High Noon Double Jeopardy rig.



Winter time, CZ P-09 in a High Noon Bison Hide Slide Guard. Damn, that's sexy.

 

[Nickb45]

Commander length 1911

 

[Zach S]

5" Kimber in a Milt Sparks Summer Special II.

When I added the dawson light rail to my STI Spartan, I bought a CompTac Infidel, that I didn't like. After voiding the warranty with a dremel, file, and heat gun, I still dont care much for it. But it works.

My first carry gun was a Kimber Compact. I eventually realized a 5" gun was as easy to carry.

 

[ginzo]

Ditto!
Between an M&P F.S. .40 and a .40c

I voted for more than one because it depends on the situation.

 

[Cokeman]

Sub-compact or micro

 

[Deus Machina]

I'd consider both mine compact.
When I can wear the holster, it's a CZ PCR. When I can't, it's a Taurus M85, which skirts between the two, but mine has a slightly longer barrel than the usual and I replaced the grips, so I'm bumping it out of the sub-compact category.

 

[Big Shrek]

EDC is a compact...for both me & the Wifey.

Occasional Diaper Bag Carry consists of twin Calico 9mm pistols for going into areas
that are of questionable tactical nature...like Malls and Sporting Events.
Would rather have the 100-rd mags with us in places where terrorists and gangs
have been known to commit large-scale attacks.
Upside, NOBODY expects parents of twins to be hauling major weaponry in a diaper bag

 

[Ignition Override]

When the TN carry permit (my first) arrives, it will probably be a Sig 232, or otherwise the Kahr K9. Have not yet found a 232 or K9 available to try out.

Are both of these (handgun) types designated as compacts?

 

[JWM]

Glock 17

Glock 17 in any leather OWB, pancake type holster. Works with any cover garment. One size larger polo shirt with shirt untucked also works. Fears of "printing" are largely overrated.

 

[davidhan]

Most of the time its either a 637S&W 38spcl or a PPK/S.
Once in a while I'll carry my Sig 1911 RCS. All are carried IWB in leather holsters.

 

[Grunt96]

Beretta 96a1. Full size

 

[USAF_Vet]

I mostly carry a subcompact 9mm Taurus 709 slim.
Occasionally, I'll carry my 'compact' (midsized by 80's trends) S&W 469 9mm.
When I get my 1911, hopefully later this year or early next, it'll be a full size .45 ACP and I'll carry that, too.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I would also have to answer "yes" to all. Sometimes I carry an LCR .38 Special (mostly when it's really hot out and I don't want to wear anything more than a T-shirt and shorts). My other main CCW guns are my Beretta Nano and my HK P30S. I'm pretty sure that I'll start carrying my VP9 a lot of the time once my new holster gets here. It's a great shooter.

I do acknowledge that it would probably be good to settle in on either a single gun or at least guns with an identical manual of operations.

 

[ritepath]

All three depending on my mood.

 

[wojownik]

p228 (less than full-sized). When I rotate my carry piece, I go to my other p228. Or my Swiss p228. Or, maybe even my P 229.

I like consistency.