How many conceal carry full size auto pistols?

[AK103K]

I carried a 1911, usually a Commander, longer than anything else so far, and it was always C&L in an IWB holster, at least at the start of the day. A lot of times it was "unlocked" at the end of a overly active day. And just like a Glock in a holster (or even without), not a problem at all.

These days, it is a full size Glock (or two. I often carry a 26 as well) and just as easily done.

More of this isnt really about "size", as it is about confidence, additude, and dress ("gear" falls under "dress" too).

The more you carry, the better you get. Your confidence increases as you become more comfortable with it, and probably more than anything else, that makes the biggest difference.

How you carry yourself is a lot more noticeable than a small buldge under your shirt or jacket. If you look and act selfconscious, or a bit guiltly, like you just swallowed the canary, people will cue in on that pretty quick and pay more attention, and thats not what you want.

Go about your life like that gun wasnt there, and with some reasonable/appropriate dress, you can easily go pretty much anywhere without a problem at all. Ive carried fat through skinny througout my life, and more often than not, in NPE type environments, and never once had a problem in doing so. Walk around like you own the place and belong there, no matter where it is, and most wont even give you a first look, let alone a second.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

You single action guys, Colt, Browning, etc. carry cocked and locked or cock it when you're ready? Those miniature Sigs that are so popular seem especially impractical if not actually dangerous. All that fumbling sure is glamorous...(sorry

Cocked and locked.

Fumbling? On a P938 or 238? No. Have you ever shot one?

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Delete

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

Carried a 1911 Government model before IWB. Closest I came to full size since then is a M&P 2.0 compact, though I do carry N frames and SA revolvers frequently.

 

[Deanimator]

At various times, I've carried a 5" Norinco M1911, a Browning Hi Power and a Glock 22, all in tuckable IWBs (I NEVER wear untucked shirts or carry specific cover garments.). This was alright as long as I didn't have to disarm. When I did, I pocket carried a 2" Smith 36.

Now, working the graveyard shift when NOBODY'S around, I mostly carry the Smith.

 

[Logwood]

I carry a Combat Commander in .45 acp or a Glock 23 in .40 S&W. I have a Browning Hi Power 9mm that I'm getting ready to have a bit of custom work on. When that work is finished I may occasionally carry it. I've carried those guns concealed for a lot of years with no issues. I'm concerned with carrying a weapon I can shoot well and in a caliber I know will get the job done. For me, size (within reason) is a secondary concern.

 

[jonb32248]

Only time I activate my safety on my XDE is reholstering. After it's in either of my retention holster's I take the safety off so it's ready to go.When removing it for non-defensive reasons like putting in safe or unloading the safety is back on. The double action trigger isn't noticed when drawing and shooting, tunnel vision kicks in and concentration takes over.Have been training lately and switch between xde and xd sc and don't notice a difference.

 

[herrwalther]

My only 1911 right now is a safe queen, so it doesn't get carried. Soon I will be adding another 1911 to my carry firearms. Probably a commander length with rail.

 

[JDR]

I could go back to a Sig P228 like I originally carried years ago and I’d be perfectly happy now. I don't have that original pistol but I have a great replacement & I have the original holsters.

 

[flashhole]

Now I'm debating an IWB holster style. I have a "tuckable" Barsony IWB I for a S&W 38 snubby. It is not the slightest bit bothersome and extremely comfortable so an equivalent Barsony is on the short list. The Barsony for the Beretta 96A1 looks like it carries pretty deep inside the waistband if you know what I mean. A lot of barrel and trigger assembly are inside the pants.

That style is compared to holsters that ride high on the belt with considerably less gun inside the pants. There are both Kydex and leather models available.

Any thoughts?

 

[Graywolf686]

Over the years I’ve carried 4 different full size 1911’s iwb and owb . You do enough you get used to it.

 

[barnetmill]

G19 inside appendix inside the waist band

 

[JR24]

Oddly enough since I posted in June on this thread I've had a change that somewhat defies logic.

Despite carrying heavy guns (1911, Sig 220, 229, 226) and having no issues for years, all of the sudden this summer anything over 35 oz has started to really bother me.

Can't explain why, thought it was the heat but now that it's fall I tried to go back to my old favorites and they just aren't working for me.

It's not like I'm getting old, only in my mid/late thirties and I've actually been working hard this summer on building muscle and losing weight, so it's not that either (or maybe it IS that... somehow).

So now it's a Glock 19, or a similarly weighted aluminum framed CCO 1911

 

[douglas_knott]

Full size mp9 is what I carry. I used to carry one of my full size Dan Wesson 1911's.

 

[5-SHOTS]

I found out my Taurus PT-140 was on recall when I tried to trade it in for an upgrade. I sent it back to Taurus for processing. Their policy is to exchange the gun with a G2C in 9mm. In my opinion that's a step down from the PT-140 Special Edition I sent them. I requested they send me a 40 S&W version of the G2C in lieu of the 9mm because I am set up to reload for the 40 S&W and I cast my own bullets too. I am not hopeful they will send me a 40 cal gun and the LGS said they would only give $100 on trade.

I want to go to a SA/DA gun and haven't found a lot of options. My two front-runners are both Baretta's, the PX4 Storm and the 96A1. My PT-140 had been my concealed carry gun since 1999 and was a great size pistol. The PX4 Storm is much closer in size to the PT-140 I had. I'm waffling between the two Berettas. I have a S&W model 637 I also carry so I'm not without a carry gun.

What say you folks who carry a full size pistol like a CZ or Baretta?

The Beretta Px4 Storm is one soft shooting pistol. Probably the version with the stainless steel slide would be perfect. I would add the "gost" G decocker-only safety levers.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I've actually been working hard this summer on building muscle and losing weight, so it's not that either (or maybe it IS that... somehow).

I used to carry an SP101. Then I lost about 50 lbs through diet and exercise. After that an IWB revolver felt really uncomfortable due to the cylinder edge digging into muscle and bone rather than flab. Now if I'm carrying IWB at all I can't stand anything over an inch wide really. The weight doesn't really bother me, but full sized guns IWB? No thanks. OWB only.

As your body changes, extra weight can feel wrong, especially if off balance.

 

[Dan-O]

Bet the girls are all over you with that in appendix carry

Thats why I can’t appendix carry. Not enough room for the pistol and holster to compete with me.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

I looked back and saw my post from June. Although I still like and carry my 1911, I am gravitating to this:

 

[rick melear]

I carry a CZ P07 about 30% of the time, I consider a 15+1 full size.

 

[flashhole]

Any Iver Johnson fans? I'm looking at their line of 1911s. They get good reviews and appear to be really good value.

I'm not warming up to any of the polymer pistols. My Beretta is all metal except for the grips. I went with the LOK Thin Grips. Really nice fit and feel on the Beretta.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

Well, IJ’s are Filipino-made, so I would expect them to be pretty decent, based on the Rock Island offerings etc. yeah, I’d totally give one a whirl.

 

[flashhole]

If I went with the IJ long slide (Eagle XL) in 10mm I could use my current 40 S&W loading setup and only need to get some brass.

I'm on the fence about the 10mm. I followed the lead of a YouTuber who loads 40 S&W on the heels of the 10mm using Long Shot powder. Very manageable in my Beretta and definitely a step up from the loads I was using.

I don't own a 45 ACP, maybe that is a better choice. I'd have to buy dies and shell holders but the brass may be cheaper and more available.

 

[JR24]

I used to carry an SP101. Then I lost about 50 lbs through diet and exercise. After that an IWB revolver felt really uncomfortable due to the cylinder edge digging into muscle and bone rather than flab. Now if I'm carrying IWB at all I can't stand anything over an inch wide really. The weight doesn't really bother me, but full sized guns IWB? No thanks. OWB only.

As your body changes, extra weight can feel wrong, especially if off balance.

It's not as much that, though I do notice a balance difference. It's simply noticing that weight more, specifically in my lower back.

I've been wondering if it's just because I've grown accustomed to the lighter guns and I just need to gut it out for a bit, planning on just carrying the 226 for the next week or so and see if I can just power through for a while

 

[taliv]

Several years ago I switched from a Wilson combat supergrade to a m&p core with trijicon Rmr

No problems. I print really bad when wearing T-shirt’s but don’t care

 

[SwampWolf]

If the weather and the social circumstance permits, I carry a SIG Model 227 comfortably and well-concealed in a Galco "King Tuk", iwb holster. This pistol will never be as comfortable nor as easily hidden as, say the fine Ruger LCP, but if you really need to defend yourself with a pistol, whenever practical, there's no debating you'll be best armed with a "full-size auto".