Why not a full size concealed?

[Soap]

On another thread, there were opinions that a P32 could be carried in all manner of places. For me, I'm a full size freak. If I handle a mousegun it feels like it would make a good 3rd carry gun...but not a primary.

So I'm curious as to which situations prohibit the carrying of a full size handgun. I'm not talking about full size vs. compact vs. mouse, but rather I'm looking for a description of an instance where you had to carry a mousegun even though you generally feel more comfortable being armed with a full size.

 

[Deuce]

In the summer in 80+ degree heat a Glock 21 IWB isn't exactly concealed for a lot of people.

 

[Blackhawk]

It's not the size of the gun that makes me comfortable, it's the reliability AND the ability to draw it without drawing attention to what I'm doing.

I think that I look like I'm going for a gun when I reach for a full size, but that the smaller ones just seem to magically appear.

In the meetings I go to as well as at the office, a full size doesn't disappear in the typical type clothing styles everybody wears (stylish conservative). It would sort of be shouting to everybody that it's there. Smaller guns can disappear in the clothing.

I'm also not comfortable leaving a gun in my case because it's weird to take the case to the restroom or otherwise have it constantly at hand. IOW, I'm uncomfortable leaving a gun not in my immediate possession.

Finally, I don't want my own awareness of the gun to distract me from concentrating on why I'm there. I want it to be as comfortable and unobtrusive to ME as my wallet or keys, and that's just not easy for me to do with a 15 foot long Howitzer at my 4:00 (at least that's what it feels like).

 

[Soap]

Deuce- I carry my full size 1911 in the hot weather all the time with no problem. I just had to make slight adjustments to my wardrobe to do it. But I can see that with different body types, concealing a full size might not be an option.

Blackhawk- I figured the work situation would come up. I can completely understand where you are coming from with that.

 

[casual]

When being "made" while carrying means a felony charge (Illinois), that is a powerful incentive to make sure your carry pistol is completely concealable - the kel tec p32 in a pocket holster is the surest way to conceal

if I were in a state (Indiana, for instance), with reasonable gun laws, it would be a different story

I cannot depend upon the goodwill of my friendly neighborhood LEO (P.O. or prosecutor) to avoid a felony

 

[AK103K]

I carry a full size pistol everyday all year round. I've never really had any trouble hiding it. I'm not bound by a dress code at work, so I may have it easier than most. I really dont like carrying anything smaller than a 45, and usually dont, unless its a backup. I actually feel more self conscious with my Baby Browning in my front pocket, than I do with a 1911 under a light shirt. As far as the office atmosphere, I've carried a 1911 and a double reload in its belt carrier under a tucked in dress shirt with a Kramer Confidant Shirt holster. Its a little slower to get to, but it works well. You could even get away with two pistols, but that might be getting a little heavy. Two smaller pistols would be no problem though. I think concealed carry is more about clothing choice and attitude than it is about what gun you carry.

 

[dinosaur]

I prefer a full size in the winter. I have no dress code so I just please me. When I go to the doctor`s I usually just put my MK9 in my vest pocket.

In hot weather I prefer the MK9 or my Colt DS.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

Anytime I'm wearing sweat pants or jogging shorts. I usually carry in a fanny pack during these instances. Now fanny packs form smaller guns approach believeable size for real life fanny packs and don't attract attention. Would I rather take a full-size? Sure, but I don't want to make it obvious by wearing a fanny pack the size of a backpack. I try to buy shorts with belt loops, but it doesn't always workout that way. So, in hot weather, I can more easily conceal some like a P32 or Guardian rather than my Glock 22.

 

[David S]

these undershirts with holsters interest me.......is it best to buy a tighter one so it doesnt sag? also how well do they breath? im just thinking summer time here.............i live in the south, and it gets over 100 some times..

 

[JohnKSa]

On another thread, there were opinions that a P32 could be carried in all manner of places. For me, I'm a full size freak. If I handle a mousegun it feels like it would make a good 3rd carry gun...but not a primary.

I think that everyone would like to carry a full size gun.

I don't know how you guys who carry full size pistols while only wearing a shirt and pants get away with it.

Either you don't care that people can tell you're carrying, or you're built with some odd hollow spots that the gun tucks into. Or maybe you mean something different by "minor adjustment to my wardrobe" than I do...

There's one guy (here? on TFL?) who claims he can carry a Glock 20 in the waistband of his shorts and then cover it with a T-shirt. I can do that too, if I want someone to think I have a large growth or when I'm trying to convince people that I always carry a brick around in my waistband for fun.

I have to be carefull with my PPK to make sure it doesn't print under a shirt, and the only way I can get away with a full size (by full size I mean a Glock 17, not a Glock 20) is when I'm wearing a coat.

I've got about as much chance of concealing a full size pistol dressed normally as I do of going unnoticed in an airport while waving an AK-47 and screaming about the fire of Allah.

 

[Soap]

John,

Well I'll give you a detailed example of a typical summer CCW setup for me:

-Doc Martens
-Jeans or khakis that are 2" over my normal size
-Quality, soft, white undershirt like one from Express or Banana Republic, tucked in
-Express or BR button-up, short sleeve, solid color, untucked, completely buttoned except the bottom button
-1.5" Mitch Rosen contoured gun belt
-Milt Sparks Summer Special II worn at 4 o' clock
-Don Hume Double mag pouch at about 8 o clock
-Full size 1911
-2 Wilson 47D spares

I wear this setup with no problem in humid 90 degree weather. I would much rather be wearing a suit however...

As for my body shape, I'm about 5'5" and about 170. I have a sturdy build with a fairly large chest and arms...and no beer gut. I've never had a person spot my carry piece unless I wanted them to. The whole setup has a high CDI factor to it

 

[Blueduck]

AND the ability to draw it without drawing attention to what I'm doing. I think that I look like I'm going for a gun when I reach for a full size, but that the smaller ones just seem to magically appear.

You know Blackhawk in all my years of this stuff that thought never occured to me. I know exactly what you mean and can think of a number of situations it would be applicable in. Excellent point.

 

[JohnKSa]

Daniel,

That's basically the setup I use (when I can get away with an untucked shirt) with my PPK except I keep an extra mag in my pocket with no mag pouch on the belt.

When I can't get away with an untucked shirt I have to go with a belly band worn below the belt. Much less comfortable, and much harder to get to, but also virtually no chance of being detected.

It's got to be a body style thing...

 

[AK103K]

David S,
I got mine one size smaller as they recommend. It fits "snug" but its not uncomfortable. Its made of a synthetic mesh and seems to breathe pretty well. I wear a regular undershirt under mine. With it being tighter, it doesnt move around with weight in the holsters. I could see if it was loose, it could be annoying. I dont now that I'd want it for everyday use, but for those times you need it, its great.

John,
I generally carry a Combat Commander at 4 o'clock in a Blade Tech IWB and a double reload in a standard Blade Tech belt carrier. I get my jeans about an inch larger. The pistol is drawn in tight and "hides" in that hollow just behind your hip. In the summer I wear an undershirt with an unbuttoned long sleeve oxford type shirt . I've never had any trouble carrying this way. The rest of the year I usually lose the shirt and just wear a sweatshirt of fleece over everything. I think we are more aware of the fact we wear a gun then anyone else. Most people these days are oblivious. If anyone was to spot it, it would probably be someone like us who are always looking, at least I do. Its sort of a game for me. You can get away with a lot if your attitude is right. If you look like your self conscious then you will draw attention to yourself. If you go about your business, even if things aren't quite perfect (mostly in your mind) nobody will pay you any mind. If you choose your clothes right and carry "yourself" right, carrying your pistol will be easy, well , easier anyways.

 

[rick458]

The biggest thing about concealing a fullsize is that your shirt has to hang loosely enough that you are not tight over the pistol,
it has to hang from your shoulders and chest OVER your pistol, and down past your waist. I find a XXL or XXXL works for me
a 1911 is easier to conceal than a double stack pistol due to the thinness of the grips and the less blocky shape of the frame, but if your shoulders are wide enough and you are wearing the proper shirt you can wear a pretty big piece discretely. a GOOD IWB Sparks, or Alessi, will pull the pistol firmly into your side and away from the shirt.

 

[Soap]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

John- You're probably right, it must be a body shape issue. Also, if I have a shirt tucked in I'm normally wearing a suit.