ahh, thats why i went to a "mouse" gun!!

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Perhaps I sould explain my remarks-
I think it's great that people carry guns-from mini revolvers to .44 magnums.
I do feel the pervasive mindset of the "big gun" is over rated.
Carrying any gun is a compromise. Some don't feel that wearing a bulletproof vest, a full size pistol, spare ammunition, a flashlight, pepper spray, etc. on a heavy belt is uncomfortable. Some of us feel that all that is not necessary. It's a personal choice.
The fact that most civilian carry trainers are ex military or LE probably adds weight to the "big gun" mindset. Certainly, if you can shoot the "big gun," you are better armed than someone with a small gun. It is my opinion that all the gear and the rig is not necessary for most people in most circumstances.
I have carried guns from .45 to .22 short for 37 years. There is an evolution of thought when carrying, and mine was to keep a big gun (or two) close by, and carry a little gun always on my person. This works for me.
The " big gun" mindset that small calibers are ineffective for civilian carry is simply wrong, though. Again-it's a personal choice.
 
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Well, I can sympathize with both sides of this coin. Before my collection was reduced to bare bones, I was very fond of my KT P-32. Super reliable, plenty accurate, and with the Buffalo Bore LFNs, a spicy lil' number. It was a constant companion. Another constant companion was my NAA Mini in 22 LR. On occasion, I carried only those two, but primarily they were BUGs.
My primarys were a Taurus 41 Mag Tracker and a 4 inch Smith 629. The Smith sits in a Milt Sparks Summer Special. The Taurus rode in the same one, not overly snug mind you, but well enough. I never got around to a really good belt but the Hunter dress/gunbelts give pretty good service. As others have said, with a good rig the weight and size of a larger piece are somewhat equalized. Plus, the bigger guns just make me feel so much better.
Now I live in a super low crime area, but if I'm gonna be packin I'd like to have a "real" gun. Since the only gun out of those mentioned I have left is the 629. It has been a constant since the others have left and to be truthful I don't find it a burden. I don't really miss the mouse guns, sometimes it takes more thinking to carry, but the 629 doesn't bother me.
Having said that I have no qualms with those who go the mouse gun route. You have to go with what suits your needs. At my previous place of employment, I packed the mouse gun due to the uniform policy and the duties precluding anything else. Not the most comforting, but better than screaming for help. So in my opinion, different strokes for different folks.
 
I think sometimes i do alot of things out of novelty,if that makes any sense.
I have a subcompact .45 and a full sized 1911 and the later is carried 75% of the time.Despite it being bigger and heavier and the bulk its alot more to deal with over the compact.But yet i prefer to carry it.
Ive only been CCWing for a couple months so much could change even soon.

Since im able to and even willing to carry large guns im glad i do.But im surely glad i have a mouser or 2 cause carrying 2 full sized guns would most likley make me only carry 1.

I do think ill be checking out a KT .32 as my local shop always has these new and used at $200-$220 but ammo isnt the easiest to find, .25 is on about every shelf i see at Walmart.But i honestly dont trust that round,id rather have a .22lr so i could plink also.
 
Goes to show that people want it all.

They want to be able to protect themselves and have enough/powerful ammunition and firearm to do just that. BUT, they want it to be a joy to carry with ease. I'm comfortable with the idea that my firearm is a tool, not a comfort.
 
The take-away here?

Some prefer pocket carry.

Some prefer a full size carry weapon.

Both are available.

It's a beautiful thing. :)
 
I have been carrying a full sized 1911 at 3:00 o'clock position IWB for over twenty years. A good gun belt makes it not only possible but the weight is distributed so well after a minute I am unaware that it is there unless I move and the laws of motion kick in with "An object at rest tends to stay at rest" and "an object in motion tends to stay in motion" then I feel it again for a bit.
 
i dont see how you full sized gun guys do it!? i cant imagine lugging a 4" revolver, or 1911, around in my pants.
Click to expand...

How we do it...

Well, a fully loaded SIG 229 isn't exactly light either so I "do it" with a 1.5" Dual-Layer Bullhide Belt from "The Beltman", and a heavy duty black Galco concealment holster with the whole thing "counterbalanced" on the opposite side by a single spare mag carrier and an iPhone in a holster.

( I suppose being a fairly big guy helps as well).

Though lately it seems like I've been carrying my Bersa T-380CC in IWB a lot more.
 
Just picked up a LCP. Its comfortable in an office environment. Bottom line, If size wasn't an issue, I'd have my full sized Glock instead...
 
I carry both. If I'm taking a full size I use my good belt and holster combo. Belt distributes the weight and a good holster keeps the weapon tight and in the same place. If it's the much smaller much lighter .38 I can wear a less sturdy belt.

Today, because of my work outfit, I am only taking my .38 with me. I've got it IWB with a cheap belt and it will work just fine all day.
 
I carry my steel .45 Commander in a shoulder holster, but often stash a Kahr PM9 in my coat pocket and have an ankle holster for it also. Light and fluffy. I never had any interest in the .380 (9x17), or .32, or .25. I drop down to the cheap .22 either in pistols like a scoped Ruger MkIII hunter for varmit elimination (a real mouse gun) or Ruger Bearcat or Walther P22 for fun and plinking. Oh yes, I also have .22 conversion units that fit on my 1911s.
 
I actually pack a P6 on my waist at all times while I'm in my apartment. I use an old Uncle Mike's IWB hostler that I put in the small of my back and it's perfectly comfortable, easy to draw and inconspicuous. I can see a full size XD and that holster being uncomfortable after packing a mouse gun.
 
If you had my experience of meeting up with five ferral dogs in a wilderness area who were starving and thought I looked like dog food you would quickly change your mind about a mouse gun. My super light weight SW 329 weighs 26 ounces and that is not too heavy for a CCW gun. The Glocks and many other guns are good reasons not to carry a gun that will not stop a fight until you are seriously injured or killed. The SW 340 only weighs about 11 oz and i bet that is less than your mouse gun. I do understand that they cost a lot , thought the slighter heavier SW 642 at 15 oz costs about $459. I am sure if you wanted to cut down on beer or something else you could make up the difference between your mouse gun and a real gun. Denial is a strong defense mechanism but it can cost you dearly.
 
I'm sure if most of us were going out in the wilderness, and knew there were dangers there, we would carry a bigger gun. But for every day carry, a small gun suits me just fine. As I said, I keep a couple of bigger guns nearby.
 
Mouse guns make great "always" guns. I carried a P32 (one of the first 150 made) for years, and replaced it with an LCP (pre-recall) when they became available. The LCP is truly the "always" gun, carried front pocket in the same leather Alessi holster in which I carried the P32. Dress and circumstance permitting, I'll often carry a larger gun instead of (or in addition to) the LCP. Unlike the OP, I don't find it difficult to carry a compact or even full-sized handgun in the right rig; but I agree with the OP that a mouse gun is a "must." No reason not to carry it everywhere legal.
 
Alley Oop

A knife and fire starter are minimum equipment for the average caveman everything else is gravy. I don't smoke but I carry a lighter just in case. I need my knife every day if only to cut open a package of Ding Dongs. I have had bigger tougher jobs to do that required a larger blade but I have never been tempted to hang a machete on my belt for daily carry.
A mouse gun is a comforter for many and a companion. Maybe we could coin a new name that would convey it's rightful purpose instead of the disparaging moniker used above. I propose " Comforter" to stand beside the "Peacemaker" in righteous dignity.
 
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