RELIABILITY!
The single greatest reason to prefer a full sized handgun over a sub-compact sized handgun is that a full sized handgun is inherently more reliable than a sub-compact handgun.
It has been the experience of many shooters that full sized handguns are more tollerant of user error than sub-compact handguns. As an example, limp wristing is commonly cited as a source of malfunctions when shooting tiny, fly-weight firearms.
Larger examples of the same design empirically exhibit fewer malfunction in comparison to smaller examples of the same design. The 1911 is an excellent example of this. Several decades ago, there were precious few models of micro sized 1911 that were deem reliable, even though there was no lack or otherwise reputable manufacturers making them. Although I can not readily cite it, I remember a study showing a slight increase in reliability of the Government model 1911 over the Commander model.
A given self defense cartridge is more apt to function reliably from a longer barrel than a shorter barrel. In this case, velocity is generally the key to reliable performance. Up to a point, longer barrel length equates to greater velocity. There are plenty of people testing the performance of current self defence loads in ballistic gelatin. It is easy to find videos of various cartridges performing consistantly well from 4" and 5" barrels, but from 3" barrels, they become inconsistant performers.
A partial exception to this is the revolver. In general, a tiny J-frame snubby revolver is just as reliable as a full sized revolver, in terms of its mechanical function. Removing barrel length and grip length does not affect any moving part of the handgun. Shortening barrel length does affect velocity, and thus cartride performance. At a certain point, shortening the ejector rod can adversely affect the reliable ejection of spent cartridges.
The second reason to have a full sized handgun over a sub-compact is that shooting a full sized handgun is simply more fun.
The single greatest reason to prefer a full sized handgun over a sub-compact sized handgun is that a full sized handgun is inherently more reliable than a sub-compact handgun.
It has been the experience of many shooters that full sized handguns are more tollerant of user error than sub-compact handguns. As an example, limp wristing is commonly cited as a source of malfunctions when shooting tiny, fly-weight firearms.
Larger examples of the same design empirically exhibit fewer malfunction in comparison to smaller examples of the same design. The 1911 is an excellent example of this. Several decades ago, there were precious few models of micro sized 1911 that were deem reliable, even though there was no lack or otherwise reputable manufacturers making them. Although I can not readily cite it, I remember a study showing a slight increase in reliability of the Government model 1911 over the Commander model.
A given self defense cartridge is more apt to function reliably from a longer barrel than a shorter barrel. In this case, velocity is generally the key to reliable performance. Up to a point, longer barrel length equates to greater velocity. There are plenty of people testing the performance of current self defence loads in ballistic gelatin. It is easy to find videos of various cartridges performing consistantly well from 4" and 5" barrels, but from 3" barrels, they become inconsistant performers.
A partial exception to this is the revolver. In general, a tiny J-frame snubby revolver is just as reliable as a full sized revolver, in terms of its mechanical function. Removing barrel length and grip length does not affect any moving part of the handgun. Shortening barrel length does affect velocity, and thus cartride performance. At a certain point, shortening the ejector rod can adversely affect the reliable ejection of spent cartridges.
The second reason to have a full sized handgun over a sub-compact is that shooting a full sized handgun is simply more fun.
