Why carry compact?

Since you do not state your location, we are left to guess....do you live in Arizona, where concealing a full-size pistol is a challenge...or Alaska, where an outer garment is not necessarily out of place nearly year round?

Yes, I know that you can open carry in both AZ and AK...but I believe the question was aimed at concealed carry.

Also, your age and your build factor into it. Speaking only for myself, as a skinny geek, I have a bit more problem hiding a big double-stack lump on my hip. And as an old skinny geek with a back surgery...I have to work hard to carry a large and heavy gun on one side--messes with my back.

On a good day, I can carry a 4" S&W revolver or a Commander sized 1911. Unfortunately, I have not had a good day in about 2 1/2 months, and carrying anything heavier than my teeth is uncomfortable.

I am confident that will change soon, and I will be back to carrying one of the above.

In the mean time, the LCP and/or the PM9 are earning their keep.
 
I carry a 'compact'

It is an H&K USPc40. I've checked it over a chronograph. It looses a small amount compared to the full size USP 40 I have. Not enough in my not so humble opinion to matter.

I shoot the smaller pistol just a little better than the full size. The grip is narrower and fits my hand better. So I actually have better control over the compact version.

Finally, due to the restrictions on my carry authority, I can only carry ONE pistol. The compact fits my wardrobe under all climatic conditions than a full size. The USPc is the best all around concealed pistol I have currently found; based on the above factors.

Just for the record, I have on occasion carried a standard Government Model as a concealed pistol. I have also - mostly as an experiment - carried a 4 5/8 inch Model P replica in .45 Colt. Not to mention several versions of the S&W K frame revolver in both .38 Special and .357 Magnum. So I have experience with a number of difference pistols.

However, you are all big kids and will make up your own mind.
 
I was the complete opposite. Started carrying a full sized .45, went to a glock 19, then a kel-tec pf9, now down to an lcp for carry. As long as I can hit where I want 10 feet away, I want something small, light, and easy to carry. If I'm at home, I have a big shotgun ready to go, if I'm not at home, I'm trying to retreat, not save the world.
 
Carry the biggest gun you can, the rest is gravy!
I have and always will carry a full size pistol at all times.
Better sight radius, larger capacity.
It helps that I live in Vermont. There is no license to carry openly or concealed
If it don't fit as a concealed carry, just sling it on your hip and off you go!.
 
There are times when you cant carry a very big gun. When I was younger I would go to the gym a lot (think back when short shorts on guys was the thing) I would have carried a tiny gun then but back then there was not as many choices as there is today.
 
Smaller is easier for me. Lighter. I have a bad back and I swear I can feel the weight of every extra round I carry.:D That said, I still carry a nearly full G26.
 
jimbob86 said:
Easier to conceal a smaller gun.

30yd vs. 50 yd. group size is pretty irrelevant for self defense purposes: You'd have to do some pretty vigorous mental gymnastics to come up with a scenario where 50 yard accuracy would be important in a self defense situation. If such a case did arise, you might have some difficulty convincing a jury that you had no other option than to take careful aim and shoot a guy half a football field away because you felt you were in immediate danger of death or serious bodily harm .....

The odds of you needing a gun are generally pretty small*, and if you do, ANY gun will do in most cases, because generally, nobody wants to be shot with anything. In the small minority of cases where the gun is actually fired, the odds that it will occur at greater than conversational distances are pretty small as well.....


* provided you do everything else you can to avoid bad situations and people..... if you are going to sit in your car in a part of town known for trade in recreational pharmacueticals in the wee hours.... you are going to skew your odds just a bit....
Click to expand...

I agree with this.

Carry whatever suits you, but I doubt I'll be taking any 50-yard self-defense shots. Not saying it'll never happen, but I'm willing to bet the odds are pretty slim.
 
If such a case did arise, you might have some difficulty convincing a jury that you had no other option than to take careful aim and shoot a guy half a football field away
Click to expand...

+1 lol. But I agree for self defense purpose being able to shoot up to about 15 accurately with your carry gun is mandatory. In a real life scenario I'd argue it's not likely to end up in a shoot out that requires you to shoot out to fifty yards.
 
I carrier the LC9 or S&W 642 because they are easier to conceal. I'd rather shoot a 1911 or 6" revolver.
 
Fullsize, if you do not mind me asking where you live? carrying a full size in 100 Mississippi heat, can be done, but not always easy
 
I can comfortably carry, and easily a conceal my Ruger SR9c all year. After experimenting a lot with the upper limit of what I can carry in warm weather, a Glock 19 is right at the tipping point between 'yes' and 'no'. My PPQ is on the wrong side of that line in warm weather. Of course, we wear heavy clothes 8/12 months in Oregon.

Why do I prefer to carry the largest types that I can carry?

1. Controllability. If I have to shoot while moving, with a one-handed grip, my SR9c gives me greater grip, improved felt recoil, and a far superior trigger to the DAO single stacks dominating the subcompact category.

2. Accuracy with longer shots IS a worthwhile consideration in places (like Oregon) where the law allows you to shoot to save another person. 0-12 feet is most common in self defense, but there are shooting situations every month where action was taken at longer range. Texas bystander shoots man to save stabbing victim... Responsible citizen makes 165 yard (!!!) shot with .357 revolver to defend a police officer...

3. Capacity. 10+1, plus 10 or 17 in a spare mag on my belt.


If I have to use my weapon, I want to have something that gives me the best possibility of putting shots where they need to go, as fast as I need them to get there.
 
I carry a Kel-Tec P11.

It's small and light, but chambered in 9mm. 10 +1 capacity and gets covered easily with a t-shirt.

I wold love to carry my 5" Colt .45 all the time, but it's not easy for me to cover up.


It really doesn't matter what you carry as long as it's comfortable to you. As long as it goes bang every time.

By the time you recognize a threat, the BG will be on you. Pull it and keep squezzing the trigger till the threat stops.
 
My first handgun bought specifically for carry was a HKUSPC. Still too damn big.:( Replaced it with a 3" 1911 that I still carry, as it is perfect. I would opine that most will gravitate toward smaller rather than bigger, with a few exceptions, the longer they carry, as long as they are satisfied with performance and are willing to trust their life to it.
 
Just to clarify I do most of my practicing at 10 to 20 feet. Long shots are a useful part of "gun-fu". What about situations when a robber is retreating and you take a shot at his tires. Or a loose pitbull is charging one of your children, Or you get caught in a situation when you get the "opportunity " to take down a cowardly gun man shooting at innocent people. All pistols work up close when defending ourselves, but what about the times when a well placed shot will save OTHERS?
 
to sigcurious: ??really

Yes, really. Not saying its likely but its a scenario where accuracy would be critical. My point is that dynamic situations can arise and go from 10 ft to 50 yds and still be self defense situation. When I was in the military, I saw all kinds of situations where the weapon I had became
inadequate in a hurry. Defending my life AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS and staying within the law, I want every advantage I can have at my disposal, because frankly, criminals and terrorists don't care. I DO
 
to tennjed. i live in Arkansas

We get 100 degree weather too? In the heat I wear an untucked xl tshirt with whatever shorts or pants I want. I carry iwb at 2 or3 o'clock with my BUG in my left pocket and my extra mags at 9 o'clock and 2 speed loaders in right pocket. Cellphone in my left pocket. Wallet in my left back pocket, boot knife and flashlight in my back right pocket or right cargo pocket. Never had a second look from anyone, I am considered to be hyper vigilant so I am looking for who's looking. Comfort for me is not having to where a chemical
biological warfare suit in the desert. Period.
 
to sigcurious.

It's not, but shooting out a tire will halt his retreat and allow a better chance to stop a criminal. But you win. I see what you're getting at and I respect it. My view from outside of the 0-12 foot box that defensive shooting can get lulled into. But what if we change the robber, into a k
idnapper?
 
Sounds like a good way to endanger the kidnapping victim a) by shooting at the vehicle they are in b) by reducing the drivers ability to control the car.
 
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