That's great if you can pull that off. Most people can't pull off a full sized auto under their britches and Smartcarry recommends not going too big in their article:
Bigger is not better . If you can pull it off, that's great.
I can't stuff a full sized pistol or revolver in my pants and still work but I can carry a 342 which weighs about 12oz loaded. It's easy to carry in a pocket, whether that be in a jacket, fleece or a pants pocket. It's very easy to carry in a AIWB holster that clips to a belt and doesn't trap the heat that a Smartcarry holster does. A loaded G17 weighs over two pounds while my 342 loaded weighs about 3/4 pound.
Obviously a G17 is a much more capable pistol than an Airweight or Airlight snubby but my G17 sat in the safe for years until I sold it while the J frames were carried. If it was as practical to carry full sized pistols as it is to carry a light weight snubby or subcompact semi-auto , no one would make snubbies or subcompact semi-autos. Of course its a compromise but not everyone's vocation, body, or environment allows them to stuff a full sized pistol in under their pants.
I dont carry a 17 in my Smart Carry. Normally, its a 26.
I have carried guns as big as a 19 or P239 in one, and with the right pants, it wasnt to difficult and still very doable. Wouldnt be my first choice though.
I originally was using one of my Seecamps in the SC, but then realized, I could carry the 26 (with a 17 reload along) just as easily, and it works great, especially in places youre not supposed to be armed.
The 26 is about the same size as one of my J frames, but handles and shoots like a near full sized gun. And with a quick mag swap, can basically be one.
I lead a pretty active lifestyle, both at work and play, and even when youre climbing in and out of ditches, equipment, doing very physical things, its still very comfortable and very concealable, and thats wearing a pair of Carhartt's or Dickie carpenter type pants.
Now, the 17 in an AIWB holster at 12:30-1:00, is also very comfortable and easy to do, and also not at all uncomfortable for 18+ hour days. A 4" S&W revolver would be just as comfortable and easily done, but whats the point?
Look, this is all about "want", as opposed to "cant".
I "want" to carry guns I shoot very well with, and that will give me the best chance at "most" anything I might need it for. So far, in about four decades of doing so daily, I havent found that to be a chore or problem.
If at all possible, Id prefer not to compromise, but for those situations where I have to, the 26 is the compromise.
And Im not telling anyone they cant carry what they want, not at all. Do what you want. Im just saying, if you want to, you can, if you put your mind to it.
"Cant" is such a negative word, and is thrown around, an awful lot.