Carrying Full-Size Handguns

[Annihilator]

Nice article on carry a full size gun for CCW, lot of people do, I have carried my G17 for awhile, just got to select the right holster and dress accordingly.

Carrying Full-Size Handguns

Are full-size handguns good for CCW? Or are they too big to carry? Sometimes you don't have a choice and must carry what you already own.

gundigest.com

 

[HansGruber]

I carried a full-sized pistol concealed for a long time; a USP, Glock 21/34, 1911…4” 686…

Good belt, hood holster, dress around the gun. It really isn’t that hard…

 

[KillerFord1977]

I carried a full-sized pistol concealed for a long time; a USP, Glock 21/34, 1911…4” 686…

Good belt, hood holster, dress around the gun. It really isn’t that hard…

A little extra weight around the mid section doesnt like a full size.

Great reason for me to lose weight.

 

[southtex]

Nice article and spot on points. For full size I will carry my commander more than the 5" but have carried both using OWB / IWB. I currently use Versacarry double stitch belts for majority of my carry needs. Wearing shorts majority of the time does keep me carrying the sub compact models but when the jeans go on usually a 1911 does as well.

 

[Annihilator]

Great reason for me to lose weight.

Don’t we all…….lol

 

[Tremor]

I carry a Springfield armory 3.8 XDM 9mm. I don’t know if you would consider the barrel full size but the grip sure is. I use a big foot steel core concealed carry belt in a custom leather holster from crooked river leather. It’s not bad to carry at all. In the waist under a T-shirt hides pretty good. Gets a little heavy at times but, I’ve done 5 mile hikes carrying it.

 

[SimonRL]

I carry my Archon IWB most of the time. You just need the right holster. I use a Legacy Firearms Cronus. It sits very comfortably at 3:30.

 

[Bassbob]

I carry full size all the time except in the summer. The right belt and holster and you can conceal pretty well under an unbuttoned overshirt. Ride it high, FBI cant, good to go.

 

[wolfpack076]

IWB with a Hellcat or Smith CSX or my Glock 48. In winter time in NE PA. usually a Colt King Cobra or 1911 OWB.

 

[TEXASforLIFE]

A little extra weight around the mid section doesnt like a full size.

Great reason for me to lose weight.

You could go with the tummy tuck carry. Here's an image: Raspusha entering the water park and the guy saying that it's required too wear bottoms and she lifting her gut to show she is

 

[Onewolf426]

Mossberg MC2C. 3.9" barrel. Comes with one 13 round and one 15 round magazine. It will be sharing EDC duties with my Shield 9 2.0, eventually replacing the Shield, which only has a 7 round and 8 round magazine. Just need to put more rounds through it and break in the IWB holsters.

 

[TEXASforLIFE]

I'm not sure what changes from compact to full size, but the 4" (only gun I own with a barrel that short) is labeled as compact. As of now that is the shortest barrel I'd carry and it's in 10mm.

 

[Bassbob]

I'm not sure what changes from compact to full size, but the 4" (only gun I own with a barrel that short) is labeled as compact. As of now that is the shortest barrel I'd carry and it's in 10mm.

4" isn't really compact anymore. Back in the day when only Commanders or .380s were that short they were compact. These days 4" is full size.

 

[TEXASforLIFE]

4" isn't really compact anymore. Back in the day when only Commanders or .380s were that short they were compact. These days 4" is full size.

I guess there isn't a standard as manufacturers have their own labels? 4" revolver compared to a 4" semi-auto? Overall size, slim, short it can all be a guess?

 

[KillerFord1977]

I carried a Sig 228 for 15yrs, now I switched a slimmer “pocket” Browning .380 until I lose some more lbs

 

[Annihilator]

I carried a Sig 228 for 15yrs, now I switched a slimmer “pocket” Browning .380 until I lose some more lbs

 

[Onewolf426]

4" isn't really compact anymore. Back in the day when only Commanders or .380s were that short they were compact. These days 4" is full size.

Well, I own a S&W 45 M&P 2.0 Compact, and it has a 4" barrel. The Glock 19 is also considered to be a Compact. My MC2C has a 3.9" barrel and is also a Compact. I think it may change to Full Size as you get to 4.25" and above.

 

[Onewolf426]

View attachment 30228

That's some big meat on them big bones!

 

[papa]

View attachment 30228

You dadgum whippersnappers need to stop takin" my picture and posting it on the web.

 

[Bassbob]

Well, I own a S&W 45 M&P 2.0 Compact, and it has a 4" barrel. The Glock 19 is also considered to be a Compact. My MC2C has a 3.9" barrel and is also a Compact. I think it may change to Full Size as you get to 4.25" and above.

So you would consider a VP9 ( 4.1" barrel) a compact ? I guess they didn't need to make the VP9SK.