A Discussion On Compact/Subcompact Handgun Carry Options

oldsarge · Mar 28, 2015

I carry daily and have for more years than some here have been on this earth. Over the years, I have carried many different revolvers and pistols. I have tried different holster and gun combinations. What I carry now and have for about the last three years is the XDs .45 in a pancake holster at the 4 0'clock position. It fits and conceals well and is so comfortable that I'll get home sometimes and be sitting down watching TV or sometning and realize I still have it on. The thing is, like many others on this site have stated, is what is good for me may not be good for the next guy. My personnal preference is not yours. Just because I like .45 does not mean it is the best concealed carry caliber. For that matter, what is? You should carry what fits you the best, what you can use the best and to a certain extent what you can afford to wear every day and have ruined by carry "damage and wear".

Dogabutila · Mar 28, 2015

Width is actually very important for pocket carry. Height is important as well. There's no sense in asking why people want smaller guns but take pocket carry out of the discussion. That's typically why people want smaller guns.

Otherwise you're right, a compact would suit better.

PO2012 · Mar 28, 2015

501st said:
How does federal law enforcement deal with their ~fullsize duty pistols which they carry all day long, typically in suits? Do they know something we don't.

When I'm wearing a suit I use a Blackhawk Carbon Fiber Belt and a DeSantis Thumb Break Scabbard holster. My full size G22 doesn't move, even when sprinting, and can't be seen unless I bend at the waist (hence why I always bend at the knees).

Honestly, carrying a full size handgun isn't terribly difficult or uncomfortable as long as you remember to dress around the gun and don't skimp on your belt and holster. I always shake my head when I see someone carrying a $900 handgun in a $29 holster.

PO2012 · Mar 28, 2015

See above.

J.T · Mar 28, 2015

MikeTF said:
... admittedly, my pockets are full. No man purse. It is all very organized and the swiss army knife is small, as well as the edc flashlight. I did forget to add, a spare loaded magazine to the list.

Just busting balls. No way I could carry that much stuff on me. I'd go crazy

Overboost44 · Mar 28, 2015

I didn't realize how close the G26 and G43 are in size. Makes me think that it is worth the 4oz. and tiny dimensional changes to have the extra 4 rounds. Am I missing something here?
http://us.glock.com/products/compare?g1=g43&g2=g26&g3=&g4=

joppaj · Mar 28, 2015

Overboost44 said:
Am I missing something here?

Yes, marketing hype.

rob-cubed · Mar 28, 2015

If IWB, then it'll be the slimmest most compact 9mm I can be accurate with. My build isn't forgiving of the G26 but the single-stack Kahr is perfect. I'm a small guy, my hands are small, the tiny gun that is right for me may not be right for someone else.

It's been said many times before, but a gun you can comfortably carry (of any capacity) is better than one sitting in the safe. There is a demand for sub-compacts for a reason. The requirement of IWB is the driving factor here. If a shoulder rig or OWB hip carry was an option, I would always prefer the largest gun could comfortably carry.

I'm excited for a single-stack Glock, but I've begrundingly come to like the Glock. There's a lot to be said for having a full-sized and compact or sub-compact pistol with similar sights and trigger. Skills transition well. If you have and love a S&W, get a Shield. If you have Beretta, get a Nano. There are a lot of .380 pistols that have played in this arena for years and are quite good, maybe better, than some of the modern 9mm flavors... but I don't want to add yet another caliber to the arsenal.

Pinecone · Mar 29, 2015

The .40 and .45 small pistols are similar size to the 9s.

XDs 3.3 .45ACP is 6.3" long, 4,4" high, 0.9" width.

Kahr CM40 is 5.47" long, 4.0" high, 0.94" wide.

For small 9, the Kahr pistols are nice. CM9 is 5.43" long, 4.0" high 0.9" width.

BenL · Mar 29, 2015

You are missing arguably best single stack option: the Kahr Arms CM9.

I pocket carry the CW45, and it's considerably larger.

Squaregrouper · Mar 29, 2015

I'm ready for the flaming...

KelTec PF9- over 1000 rounds and zero issues.
Stupid light and disappears in a small holster or pocket.
Holds 8rds of 9mm
I can quickly draw and hit a paper plate @ 7yds.
Good enough for me.

Biggfoot44 · Mar 31, 2015

I won't bash KelTec , my P11 is reliable , and trigger is more or less acceptable.

The design is fine , the *problem* is in order to have really, really low MSRP , the assembly is rushed , and some of them will have particularily rough internal contact surfaces. When adressed by one of following : 1. Send back to KT for free 2. DIY Fluff&Buff 3. Have 'smith do F&B . My was pre-owned , so can only comment on its status when I purchased.

Yeah , yeah , a pistol should be in tip top shape out of the box, etc but for the price point even paying a 'smith is still very reasonable overall.

FWIW , to me the P11 is the definition of * just barely sorta pocketable * with flush mag. But I prefer belt carry with 12rd S&W mag. And while I like +P and +P+ in normal 9mm , I decided I prefered the better control with std vel 115 in the P11, YMMV .

501st · Apr 1, 2015

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2015/04/robert-farago/ttag-readers-prefer-fns-9c-over-glock-43/

drewhall · Apr 5, 2015

Once I got my g19 this question went away for me. :thumbsup:

ground chuck · Apr 5, 2015

Looked at a shield the other day. Is this trigger different than the regular m&p 9?

Schipperke · Apr 5, 2015

Overboost44 said:
I didn't realize how close the G26 and G43 are in size. Makes me think that it is worth the 4oz. and tiny dimensional changes to have the extra 4 rounds. Am I missing something here?
http://us.glock.com/products/compare?g1=g43&g2=g26&g3=&g4=

So you give up four rounds to get four mm less in width ?

Overboost44 · Apr 5, 2015

Schipperke said:
So you give up four rounds to get four mm less in width ?

NO. the other way around. I go for the G26. I am not sure why anyone would buy the G43.

DC-W · Apr 5, 2015

I'm loving my g26 more and more. Out of box weirdness is gone. It runs like a champ and is comfortable to shoot. Made some great groups and had no issue snap-shooting with both eyes open. I also got the factory 12rd mag broken in, so loading 12 is no longer an issue.

Looking forward to carrying out and about

Overboost44 · Apr 5, 2015

DC-W said:
I'm loving my g26 more and more. Out of box weirdness is gone. It runs like a champ and is comfortable to shoot. Made some great groups and had no issue snap-shooting with both eyes open. I also got the factory 12rd mag broken in, so loading 12 is no longer an issue.

Looking forward to carrying out and about

That is good to know. I hope we all get to carry out and about someday.

DC-W · Apr 5, 2015

Overboost44 said:
That is good to know. I hope we all get to carry out and about someday.

Outlook has never been better

In the meantime, this guy's on deck for a VA camping trip.

A Discussion On Compact/Subcompact Handgun Carry Options

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