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Old February 18, 2013, 08:52 PM   #1
breakingcontact
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Concealed carry gun- what is the most popular size gun?

Question pertains to those who frequently carry the same gun, not casual carriers or those who change what they carry.

Full size?
Compact?
Sub compact?
Pocket gun?

Of course the best size/gun/caliber may be different for each user. I'm just looking at the segment that carries frequently. Do they on average carry a full size say and just live with dressing around it or does their devotion to everyday carry necessitate a much smaller gun?

Not asking what you do or those around you do or what I should do but what's the closest thing there is to a standard for the frequent fliers(I know I know).
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Old February 18, 2013, 09:02 PM   #2
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I would say compacts and subcompacts are the most popular, full sized are difficult to conceal and often print in anything but heavy winter clothing. pocket sizes many times have more unmanageable recoil, poorly fit normal sized and larger hands and some are very prone to serious reliability issues, not what you want with a handgun that you intend to defend yourself with.
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Old February 18, 2013, 09:19 PM   #3
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I rotate carry guns, but I'm going to guess compact or subcompact. If there were a poll to go with this, I'd be interested in the results.
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Old February 18, 2013, 09:23 PM   #4
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I prefer a compact, anything smaller doesn't fit my hands, and anything bigger is too hard too conceal.
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Old February 18, 2013, 09:27 PM   #5
haltoo
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Beretta Nano

Its a subcompact, but recoil isn't bad and its very easy to conceal. I haven't had to change anything about what I wear in order to carry it.
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Old February 18, 2013, 09:39 PM   #6
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Pocket guns (.380 semis and 38s revolvers) seem to be very popular among typical folks that I talk to at the range, but not so much with the more dedicated gun folks, they seem to prefer double-stack semis or single-stack 1911's (I don't know if it is a generational thing, but it always seems to move from the former to the latter with age).

I started with a 38s AirWeight, hated trying to practice with it, tried carrying a double-stack 9MM, hated trying to carry it and ended up with a single-stack 9MM compact that carries easily and is enjoyable to shoot at the range.
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Old February 18, 2013, 09:43 PM   #7
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Compact for this big boy. PX4C 9, Stoeger Cougar 9, or XDM 3.8 9.
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Old February 18, 2013, 10:10 PM   #8
bigkrackers
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Concealed carry gun- what is the most popular size gun?

G19's seem to be very popular. no one has them.
M&P 9 compact and Shields. No one has them.
The 9mm round seems to be a hit if you go by what isn't on the shelves anymore.
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Old February 18, 2013, 11:06 PM   #9
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S&W J-frame .38 Special for me--all-steel Model 640 with good +P ammo, the old "FBI"/"Metro" load. I'm 75, if that speaks to the generational thing. I've owned more pistols than revolvers over the years, but revolvers are now my choice for carry and home defense (the latter as an adjunct to a 12 gauge shotgun).
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Old February 18, 2013, 11:18 PM   #10
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Having shot in competition a couple years, I won't carry anything that can't hit accurately at 25 yards. My P01 or Kahr K9 is small as I'm willing to go.
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Old February 19, 2013, 12:31 AM   #11
RBid
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Compact (Ruger SR9c) most of the time. Otherwise, duty size.

In my experience, most people carry subcompacts. I'm basing this on about 5 months behind the counter at a shop, combined with being the guy people tell everything to. I believe that people generally carry smaller than they have to.
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Old February 19, 2013, 10:40 AM   #12
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Clothing dictates what I carry. CZ75 in the winter, as small as a Keltec P3AT in the summer when that is as big as I can hide.

Even in the summer though, a big gun is easier to hide than most people think.

Lastly, invest in a good belt (check out Jim the Beltman) and something like a Crossbreed holster and your constant holster purchases will stop. Emphasis very heavy on the belt.
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Old February 19, 2013, 03:24 PM   #13
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I believe something with between a 3.5 and 4" barrel, and between 4.5 and 5" in height, would cover 80% of CCWs out there. Single or double stack. It's disturbing how popular the pocket .380 (Ruger LCP) is, but I think there is still a majority of CCWers who are carrying normal-sized guns.
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Old February 20, 2013, 01:46 PM   #14
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sub compact, single stack that i can get all my fingers on.
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Old February 20, 2013, 01:58 PM   #15
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In my experience, the smallest possible is most popular.

IME...the best is something about Kahr P40, 3.5" 1911, Glock 19 size. Smaller is hard to shoot fast...bigger I'd hard to keep my pants up...
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Old February 20, 2013, 04:22 PM   #16
breakingcontact
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Re: Concealed carry gun- what is the most popular size gun?

Quote:
Originally Posted by loose_holster_dan View Post
sub compact, single stack that i can get all my fingers on.
That describes the M&P Shield to me. I am toying with the idea of going to a compact though.
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Old February 20, 2013, 05:08 PM   #17
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I like pocket - but actual size really depends on how big your pockets are.
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Old February 23, 2013, 09:13 AM   #18
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I think the most popular size is the one that is most comfortable for the carrier. I know guys that can carry a full frame .45 and hide it better than those with a .380. It comes down to what is comfortable and accurate for the shooter. Not sure you can pick a caliber, or a size, and say it would be the most popular.

Different people like to appendix carry, pocket carry, or on the side carry.
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Old February 23, 2013, 09:17 AM   #19
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Quote:
M&P 9 compact and Shields. No one has them.
I know, but I have one order. Other one is 9mm Kel Tek with laser.


Things will get better as soon as people run of their immediate cash, but after tax season because that is usually a big spending time added to an already low inventory around.
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Old February 23, 2013, 10:53 AM   #20
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DON'T BUY A KELTEC PF9!

those things are trash. i couldn't get rid of mine fast enough.

Quote:
Quote:
Originally Posted by loose_holster_dan
sub compact, single stack that i can get all my fingers on.

That describes the M&P Shield to me. I am toying with the idea of going to a compact though.
look at the walther pps or sprinfield armory xds. that's what i was describing. with the medium size grip, i can just get all my fingers on it comfortably, and i have huge hands.
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Old February 23, 2013, 02:29 PM   #21
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I like carrying my full size xDM 40. Just is the most comfortable to shoot for me. In the winter under a coat is great but summer presented a problem for concealed carry. I converted an old planner into a concealed carry unit for myself and it is great. No one knows what it is and It works year round...



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Old February 23, 2013, 04:08 PM   #22
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My current everyday carry is a Springfield XDS, which I believe is considered a subcompact. Love the gun but a little concerned about the capacity so I've purchased a Glock 23 (compact) I'm going to try.
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Old February 23, 2013, 05:36 PM   #23
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Sub compact is probably the most popular overall, from my own observations.

But 95% of the time I go full size , or full size + in the case of my S&W N Frame.
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Old February 23, 2013, 06:48 PM   #24
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carry a ruger lc9 always-everyday.I'm thinkin sub-compact.
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Old February 24, 2013, 06:07 PM   #25
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When not carrying a J frame in the pocket, it is a G19 IWB.
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