There are a lot of options out there for times when you may want to carry something smaller. That said, I never seem to want to. In fact, I never seem to keep a small handgun very long as they just don't feel right in my hand. My Glock 19 is the smallest I own, and it seldom gets carried because of the way my pinkie hangs off the end of the grip. I would like to hear from those out there who carry a full size on a daily basis like I do.
For years. my daily was my trusty 1911, but I wanted a gun with a light mount, and decided to give some of the new polymers a try. At first it was an XD in .45 ACP. Very nice gun, but the double stack .45 grip was just a bit big for my short fingers. Decided to give Glock a try. I found a Vickers edition Glock 17. (here on INGO) I instantly liked the feel of it because the normal Glocks are made of a different plastic that I don't like. Being a 9mm, it wasn't quite as fat in the grip either. This is now my daily carry gun. I carry it with a TLR1 in a Bravo Concealment holster with the pancake loops.
I've found that with a lose fitting T-shirt and the Bravo Concealment holster, I never have a problem with anyone noticing it. In fact, I think that even it it did print a bit, the worry of the general public noticing it is probably overplayed. They generally are oblivious to their surroundings. Maybe another gun owner, or a trained LEO may notice, but I'm not worried about them...
With the full size gun I have a very good grip on the gun, a good sight radius, a mounted light, the best reliability, and excellent ammunition capacity.
I still carry the 1911 from time to time, but it's a stainless S&W, so I reserve it for those times when I have to dress nice, and have my shirt tucked in, and open carry is my only option. It's heavy, can't mount a light, and has limited ammo, but at least it's pretty.
For years. my daily was my trusty 1911, but I wanted a gun with a light mount, and decided to give some of the new polymers a try. At first it was an XD in .45 ACP. Very nice gun, but the double stack .45 grip was just a bit big for my short fingers. Decided to give Glock a try. I found a Vickers edition Glock 17. (here on INGO) I instantly liked the feel of it because the normal Glocks are made of a different plastic that I don't like. Being a 9mm, it wasn't quite as fat in the grip either. This is now my daily carry gun. I carry it with a TLR1 in a Bravo Concealment holster with the pancake loops.
I've found that with a lose fitting T-shirt and the Bravo Concealment holster, I never have a problem with anyone noticing it. In fact, I think that even it it did print a bit, the worry of the general public noticing it is probably overplayed. They generally are oblivious to their surroundings. Maybe another gun owner, or a trained LEO may notice, but I'm not worried about them...
With the full size gun I have a very good grip on the gun, a good sight radius, a mounted light, the best reliability, and excellent ammunition capacity.
I still carry the 1911 from time to time, but it's a stainless S&W, so I reserve it for those times when I have to dress nice, and have my shirt tucked in, and open carry is my only option. It's heavy, can't mount a light, and has limited ammo, but at least it's pretty.