compact or subcompact?

[grove rat]

i'm going to be taking my chl class soon and i will most likely sell my full frame glock 9mm and get another glock either in compact or subcompact. as far as feeling how the gun shoots i plan on shooting both to see if there is a major difference between the two

how much harder is it to carry a compact vs a subcompact? is it worth it to go smaller and be more comfortable but not have as many rounds? or is the compact not that hard to conceal? i'm average size at 5'11'' roughly 205lbs if that helps any..not sure if it would

thanks for any help guys

[That_Is_My_El_Camino]

Shouldnt be too tough. hell, you could probably conceal yer 17 in yer beard.

[Cooter]

the difference really isn't that great, especially when you add some mag extensions so that you can comfortably grip the sub-compact.

I prefer the LOOK of the sub-compact, but the concealability between the two you're asking about isn't much different at all

[Chrm10SPkZ28]

about to mail off my CHL paperwork and as soon as I come up with the extra cash I am gonna go with an XD sub compact....so the sub gets my vote

[HOOCBB]

depending on my mood, I carry either my 19 or my 26...sometimes both...

A 19 is still relatively easy to conceal, even for a fatass like me.

[Cooter]

depending on my mood, I carry either my 19 or my 26...sometimes both...

A 19 is still relatively easy to conceal, even for a fatass like me.

concealing is easier if you're fat IMO

[96Cobra_Nate]

i'm going to be taking my chl class soon and i will most likely sell my full frame glock 9mm and get another glock either in compact or subcompact. as far as feeling how the gun shoots i plan on shooting both to see if there is a major difference between the two

how much harder is it to carry a compact vs a subcompact? is it worth it to go smaller and be more comfortable but not have as many rounds? or is the compact not that hard to conceal? i'm average size at 5'11'' roughly 205lbs if that helps any..not sure if it would

thanks for any help guys

Let me know when you go, I'd to see what the difference is between the two. I've got my eye on a Glock 27.

[Hunter]

Let me know when you go, I'd to see what the difference is between the two. I've got my eye on a Glock 27.
I carry a Glock 27 and I like it. It's easily concealable. It holds 9 in the magazine too.

[That_Is_My_El_Camino]

concealing is easier if you're fat IMOword.

[flashstang04]

If you ever even THINK that you might leave the compact home because of what you are wearing or for comforts sake, then go with the sub....the one time that you decide not to wear it for comforts sake is the time you will need it. It needs to be a part of your daily routine.

[HOOCBB]

If you ever even THINK that you might leave the compact home because of what you are wearing or for comforts sake, then go with the sub....the one time that you decide not to wear it for comforts sake is the time you will need it. It needs to be a part of your daily routine.

just buy one in all sizes...easy solution

[HOOCBB]

concealing is easier if you're fat IMO

well, yeah, I can see that...my love handles (spare tire) sometimes seems to cover the grip...I could probably conceal a Desert Eagle...

[ELVIS]

sub, i got a 27 your can shoot/get a feel for if ya wanna meet at a range or something groverat.

god bless.

[flashstang04]

just buy one in all sizes...easy solution

Thats what I did :D

[NTexas_V-Star]

FWIW, my boss is 5 foot 8 inches, give or take...weighs 140 soaking wet...and carries a full size sig .40 caliber with a 4.5" barrel, and unless you knew it was there, you'd never suspect it.

[grove rat]

thanks for all the replies!

[grove rat]

Shouldnt be too tough. hell, you could probably conceal yer 17 in yer beard.i shaved it off last week..it was getting annoying :o

Let me know when you go, I'd to see what the difference is between the two. I've got my eye on a Glock 27.i'll probably go rent a sub .357 because my buddy already has a compact .357

If you ever even THINK that you might leave the compact home because of what you are wearing or for comforts sake, then go with the sub....the one time that you decide not to wear it for comforts sake is the time you will need it. It needs to be a part of your daily routine.oh which ever i get will be going with me everyday, just trying to see if carrying a compact is necessary or if a compact will suffice

just buy one in all sizes...easy solutionoh i agree..but my wallet does not :(

sub, i got a 27 your can shoot/get a feel for if ya wanna meet at a range or something groverat.

god bless.thanks elvis. are there any ranges out your way?(carrollton i'm assuming) i shoot at the garland public range

FWIW, my boss is 5 foot 8 inches, give or take...weighs 140 soaking wet...and carries a full size sig .40 caliber with a 4.5" barrel, and unless you knew it was there, you'd never suspect it.i do have a full frame SigSauer .45 hrmm...

[NTexas_V-Star]

i do have a full frame SigSauer .45 hrmm...


I'm more than likely going to get my CHL shortly after the first of the year....after that, I'll probably carry a compact or a full size, at least for the colder weather months when I wear a hooded sweater all the time. Probably going to pick up something the size of a Kimber Ultra Carry for summer time carrying.

I'll probably stick with .45 in caliber.

[dee]

i would look for one of those recoil control systems for that kimber it'll make the recoil a little bit more managable for accuracy with that short barrell and .45 cal

[propellerhead]

I'm not sure what a compact or a subcompact are but if it's anything like the XD line, the compact is a compromise between a carry gun and a range gun. It's like buying a V6 Mustang because you want fuel economy and you want to drag race. Some people make it work but it's still a compromise. Get the one that's made for concealed carry if you want a carry gun. Get the one that's made for range shooting if you want a range gun. Don't compromise.

[dee]

you should also consider shooting it accuratly if you ever have to use it you don't want to hit any bistanders

[NTexas_V-Star]

I'm not sure what a compact or a subcompact are but if it's anything like the XD line, the compact is a compromise between a carry gun and a range gun. It's like buying a V6 Mustang because you want fuel economy and you want to drag race. Some people make it work but it's still a compromise. Get the one that's made for concealed carry if you want a carry gun. Get the one that's made for range shooting if you want a range gun. Don't compromise.


Thats a good piece of advice right there.....I plan on trying several different frame sizes at the local range with an assortment of holsters, and base my choice off of what conceals the best.

I would like to be able to have a higher capacity (as far as the mags go), and if a full size frame conceals well enough, i'll go with that. But, logically, one round should be plenty, so if a compact or subcompact conceals better significantly better on me than a larger handgun, I'll lean that way. I don't plan on compromising.

[NTexas_V-Star]

you should also consider shooting it accuratly if you ever have to use it you don't want to hit any bistanders


Whatever I do end up carrying, will go to the range with me to make sure that I'm just as accurate with it as my other weapons. Practice makes perfect, as they say. And here's to hoping I never, ever have to draw in self defense. I don't wish that on anyone, but I am happy that there are other people who share my views on that subject.....I know a handful of people with their CHL's, and none of them ever want to be in that situation, but are prepared and capable if the situation ever arises.

[dee]

i carry my full size kimber in the back of my pants in the small of my back and i'm 6'' 0'' 200lbs and unless i have a tight shirt on you can't tell

[Buzzo]

I own a HK P2000sk .40 I have both IWB and belt milt sparks (top of the line) holsters for this pistol. I truely love this gun, but I also own a Kahr PM9 which is 16ozs with the clip in it. If I were you, having carried both, and carrying a sub compact glock and a small framed tauras snub nose, I can say I LOVE the PM9 for everyday carry. The things is so small, and so lite you can stick it in your front pocket, or buy a holster where you can't even see it when youre wearing a t shirt unlike the P2000sk where you have to have a sweater or a jacket covering even with the inside the waist band holster. I think the PM9 is worth the money and you can pick them up for around 500 used on gunbroker. Hell of a pistol.

[96Cobra_Nate]

sub, i got a 27 your can shoot/get a feel for if ya wanna meet at a range or something groverat.

god bless.

I may take you up on that offer..... Then we can hit the Lewisville Hoots or something!

[JESmith]

i would look for one of those recoil control systems for that kimber it'll make the recoil a little bit more managable for accuracy with that short barrell and .45 cal

Be real careful putting a recoil compensator on a carry gun. A lot of them of vent gas up and back. This makes the muzzle flash a light brighter and can screw with your night vision. The last thing you want to happen is not be able to make a follow up shot because you can't see shit. Some people are more sensitive to this that others. If you can, take your gun out in the woods at night and do some target shooting. (or the 'hood - nobody will notice)

Practice real life and that ain't a big paper target at 21ft exactly.

[evil jose]

I'm not sure what a compact or a subcompact are but if it's anything like the XD line, the compact is a compromise between a carry gun and a range gun. It's like buying a V6 Mustang because you want fuel economy and you want to drag race. Some people make it work but it's still a compromise. Get the one that's made for concealed carry if you want a carry gun. Get the one that's made for range shooting if you want a range gun. Don't compromise.

I think your analogy is flawed. It would probably be more like having the same Mustang with a shorter wheel base. Same power but harder to handle. The subcompact Glock trades off being able to get a full grip by abbreviating the length of the gun making and shortening the barrel somewhat. This does make it harder to handle but I've tried to compensate for it somewhat by using the Pearce +1 magazines. Nothing you can really do for the shortened barrel but I might eventually try some kind of recoil reducer like those produced by Hart (are they even still around?) or an upgraded recoil rod and spring. Of course neither of those will help with the fact that with the shorter barrel you have reduced your sight radius but than again, that's not what this gun was made for.

[dee]

i was talking about tthe reducers that replaces the guide rod and spring on 1911 variants not a ported barrel

[Shaithis]

I carry a sig p239 on my hip. I think its all in the holster you choose, unless you are looking to put it in your pocket.

[Shaithis]

sub, i got a 27 your can shoot/get a feel for if ya wanna meet at a range or something groverat.

god bless.

Did i hear a range gtg? :D

[lilvega]

as far as capacity goes, if you need 10+ rounds your in trouble anyway....
I do like the compact over sub though just because of fitment in my hand. But I am used to my Desert Eagle.

[grove rat]

after doing some online reasearch, i plan on trying to rent and shoot a subcompact.357sig and a subcompact10mm

anyone know of a shooting range that rents both of these?

and does anyone own either of the two? any comments are welcome :cool:

[That_Is_My_El_Camino]

I've got a Glock 29, which is 10mm and between a Glock 19/23 (compact) and a Glock 26/27 (subcompact) in size. Let me know about the range GTG, and you can shoot it.

[grove rat]

I've got a Glock 29, which is 10mm and between a Glock 19/23 (compact) and a Glock 26/27 (subcompact) in size. Let me know about the range GTG, and you can shoot it.

cool man, thanks.

i'm going to start a thread to see how many people would be interested