Anyone have IWB carry experience with both 92 Compact and PX4 Compact Carry?

[Wingate's Hairbrush]

Preparing for a transition from carry revolvers to TDA. Spent time on an LTT Elite that I think's the bees knees for those of us more comfortable with double-action starts and wanting a double-stack 9mm, but too large for me to conceal well.

Short list alternative is an LTT Compact or PX4 Compact Carry.

Slight lean toward the LTT Compact because of time on the full size, but even the compact version looks meaty for serious concealment. PX4 Compact Carry I have no experience with save for palming one and liking it well-enough; by looks, stats and design it seems more suited to concealed carry.

I've looked but haven't found direct comparisons, though the two active threads on each pistol separately have lent some insight.

Who has meaningful time on both, especially concealed carrying, and what observations or suggestions do you have?

[Jared]

I’ve done both. Started with a 92 and then migrated to the PX4CC. Made the switch at first because summer was coming and I’d rather sweat on polymer. Never moved back because I loved the weight savings. They conceal almost identically for me. I’d carry either one tomorrow if someone made me switch, but the reduction in weight makes me take the PX4CC as long as I’m the one picking.

[Wingate's Hairbrush]

I’ve done both. Started with a 92 and then migrated to the PX4CC. Made the switch at first because summer was coming and I’d rather sweat on polymer. Never moved back because I loved the weight savings. They conceal almost identically for me. I’d carry either one tomorrow if someone made me switch, but the reduction in weight makes me take the PX4CC as long as I’m the one picking.Were you using the full size 92? Weight for both compacts is listed as comparable at approximately 27-28oz?

[YVK]

I've done full size 92, Compact 92, and PX4CC, AIWB.

Best I remember, Compact 92 has a barrel length approaching that of G17. It never felt compact for me, neither is size nor length. PX4CC felt OK.

[Medusa]

My two cents - I’ve done both, like both, but for me the longer 92 (full length holster) sits more comfortably aiwb and strong side when carrying all day. So I carry one every day. I don’t have a problem concealing a full-size Ltt aiwb but expect the Compact, when I get it, will be even better because of the shorter grip. I don’t notice a huge difference concealment wise the full-size 92 and px4cc aiwb at all. Notice it more carrying strong side because of the grip length difference, but it’s not make or break. Compact addresses that in large measure, stats wise.

I didn’t expect this to be the situation and thought I’d carry the px4cc more, but it hasn’t worked out that way.

It would be cool if you could try both but at least in my experience you can’t tell from a walk around the block what’s gonna feel better after 16 hours or say a 600 plus mile day driving. Maybe if you’re sure you can’t conceal a full-size 92 the px4cc will be better? Speculation only.

[Cory]

I carry a full size 92. No significant experience with the PX4CC.

How interested are you in red dot sights?

If you are interested in red dot sights, or may be in the near term future due to age, eyes, or wantsies I would suggest the PX4CC. The 92 series are amazing pistols, I'm going to be shooting them for years to come. If you forsee RMRs then you may need to check out the PX4 more, as the 92s don't seem to lend themself well to dots.

-Cory

[Jared]

Were you using the full size 92? Weight for both compacts is listed as comparable at approximately 27-28oz?

To elaborate further, carried full size 92’s as well as both the compact models I mentioned. I’ve carried all 3 at 3:00 IWB and AIWB. My overall experience is that the PX4 compact was easier on my lower back, thus seeming to be lighter to me. I’ve e honestly not compared the spec sheet weights. I suppose it could be that it isn’t lighter than the 92 compact after all and some other factor is increasing my comfort after extended periods of carrying.

[10mmfanboy]

I love my px4cc but I rarely carry it. I just can't get over the fact of the barrel length and sight radius. My g26 has longer barrel and sight radius than my px4cc. It is not size efficient enough for me to bother carrying. I usually end up carrying a p2000 anymore if I am carrying hammer fired. It is lighter, longer sight radius and longer barrel than px4cc.

[Jared]

I love my px4cc but I rarely carry it. I just can't get over the fact of the barrel length and sight radius. My g26 has longer barrel and sight radius than my px4cc. It is not size efficient enough for me to bother carrying. I usually end up carrying a p2000 anymore if I am carrying hammer fired. It is lighter, longer sight radius and longer barrel than px4cc.

I suppose this is a to each their own type thing, it I can shoot a PX4 compact or Compact Carry a hell of a lot better than any Glock smaller than a G17. I’ve gotta go up to a G17 or G34 to get a Glock I can score as well on most standards as I can the PX4 compacts.

[medmo]

I love my px4cc but I rarely carry it. I just can't get over the fact of the barrel length and sight radius. My g26 has longer barrel and sight radius than my px4cc. It is not size efficient enough for me to bother carrying. I usually end up carrying a p2000 anymore if I am carrying hammer fired. It is lighter, longer sight radius and longer barrel than px4cc.

Respectfully, if you aren’t shooting the Px4CC as well as the G26 I doubt the significant factor is sight radius. Look at the math.

Here are the calculations on the deflection/sight radius comparing the G26, (SR - 5.39") versus the Compact Carry, (SR - 5.2") at 21 feet with 1" deflection.

G26: (1"/252") * 5.39" = .0213"
Compact Carry: (1"/252") * 5.2" = .0206"

What that calculation says is that when the sights on a Compact Carry are misaligned by .0206" of an inch the bullet impact from target center will be off 1" from center when shooting at 21'. When the sights on the G26 are misaligned by .0213" of an inch the bullet impact from the target center will be 1" off from center at 21'. That is a difference of .0007". For the type of shooting I do with these types of pistols it really is a wash. I'm generally practicing at 7 yards or less and my target is an 8" circle or a 3"x5" index card. My sight picture isn’t that refined with this type of shooting and my focus is the tip of the front sight.

I don’t have experience IWB-ing a 92 Compact but have plenty with a 92 Full Size/Centurion and the Px4CC. I mostly exclusively AIWB (JMC Wing Claw 2.5) the Px4CC because of it’s conceal-ability, comfy carry and shoot-ability.

[JTQ]

Ernest Langdon has some comments on the two pistols in the first post of his PX4 Compact thread

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?16519-The-PX4-Compact-might-be-my-DA-SA-Glock-19

[FreedomFries]

I think Mr. Langdon's point about there only being 13 round magazines for the 92 Compact is what prompted me to buy the PX4 Compact Carry a while back. However, thanks to his efforts, there is now a quality 15 round 92 compact magazine available. This is probably the most important recent change that is making me look at my 92FS Compact again over the PX4 Compact Carry. I don't carry a spare mag usually, so this is a bigger deal for me than even front dovetails or G configuration.

My PX4CC weighs 27.2 oz and my 92FS Compact weighs 32 oz. I don't really notice the weight difference. Dimensionally, they aren't that different in the parts that really matter to me for concealment. The barrel and slide are longer on the 92 Compact, but I carry AIWB and am slightly over 6', so the length doesn't bother me (actually feels more secure and prints less when paired with a sponge). It might make more a difference for people who carry strongside IWB. All that said, I think it's probably not much more difficult to concealed carry a full size 92 if you can easily conceal a 92 Compact or PX4 Compact. The extra 1/4" to 1/2" of grip doesn't really print that much more. Most people don't even notice a pistol that is being openly carried unless it's in a rig that draws a lot of attention (shoulder or drop leg) or it's truly huge/shiny.

[10mmfanboy]

I guess I didn't explain my point correctly before. If I did it over again I would have went with a px4 carry full size vs the px4 compact or just get a 92 compact. I sometimes carry my m9a3 and it is doable but the barrel length can definitely be a factor doing different things through out the day. Weight wise carrying the two is noticeable but not that noticeable. Somehow the m9a3 feels thinner than the px4 even though I know it isn't.

Everyone likes to compare pistols to glocks, so my point is overall a px4 compact to me is more akin to a glock 26 not a glock 19, even though the overall size is about the same as a glock 19. The full size is only slightly larger than a compact and it is more comparable to a glock 19 in my opinion.

You also have 15 round mags for a 92 compact and according to the manufacturers description, they claim the 92x compact is now 27 some ounces, which is on par with a px4 storm.

[medmo]

The Mec-Gar 15 round mags are indeed a game changer for the 92 Compact. I’m sure a lot of folks refrained from purchasing previously because of the 13 round mags. We are all built a little different and can only give you an idea of what works best for us. The only way to get a true answer for yourself is to shoot and get some toting around experience with both. That sounds like a valid and logical reason to add 2 fine Berettas to the stable. Your welcome.

[FreedomFries]

You also have 15 round mags for a 92 compact and according to the manufacturers description, they claim the 92x compact is now 27 some ounces, which is on par with a px4 storm.

I'm going to guess that the 27.2 oz weight is probably without an empty magazine as opposed to other unloaded weights that are with an empty magazine. I can't imagine they shaved more than 4 oz off the regular 92FS Compact when the main changes to the 92X frame are rounded trigger guard, checkering, and straight Vertec backstrap. My 92FS Compact with an empty magazine is 32 oz after changing to a metal trigger and some other minor modifications like a large magazine release and Wilson Les Pep rear sight. I'd expect it be closer to 30 oz if measured with the empty magazine inserted. Not that this would make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things.

[10mmfanboy]

I'm going to guess that the 27.2 oz weight is probably without an empty magazine as opposed to other unloaded weights that are with an empty magazine. I can't imagine they shaved more than 4 oz off the regular 92FS Compact when the main changes to the 92X frame are rounded trigger guard, checkering, and straight Vertec backstrap. My 92FS Compact with an empty magazine is 32 oz after changing to a metal trigger and some other minor modifications like a large magazine release and Wilson Les Pep rear sight. I'd expect it be closer to 30 oz if measured with the empty magazine inserted. Not that this would make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things.

You read my mind, that is exactly what I was wondering too. I don't know how they would have shaved that much weight off a 92 compact, but it would be awesome if they did! You are probably right though about no magazine inserted when weighed.

Ameriglo sent me the wrong sight to replace my px4cc front sight. I asked them where should I mail it back to? With my broken sight or ship them separately? They told me they don't even want it back and to just keep it, both sights, the burned out front sight and the new front sight for a fullsize px4. Now I feel obligated to buy a fullsize px4 since I have the front sight already lol. Can't beat ameriglo customer service though, top notch company right there.

[spence]

I carry an M9 daily. I have the compact, too, and have carried it some. It's just enough smaller that it can be a tad more concealable, but it's marginal. I did pick up a PX4 compact a few weeks ago, and I'll snag an AIWB holster for it at some point soon. I'll try carrying it, but I don't forsee it being a big game changer, however the thing shoots really, really well for it's size.

However it gets sliced, for the motivated person, all of the above can be successfully carried.

[Johnny Bravo]

I have a 92FS compact and a PX4 compact and nearly always find myself carrying the 92.

I shoot the 92 better and honestly they seem to carry about the same.