Difference in Full Size and Compact handguns

[Bowman_15]

I am looking at purchasing a handgun for concealed carry in the very near future. I am torn though on what type of handgun to purchase.

Seeing as this will be my first handgun for use as a CC weapon, I am hoping some advice can be provided from the experienced member of this forum.
The two main pistols that I have been looking at are a M&P 9 fs and a M&P 9c. I am open to other firearm options as well but the decision on the M&P line is based on them being an overall reliable handgun design and completely ambidextrous and this is important seeing as I am left-handed. My question to the forum is there a noticeable difference in the ability to carry these two weapons comfortably. Is there a noticeable difference in the ease of concealing the compact weapon over the full size? I ask this question because if there isn't a noticeable difference then I would much prefer the full size handgun over the compact.

Some information on me personally is that I am 6'1'' 165 pds with a 32 in waist to help with the body type.

I'm hoping you all can give me some quality advice on this decision.

[jon volk]

5'6" 138lbs 29" waist with a g17
As you can see with a good holster it hides under a small tshirt leaning in different directions, not just perfectly upright. I started out with a subcompact, moved to a single stack compact and finally ended with a full size double stack. There's not much reason to downsize these days with holster designs that are out there.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/02/getenuru.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/02/eba3e5a6.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/02/ypy2e2ej.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/02/gu8eduqe.jpg

[DocGKR]

You will be able to carry either one with proper holster and clothing selection. You might find a bit of an advantage in avoiding "printing" with the shorter butt of the M&P9c, however I prefer the longer barrel of the full size for IWB carry, as it tends to hold the pistol closer for me.

[JHC]

5'6" 138lbs 29" waist with a g17
As you can see with a good holster it hides under a small tshirt leaning in different directions, not just perfectly upright. I started out with a subcompact, moved to a single stack compact and finally ended with a full size double stack. There's not much reason to downsize these days with holster designs that are out there.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/02/getenuru.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/02/eba3e5a6.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/02/ypy2e2ej.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/02/gu8eduqe.jpg

That is about as impressive a pictoral demo of that as I've ever seen. Carrying concealed since the early '80's and I'm impressed. Which holster you got there?

[JHC]

I am looking at purchasing a handgun for concealed carry in the very near future. I am torn though on what type of handgun to purchase.

Seeing as this will be my first handgun for use as a CC weapon, I am hoping some advice can be provided from the experienced member of this forum.
The two main pistols that I have been looking at are a M&P 9 fs and a M&P 9c. I am open to other firearm options as well but the decision on the M&P line is based on them being an overall reliable handgun design and completely ambidextrous and this is important seeing as I am left-handed. My question to the forum is there a noticeable difference in the ability to carry these two weapons comfortably. Is there a noticeable difference in the ease of concealing the compact weapon over the full size? I ask this question because if there isn't a noticeable difference then I would much prefer the full size handgun over the compact.

Some information on me personally is that I am 6'1'' 165 pds with a 32 in waist to help with the body type.

I'm hoping you all can give me some quality advice on this decision.

I'm not sure about this but I have a hunch about body types. We focus a lot on waist size but I wonder if shoulder width isn't a lot more important. Look at Jon's pictures for example. Shorter and lighter than yourself but his shoulders create a certain drape for whatever he wears. My 24 year old is broad shouldered and seems to conceal some gun/holster combo's easier than I can pull off with much narrower shoulders. But I still have to guess that at a slim 6'1" you could choose either of those M&P choices and not have much problem with a good holster (and adequate belt). The FS is hardly bigger than a G19 which is pretty easy to conceal.

[jon volk]

That is about as impressive a pictoral demo of that as I've ever seen. Carrying concealed since the early '80's and I'm impressed. Which holster you got there?

I molded it myself, but built a wedge shape into it similar to a Shaggy or Keeper.

[Bowman_15]

Thanks for all the advice. I really appreciate it. I ended up getting the full size and believe it was the right choice. Now to begin the search for holster and belt.

A quick side question that I feel doesn't warrant a new thread though.

I bought some gold dots to use for carry and I didn't notice it till i got home but the guy at the shop gave me rounds optimized for short barrels. Will this affect ballistic performance in any way?

[EricM]

I bought some gold dots to use for carry and I didn't notice it till i got home but the guy at the shop gave me rounds optimized for short barrels. Will this affect ballistic performance in any way?

There is no difference at all for 9mm, the short barrel Gold Dots are identical to the "normal" 124gr +P Gold Dots. Short barrel rounds for other calibers do have differences. (source (http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=117082))

[Bowman_15]

Thanks for the information. I appreciate it.

Took the gun out for the first time today. Had a failure during the first magazine. A little disappointing but I isolated the problem to that particular magazine. Just goes to show though that testing the reliability of the equipment is important.