How many have gone from full size to compact back to full size?

[heyyouduh]

Started years ago shooting full sized pistols (glock 17, HK USP, VP9, Staccato P), but in past couple yrs have gone into a compact foray (g19, Staccato C2, 2024 C w/ compact grip etc) in search of a "do it all" pistol that doesn't give up too much shootability but conceals better. I do like the G19.5 and the new Staccato C w/ compact grip, but wish the grip were slightly longer. I've done the trigger undercut and SLR rifleworks magwell on the g19.5 and it does help. The Staccato 2024 C similarly have had no issues, haven't slapped an optic on it, and have not bought more mags yet (seems like they're at least available now). There's a couple of products from QVO like the mag well (out of stock) and the mainspring housing extension that I thought about trying, but haven't gotten around to.

While shooting more deliberate shots I don't see a big difference between, say a G17/45 and G19. I haven't shot a 2024 C w/ a full grip, but would imagine the same results. However, with transitions, unholstering and presenting, a longer / full grip allows me to get a more consistent purchase as well as better balance in hand. In addition, I live in a safe area, work in a safe environment that doesn't allow carry, don't go out as much and frankly only carry on longer trips w/ family. Sometimes carry off body given kids are toddlers and they want to be picked up often. All this to say I'm not sure at this point the better concealment of a compact grip is worth the slight decrease in consistency versus a full grip pistol. I'm really considering going back to full grip handguns like g45 and 2024 C w/ a full grip. Has anyone gone through a similar process here?

[MichaelD]

My first concealed carry gun back in 2009 was my first-gen M&P9c, which was S&W's equivalent of a Glock 26. I ran the gun in one of Todd Green's classes and a number of others.
Four or five years later I moved to appendix carry and started carrying my M&P9 full-size, and found that it wasn't really any more difficult to conceal than the M&P9c except under tight clothes.
Since 2021, I've carried an M&P9 M2.0 Compact, which of course is S&W's equivalent of a Glock 19. It can take full-size mags easily and I will sometimes carry it that way, mostly when I'm hiking.

I do find the larger guns easier to shoot, while the M&P9c is definitely more comfortable to carry due to its lighter weight. I find my M2.0 Compact neatly splits the difference between the M&P9c and the M&P9, and is a good compromise in shootability and comfort in carrying.

I guess what I'm trying to say is if your compact pistol can take full-size mags, it might be worth considering carrying it that way.

[Ghost Dog]

W possible exception of work (as in Felony) always carry that's what will matter.

If super small p32 or Bodyguard 2.0 or a lw snub does that in a Aholster kydex pocket holster kids fingers won't mash through that matters far more.

Having Said that most here can likely perform well enough w a subcompact or macro compared to full size.

Go smaller not ego on range

If truly psychic play lotto

[Darth_Uno]

I don’t even own a 17 at this point. I’ve got a couple 19’s in different setups.

I know we’re gun guys and that’s what we do, but don’t overthink it. Red dots basically eliminated any benefit from a slightly longer sight radius. If you think the heavier slide or longer grip of a full size helps, or you just like ‘em better, by all means go for it.

[Utm]

I am the opposite, every time I switch to a g45 I end up right back at the 19. The 19 is very shootable for me and way less cumbersome to carry than a g45 or 17. I will probably end up with a staccato c 2024 compact to replace my 19 seeing as how I have enjoyed my full sized 2024 c

[revchuck38]

I've got both a G19 with an LTT Grip Anchor and a G45. There's just not that much difference between them in concealability IMO. For context, I'm a geezer who can get away with wearing frumpy geezer clothes, so that bears on my decision. I carry the G19 rather than the G45 because I prefer the way it feels with the Grip Anchor. If I need something smaller, I'll go with one of my Walthers, a P99C (think G26 with a DA/SA trigger) or a PPS, or a J frame.

[revchuck38]

Double tap due to time out.

[JonInWA]

Not that my G17 or G22/31 are going anywhere, but I'll echo the shout-out for the LTT Grip Anchor on the G19/G23.

On my Gen5 G23:







On my Gen 3 G19:









Best, Jon

[JRV]

Just buy and carry whatever you want, as long as it’s affordable and legal. “Gun slightly too small to maximize reload and transition performance” isn’t going to be what kills you.

No one’s opinion about “going back to full size” really matters. Some people have a complex and must carry the biggest, most high-performance pistol they can conceal. Some people have to wear suits every day. Some people are too fat or too skinny to offer a relevant opinion on concealability for your body type. None of those perspectives can inform what ultimately will make you happy with a carry gun decision.

[Rex G]

As I started an anticipated transition to a 9mm duty pistol, from .40, I first bought a pre-owned Glock 17 Gen3, in 2012, to make sure that the combination of 9mm, a lower bore axis than my SIG P229, and the flexing effect of the polymer frame, would be noticeably more “orthopedic,” for my aging hands. Well, the rumored change in duty pistol policy did not change, so, I kept carrying the P229 in my duty rig. PD policy did allow plain-clothed investigators to carry the Glock 19, however, so, I then bought a pair of G19 Gen4 pistols, in 2013/2014, in anticipation of a potential transfer to an investigative role, as a path to follow, in the twilight of my LEO-ing career. One thing that became immediately apparent was that Gen4 fit my hands better than Gen3. I could not shoot a G19 as well as a G17, due to the shorter length of the 19’s back strap, making the grip less-stable in my weapon hand, but, the overall experience was more balanced in favor of the Gen4 G19.

Then, in September 2015, my then-chief finally restored 9mm to its status as an approved duty pistol cartridge, for all personnel, for the first time since 1997. I bought a pair of “blue label” Glock 17 Gen4 pistols. Immediately, I realized the full benefit of the Gen4 frame, in my weapon hand, but with the full-G17-length back strap. I retired my much-loved SIG P229. Thankfully, my transition was easy. I’d had prior experience with Gen3 .40 Glocks, as duty pistols, 2002-2004. I had used “sim” Glocks during training, both in-service training with the PD, and extra-curricular at Shivworks’ ECQC. It did not take me long to realize that concealing a “full-duty-sized” G17 was not more difficult than concealing a G19, at my accustomed ~0300 OWB carry position. With either weapon, the outer rear corner of the slide was what printed, against a cover garment. So, the larger G17, which I could shoot better, and carried just as easily, became my preferred personal-time carry pistol.

Notably, with magazines in place, a G19 is almost as tall as a G17. That beveled “heel,” on the G19’s back strap, makes it look smaller than it really is.

I had bought a quite nice left-handed Raven Concealment Systems holster, for the G19 with a Surefire WML, so, I did keep carrying a G19 some of the time. (My aging right hand might have been having a bad day, or, I might want to carry TWO serious pistols, one of each side. Such things happen.) A G19 also worked much more comefortably, when I wanted to tote a Glock IWB, due to the 19’s shorted slide/barrel length, but, that was a niche role, and I have never learned to like AIWB-ing any blocky Glock AIWB, for more than an hour or two.

Then, in late 2017, while shooting the mandated October qual, I decided, for some now-forgotten reason, to shoot my two G19 pistols, during the first range visit. 100 rounds, total, for the pair, with 70 of those being fired right-handed. Well, more Eighties’ Big Bore Magnum chickens came home, to roost, that day. The effect was not instant, while shooting, but soon afterward, pain, swelling, and even a bit of discoloration. I waited two weeks, near the end of the month, to shoot quals with my G17 and 1911 duty pistols. The result was much happier; no pain or swelling.

That effectively shorter G19 back strap, that had kept a G19 from being as stable in my hand, resulting less accuracy, and slower shot-to-shot recovery, had started acting as a “pain compliance” tool on the most sensitive part of the palm of my Size L hand.

I acquired a G19x, which has the longer grip, and later added a Gen5 17 and a Robar-customized Gen3 17. I sold-off my G19 pistols, in 2020, when the shortage of pistols made them desirable on the pre-owned market. Eventually, in early 2024, I realized that a G19 can still have a useful role, now and then, so, I did buy a well-preserved Gen3 19, which I will probably only ever fire left-handed. (Thus far, my left hand remains much healthier than my right hand.)

I could type more, with more examples, but, this is getting long enough.