Page 1 of 1

Compact vs Sub-Compact Carry

Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 8:39 pm
by Turfspanker
OK folks... Newbie here. I'm new to concealed carry but not guns. I have a Glock 23 and 27 and have always assumed the 27 sub-compact would be the preference for carry. I'm a few weeks from getting the plastic in hand so I carry IWB around the house to get use to the new feel.

I've noticed that the Compact hides about the same as the Sub and frankly, the Compact is a superior gun in terms of accuracy and hand control. The only advantage with the sub appears to be carry weight and possibly pocket carry.

I can understand the on-duty requirement for a sub as backup or keeping the sub as a pocket/fannypack purpose. My wife is former LEO so we opted for the Glock 40 family with the sub as backup. The interchangability of Mags from Compact to Sub sealed the decision to go Glock. The reliability rep also was key.

I'm almost thinking full size for IWB since the printing doesn't seem to matter whether its sub or compact. They are both the same. You can't beat a larger pistol for accuracy.

Does it all boil down to weight at the end of the day???

Edited - This topic may belong in another forum section. Please pardon the ND if this is the case.

Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:32 pm
by G.C.Montgomery
To be honest, there is no easy answer. You have to decide how much concealment is necessary for your lifestyle. If concealment isn't an issue, carry the largest size that is still reasonably concealable. If concealment is a bigger issue, as it is for me, then you may need to consider the compromise of a smaller gun.

I've been looking at moving to a 26/27 for deep concealment at the office. Can't have users thinking the IT dept is going to bust a cap in them. I've carried a Glock 19/23 for years but I'm now in a higher profile role than my last job. Dedicated network admins often get to hide in their little hole...Not so when you are the entire IT department in a firm of 25 people. Printing can be an issue in my environment. So, I'm considering moving to a 26/27 in a pocket or ankle rig to wear while I'm in the office.

Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:01 pm
by 9mmGuy
While i have no experience with the sub-compact 26/27. i do carry a 19 all the time and i never have printing problems. When i first got it i was for sure that the grip was to big, but it conceals very nice with just an IWB and a t-shirt. Some times when the wife and i go out she asks me (i dont carry 100% of the time) if i am carrying. and she knows right where to look (4:30-5 o'clock IWB) :cool:

like "they" say go with whats comfortable for you and dont worry so much about printing cause most people aren’t looking anyway!! Good Luck

Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:17 pm
by fm2
Excellent points are made already. I'd add another consideration weapon access. Would you carry the 27 IWB or only pocket? The 23's larger grip will probably be easier to access.

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:38 am
by jbirds1210
I carry a 26 most of the time. I decided once that I just had to have a 19 and ended up selling it almost immediately. I prefer the 17 if printing is not an issue and just did not care for the mid-size grip on the 19.