I am asking how many have decided after a long time carrying a full size/ large frame handgun
to downsize to something lighter and smaller?
After a few decades of carrying 3lbs of metal (1911 a sig p220ss) I am contemplating switching to something small and lite.
I have not yet, because I am a 45 acp guy but now I tried out a Springfield XDS sure it holds less rds but heck I am a civilian now and don't go looking for trouble. Besides the mags are small you can carry a couple extra just incase of failures.
Post your thoughts and reasons to downsize or not.
Thanks all
Now if there is an option you want and I did not list it in the poll just mention it in your reply we'll all get the Idea.
99.9% of the time I have a mid-sized gun on my person. (Most of the time it is a Glock 23, from time to time it is a Sig 228). When it is imperative that nobody other than me know I am armed I have a PF9 that I carry. And on Jeff Cooper's birthday I tend to carry the 1911 to honor the man that brought handguns into the modern era.
I carried a taurus 85 ss for 20 years then a for a few a kt pf-9 and after shooting cw9 I bought a cm9 for pocket and sold the kt. So for the last few years a cm9 or cw9 kahr. Never carry big as I worked construction and never swap around much. Also tried to stay with the same trigger desig or feel. Just pickup a 738 tcp for when really small is needed but it won'r be cc often.
Recently started with my LCP do to its concealment abilities but I REALLY need to spend more time at the range to get comfortable. Makes me want to get something bigger for accuracy purposes.
I carry a SR9 in a CB Super Tuck and my G26 in a IWB holster and even pocket carry sometimes and my LCP with CT Laser in a pocket holster on the lighter days.
I carry as large as I can get away with, up to and including 4-inch K-Frame Smith & Wesson revolvers or a full-sized Government Model Colt. No downsizing desired here.
I voted "Whatever I feel like from day to day", but really, it's been a slow downsize. I used to carry a Sig 226, then a Glock 21 daily. Then, I was able to go down to a G26 most of the time. Later, I was able to go even smaller (Kahr PM9, then a P45) & now it just depends on what I'm doing. If I need small, it's a Taurus PT709, Kahr P45, or a Glock 26. If I need bigger & more capacity, then it's a Glock 19. I no longer carry a full size gun.
I downsize on the weight by switching to an alloy frame .45 especially in summer with shorts. The holster that I have for that particular firearm distributes the lighter weight really well and the steep forward cant conceals very well under just a T-Shirt.
Depends on what I am doing, the weather, dress code for the day etc. Usually I try to dress around the gun, and carry the biggest I can get away with. Sometimes that is the P225.
I started out with the so called subcompact Glocks. They're not. Way too fat. Then I started carrying a .32 Beretta, and later a 380 LCP. It just became evident that I was getting lazy and lulled into a false sense of security by carrying these tiny caliber guns. So, I got a Ruger LC9 9mm, and carried some +p hollow point carry ammo. Then, Springfield released the XDs in my favorite round (.45), in a gun roughly the size of the LC9! Been loving it. Now, I can carry a very good caliber, in a nice small package.
I really think these .380's are dangerous. They just IMHO don't have the stopping power needed, so you're basically carrying around a noise maker that will call attention to your position, but might not actually stop the threat.
Usually a 38 snub or a PF-9, but the 45 officer and the Hi-power clone still get carried. Just recently got a S&W M64 snub and am looking at getting a decent holster for it for carry also. But would have to say the j-frame size snubs get most of the carry probably 90% of the time nowadays.
.357 LCR took the starting job of my Sig P220st. Once it gets colder out and layers of clothes are appropriate the Sig may get the nod again. Especially since I got a new IWB holster from American Holster Co
I go back and forth depending on what I'm doing/wearing. If it's hot and I'm just wearing shorts and t-shirt I pocket carry a LCR. Other times I will carry a Kahr CM9 in a Remora. And if I have a cover garment on I carry my XD9.
I did downsize. Went from my 45 to a Ruger LC9, but I voted whatever I feel like day to day, because there are times when my 45 comes with me. I go with the smaller lighter rigs in summer and warm weather but as the temp drops and I wear a jacket I find it easy to bring something larger. As far as the weight, yes light is nice but I don't want to get used to the lighter weights.
My Glock 19 is pretty big so I generally carry a Kahr CM9 in pocket holster and this seems to work good. I also have been very impressed with reliability of Kahr.
All guns have positive and negative qualities for certain uses or situatuions, so one good reason for having "choices" available and for buying more guns. .
always carry a Glock 19 or Glock 26...that's not changing any time soon. I upsized my BUG from a Keltec 3AT or LCP to a Keltec PF-9, Kahr CM9 or Kahr CM40. Came to the conclusion that if I needed my second gun, I was already in a world of trouble, and the .380 simply doesn't have the ballistics I was looking for in a DRT BUG.
lately i've been switching back and forth between a glock 17 and 19. I do carry the 19 more, so I'd say i've recently went from large to medium. Back before that I went from CW45 to m&p 9c to P220 SAS, all of which were steps up in frame size. But then, I did recently get a j frame that I'm still waiting on a holster to arrive for, so on the days that it gets carried as a primary it will be a big step down in size from either of the glocks...so...I guess you could say that I can't make up my mind.
A g19. I think it's all a trade off. My XD .45 can carry 13 rounds but is big and heavy. Smaller than the 19 they lack capacity and more often than not you carry an extender on the magazine so they are not really much smaller.
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