[BattleRifleG3]

NO, NOT THE USUAL CALIBER DISPUTE!!! Just the size of the gun here.

Sure we have an ideal size, but apart from extreme states of low dress or heavy dress, what would you guys consider the upper and lower range for CCW pieces?

In my view, a full size 1911 offers an unusually slim width that makes up for its height and length. I thought Berettas and HK USPs were huge when I first saw them compared to a 1911. Beneath that, I'd consider a mid-size to be the largest, ie a Ruger KP345 (though I have yet to hold one and may find it too big for CCW.) To me grip length is more significant than barrel length, so squat pistols with long grips don't make much sense to me.

As for the smallest, I'd say the large end of what could be called compact. I'm thinking Taurus 145 (with no presumptions about its reliability) or Makarov. Even the Makarov's a little anemic for my large hands. I'm a guy who finds double stack 1911s more comfortable than single stacks to shoot. A DE is pushing it though.

Not sure if I'd consider a revolver for CCW, but as far as height goes, a cylinder above the grip only adds to the size required for it. I have a feeling any revolvers I'll get will be for target, hunting, and home defense, not CCW.

So what's the largest and smallest that you guys would carry.

 

[Thrawn]

I'm perfecly happy with my .357 Airweight S&W. The biggest i would carry would probably be my Tarus PT145 or Springfield Armory .45 G.I. (yes I can see those little sights just fine) I feel that my Airweight is the perfect combination between size and a hard hitting caliber for a conceal carry pistol. :nod: I know that this gun is not for everybody, It does bite on both ends. I've had big guys like me almost cry when they shoot it, but have also had a petite lady shoot it without complaint.

 

[gunssb]

hmm...not that CCW is ever going to be allowed here. But 1910 browning in .380acp & 1911 GI.

 

[Big Dog]

My minimum would be one of the Kel-Tec ultra-compacts - for wear in summer with light clothing, it would still be concealable.
In cooler weather, I'd go with a smaller Glock or a PP/PPK-sized gun.
In an outdoor environment if I knew I'd be keeping my coat on, maybe my CZ52 or Maadi Cadet - service pistols but smaller than a 1911.

 

[BamaBowTie]

Smallest would be a Kel-Tec 9mm and largest would be a Desert Eagle in .44 magnum (cause we cant have anything larger than .45 for ccw)

 

[MAX7.62]

Biggest - full size 1911 (sometimes I do pack the .45 WinMag Griz just because)

Smallest - Officer frame 1911


Do you detect the normal trend for me here?

 

[Oxford]

Biggest---------45ACP
Smallest--------9mm Springfield XD Sub Compact

 

[James B]

Smallest Ruger P97DC Biggest K Frame 357 Mag. These are thge two guns I carry. I have a pocket size 25 Auto but I never carry it alone.

 

[SilverRun]

Kel-tec (P3AT) as the smallest and maybe an XD-40 as the largest. I really like the P3AT for CCW.

 

[Shaun]

I regularly rotate my P220 and 92fs into the carry rotation

 

[asgard_prince]

I carry my 1911 and a P-3AT, and I wouldn't stray to much farther at either end

 

[Lonegun1894]

smallest, not ever by itself, but just as a backup, NAA .22. Largest, Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt, with a 7.5 inch barrel. Anyone ever consider carrying one of the AOW 12 ga pumps? Figure it might fit under a coat nice in cold weather. But dont have one and dont plan on going through the red tape to get one anytime soon. Have carried an MP-5SD under a coat, but that wasnt stateside--and dont ever wanna do that again.
Paul

 

[Guest]

smallest..double action .22 magnum derringer

biggest..Gold Cup .45ACP or my Smith & Wesson 4 inch barreled L Frame .357 magnum

 

[Thrawn]

I now carry a Para Carry 6.45 LDA and use my .357 Airwieght for a back up carry. A couple of guys I know refer to my carry guns as "artillary" instead of CCW's. (They can't help it, they are lost .40 Glock carrying sheep:joker: )

 

[Johan Malan]

CCW isn't allowed in Canada, but back in SA I used to carry a snubbie in 38special, that would be my smallest. For a large gun I would have to pick a M60 machine gun!!!

 

[Guest]

they are lost .40 Glock carrying sheep

I wish I had a Glock .40 (I'd rather have a 9mm though..cheaper to shoot) :target:

 

[ash]

I carry a .45 kimber pro carry and a s&w 640 as backup.
probably wouldn't go much smaller than the 640 for a backup and not much larger than my rossi cyclops.


“Three things matter in marksmanship- location, location, location.

 

[Otter]

Colt Combat Commander in .45 mostly in the back of my pants, Glock Model 30 in .45 in a shoulder rig sometimes.

"Life is too important to be taken seriously."

 

[OneInchGroup]

1991A1 Colt. If you need to carry, then carry something that will get you OUT of trouble, not INTO it. If there's going to be a gunfight, bring enough gun.
No 9mm will ever outgun a .45, and after the noise stops, you want to be !!!!ed sure the only guy talking to the police is going to be you, not some "innocent" mugger you only half-shot with an undersize, but "comfy to carry" popgun.

 

[ruger22com]

I doubt anybody will mess with you if you are walking down the street with an M-60 under your arm! as for small? nothing smaller than a 38sp.