Everyday Carry
By Robb Manning
Choosing a Caliber for Carry: Part 2, Size of Firearm
In Choosing a Caliber for Carry: Part 1, I discussed that the number of rounds you had at your disposal was determined by the caliber that you chose, and for me, the best choice was 9mm. Another side to that, is that your choice of calibers will be influenced by the size of the pistol that you can carry -- which is affected by the carry circumstances that you have. Circumstances such as the cloths that you wear, open carry vs. concealed carry, on-body or off-body, work environment, etc., can all have a bearing on the size of the pistol that you can carry.
In general, it’s best to dress around your firearm, not choose your firearm based on how you dress. However, that isn’t always possible, due to certain work attire, certain situations, or perhaps due to the subject’s preference against concealed carry clothing styles. For example, if your work attire is semi- to form-fitting, you are going to need a micro-compact handgun. Or, if you are wearing beach attire, you are not going to be carrying a full-size Glock. This is the determinant: the harder it is to conceal the handgun, the smaller it needs to be. The smaller it needs to be, the more you limit the size of the caliber you can choose, although that has changed some in recent years. Larger handguns are going to offer higher magazine capacity, larger calibers and are more shootable. For me, the preference is to always carry the largest handgun I can, in the carry situation that I am in. If I can, I will wear clothing that will allow for me to carry a full sized handgun. If I can’t, then I will carry a sub-compact. If I can’t carry that, then I will carry a micro-compact.
Before I continue, I want to define a couple of terms, for the sake of this column. When talking about the size of handguns, every manufacturer is different, and what is a sub-compact pistol to one, might be a compact to another -- and the sub-compact of one might actually be larger than the compact of another. Then you can add micro-compact and ultra-compact to the list of terms. For the sake of this column, I’m going to use two of those terms -- sub-compact and micro-compact. Sub-Compact is approximately 4.5” Height, 6.5” Length and 1.25” thick. Micro-compact is approximately 4” Height, 6” Length and 1” width. (Note: manufacturers go more by height -- which is dependent upon grip length -- than they do length, so you will see greater variations in length than you do height.)
Three different sizes of handguns. (Left to right) Micro-Compact, Compact, Full Size.
Up until recently, if carry circumstances meant you needed something micro-compact, you were limited to the .380 ACP (there are smaller guns that use smaller calibers, but most firearms experts agree that the .380 is about as small as you should go). The smallest handgun that I have fired is the Ruger LCP -- a .380. Unless your job is a swimsuit model, there are very few garments or situations in which you would not be able to conceal a LCP. Recently, though, there has been a proliferation of micro-compact 9mm pistols that are almost as small as the LCP and its peers. I recently fired a Kimber Solo - the difference between it and the LCP is approximately a quarter inch in length and height. I think these micro-nines are incredible, and allow you to carry a full power cartridge in almost any situation, and with normal street cloths. To me, they come close to making the .380 obsolete for defensive carry, since they are in a package almost as small. There are larger caliber choices in the micro-compact category, such as Kahr Arms PM40 in .40 S&W, which is the same size as their PM9 and other micro-nines. To fit a .40 into such a small package, they had to reduce the magazine capacity to five rounds, which gets back to my argument in “Choosing a Caliber for Carry: Part 1, Number of Rounds.” Simply, I don’t want lower magazine capacity. It’s also going to be important that you can handle a .40 out of such a small package -- quick, accurate follow-up shots are important. Micro-compacts are a great choice for almost all attire, and can be worn with tucked shirts.
If your concealed carry situation can allow for it, slightly larger is the sub-compact category (or compact, depending on manufacturer). This increase in size is going to allow even more ammunition choices. You have all the options in 9mm, with even more magazine capacity; and you also have more options in .40 S&W. More manufacturers offer sub-compacts in .40, with more magazine capacity and more controllability for follow-up shots. More powerful than the 9mm, but more round capacity than the .45 ACP, the .40 has become a hit with many law enforcement departments and government agencies. Several manufacturers also offer sub-compacts in calibers such as .45 ACP, 10mm Auto and .357 Sig. Of course, carrying a sub-compact means you are going to have to wear concealed carry-friendly attire. Several companies offer shirts specifically designed to aid in concealing firearms, though they can be pricey. As long as you stay with shirts that are a little long, loose-fitting, and have a pattern that breaks up outlines, you are OK. Patterns with stripes and checkers work great, as does plaid.
If carry circumstances dictate, I have found it not difficult to conceal a full-size handgun, which is optimal to me. A full-size handgun is going to open your caliber choice to any handgun caliber that’s being offered. It’s also going to increase your magazine capacity, and offer the best controllability. Concealing a full-size handgun is not as difficult as you might think. I have an excellent Inside-the-Waistband (IWB) holster from Side Guard Holsters, that works great for concealing large handguns. The one I have is made for a 1911. An IWB holster will allow you to carry concealed with normal street cloths, even with a large handgun. My 1911 has since been taken out of commission, and I now carry a Glock G20, which is their large framed full-size. I don’t have an IWB holster for it yet, however with a good belt, good Outside-the-Waistband (OWB) holster, and proper concealed carry shirt, I’m good to go. Another great option, even if you don’t have a concealed carry shirt, is to use a concealed carry vest. With this you can wear any shirt -- even a t-shirt -- and put the vest over it and you’re good to go.
In sum, the larger the handgun that your carry situation allows for, the more choices you have in the caliber that you choose. If you can carry full-size, your choices are infinite. A sub-compact is going to cut back on your choices considerably, but all of the most popular choices are still available. Also, this category will also give you choices across a broad spectrum of power choices, from 9mm to .45 ACP up to 10mm Auto. If your carry options are limited to a micro-compact, your options in caliber are very limited -- but fortunately that option is the full-power 9mm, which is still an excellent option, with the right ammo. With the 9mm, and now the .40 S&W, you are no longer out-gunned, even if you are limited to a micro-compact handgun.
Please direct any questions or comments to: robb.manning@onwisconsinoutdoors.com.