Double Stack vs. Single Stack

[Erion929]

[teflondog]

I am 6'3", 235 pounds, and have pretty big hands.

You could ccw practically any gun you want with your build. You could probably even conceal a Desert Eagle.

[rlewpolar]

[Erion929]

Agree.....CCWs are still relatively rare in Cali and most people have absolutely no idea that some normal citizens are walking around with protection.

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[jyo]

I like the Kahr CW9 for it's narrow slide and grip---however, my HK P2000SK 9mm offers a better grip and double-stack for more ammo on board---especially when using an X-GRIP extender and P2000 magazines---I'm 6'1'' and 225 with large hands...

[Jimi Jah]

My 1911's have the thinner Kimber rosewood grips because the stock 1911 grips are too fat for my comfort level. Double stacks are mostly too thick too.

[Barang]

with that frame, you can comfortably carry compact and sub-compact.

[Calif Hunter]

I use a Springfield XD9 Subcompact. I do have a standard mag and an extended mag thanks to freedom week, as well as the 2 ten rounders it came with. This time of year, I find myself with my LCP more often; the Springfield works the rest of the year at a 3:30/4:00 position.

[Centralcoastguy]

I use a Springfield XD9 Subcompact. I do have a standard mag and an extended mag thanks to freedom week, as well as the 2 ten rounders it came with. This time of year, I find myself with my LCP more often; the Springfield works the rest of the year at a 3:30/4:00 position.

I just bought one of those thirty minutes ago — the two tone, stainless steel slide one.

Could you carry it at 3:00? Canted slightly forward? Do you worry about butt of gun printing when wearing just a T shirt? What holster do you use? I am planning on using a Vedder Light Tuck.

Thank you for your reply, Calif Hunter!

[cantdance]

Unlike Bill Ruger I believe anyone of good standing should be able to own any capacity magaazine they desire. Want to get that ou of the way before my next statement. I did get some 20 rnd mags for my German Sig 226 and a few different standard cap mags for other guns during freedom week.

I prefer single stack soley for concealability reasons or ease of carry. When I got my first Glock 20 in the early nineties it came with 2 15rnd mags and I thought it absurd to have all those rounds to make the handle essentialy a 2x4.
The transition from say from my LadySmith 9mm isn't a problem with my somewhat larger than average paws. I prefer smaller grips on my n frames for a more controlable grip, to me anyway.

[L84CABO]

Anyone else out there prefer double stack to single stack handguns for EDC? It appears single stack is where all the popularity is with CCW guns.

It's very simple...what gun do you want to fight with? What gun do you want to bet your life and/or the lives of your family on?

A subcompact, short sight radius'd, reduced capacity, greater recoiling, weapon that I can barely get my hand on the grip, is NOT the gun I want to fight with when my life depends on it. But that's me. If it works for you, great. Glock 19 size is as small as I go. YMMV.

[oddjob]

I would just carry whatever is comfortable for you. I'm a T-Shirt & shorts type of person so I carry a single stack. Once in a great while I carry a Glock 26 or 30S.

Just remember a good belt and holster will make a huge difference.

[Packy14]

It's very simple...what gun do you want to fight with? What gun do you want to bet your life and/or the lives of your family on?

A subcompact, short sight radius'd, reduced capacity, greater recoiling, weapon that I can barely get my hand on the grip, is NOT the gun I want to fight with when my life depends on it. But that's me. If it works for you, great. Glock 19 size is as small as I go. YMMV.

[Centralcoastguy]

It's very simple...what gun do you want to fight with? What gun do you want to bet your life and/or the lives of your family on?

A subcompact, short sight radius'd, reduced capacity, greater recoiling, weapon that I can barely get my hand on the grip, is NOT the gun I want to fight with when my life depends on it. But that's me. If it works for you, great. Glock 19 size is as small as I go. YMMV.

I totally agree. I bought an Ruger LCR .38 and I could barely get three fingers around the tiny stock grip. First thing I did was to buy a bigger grip and replace the stock one. Unless you have tiny hands, these micro sized guns and so concealable but hard to shoot well. I always thought I would pocket carry my snubbie, but by the time I dig out my gun from my pocket and get a semi-good grip on small five round gun, it is a less than ideal situation. I never pocket carry.

When it is so humid you are sweating through your clothes and you feel every ounce of a gun, then that is a special occasion and wear what you need to. But I am moving to double stack pistols at 3:30 that I can grab quickly, grip fully, and shoot straight. They are a bit bigger than single stack, yes, but we are not talking huge differences. A Glock 26 is still very concealable.

I bought a shotgun last year with a small-ish stock and replaced that right away with a longer, better butt stock. 12 gauge or 20 gauge seem to me less important than having a good, secure, solid supportive shooting platform for stable firing. Don’t understand those cut down pistol grip shotguns without a stock. Never did get the micro Ruger LCP gun thing. There is such a thing as a too small gun for CCW, unless you have tiny hands.

On the other hand, to carry a Desert Eagle or some other big heavy all steel gun CCW that is like carrying an anchor in your pants? That goes to an extreme in the opposite direction. I suspect all of us through learned experience over months and years of EDC will find the sweet spot — Aristotle’s “Golden Mean.” And it will probably change as we age and our bodies change.

Thank you for all the postings. I learned much from these exchanges. Thank you.

[Erion929]

I totally agree. I bought an LCR .38 and I could barely get three fingers around the tiny stock grip. First thing I did was to buy a bigger grip and replace the stock one. Unless you have tiny hands, these micro sized guns and so concealable but hard to shoot well. I always thought I would pocket carry my snubbie, but by the time I dig out my gun from my pocket and get a semi-good grip on small five round gun, it is a less than ideal situation. I never pocket carry.

When it is so humid you are sweating through your clothes and you feel every ounce of a gun, then that is a special occasion and wear what you need to. But I am moving to double stack pistols at 3:30 that I can grab quickly, grip fully, and shoot straight. They are a bit bigger than single stack, yes, but we are not talking huge differences. A Glock 26 is still very concealable.

I bought a shotgun last year with a small-ish stock and replaced that right away with a longer, better butt stock. 12 gauge or 20 gauge seem to me less important than having a good, secure, solid supportive shooting platform for shooting. Don’t understand those cut down pistol grip shotguns without a stock. Never did get the micro LCP gun thing. There is such a thing as a too small gun for CCW, unless you have tiny hands.

I currently CcW a G26 and a G30S at 3:30 with no issues.

I just got my G19 Gen 5 MOS out of jail, tried it out with a red dot optic, and think it can be doable as a CCW....with the right holster. I’m thinking I’ll want a claw, or possibly the Bravo Concealment Torsion holster with a bend/angle on it, to keep the grip tight to the body.

Again, I’m only 5’9” and 145 lbs....they are all double stack guns.


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