Carry Pocket Pistol or Double Stack?

[timeexposure]

I posted this on the CCW forum, but got only two responses. I'm hoping for more responses here so that I have more to think about.
I'm in the process of applying for a CCW license. I originally put my SIG P320 9mm subcompact and SIG P238 .380 ACP as two of my three guns. Since the application was made, I acquired a Springfield XDs 3.3 .45 ACP, and I want to replace one of those two guns. Which would you replace?
I like the size of the P238, especially considering the thickness of the double-stack P320. But the P320 holds ten rounds of a caliber with greater stopping power. Another but...the two others will have equal (S&W M&P Shield) or better (XDs) stopping power.
Am I better off going with the P238 for those shorts and t-shirt days? Or stick with greater power but thicker P320 subcompact?

[TurboChrisB]

That's the beauty of being able to have more than one. You have three.....the permit allows 3....put them all on the permit. I carry different guns on different days.

The short answer is it depends.

The long answer is it depends on where/when I'm going and what I'm wearing.

I will say that for me, small and light will tend to get carried more than small and heavy.

[tnlrat37]

I have a G26, G42 and Walther PPS m2 on my permit. I originally got the 26 for it then got the other 2 later. My primary is PPS but in shorts and t shirt run quick to the store I carry the G42 in a sticky, easy on off and super lightweight. After carrying now for awhile I don't see me carrying the 26 due to the width of it compared to the other 2. 1/4 inch makes a huge difference carrying plus I shoot the PPS a lot better and the trigger is very nice. I would personally keep the 238 and 320c and let go of the shield. You can always buy another shield but 320 is hard to get here.

[IVC]

When you can have only 3 you have to choose different "types" of guns so you cover all (or most) of your daily scenarios.

Normally, you would want to have a pocket gun such as your P238 (or Kahr, Kimber Solo, Beretta Pico, S&W J-frame or similar) for those days when it's either very hot, or not convenient to strap up. They are great for running quick errands too.

You would also want to have a compact that is carried in the regular rig and that would be your primary carry gun. Your P320 fits nicely (or Glock 19, HK P2000 SK, XD compact variants and alike). This is your standard daily carry.

When you decide on the type of guns you want to carry, exchange only for "like" guns within each type. In your case, XDs in 45 is not a pocket gun, so if you want to squeeze it into rotation it will have to be your P320. On the other hand, I'm not a big fan of removing a compact 9 from the list. The only way I can see your XDs in 45 making sense is to add it as a third gun and keep both Sigs.

[L84CABO]

To be perfectly honest, neither a .380 nor a sub compact single stack, are guns that I would actually want to have to fight with. They both have limitations that I'm not willing to accept...don't like .380 as a defensive round and don't like the short sight radius, reduced capacity, greater recoil, of a sub compact single stack.

If I absolutely had to choose between those options, I guess I hate .380 more than I hate an anemic sub compact. At least the sub has .45 going for it but it's still woefully lacking in the capacity/size department for my tastes. Gock 19 size is as small as I'm willing to go and with the right holster/belt setup, that can be easily concealed in shorts and a t-shirt. This is just my preference. YMMV.

[Bigedski]

Colt 1911 Defender, mine has the standard 1911 size grip, also have a officers model.

[KahrMan]

I posted this on the CCW forum, but got only two responses. I'm hoping for more responses here so that I have more to think about.
I'm in the process of applying for a CCW license. I originally put my SIG P320 9mm subcompact and SIG P238 .380 ACP as two of my three guns. Since the application was made, I acquired a Springfield XDs 3.3 .45 ACP, and I want to replace one of those two guns. Which would you replace?
I like the size of the P238, especially considering the thickness of the double-stack P320. But the P320 holds ten rounds of a caliber with greater stopping power. Another but...the two others will have equal (S&W M&P Shield) or better (XDs) stopping power.
Am I better off going with the P238 for those shorts and t-shirt days? Or stick with greater power but thicker P320 subcompact?

You should gow to a range which allows practice with a holstered weapon and see which ones you actually feel comfortable carrying and using. Personally, the P238 is a bit overrated, imo. Not because of caliber but because it is relatively heavy for the stopping power it provides.

Edit: this might be a good time in the licensing process to contact an instructor and take a live fire session with them.