Thread: Handguns for Self Defense in the USA.

Being on duty and off duty are different things for a cop and there is no “on duty” for John Q Public. Both share the same reasons for carrying. Personal protection when out and about in public. A cop might carry because of department policy (many agencies require their off duty sworn to still be armed) or possibly because they bump into their “clients” when out of uniform. I’ve had that happen a number of times. It is a very unsettling feeling; even worse when they remember you and you don’t. Which has happened to me.

Your private citizen carries for various reasons. Troubled past with an ex that makes threats. Business that involves lots of cash transactions. Having to work in more unsavory neighborhoods. Troubled economic situation and sadly having to live in a rougher part of town. Etc… No matter what, they choose to exercise their Constitutional Right and carry for protection.

But like I said in the first part of this thread. Simply carrying doesn’t make one safe. Guns are tools, the mind is the weapon. A famous US Supreme Court case in 1981 stated the following; “Police do not owe a specific duty to provide police services to citizens based on the public duty doctrine.” Translated to plain English; it means police do not have a duty to protect you individually. So that means you have to protect yourself and be trained and understand the responsibility that comes with carrying.

Okay, so you’ve made the decision to carry for personal protection. Now comes the nuts and bolts of the issue. What are you actually going to carry. There is a huge variety out there on what to carry. Fullsize service pistols like a Glock 17, Beretta 92FS, 1911, Sig P229, S&W Model 686, Ruger SR45, etc…. then you have your compacts, subcompacts, and pocket guns. We’re not even talking about carrying a revolver versus a semi-auto yet.



So let’s get into carrying a fullsize service gun. What are the pros and cons you might ask.

Pros – Longer sight radius, usually a greater ammunition capacity, less recoil due to mass and size, fullsize grip.

Cons – Heavier, larger, harder to conceal under clothing and limits clothing options.

Now why would you carry a fullsize pistol? Possibly costs is a reason. Quality guns aren’t cheap and maybe all you can afford is one. Maybe you want to carry your department issued pistol or maybe you were trained on a service pistol in the military and you did well. Maybe you compete and you have muscle memory down pat. Carrying a fullsize pistol is doable and many do it every day.


Ruger Single Action Revolver in traditional leater IWB holster.


Glock 17 and a cop’s duty rig.


Glock Model 20 in an Alien Gear Hybrid IWB holster.


Sig P Series and a 1911 carried IWB.


Fullsize Glock carried OWB.

Now let’s look at the compact models real quick. The compact pistols are a balance between the two extremes. You have a pistol that is a master of none, jack of all trades pistol. It can be used as a duty pistol, it can be carried concealed, and it offers the majority of the pros of a fullsize pistol without some of the cons. You usually lose some barrel length, grip length, and capacity. But you get a pistol that wears a little better.

Lets look at some of the options out there. Here you have a Browning Hi-Power (which is a service size pistol that is pretty slim and sleek), a Glock 19, a Sig P225/P6, and a S&W Model 3913.







The Hi-Power holds 13+1, the Glock 19 holds 15+1, the Sig P225/P6 holds 8+1, and the S&W 3913 holds 8+1. As you can see. They all pretty much are similar in size and width. Some are single stack and some are double stack. But like I said….. going over the actual guns are for another post.


S&W Model 5926. It is considered by some to be a compact pistol.


Beretta Model 84F in .380 Auto. One of the larger compacts in a smaller cartridge.

Now you have the subcompact.



These are given various names. Baby Glocks, mighty midgets, and Goldilocks Guns, etc… But the majority of people choose to carry these. They’re lighter, smaller, and are still capable to provide adequate protection. Originally, these guns were chambered in cartridges that were viewed here in the US as “not duty capable”. Normal chamberings like 9mm Kurtz, .32 Auto, 9x18mm Makarov, and .22LR. The one common subcompact carry piece that ruled the roost for many years and still has a loyal following is the snub nosed revolver in .38 Special. For generations that cartridge served as the standard bearer for law enforcement and the military. The FBI, LAPD, NYPD, and numerous other agencies issued it until the early 1990s. Today it still serves as a backup gun for many cops. But with modern advances in design both for ammunition and pistols. You now have subcompacts chambered in service cartridges like 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. The older weaker loads aren’t left in the dust either. Modern hollow point design has given new life in these smaller cartridges and .380 Auto has especially seen a new resurgence in popularity and capability.


S&W Model 4013 TSW in .40 S&W. 9+1 in capacity and packs a punch when needed.


Glock 26 in a DeSantis Ankle Glove. 10+1 capacity of 9mm.

The majority of the subcompact are the smallest versions of their fullsize cousins. Usually the same design, controls, and chamberings. Magazines form their larger brethren usually work in the smaller guns. But a lot of folks carry these because while there is plenty of trade off. You still have a good pistol that can be used.





Then you have the pocket pistols.


Two true pocket pistols that rule the market right now. Ruger LCP in .380 Auto a a Kel-Tec P32 in .32 Auto.

Both are extremely light, compact, and easy to carry. A Samsung Galaxy S5 cell phone takes more space in your pocket than one of these little guys. They are remedial sights if any, a capacity of 7 or less, and chambered in smaller cartridges like the .380 Auto, .32 Auto, or .25 Auto. They’re referred to as Belly Guns, Phone Booth Fighters, pocket pieces, corner store milk run guns, etc… These are guns to carry when you’re limited by dress, social environment, work restrictions, and simply needing deep cover. Pocket pistols are guns you carry when you can’t carry a gun basically.

Next posting with be about methods of carry. Both for men and women.