Ep. 329 | Does a Full-Size Pistol Make the Most Sense?

Pistols come in all shapes and sizes. But what is the best size for your first pistol? What is the best size for your carry pistol? Are they perhaps the same? Pete Schreier from Vortex Edge® sits down with host Mark Boardman to chat through his full-size-pistol philosophy. What are you packing? Will it change after this podcast? Tune in to find out.
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[@chrisjewell3435]

A podcast epsiode shorter than some 10 minute talks😂.

[@gpearce11]

I think you meant "most" 10 minute talks

[@chrisjewell3435]

@gpearce11 that is what I meant your right lol

[@kevinwatkins1355]

Don't look at how long today's 10 minute talk was

[@chrisjewell3435]

@kevinwatkins1355 I did lol 😆

[@5.56NTO]

@@gpearce11I think you both meant “all”

[@jakewhite4321]

Spaghetti shootout topic: what is something you wish the firearms industry would offer? I would like ammo manufacturers offer a dogs lunch of loadings in 1 box. That way I can see what shoots the best with my rifle without buying multiple boxes of ammo.

[@kevincolonel3070]

Pellet manufacturers do that, and I agree with you. It would be nice to see this available in rimfire and centerfire calibers.

[@jaydunbar7538]

My wife’s first pistol was a hi point that was purchased because it is pink camo, which set her up good for when she got her second pistol, a shield plus, she was able to clearly see the difference

[@rockchalk06]

A lot of good info here. I really liked that Pete touched on starting with a full sized handgun to start. Think of it like starting a new shooter with a .223 v's a .300 PRC. Great job guys

[@Stonewallx39]

Definitely agree with the perspective, though a full sized handgun is inconvenient to carry. The S&W Shield plus is the biggest of the “micros” and shoots like a much bigger pistol. Good middle ground with ease of carry and ability to learn.

[@doghousedon1]

A full size? Absolutely! I've carried a full size for decades, appendix carry, with absolutely no problems whatsoever. When it comes to combat, they hold all the advantages. Thanks for the vid.

[@oblivionpro69]

But why are we talking about combat? Is that applicable to the average ccw holder? No, it isn’t. The reality is almost nobody will actually carry a full size gun, they will leave the damn thing at home.

[@Yetified_Mayhem]

Yep, exactly. Especially in summer

[@raywells2858]

Im a retired Weapons Tech of 21 years in the military and taught people how to shoot and ran gun ranges. This is a most excellent video and ya'll dropped a lot of Truth Bombs! I live in Texas, average built guy and CC a full sized 1911 or Glock 17 everytime I step out the house door.

[@goodnewseverybody739]

Yes as a relatively new shooter, I made the same mistakes and came to the same conclusion. I made no real improvements til I got a full size and a .22. I could hardly hit paper at 25 ft, now I’m hitting good at 25yds, and at 50yds with this new Canik.

[@Joeatsaco69]

I agree. Start larger. As you get better you can go smaller. Smaller pistols are more snappy. Start with accuracy. May be harder to conceal but not impossible.

[@benneuls4142]

I agree. First pistol I bought was Sig P220 45. Decided to go with a pretty small 380 for sheer conceal ability later on. However, I found the full size pistol was easier to shoot more accurately.

[@williamgoldston5803]

I have trouble finding the correct holster that is functional and comfortable. I would like to learn more about holster design for optics and lights as well as correct fitting.

[@walkercustoms]

I started with larger guns, only went smallest when i started to carry one a lot. Now i have 2 carry guns. Not too small but still 9mm and 380. I practiced a lot before and now i really only practice with the 2 i use all the time. A G19 to me is a good starting size as the 17 really seems oversized or "competition" size just my opinion though. Everyone is different. Been seeing a lot more people buying them now.

[@Darthdoodoo]

If your not sure go with the glock 26 it is small enough to conceal carry but at night you can use the longer mags from the g17 or even a 50rnd drum mag if u want. U can get a sleeve for mags to make it a full size grip

[@AshleyPage-mq2ke]

I am a 120 pound girl and I carry a Walther PPS 40 cal. I love that firearm and shoot well with it.

[@gsojohn5079]

My wife of 29 years is 120 pounds also; shoots Sig 229 very well. She says it's like shoes, they either fit or they don't.

[@tysonfromm5397]

no mention of revolvers? Im packing a 3in k6s with handloads. All your grips look magazine shaped instead of hand shaped... haha

[@ryanwilson6036]

Another thing to consider here isn't just size, but WEIGHT. If you're looking for something that's easy to shoot, but can also be concealed by a smaller stature person, a metal framed "compact" pistol is a great option. The weight will help tame the muzzle rise and it will be much easier to carry than a full size polymer gun.

[@MikeKrochburnes]

To me it makes the most sense. I’m a little bit bigger of a guy too so having a bigger surface to grab onto is always nice. Small guns are nice sometimes but you’ll usually be outgunned. It’s nice there’s options like the 43x and 48, and so on.

[@rickh9396]

I don't disagree that starting with larger guns is the better way to learn. That said, I learned on a pocket pistol and that made it a breeze to shoot the CZ P-10F I bought a decade later. When I bought that pocket pistol for $200, I was just a few years out of college with student loan repayments and I couldn't afford $1,500 for a Glock 17, 19, and finally a 43 that I would actually carry every single day.

[@jaydunbar7538]

Picked the right one for me, have a Galco holster at 3 with a colt python. Got me kicked out of Costco but o well lol

[@jeremywilson15147]

I used to carry a tiny lil TCP, but I recently switched to a Shield Plus and the difference is crazy. The Shield carries almost as easily as the TCP, but I can shoot it like my 92fs.

[@bluebeastsrt]

Once you figure out what you’re doing it doesn’t really matter. I prefer my Glock 20 to anything. But summertime carry with a Glock 43x is just fine. I’m fairly certain nobody wants to be shot with either.

[@MrTacklebury]

Both my girls love my 1911 best. I like a full size, due to hand size and much more capacity. I do have an LCP for deep conceal and a 3" .45 Colt double action revolver which allows me to shoot from mild to wild. I still prefer the 1911 full size or my 9mm full frame with 18 to 20 round capacity.

[@ericwiltse8054]

We use the M&P 2.0 for a duty pistol in WA State. Even smaller statured people do well. Thanks for the input.

[@propertypreparedness6846]

Happy Monday!

[@gsojohn5079]

Holster and even more important.... the belt.

[@jimyeats]

I think the best way to state this issue is that ANY new shooter should start on a gun that fits THEIR hand reasonable well, and is low recoiling and comfortable to shoot so that they can focus on the fundamentals of shootings. That doesn't mean a full size is the right gun either. It might mean a Ruger SR22, or a Shield EZ or whatever. Once they are comfortable with shooting fundamentals and have an idea of what's available, then they can decide on the size gun that fit's THEIR specific needs, whether carry, home defense, a mix, exc.

[@shermrock345]

The smaller pistols for me are my backup that i don't open carry. I mostly carry them on my ankle

[@saltsea9499]

this should just be called the glock minutes

[@HB-kp6rl]

I think the 19x/ G45 pistols are the tits. Compact barrel with a full size grip are awesome for most people. That or a G17 size blaster. I csrry a 43x in gym shorts and a G19 or G45 in jeans. Im looking at the m&p 2.0 3.6 compact. Hopefully glocks makes a G19 3.6 type blaster

[@jcnikoley]

The right size gun is the largest gun you can comfortably carry and conceal. For me that's a "full size", e.g., G22/17, etc.

[@chadillac95]

What? 15 minutes?? Could've just thrown that in a 10 minute talk! I thought Mark was joking when he said "I don't have any more questions"

[@thedirtygot9570]

Love my Glock 19

[@sisleymichael]

This is one guy's opinion.

[@Fullyautomagic]

No way. Really?

[@bobhu6011]

do you recommend starting with a 9mm or to start lighter with a 38 or 22 to get your form better because of less recoil

[@tyrantworm7392]

If you are a full size male (rather than a child) then 9mm. Start with range ammo as it's generally relatively light loaded, concentrate on getting good consistent contact on the gun and starting slow. I'd strongly recommend shooting with someone known competent to show you the fundamentals, such as correct grip and trigger pull; this will ensure you learn from a solid foundation and not learn poor technique from the start. I know that not everyone can afford instruction, but if you can then do so, particularly at the start. If you have never shot a handgun before and are looking to buy without prior instruction then talk to a decent shop, ask about best fit for your hand size, so that you get something which you can make good two hand connection with, and with correct trigger reach. More people miss because they don't know how to press the trigger than the recoil of the firearm itself.

[@notetaking9308]

There's nothing you'll learn from shooting a 22 pistol that you wouldn't learn from dry fire.

[@youmustvotenato]

I would recommend a compact

[@joeromeiro3858]

I agree I shoot larger revolver better than small I imagine pistols are the same

[@rudyvazquez8230]

🙏🏼

[@shermrock345]

And i can conceal carry carry a Glock 17 size firearm with no problem. Can also conceal carry a hi+point jhp 45

[@ixTaTonkaxi]

They must love each other like me and my wife

[@clinkerclint]

Something I've recently encountered is you're not going to convince nearly any woman to carry a full size gun. They go to the gun shop and they come home with a Glock 43 or a Sig P238 that they actually will carry but at the range, they struggle. These girls that aren't necessarily enthusiasts but want to be protected face obstacles. They won't carry a full size gun and they get discouraged because they're not immediately good at shooting a tiny gun that nobody shoots well. What the heck do you do with these kinds of people? 😂

[@tyrantworm7392]

Shoot with them, get them trigger time on a gun which fits well. Small guns can be shot well, but the smaller they are relative to the hand, the more critical of bad fundamentals they are. Handguns aren't easy to hit with, few people start off even being able to consistently hit A zone at 10yds, it does require effort, but having put in the time they can be confident that their skills will be there if needed.

[@shermrock345]

A lot of thegirl children coming up shoot their competitions with a full size gun and im talking about 8 to 22 year old girls.

[@shermrock345]

And i say don't conceal unless its required by your state. And if it is move to another state or get onto your politicians. Why? For me i find its alot easier and faster to drsw from a holster and not from concealed. And i train to defwnd against people trying to take it and carry a backuo on my ankle in case they take it at gun point.

[@thatoneguyshawn]

The George Costanza photo 😂😂😂

[@Darthdoodoo]

Glock 26 is the best of both worlds and is a good way to get by til u decide what you need

[@MartinVeneroso]

While I agree about handgun sizes, I think that someone who is interested in concealed carry will need to find a handgun that he or she will be able and willing to carry daily, and for me that excludes my Glock 19 as it is just too heavy for me. In addition, I think it is irresponsible to recommend appendix carry to new shooters/carriers. I would rather a newbie carry a micro 9 than any size of handgun at the appendix position. Without significant training, practice, and experience carrying, the appendix position is just not safe for concealed carriers.

[@LC-uw5dy]

Pistol Pete

[@ronws2007]

My EDC is a S&W M&P M2.0 in 9 mm. Full size with 4.25 nich barrel, 17 rd double stack mag. in and OWB holster under a large angler shirt. If you look close enough, you might see that I am carrying. Most People don't. Not that I am worried. In order to maintain a well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Period, paragraph, end of book, forever, amen.

[@keithprinn720]

who actually needs to own and use one first question.

[@aleckbayless8693]

Man 15 minutes to say yes bigger is better.

[@nksmfamjp7801]

Interesting, but horrible advice. Do you guys leave the range? Seriously! At 6’3”, big guy size, I see most full size pistols as impossible to carry. I have carried a 5” 1911 before, but it is not done with ease. I generally carry a DW CCO, s&w 340 or s&w Shield Plus. Let your timer tell you if you shoot a gun well. In your view, where does the 5’3” 130lb lady with S or XS glove size carry the 42oz Glock 17 plus extra loaded mag? That is the recommendation, right? Let’s see the follow up podcast on that. Next, you are recommending safety less pistols. In what world view does it make sense to arm new carriers with safetyless pistols? You mentioned the key word….”simpler” In a newer shooter’s case, do I want to prioritize safer to handle and carrier or less muscle memory required to get the first shot off? Consider the number of highly trained folks with ND’s due to safetyless designs. I think LAPD had a report on that… Thanks for the content.

[@ThatGuy-kf7fo]

Cartridge talks?!

[@JohnDoe-ud2cc]

Well you have an optic on every one of those. who can’t shoot a gun with an optic. Now I can see a novice struggling with iron sights.

[@jimhance6648]

Glock 43 and 48 are not at all similar. 48 is a full size. Actually, the largest full size that a small hand individual can shoot. I think redo the show with an expert. ;)

[@benhorton6713]

48 is smaller and lighter than the 19, which is smaller than the 17. 17 is considered full size. Hand should NOT be able to wrap around the grip on a duty gun. Sub compact carry piece, of course.

[@BobEllis79]

Redo the comment with an expert. 43 to 43x to 48 is a direct lineage.

[@clinkerclint]

A 48 is essentially a slim 19. They are both considered compacts. How about you redo your comment with some manners.

[@zachpappas3750]

How long have you been cross eyed?

[@Bucky69]

Learn how to conceal and carry a full size