Capacity vs Size

[Shemp]

As I debate whether to make a USP 45 Compact or a USP 45 full size as "my gun" I keep coming back to the same question.

How much capacity are you willing to lose to decrease the size of your gun?

My particular dilemma is that the USP full size holds 4 more rounds than the compact but is only marginally larger and 5.5 oz heavier when loaded. 4 rounds is a lot...but as any woman will tell you so is 1/2" in either direction.

This can be applied to any gun, though. How much capacity are you willing to trade for smaller size?

G17 vs G19...etc

 

[Gunsite Grad]

Practice your tactical reloads. You should always have a back you mag or three anyway

 

[Shemp]

Practice your tactical reloads. You should always have a back you mag or three anyway

I don't mean this is any negative way but I wonder ho many instances there are of people having to reload during an SD situation....

 

[Gunsite Grad]

I don't mean this is any negative way but I wonder ho many instances there are of people having to reload during an SD situation....

By that logic how many gunfights go past 10 rounds? Will less rounds make you focus more on the front sight?

 

[Shemp]

By that logic how many gunfights go past 10 rounds? Will less rounds make you focus more on the front sight?

If by "less rounds" you mean "replace front sigh with a hologram of hot chick" then yes it will make me focus on it more

 

[Willy Leadwell]

I deal with this same dilemma, just different guns. Still haven't decided what the answer is or if there even is an answer. Are you preparing for being mugged by a guy with an iPod gun? Or to thwart a terrorist attack? I guess no matter what you carry you could always be undergunned in some set of circumstances.

The average self defense shooting is a total of three shots. So I don't feel that bad about carrying 9rds. in my light clothes concealable summer rig. But the 17 I have with my HK sure does feel warm and fuzzy.

So... I guess the answer is, carry what feels right to you and stop asking a bunch of dickheads on the internet? Seriously though, I think if you carry what you're comfortable with, and be confident that you can put the shots that you do have where they count, there's no "wrong" answer.

 

[Willy Leadwell]

Also thinking about this makes me think about guys that carry revolvers. I've never heard of anyone being on the losing end of a gun battle because they didn't have enough rounds. I'm sure if there is a case someone with nothing better to do can dig it up for us.

 

[Gunsite Grad]

can put the shots that you do have where they count.

Yep, he's screwed.

 

[Gunsite Grad]

Also thinking about this makes me think about guys that carry revolvers. I've never heard of anyone being on the losing end of a gun battle because they didn't have enough rounds. I'm sure if there is a case someone with nothing better to do can dig it up for us.

Wrong forum

 

[Hoss]

10+1 minimum unless I'm toting a mouse gun 380 because I have to.

 

[Willy Leadwell]

Yep, he's screwed.

So I guess the question then is, "Is it better to miss 9 times or 13 times?"

 

[Willy Leadwell]

10+1 minimum unless I'm toting a mouse gun 380 because I have to.

I like your style. Make yourself a rule and stick to it. I get 9 in my P290. That's my minimum. I have an LCP, but I've found it to be very rare that I can't at least make room for the 290 just the same.

 

[AtlMedic]

I always carry a spare mag so its less of a concern for me. I carry a spare mag more for any malfunctions that may arise.

as far as capacity vs size carry the biggest gun that you will actually carry.

 

[Shemp]

I like your style. Make yourself a rule and stick to it. I get 9 in my P290. That's my minimum. I have an LCP, but I've found it to be very rare that I can't at least make room for the 290 just the same.

That's where I'm at. Since the size difference isn't all that great, I think anywhere I could carry the USP Compact I could carry the full size...

 

[Shemp]

On a side note, I asked my wife yesterday which gun she thinks I should carry since she saw I had them both sitting on the bed. I picked up each on and told her the pros and cons...then asked her which she thought was best. She replied that the bigger one was the easy answer.

I asked why and she said "Because it holds more ammo and the small one makes you look like a pussy".

 

[Gunsite Grad]

the small one makes you look like a pussy".

I can TOTALLY see her saying that!

 

[Hoss]

That's where I'm at. Since the size difference isn't all that great, I think anywhere I could carry the USP Compact I could carry the full size...

The truth is, the USP compact isn't very compact. They are big guns. The P200sk and P30sk are significantly smaller and feel even smaller.

 

[Shemp]

The truth is, the USP compact isn't very compact. They are big guns. The P200sk and P30sk are significantly smaller and feel even smaller.

I agree. I am beginning to think I am going to ditch the compact in favor of the full size. When I need a more concealable gun I will carry the VP9.

 

[Hoss]

I agree. I am beginning to think I am going to ditch the compact in favor of the full size. When I need a more concealable gun I will carry the VP9.

That's what I did. I had a USP 45 and a USP 45c. I found the 45c to be useless and would have rather had something smaller or another full size. The fact that the 45c cannot use the fullsize mags was the final straw. To make them incompatible was a retarded decision if you ask me. Hell, it's a retarded decision if you don't ask me.

 

[Shemp]

That's what I did. I had a USP 45 and a USP 45c. I found the 45c to be useless and would have rather had something smaller or another full size. The fact that the 45c cannot use the fullsize mags was the final straw. To make them incompatible was a retarded decision if you ask me. Hell, it's a retarded decision if you don't ask me.

Very true....at $45 a pop for magazines, whether they hold 8 or 12 rounds, I think it makes more sense to go with the full size considering it and my USP Tactical take the same mags.