[RatBikeRod]

So today I was did handling drills with a number of my guns and realized a few things I thought I would pass along. These are completely subjective observations and do not take into account actual weights or size variants of these guns (as they are pretty close).

These included off hand pointing, draw and point, pick up and point and a few other of my own make up.

The guns tested were;

- P320 Compact config (my EDC)
- P229c (the one with the 224 slide if you are not aware)
- P228 German
- PX4 Storm Compact (thrown in for comparison sake)

Here are my observations (which when added to $4-5 will get you coffee at Starbucks);

Due to the polymer frames the P320 and PX4's were the easiest handling of the group. No real shock there. However, the P228 was not far behind.

I run the large grip frame in the P320 which probably fits my hand better than anything else. Thus getting it on point was reliably quick. Handling was light and I was very comfortable with it. As you would want with your EDC.

The PX4 was my EDC before getting the P320. It's a bit barrel heavy by comparison but still is a very nice compact platform. I, in fact, would not hesitate to say it is my one true compact as I see the P320, even in compact config, as pretty much a full size gun.

Interestingly, the P229c I have is dimensionally almost identical to the PX4.

I was a bit surprised when doing direct comparisons between the P229c and my German P228 at how much easier the 228 was to get on point. It is noticeably much less barrel heavy than the P229c. This was a surprise because, as I noted, the P229c has the P224 barrel and slide. It, in theory, should handle better and feel lighter in my mind. But it most certianly does not.

The German P228, as many have observed, due to the folded slide is just a fantastically balanced gun. It is probably not any lighter than the P229c but handles in these drills fantastically.

Of all these I tend to shoot the P228 best. However, it has been relegated to home protection duty along side my KSG shotgun so that it does not get marred up in a holster. I lucked out and found one that was almost perfect and I want to keep it that way.

All in all, this was a good exercise for me that I had not done before in this head to head fashion. Seeing how these guns handle side by side continues to confirm my like of the P320 platform.

Would like to hear your thoughts on how your various common usage weapons handle.

 

[Flash LB]

Here are my observations (which when added to $4-5 will get you coffee at Starbucks);

You can get a size tall regular coffee at Starbucks for $1.75.

Does this make your advice worth less?

I haven't shot or handled any of the guns you mentioned in your review, but I shoot a 220 compact, a 220 carry and a 226 enhanced elite with G10 grips every week, plus another gun or two that varies weekly.

I prefer the handling of the 226 with the G10 grips to all the others, and I shoot it very well, but I shoot the 220 compact equally well and it's my EDC, but obviously I could trade off with ease.

 

[RatBikeRod]

You can get a size tall regular coffee at Starbucks for $1.75.

Does this make your advice worth less?

I haven't shot or handled any of the guns you mentioned in your review, but I shoot a 220 compact, a 220 carry and a 226 enhanced elite with G10 grips every week, plus another gun or two that varies weekly.

I prefer the handling of the 226 with the G10 grips to all the others, and I shoot it very well, but I shoot the 220 compact equally well and it's my EDC, but obviously I could trade off with ease.

Oh, it makes my opinion worth soooo much less! LOL

Yea, this is just on my mix. I like to hear others chime in on theirs like you have. It's nice to have options and I could easily swap out to pretty much any of the "compact' guns I have for EDC.

My "Full Size" I don't think I would want to carry as they are all just larger and harder to conceal. However, at 6'6" I easily could.

 

[Flash LB]

My "Full Size" I don't think I would want to carry as they are all just larger and harder to conceal. However, at 6'6" I easily could.

I carry a full size P220 from time to time and when I do so under nothing but a t-shirt, Mrs. Flash says she can see the very end of the butt (magazine floorplate) but she knows where to look and what she's looking at. With a 220 compact, she can't see it at all.

I'm 5' 9" and can conceal fairly but you, at 6' 6" could conceal an M60 with ease.

I carried a 9MM for years and every time I'd see someone your size, I'd tell Mrs. Flash "I need a bigger gun."

Finally one day at the LGS, she pointed out a P220 full size and said "you buy this and you won't need a bigger gun."

So I did.

 

[RatBikeRod]

I carry a full size P220 from time to time and when I do so under nothing but a t-shirt, Mrs. Flash says she can see the very end of the butt (magazine floorplate) but she knows where to look and what she's looking at. With a 220 compact, she can't see it at all.

I'm 5' 9" and can conceal fairly but you, at 6' 6" could conceal an M60 with ease.

I carried a 9MM for years and every time I'd see someone your size, I'd tell Mrs. Flash "I need a bigger gun."

Finally one day at the LGS, she pointed out a P220 full size and said "you buy this and you won't need a bigger gun."

So I did.

Yea, size wise I dont have much trouble with concealment. Once I got the P320 in 357 and the P320 .45 I am pretty much covered carry wise.

 

[Klj]

I can concur with you on the p320 for a good carry gun.
Having carried legally in Texas since chl first came out in the 90's and legally only across county lines while traveling(funny tx laws on carrying before chl was passed), have used 1911's because of the thin profile. Easy to conceal a thin gun.

When I got my chl and a better job, it allowed me to expand my chl guns. Started with a p220 then 245 and a 229.

Of course this meant holsters and that's where concealabity came into the mix. Finding a holster that fit my style of carrying at the four o clock position and did not interfere with the draw was hard. You have to draw and hit in one fluid motion.

Holster styles I settled on is one that holds the gun tight to the body at a fifteen degree cant. This allows me to carry full or compact guns the same way.

Currently I carry based on planned travel for the day, p229,239,320 and full to fast back 1911's, of course all sig's. Practice with atleast three of them once a month. I hit center at fifteen yards when I draw with them,again practice.

For those in a hurry, good holster holding the gun close to the body can hide a large gun and practice a often as you can.

 

[RatBikeRod]

Agreed on the holster. I typically carry in a CrossBreed Supertuck, but have recently started trying a Foxx, Clinger and GHB for quick removal when I think I might have to leave the gun in the truck.

I like them all, but the Supertuck is a great all day holster for any size gun.

 

[Klj]

Agreed on the holster. I typically carry in a CrossBreed Supertuck, but have recently started trying a Foxx, Clinger and GHB for quick removal when I think I might have to leave the gun in the truck.

I like them all, but the Supertuck is a great all day holster for any size gun.

I currently use a holster made by a saddle maker I know in passing for my 1911's.

He wanted to try his hand at making a holster during a slow period last January. So let him borrow my kimber full size to use as a template. What I got was a holster made of saddle leather lined inside and heavy floraled pattern out side. Looks good and is comfortable. If only he had time to do one for my p series guns but he has a backlog of 83 show saddles(at 10k to 12k apiece.).

For the other sigs, it is El Paso saddlery, milt sparks and Kirk Patrick leather works. I may add a savoy leather holster after trying one at the last gun show.

Main thing is to get a holster that works for you. For first time shooters I tell them to get a gun that fits the hand along with a the holster on the therory that if the gun and holster are confrontible, you will practice and carry more often.

Good shooting.