I’ve carried compact (19, 23) and full size (17, 22, 45) IWB. They both can work, but there’s no getting around that even a slightly smaller pistol is easier to conceal in more scenarios (variations in clothing and activities). If you only see a few scenarios where you would carry concealed and you can successfully conceal a full size in those scenarios, then I don’t see a reason to not select a full size.

 

Having owned a 19,17,45 and carried them all for brief periods, I can tell you the 1/4inch grip difference makes very little to none when concealing it.

That said, I also don't think that additional grip length helps in any substantial way at least for me. My hand fits completely on a 19 and I shoot it just fine.

Personally I say it comes down to training with the firearm that feels best in your hand and getting proficient with it. Generally speaking you will be able to do everything "you" will need to do with a Glock 19.

However, the 45 is definitely a nice option.

 

Yes I noticeably prefer my 17 or 19x to my 19, but I do have big hands. That said my 19 is noticeably more easy for me to concealed carry. AIWB has never worked for me which also might affect things.

 

I’m an oddball. Even at work, I prefer the feel of the 19 in my hand over the 17. I carry a 19 with 17 reloads.

 

I like the 45 concept.. but if I had to choose between one or the other .. Id go with a 19 .. you can always use 17 mags in it

 

The G19 grip fits my hand fine. I don't feel the extra 2 rounds of the G17/G45 is an absolutely must have. If it came to that, there's always the spare reload.

 

With concealed carry my most concerning issue is the seatbelt in my car. For me there is much less interference with the G19. Not just my current vehicle but pretty much every car I have ever driven.

 

I prefer the 19 size grip. I like being able to wrap my strong hand fingers most of the way around the grip.

 

Won't this depend on the size of your hand?

People with giant, brutish, ogre-hands might value some extra length.

People with dainty, girl-child hands won't care how much extra grip is hanging out the bottom of their hand.

Since I'm closer to the second category, almost any grip is a full grip for me. I can get 3 fingers on a G43. Only the G42 & G26 are too short for my whole hand.

 

People with giant, brutish, ogre-hands might value some extra length

Easy now.

I resemble that remark and that's what she said.


Aside from the hilarity,I can effectively conceal a G17. Giant,brutish,ogre body to go with the meat hooks. So I carry a G20. Heck,I can conceal a small person on me.

 

I carried a 19 for many years, until I got a 19x. Feels better in my hands and it conceals aiwb just fine.

 

I can't conceal a seventeen as effectively as a nineteen due to the extra 1/2" grip length of the seventeen. In fact, all three of my seventeens are chopped to nineteen-length grips.

 

I carry a G19 IWB at roughly 4 o'clock and don't feel I can effectively conceal my G17 in that same position. OWB and under a jacket would be no issue though. What I would really to see Glock make is a pistol with the grip size of a G19 and the barrel length of G17.

 

... What I would really to see Glock make is a pistol with the grip size of a G19 and the barrel length of G17.

Welcome to the future:

New Product Highlight: Glock 49 MOS Hits US Market

A new optics-ready Glock model is on the way to American consumers – the Glock 49 MOS -- which pairs the frame of a Glock 19 with the slide of a Glock 17.

www.pewpewtactical.com

 

One of the most overlooked factors in size is the draw grip. Can you reliably pull the gun out of the holster without fumbling around? I sold my 26 after realizing my 19 was just as easy to conceal and much easier to grip in the draw. As far as the 17 grip, like everyone said, depends on hand size and concealment options. I rarely open carry but the 19x gets that pleasure.

 

I have 2 G45's. One has a holosun 407c on it and I have no problem carrying either of them edc, I carry both owb at 3 o'clock.

That said, get what is comfortable to you.

 

Yes. You can do it with the correct holster, belt and shirt. I use a Milt Sparks Criterion for strongside and a Tenicor Certum 3 or Sagax Lux 2 for appendix carry. I also use JM Custom Kydex, usually the AIWB 2.5. Appendix carry holsters will have a camming bar and foam wedge. The Criterion is usually stock but sometimes I replace the rear strap to get more forward cant.

Belt is a Kore Essentials belt because of the 1/4" adjustments. I use the 10# belt with the X7 buckle. It's a fantastic belt that solves my back problems.

A great shirt helps immensely. It needs to be straight cut -- taper from the arms to the waist will result in printing. It should be one size larger.

 

I spent the day Christmas shopping with the wife at the outlets carrying a 19X with a 17 round mag in the gun and a 19 round mag in a mag holder. Both OWB and covered with nothing but a sweatshirt. The gun was at 3 o'clock and the mag at about 10 o'clock. No one was none the wiser.

 

My first Glock (and the first Glock I carried off-duty) was a G17. I concealed it fine in an OWB holster under a T-shirt. The main factors are the holster, it's location and it's cant. Mine was OWB at the 3-4 O'clock position and the holster had a forward cant which brought in the butt of the pistol.

I prefer a full sized grip on a Glock.

 

G19 is the max slide and butt length I like for CCW.
I prefer a G26/27 size though.

 

The G19 is my sweet spot. I have big hands so anything smaller is a no-go for me. So far, (5+years), it has been a great gun and has always gone bang when I want it to, and no bang when I don't want it to!