USA Carry
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry Maps
  • State Guides
    • A-E
      • Alabama
      • Alaska
      • American Samoa
      • Arizona
      • Arkansas
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Connecticut
      • Delaware
    • F-J
      • Florida
      • Georgia
      • Guam
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Illinois
      • Indiana
      • Iowa
    • K-M
      • Kansas
      • Kentucky
      • Louisiana
      • Maine
      • Maryland
      • Massachusetts
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Mississippi
      • Missouri
      • Montana
    • N-O
      • Nebraska
      • Nevada
      • New Hampshire
      • New Jersey
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • North Carolina
      • North Dakota
      • Northern Marianas
      • Ohio
      • Oklahoma
      • Oregon
    • P-U
      • Pennsylvania
      • Puerto Rico
      • Rhode Island
      • South Carolina
      • South Dakota
      • Tennessee
      • Texas
      • Utah
    • V-Z
      • Vermont
      • Virgin Islands
      • Virginia
      • Washington
      • Washington D.C.
      • West Virginia
      • Wisconsin
      • Wyoming
  • Articles
    • Defensive Gun Uses
    • Concealed Carry
    • Gun Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Training
    • Firearm Laws & Litigation
    • CCW For Women
    • General Firearm
    • Open Carry
    • Self-Defense
    • Survival
    • Home Defense
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Store
  • Deals
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry Maps
  • State Guides
    • A-E
      • Alabama
      • Alaska
      • American Samoa
      • Arizona
      • Arkansas
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Connecticut
      • Delaware
    • F-J
      • Florida
      • Georgia
      • Guam
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Illinois
      • Indiana
      • Iowa
    • K-M
      • Kansas
      • Kentucky
      • Louisiana
      • Maine
      • Maryland
      • Massachusetts
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Mississippi
      • Missouri
      • Montana
    • N-O
      • Nebraska
      • Nevada
      • New Hampshire
      • New Jersey
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • North Carolina
      • North Dakota
      • Northern Marianas
      • Ohio
      • Oklahoma
      • Oregon
    • P-U
      • Pennsylvania
      • Puerto Rico
      • Rhode Island
      • South Carolina
      • South Dakota
      • Tennessee
      • Texas
      • Utah
    • V-Z
      • Vermont
      • Virgin Islands
      • Virginia
      • Washington
      • Washington D.C.
      • West Virginia
      • Wisconsin
      • Wyoming
  • Articles
    • Defensive Gun Uses
    • Concealed Carry
    • Gun Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Training
    • Firearm Laws & Litigation
    • CCW For Women
    • General Firearm
    • Open Carry
    • Self-Defense
    • Survival
    • Home Defense
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Store
  • Deals
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
USA Carry
No Result
View All Result
  • DAILY GUNS & AMMO DEALS – CLICK HERE!
Home Articles

A Double Stack Gun Isn’t Really That Hard To Conceal

Sam Hoober by Sam Hoober
September 20, 2017 - Updated On December 9, 2019
in Articles, Concealed Carry, General Firearm
Reading Time: 3 mins read
double stack guns
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The modern era of handguns belongs to the single-stack compact poly striker gun, without doubt, and a whole lot of people have opined that a double-stack pistol – even a compact one – just isn’t as good for concealed carry. Some go so far as to say a double-stack shouldn’t necessarily be a first pick for a carry gun.

Hogwash.

The truth is there are plenty of compact double stacks out there that are incredibly easy to conceal. Frankly, if you can’t conceal one of the smaller double-stack compacts, you’re probably doing something wrong. Here’s why:

A Great Many Double Stack Pistols Are Barely Any Wider Than Single Stacks


The width of a double-stack pistol is what does it, allegedly. What I’m saying is bull. In reality, the increase in width of a double-stack 9mm magazine (and therefore the slide and the grip) is not enough to make a significant difference.

Mind you, there are exceptions. Any of the big Wonder Nines aren’t going to be easy. Though some people do so, concealing and carrying a Beretta 92, a Sig P226 – or a Sig P320 for that matter, because even the “compact” is ENORMOUS – is not easy, because they are quite large. Obviously, such pistols aren’t really the most concealed carry friendly.

That said, the compact double stacks aren’t so fat that they aren’t easy to CCW.

Let’s start with some of the really popular models. Take, for instance, the Springfield XD-S, the S&W Shield and Glock 43 single stacks. All are very popular CCW pistols. The widths of these guns are 0.9, 0.95 and 1.02 inches, respectively.

The double-stack counterparts are the (the closest of the XD line to the XD-S 3.3-inch model) XD Mod.2 Subcompact, the S&W M&P9C and the Glock 26. These models all sit at 1.18 inches wide.

For a frame of reference, most 1911 pistols (very popular for full-size CCW) are about 1.2 inches at the grips. A J-frame revolver, which many people like to pocket carry – even if you should be carrying with a concealed carry holster – is 1.3 inches wide at the cylinder.

Overall, that’s a difference of a hair more than 5/16 of an inch. If that’s enough to go from concealable to printing like a crazy person, then you probably need some looser-fitting clothes. Which you’re supposed to be wearing anyway for easy concealment. There are plenty more out there besides these three that come in at 1.3 inches or narrower – the Taurus PT111 G2, Walther P99 Compact, Tri-Star T100 and C100 (excellent CZ clones) and the Glock 19 spring to mind.

Weight Increases With A Double Stack But That’s What They Make Gun Belts For

Another impediment for some people is the increase in weight. While it’s true that a double-stack gun does add a few ounces, it’s usually – again – not as much as you’d think with a compact model.

Let’s use the same three pistols, for the same reasons. (Because they’re popular.) The unloaded weights of those models (the XD-S, Shield and G43) are 23, 20.8 and 17.95 ounces, respectively. Going up to the double-stack counterparts (XD Mod.2, M&P9c and Glock 26) and the weight increases to 26, 24.7 and 21.71 ounces, respectively.

That adds up to an increase of 3, 3.9, and 3.76 ounces, again respectively. Granted, more weight will be added with the increase in carrying capacity, but we’re talking about an overall difference of less than 5 ounces. That’s 5/16 of a pound.

The added weight is really not that much and besides, that’s why there are gun belts.

Also, most of these pistols don’t add much in terms of barrel length or overall length – maybe half an inch.

If your concealment hinges on such small margins – less than half an inch of width, less than half a pound of weight, and less than an inch in length – then you’re probably doing something wrong in terms of your concealment.

That said, if you like a single stack better, carry one. Carry the gun that you feel best about when it comes to your personal defense. But let’s not kid ourselves about double stack pistols being harder to conceal. A lot of them aren’t.

Tags: concealmentdouble stacksingle stack
Sam Hoober

Sam Hoober

Sam Hoober writes about DGU incidents gun accessories, gun safety, open and concealed carry tips. In his free time, Sam enjoys camping, hunting and spending time at the gun range as often as possible.

Next Post
Runner with Gun and Flashlight Stops Sex Assault in Austin

Runner with Gun and Flashlight Stops Sex Assault in Austin

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Connect with
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
Connect with
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Please login to comment
14 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Previous Post

Electronic In-The-Ear Shooting Protection: Peltor TEP-100 Earplugs

Next Post

Runner with Gun and Flashlight Stops Sex Assault in Austin

Related Posts

Louisiana Man Shoots Co-Worker in Self-Defense After Co-Worker Repeatedly Strikes Him in the Head
Defensive Gun Uses

Louisiana Man Shoots Co-Worker in Self-Defense After Co-Worker Repeatedly Strikes Him in the Head

July 2, 2025
Homeowner Shoots Armed Intruder After Suspect's Gun Misfires During Alleged Attack
Defensive Gun Uses

Homeowner Shoots Armed Intruder After Suspect’s Gun Misfires During Alleged Attack

July 2, 2025
NFA Tax Removed but Fight Continues as ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Heads Back to House
Firearm Laws & Litigation

NFA Tax Removed but Fight Continues as ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Heads Back to House

July 2, 2025
Does North Dakota Accept Non-Resident Carry Permits? Here’s What We Found Out
Firearm Laws & Litigation

Does North Dakota Accept Non-Resident Carry Permits? Here’s What We Found Out

July 1, 2025

© 2025 USA Carry LLC

Navigate Site

  • State Guides
  • Maps
  • Articles
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Store
  • Deals
  • Giveaway
  • Advertise
  • Contact

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry Permit Reciprocity Maps
  • Concealed Carry Permit Guides By State
    • Alabama
    • Alaska
    • American Samoa
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Guam
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Northern Marianas
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Puerto Rico
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Vermont
    • Virgin Islands
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • Washington D.C.
    • West Virginia
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming
  • Articles
    • Defensive Gun Uses
    • Concealed Carry
    • Gun Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Training
    • Firearm Laws & Litigation
    • CCW For Women
    • General Firearm
    • Open Carry
    • Self-Defense
    • Survival
    • Home Defense
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Giveaway
  • Store
  • Daily Deals
  • Contact

© 2025 USA Carry LLC

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry Permit Reciprocity Maps
  • Concealed Carry Permit Guides By State
    • Alabama
    • Alaska
    • American Samoa
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Guam
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Northern Marianas
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Puerto Rico
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Vermont
    • Virgin Islands
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • Washington D.C.
    • West Virginia
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming
  • Articles
    • Defensive Gun Uses
    • Concealed Carry
    • Gun Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Training
    • Firearm Laws & Litigation
    • CCW For Women
    • General Firearm
    • Open Carry
    • Self-Defense
    • Survival
    • Home Defense
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Giveaway
  • Store
  • Daily Deals
  • Contact

© 2025 USA Carry LLC

wpDiscuz
14
0
Join the conversation, please comment.x
()
x
| Reply
You are going to send email to

Move Comment
Gun Deals
Gun.Deals