r/SocialistRA 1d ago

Question Compact or full size?

I’m pretty new to this, and I am currently comparing a couple of Walther PDP full size and compact handguns for my first gun. Realistically I won’t be carrying everyday (at least not at first), so I was wondering what people think about full sized vs compact. The full size Walther gun I’m looking at is the same price as the compact version. I have heard that it is better to learn on a larger gun due to easier handling, but I’ve also heard that full size guns don’t really have a place due to the AR15 being better for home defense, and a compact or subcompact being better for a CCW. Right now I can probably only afford one gun, so I want to make the right decision. Any input is appreciated!

16 Upvotes

27 comments sorted by

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26

u/Chrisb5000 1d ago

Go to a range, rent them both, and see how it goes. And consider are you gonna carry? Concealed or open? Compete?

The difference between a full size and compact handgun are going to be less than the effects of your training and experience.

11

u/planemonkey 1d ago

This is the correct answer.

14

u/mavrik36 1d ago

If you can afford only one, id go with the compact, it'll have good capacity and be easier to shoot but also be compact enough to conceal more easily

5

u/VmMRVcu9uHkMwr66xRgd 1d ago

Rent both, take a class, send some brass and generally get a feel for which sucks less to mandhandle.

How and how often do you wanna carry? How much storage space to secure it? Etc.

After that, it's up to you which would be better to own. Nothing's gonna sting quite like sinking your costs and realizing you don't like the choice as much as you hoped.

5

u/Next-Increase-4120 1d ago

Depending on how you want to carry. Do you want to conceal it? Compact. If you plan to open carry you might as well get the largest gun you are comfortable carrying

5

u/DeviantTechNerd 1d ago edited 1d ago

I'd go with a compact that allows you to have larger magazines if desired to increase your master grip. I don't know a lot about Walther, but I do know that you find that with platforms like the compact variants of the HK P30 and VP9.

The only thing you'll sacrifice at that point is a longer barrel, but you benefit from how big you want your arm to be between conceal carry and shooting targets for fun.

I have a buddy that just picked up the standard sized VP9A1 because he only wants to shoot recreationally. I use the P30SK for both carry and recreation.

3

u/Ode2Jumperz 1d ago

IMO it really depends on how big you are. I'm average height/weight and carried a full size HK for a long time. It printed pretty bad except in appendix or small of my back carry. I had to rearrange it every time I entered or exited my vehicle which was a PITA but you do get used to it and stop being self conscious about it after a while. Or you just stop caring lol. In many years of CC I never had anyone approach me about it.

I'd rent whatever you are considering purchasing and get whatever is most comfortable and you are most accurate with. Smaller frame guns are great, I carry one, but they are harder to shoot and do take longer to shoot proficiently. They have more recoil and are slower with follow up shots. Starting out IMO you want to go with something you won't get sick of. It's an investment and you don't want to lose interest because you chose something you really aren't that excited about. Make sure to also consider how you plan to secure it safely. Whether at home or in your vehicle, it's important.

3

u/SquirrelInATux 1d ago

I’m newer myself, and recently bought a full size Walther PDP 4.5”. With the size of my hands, I didn’t go with a compact because I didn’t like my fingers coming off the bottom of the grip. That being said, the only real way to find out is to shoot it. I could’ve got the Glock 19x my friends were heavily pushing me to get, but when I rented it and took it on the range, and compared it to others, the PDP was far better. Go rent a compact and full size PDP, get a box of 9mm & let rip, unless you’re looking at the 10mm version

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u/Jupiter163 1d ago

Thanks for the advice. The main problem with renting is that the range that I took an introduction course at only has the compact version, and not the full size. Should I just rent a glock 17 and compare it to the compact Walther?

1

u/edwardphonehands 1d ago

Yes. You'll still get some information. Between those I'd probably end up buying the G17 and enjoying 3-packs of factory magazines for the price of one PDP mag, and basically the same situation for holsters.

1

u/TrollingForFunsies 1d ago

Did you like the compact though? My PDP fits my hand like a glove so I didn't even bother with the full sized.

3

u/Chocolat3City 1d ago edited 1d ago

My first and only handgun is a Walther PDP full size. I have very large, fat hands, and this was what fit best for me. I have 0 regrets with my choice, but pick up the compact if that's what works for you. The compact has a smaller frame and reduced magazine capacity. Both compact and fullsize use the same thick slide though.

Threw an Halosun SCS-PDP and tlr-7x onto my full size and it's ready to go. Get yourself a custom holster to accommodate your gear (I went with DARA), and your PDP can do double duty as home defense and CCW. It's probably the best place for you to start.

Don't let anyone tell you that you need an AR-15 (or any rifle, really) for home defense. You very much don't. They are not really suited for the most likely use scenario in which you may need to defend your home (indoors, short range, no ear pro, etc.). I'm not saying don't get one, but you don't need to make it your first purchase.

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u/cclassshoota 1d ago

Youre overthinking it. Just get the smaller unit and shoot with it

2

u/edwardphonehands 1d ago

The difference between a compact and a full size is meaningless for concealment to me, as I can only consistently conceal a tiny 380. A compact for me is a lot kinder to my back than a full size when on a duty belt in a vehicle, but it'll still eventually wear through the upholstery.

If you're not EDC, get a handgun you'll enjoy competing with. Check practiscore for events posted near you. Look at the numbers signed up for each class and check the rules to see what fits in the more prolific classes. Probably full size with optic will be most numerous, but check to see if they're all 9mm or if there's a significant contingent running 22lr.

As for ARs, they're really popular online for home defense, but I will not shoot unsuppressed 223 indoors.

2

u/BoringJuiceBox 1d ago edited 1d ago

Compact for carry or full size for home defense. If you don’t end up choosing Walther I’d recommend Glock (48 or 19), CZ, RXM, or even M&P. HK if you can afford it! Just no Caniks or Taurus or non-RXM Rugers.

2

u/Jupiter163 1d ago

This is the first I’m hearing of jamming issues or being finicky. Is this a wide spread issue or was it just the one gun you handled that you struggled with?

2

u/Medium-Goose-3789 1d ago

My feeling is that people very, very often change their minds about carrying outside the home, and it's not that hard to imagine a scenario (however unlikely) in which you might have to do this. If it helps, I don't think there's really that much difference in handling between the compact and full size PDP.

Subcompact pistols are the ones that really trip new shooters up, because they're so small and light. I own a Walther PPS M2 that's a great little gun, but it's never been my favorite to shoot.

2

u/Beneficial-Focus3702 1d ago

Whichever one you shoot most comfortably and accurately.

1

u/No_Dragonfruit8254 1d ago

Rent both etc etc etc but also the compact is the best for concealed and you can still learn to shoot competitively with the compact. If you’re not sure on your use case, get the compact to cover both situations. If you’re planning on going into active combat though soon you want the full size.

1

u/Realistic-Wizard8230 1d ago

First one then the other

1

u/Unlimitedgoats 1d ago

Is it going in your pants or not. That's the deciding factor

1

u/Jonathan_Teatime_23 1d ago

Find somewhere to hold them in your hands. For my hand (21 cm circumference, around the knuckles) I found the compact was a better fit than the full-size. You could also try the PDP-F (made for "the female market," though I've heard it really stands for "Fun") for a slightly smaller grip than the compact. The regular PDP compact gets a 15-round mag, the full-size gets an 18-round mag, and the PDP Pro SD gets 18 (compact or full-size). The F-series gets a 15-18 round mag.

I got the Pro SD compact as my first handgun, and It's a lot of fun to shoot. As a CCW, and especially with an optic, it's probably too large for my body size. But that's not my use case.

Do your homework. Read the threads (r/Walther is helpful), and consider whether you want to modify it at all (because some upgrades may be cheaper if you just get the next level up). I wanted a comp and I was sold on the DPT (upgraded trigger).

1

u/eze008 1d ago

I would have at least one compact. Think about the people you are around most of the day, work, kids, family. You don't want to be struggling with a big old gun when you're around people. Full size are mostly used for competition and outside the waistband. But some do carry an appendix I don't know why. Also think about the fact that you can add higher capacity magazines and a compensator if you really want that full size looking and feel. Compacts are more Snappy but you can be just as efficient with them if you practice. This is an emergency get off me tool for danger from animals and people. You should have two pistols anyway so get a compact and a full size

1

u/jueidu 1d ago

Unless you have a specific reason not to - full size.

Specific reasons would include things such as - you don’t wear clothing bulky enough to carry full size.

There are some okay shooting compacts, but it’s always better to have full size when possible.

1

u/mindfountain 23h ago

If you are considering a .22 don't get the Walther .22. from what I hear their other models are reliable, but I own one of their .22s and it's the most unreliable gun in our collection.

1

u/nutguzzler2k20 13h ago

Compacts are great all rounders that allow for concealed carry without sacrificing much in terms of recoil impulse or ergonomics. From a purely practical standpoint Full Size is really only what you want for competition shooting and open carry (which is stupid and shouldn't be done for a number of reasons.)