Full-Size Carry Guns That Actually Conceal

On paper, the 509 Compact Tactical sounds like a concealment compromise. Taller sights. Optics-ready. Often a threaded barrel. In the imagination, it’s snagging on shirts and printing like a brick.

In practice, the “tactical” features don’t always create concealment problems where people expect.

A threaded barrel lives at the muzzle end, below the belt line in IWB carry. It can affect comfort depending on your body shape and carry position, but it’s rarely what prints through a shirt.

The taller sights can matter for comfort and for how the gun interfaces with the holster, but again, they’re not typically the part that makes the gun obvious under clothing.

The optic is the most likely “feature” to create new concealment considerations, but even optics can conceal cleanly with the right ride height and placement. Many carriers find that the optic doesn’t print nearly as much as they feared. It’s often the grip corner and magazine baseplate that still do the real damage.

So if you want capability—optic-ready, suppressor-height sights, and compact dimensions—the 509 Compact Tactical can still live as a serious concealed carry option, provided your holster is made to accommodate the setup correctly.

How People Successfully Conceal These “Bigger” Compacts

There’s a reason you’ll see experienced carriers default to the same handful of adjustments. These aren’t tricks. They’re fundamentals.

Carry Position: Stop Forcing the Same Spot

Appendix (AIWB) tends to conceal larger guns better for a lot of people because the grip can be drawn into the body’s natural curvature, especially with the right holster geometry. Strong-side (3–4 o’clock) can work extremely well too, but it’s more sensitive to grip length and how the back corner prints when you bend.

If your “big gun” prints at 4 o’clock, it doesn’t automatically mean the gun is too big. It might mean that your position needs a slight shift forward or back, or your cant is fighting your anatomy.

Ride Height: High Is Fast… and Often Prints More

A high ride height can feel great on the draw because you get more purchase on the grip. But it also puts more grip above the belt line, increasing leverage and printing potential.

Lowering the ride height slightly—without burying the gun—often makes a noticeable difference in concealment.

Belt Quality: The Silent Decider

A flimsy belt lets the gun roll outward, especially with heavier compacts. That outward roll is what turns “concealed” into “obvious.” A structured belt keeps the holster in the same place and keeps the grip from tipping away from you.

Clothing: Don’t Fight Fabric Physics

Thin, tight shirts cling. Heavy, structured fabrics drape. Patterns break up outlines. A little extra room in the midsection goes a long way.

This isn’t about dressing like you’re hiding a rifle. It’s about understanding that concealment is mostly clothing behavior and grip geometry, not barrel length.

Why the Right Holster Makes “Full-Size Concealment” Possible

A quality IWB holster does two things that matter more than anything else:

1. It holds the gun consistently in the same orientation.

2. It manages how the grip sits against your body.

If your holster allows the pistol to rotate, shift, or ride inconsistently, a larger compact will punish you for it. Not because the gun is wrong, but because bigger pistols amplify small setup problems.

This is where CYA Supply Co. lives in the conversation. A model-specific holster with consistent retention and a rigid build turns “I can’t hide this thing” into “this actually disappears.”

It’s also a safety issue. A secure holster that fully covers the trigger guard and maintains its shape for safe reholstering isn’t optional—especially when you’re carrying daily.

Choosing Between PDP Compact, M&P Compact, and 509 Compact Tactical

If you’re deciding between these three, the honest answer isn’t “which conceals best?” It’s “which one fits my priorities and my setup?”

The PDP Compact is often chosen by shooters who value a performance feel—fast handling, strong ergonomics, and a confident shooting experience.

The M&P Compact is often chosen by shooters who want a proven, practical carry gun that balances comfort, shootability, and day-to-day livability.

The FN 509 Compact Tactical is often chosen by shooters who want enhanced capability out of the gate—optic-ready, tall sights, and “tactical” features—without jumping to a full-size duty pistol.

All three can conceal. None of them conceal automatically. Your carry system is the deciding factor.

Bottom Line: “Big” Guns Conceal When You Stop Measuring the Wrong Things

A lot of people buy smaller pistols because they think concealment is about barrel length and overall size.

Then they discover that the gun still prints, still shifts, and still feels awkward—because the real problem was never the barrel.

Full-size-capable compact pistols like the PDP Compact, M&P Compact, and FN 509 Compact Tactical can absolutely conceal—often surprisingly well—when you treat concealment like a system. Grip management, holster stability, belt structure, and smart placement are what make “bigger guns” disappear.

If you want a carry gun you can shoot confidently under stress, there’s a strong argument for carrying as much pistol as you can realistically conceal.

And with the right setup, that’s more pistol than most people think.