CCDW: one go to gun or multiple? - Page 2

kenny53 · June 16, 2018, 04:29 PM

I have been carrying M&P 9 IWB. M&P 9c right front pocket, Sticky holster. Left front pocket LCP or LCR 22mag. Sometimes I carry 1911 IWB. Depends on my mood.

Nanuk · June 16, 2018, 06:04 PM

I carry a full size Glock or S&W 44 mag 24/7.

OhioGuy · June 17, 2018, 07:04 AM

I"ve heard strong opinions on this before. Some people rotate through an entire collection, while others consider "carry rotation" to be as good as suicide.

I train and compete with my primary gun, CZ P-07, very frequently and year-round. It's G19-sized. I've found that with the right holster (thank you JM Custom Kydex!) at the appendix position, I can conceal that sucker under surprisingly light clothing. The biggest challenge is shirts that ride up, moreso than printing. Any shirt that isn't fitted or especially thin will usually do the trick, and your "average guy" button-up checkered short sleeve shirts conceal that as well as they'd conceal a squirt gun. So that's my go-to almost always. I'm willing to dress around that rather than switch guns so I can carry under a thin T-shirt.

I also have a Walther PPS M2 that I can carry under much lighter clothing, and in a 3 Speed Holster (look them up, great products) it disappears under tucked-in dress clothing, with a spare mag! That's about the only time/reason I carry anything other than my P-07.

So my logic is: carry what you train with, and vice versa. I know people who shoot all the time with full size target pistols, and then carry snubbie revolvers that they never shoot because ammo is expensive and .357 hurts their hands.

If I'm used to shooting a Glock 19 and suddenly have to reach for a Glock 43, will I fumble it all because they're different? Maybe, probably not too bad.

If I'm used to shooting a Beretta 92 and suddenly reach for a 2" revolver? I'm guessing I'm screwed, they're nothing at all alike.

So I think having a very limited number of options to carry, and training regularly with them all, is a good compromise.

A similar manual of arms (i.e. DA/SA on both, similar sights, both semi-auto or both revolvers, etc.) would seem to help, but I'm speculating. Makes sense that if I spend 95% of my time shooting a 6 lb Glock trigger, I shouldn't be reaching for a 14 lb revolver trigger?

But "hmmmm....which gun do I feel like carrying today? My 1911 Commander or my Ruger LCP?" is probably going down the wrong path

Nathan · June 17, 2018, 07:18 AM

I follow the rotation concept. I like thumb safeties on all, but break my own rule with my pocket pistol.....because I reholster outside my pocket!

Pocket - Kahr CW380

Easy carry - Shield w/ safety 9mm

Max size - DW CCO 1911 45 auto

KY_blkout · June 18, 2018, 12:45 AM

Alot of good different ideas on this subject in this thread.

Charlie98 · June 18, 2018, 08:44 AM

After doing some informal training using a few different pistols I carried as EDC, I decided the best path was to pick one system with no doo-dads and stick with it. I love the 1911, but what I found was in stress testing I was actually knocking the thumb safety off before I even had it out of the holster... which just isn't a good idea. I also had trouble making the DA/SA transition (PPK/s, any DA auto) under duress, so that was out, too. I also don't have the range availability some do... I'm lucky if I can make it to the range once a month, and, simply, you have to train with what you are carrying if you expect to perform at the Moment of Truth.

I finally wound up with a Kahr CW9... which I consider a 'gross motor skill' type of pistol... no external safety, no switches, no nothing... draw and pull the trigger. Thankfully, the Kahr grip profile is very similar to a 1911, or at least it fits my hand as well as a 1911, and the trigger, while long, is smooth and linear... so I can draw and present it well.

I carry the 7-round CW9 as my EDC, but I swap it's smaller 6-round brother, the CM9, in when I need proper concealment. They both use the same holsters and the same magazines, and shoot the same ammos to basically the same POA.

fastbolt · June 18, 2018, 11:00 AM

You know, this reminds me of the arguments often heard in some dojos back when I was a younger practitioner, just getting started.

Some guys would argue that they only needed to really master one solid, well executed technique for virtually any situation that might require them to defend themselves against an attacker. It might be a punch, or it might be a kick, depending on the practitioner. Usually it was something immediately offensive, with little thought to defensive techniques.

Other guys argued that a small selection of techniques, learned pretty well (if not all of them "mastered"), would be more practical, making for a better rounded potential defense and offense.

Yet others argued that the unpredictability of any attacker, or attackers, required learning to use all of the techniques taught within the style, both defensive and offensive. That would take much more hard work, and wouldn't necessarily allow someone the "comfort" of sticking with just one or two of their favorite techniques, or at least their most used technique.

Well, sparring ... and the occasional unexpected instance of actually needing to use their skills outside the dojo ... seemed to result in some disillusionment for some of the folks over time. Nothing ever really happens as we might expect, despite any of our preparations for it to happen that way.

Sometimes a one-trick pony can amaze ... but will being limited to that one trick always be enough, or make the pony better rounded?

Dunno. Probably depends on the pony.

As far as the arts question, though ... I eventually decided my "self defense" needs were probably better served if I expanded outside the Shotokan style I started in, and I also trained in Muay Thai (it turned out my original instructor had also been on one of the Japanese kickboxing teams at the beginning of the 70's), and then I later invested many years in some Chinese arts. I liked them all, and wanted to train hard in all of them.

That might help explain why I did the same thing with guns after I became a working cop and then a firearms trainer. Maybe.

Armybrat · June 18, 2018, 02:00 PM

My rotation:

Ruger LCP
Kahr CT380
Kahr CW9
Kahr CW45

All function alike with same long trigger pull and no "safeties".
All are reliable.

jrothWA · June 20, 2018, 10:45 PM

Depends what I'm carrying?

If on long trip,usually have a J-frame,on me, but might add a 4" in side pocket or fanny-pak with credit card wallet and extra loaders [speed or strips].

If just CPL'ing a semi then IWB carry or panny-pak, with two spare mags.

Had a situation, when I pulled in a MT state park for night, and sprea the sleeping bag in the back of the Caravan and fell a sleep.
4:30AM got woke up by a V-8 engine firing up, look out the back window, a black pick-upturned on its lights then 180 to leave the campground, about 30 yrds higher in the campround, then stopped nexted to my car.

Reached around the drivers' seat and turned on my parking lights [to let the driver know I was awake and preclude any accomplice from coming up behind me and give me a low-level lighted field.] and did a quick 360 sweep, from where he came from to his cab. My Ruger SS6 in the hand, and the J-frame
between my feet. Had a shotgun but still in its case, with box of buckshot.
he pick-up thought about it roared away, gave it 30 minute headstart and drove out to finish my trip. Shotgun was riding "shotgun" and fully loaded, in case the pick-up might have made an road-block to catch me, coming out.
Made it to the interstate and did stop till Bozeman where I had breakfast.

RETG · June 21, 2018, 05:24 AM

EDC is where the day is not what I'm wearing. When into town, H&K P30SK, out in the wilderness camping/hiking, PX4 .40.

kymasabe · June 21, 2018, 09:05 AM

P32 in my pocket holster every day. Except when I feel that I need a little more, then I iwb a charter arms .38.

Kirosha · June 21, 2018, 12:45 PM

Multiple. I don't rotate so much as carry depending on the situation. I sometimes want to open carry and other times I need a true pocket gun. I do mix semi autos with revolvers and mixing a safety in doesn't bother me.

CDW4ME · June 21, 2018, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kymasabe

P32 in my pocket holster every day. Except when I feel that I need a little more, then I iwb a charter arms .38.

Missing the reasoning, unless "feels" is a reason.

Rationale: "Best I can do in work attire is pocket carry a P32, other times I carry a 38 IWB".
(When I was limited by work attire a 380 was best I could do, work is not an issue for me anymore)

As stated, can be surmised as: "Usually content to bet my life on a P32, but when the possibility of a lethal threat is anticipated, a 38 snub is preferred".
(If a threat was anticipated one would avoid the area or situation in the first place; caveat: psychos & criminals are mobile and not nocturnal)

Unless limited by work attire, seems one would strive to carry the pistol they felt most capable of quickly incapacitating a lethal threat.
(I know, my logic is invalid)

Kirosha · June 21, 2018, 01:17 PM

Quote:

As stated, can be surmised as: "Usually content to bet my life on a P32, but when the possibility of a lethal threat is anticipated, a 38 snub is preferred".
(If a threat was anticipated one would avoid the area or situation in the first place; caveat: psychos & criminals are mobile and not nocturnal)

I have been forced to ignore the "avoid the area" on quite a few occasions. In which case I switched from a snubby .38 to a bit more rounds despite the size increase.

raimius · June 21, 2018, 11:31 PM

Ideally, carry the gun you are most competent with. If you do have to go to an alternate, try to get it to have the same controls, point the same under stress, and have similar sights.

Model12Win · June 22, 2018, 04:19 AM

Rule number one of any gunfight is HAVE A GUN.

The small gun you took with you is better than the .45 at home.

Cosmodragoon · June 23, 2018, 03:45 AM

Another multiple here. I'm a big fan of having the best tool for the job, or at least the closest fit possible. Things like power and capacity are good but are largely controlled by size, which generally competes with our ability to conceal and carry comfortably throughout the day. It's a simple fact that jeans and a T-shirt in sweltering heat is a very different situation than multiple layers and/or a cover garment in colder weather. The best available tool will be different in each situation, so I have a few options in the "go to" roster.

JDBerg · June 23, 2018, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cslinger:

That being said my SD pistols are HK P2000’s in V3.

I really think my own P2000 v3 trigger variant is my best & favorite CCW, my Walther PPS-M2 is a favorite EDC option. And I like my Gen3 19.

Nanuk · June 23, 2018, 08:29 PM

Quote:

The small gun you took with you is better than the .45 at home.

And the fullsize pistol I carry is better than a mouse gun.

Red Devil · June 24, 2018, 09:36 PM

Quote:

The small gun you took with you is better than the .45 at home.

And the fullsize pistol I carry is better than a mouse gun.

And the Compact slimline .45 ACP GLOCK G36 is the best of both.

That's why it's GLOCK's premiere CC pistol.

(Unless it's too big. Then the P938 goes.)

Red

EM44052 · June 25, 2018, 11:44 AM

Multiple guns for me. It depends on what I am wearing. If I am tucked, I like to carry a pocket pistol Ruger LCP 2, and in the summer months I usually like something lighter like my Glock 43 or S&W Shield, but depending on the clothing, I like to carry my Cajunized CZ P-01 w/ defensive carry package or my G-19. I try to carry my P-01 as much as possible. It is a fairly new hand gun for me, but it has become my favorite.

Brian Pfleuger · June 25, 2018, 11:56 AM

I have only one carry gun, and have had the same gun since... 2009, I believe... one holster too, since day one.

I carry a Glock 33 in a Crossbreed Supertuck.

fastlane · June 25, 2018, 07:15 PM

I carry one of three guns P938, Glock 30 sf, CZ P01. The Sig gets carried most of the time. The CZ gets carried if I’m wearing a lite coat. The Glock gets carried in the Winter months if I’m not carrying the CZ.

Fjblair · June 25, 2018, 10:08 PM

Various. Depends on where I am, what I'm doing and what I'm wearing.

MINSH101 · June 29, 2018, 09:46 AM

My preferred CCW is my Kimber K6s or SP101. I practice with each. Neither presents issues with carrying with the proper holster. During the summer, thinner clothing, months I carry IWB. I switch to OWB during the colder months when I have thicker jackets and/or thicker clothing on.

June 16, 2018, 06:04 PM	#27
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 3,082	I carry a full size Glock or S&W 44 mag 24/7. __________________ Retired Law Enforcement U. S. Army Veteran Armorer My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.

June 18, 2018, 08:44 AM	#31
Charlie98 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2006 Location: Great state of Texas Posts: 1,077	After doing some informal training using a few different pistols I carried as EDC, I decided the best path was to pick one system with no doo-dads and stick with it. I love the 1911, but what I found was in stress testing I was actually knocking the thumb safety off before I even had it out of the holster... which just isn't a good idea. I also had trouble making the DA/SA transition (PPK/s, any DA auto) under duress, so that was out, too. I also don't have the range availability some do... I'm lucky if I can make it to the range once a month, and, simply, you have to train with what you are carrying if you expect to perform at the Moment of Truth. I finally wound up with a Kahr CW9... which I consider a 'gross motor skill' type of pistol... no external safety, no switches, no nothing... draw and pull the trigger. Thankfully, the Kahr grip profile is very similar to a 1911, or at least it fits my hand as well as a 1911, and the trigger, while long, is smooth and linear... so I can draw and present it well. I carry the 7-round CW9 as my EDC, but I swap it's smaller 6-round brother, the CM9, in when I need proper concealment. They both use the same holsters and the same magazines, and shoot the same ammos to basically the same POA. __________________ _______________ "I have this pistol pointed at your heart!" "That is my least vulnerable spot."

June 18, 2018, 11:00 AM	#32
fastbolt Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2002 Location: northern CA for a little while longer Posts: 1,931	You know, this reminds me of the arguments often heard in some dojos back when I was a younger practitioner, just getting started. Some guys would argue that they only needed to really master one solid, well executed technique for virtually any situation that might require them to defend themselves against an attacker. It might be a punch, or it might be a kick, depending on the practitioner. Usually it was something immediately offensive, with little thought to defensive techniques. Other guys argued that a small selection of techniques, learned pretty well (if not all of them "mastered"), would be more practical, making for a better rounded potential defense and offense. Yet others argued that the unpredictability of any attacker, or attackers, required learning to use all of the techniques taught within the style, both defensive and offensive. That would take much more hard work, and wouldn't necessarily allow someone the "comfort" of sticking with just one or two of their favorite techniques, or at least their most used technique. Well, sparring ... and the occasional unexpected instance of actually needing to use their skills outside the dojo ... seemed to result in some disillusionment for some of the folks over time. Nothing ever really happens as we might expect, despite any of our preparations for it to happen that way. Sometimes a one-trick pony can amaze ... but will being limited to that one trick always be enough, or make the pony better rounded? Dunno. Probably depends on the pony. As far as the arts question, though ... I eventually decided my "self defense" needs were probably better served if I expanded outside the Shotokan style I started in, and I also trained in Muay Thai (it turned out my original instructor had also been on one of the Japanese kickboxing teams at the beginning of the 70's), and then I later invested many years in some Chinese arts. I liked them all, and wanted to train hard in all of them. That might help explain why I did the same thing with guns after I became a working cop and then a firearms trainer. Maybe. __________________ Retired LE - firearms instructor & armorer Last edited by fastbolt; June 18, 2018 at 11:05 AM.

June 21, 2018, 05:24 AM	#35
RETG Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2009 Location: Somewhere in Idaho, near WY Posts: 507	EDC is where the day is not what I'm wearing. When into town, H&K P30SK, out in the wilderness camping/hiking, PX4 .40. __________________ I give MY OPINION (not often) based on many years shooting at, other than paper targets. I will not debate my experience vs. your experience based on dreams and "what ifs." I'm 73; I'm too damn old to care.

June 21, 2018, 09:05 AM	#36
kymasabe Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2005 Location: SW Florida Posts: 2,747	P32 in my pocket holster every day. Except when I feel that I need a little more, then I iwb a charter arms .38. __________________ God's creatures big and small, eat them one, eat them all.

June 16, 2018, 04:29 PM	#26
kenny53 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2015 Location: My back yard Posts: 971	I have been carrying M&P 9 IWB. M&P 9c right front pocket, Sticky holster. Left front pocket LCP or LCR 22mag. Sometimes I carry 1911 IWB. Depends on my mood.

June 17, 2018, 07:04 AM	#28
OhioGuy Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2016 Posts: 1,089	I"ve heard strong opinions on this before. Some people rotate through an entire collection, while others consider "carry rotation" to be as good as suicide. I train and compete with my primary gun, CZ P-07, very frequently and year-round. It's G19-sized. I've found that with the right holster (thank you JM Custom Kydex!) at the appendix position, I can conceal that sucker under surprisingly light clothing. The biggest challenge is shirts that ride up, moreso than printing. Any shirt that isn't fitted or especially thin will usually do the trick, and your "average guy" button-up checkered short sleeve shirts conceal that as well as they'd conceal a squirt gun. So that's my go-to almost always. I'm willing to dress around that rather than switch guns so I can carry under a thin T-shirt. I also have a Walther PPS M2 that I can carry under much lighter clothing, and in a 3 Speed Holster (look them up, great products) it disappears under tucked-in dress clothing, with a spare mag! That's about the only time/reason I carry anything other than my P-07. So my logic is: carry what you train with, and vice versa. I know people who shoot all the time with full size target pistols, and then carry snubbie revolvers that they never shoot because ammo is expensive and .357 hurts their hands. If I'm used to shooting a Glock 19 and suddenly have to reach for a Glock 43, will I fumble it all because they're different? Maybe, probably not too bad. If I'm used to shooting a Beretta 92 and suddenly reach for a 2" revolver? I'm guessing I'm screwed, they're nothing at all alike. So I think having a very limited number of options to carry, and training regularly with them all, is a good compromise. A similar manual of arms (i.e. DA/SA on both, similar sights, both semi-auto or both revolvers, etc.) would seem to help, but I'm speculating. Makes sense that if I spend 95% of my time shooting a 6 lb Glock trigger, I shouldn't be reaching for a 14 lb revolver trigger? But "hmmmm....which gun do I feel like carrying today? My 1911 Commander or my Ruger LCP?" is probably going down the wrong path

June 17, 2018, 07:18 AM	#29
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,325	I follow the rotation concept. I like thumb safeties on all, but break my own rule with my pocket pistol.....because I reholster outside my pocket! Pocket - Kahr CW380 Easy carry - Shield w/ safety 9mm Max size - DW CCO 1911 45 auto

June 18, 2018, 12:45 AM	#30
KY_blkout Member Join Date: June 10, 2018 Posts: 67	Alot of good different ideas on this subject in this thread.

June 18, 2018, 02:00 PM	#33
Armybrat Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2009 Location: Round Rock, Texas Posts: 976	My rotation: Ruger LCP Kahr CT380 Kahr CW9 Kahr CW45 All function alike with same long trigger pull and no "safeties". All are reliable.

June 20, 2018, 10:45 PM	#34
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 2,519	Depends what I'm carrying? If on long trip,usually have a J-frame,on me, but might add a 4" in side pocket or fanny-pak with credit card wallet and extra loaders [speed or strips]. If just CPL'ing a semi then IWB carry or panny-pak, with two spare mags. Had a situation, when I pulled in a MT state park for night, and sprea the sleeping bag in the back of the Caravan and fell a sleep. 4:30AM got woke up by a V-8 engine firing up, look out the back window, a black pick-upturned on its lights then 180 to leave the campground, about 30 yrds higher in the campround, then stopped nexted to my car. Reached around the drivers' seat and turned on my parking lights [to let the driver know I was awake and preclude any accomplice from coming up behind me and give me a low-level lighted field.] and did a quick 360 sweep, from where he came from to his cab. My Ruger SS6 in the hand, and the J-frame between my feet. Had a shotgun but still in its case, with box of buckshot. he pick-up thought about it roared away, gave it 30 minute headstart and drove out to finish my trip. Shotgun was riding "shotgun" and fully loaded, in case the pick-up might have made an road-block to catch me, coming out. Made it to the interstate and did stop till Bozeman where I had breakfast.

June 21, 2018, 12:45 PM	#37
Kirosha Member Join Date: June 20, 2018 Location: South Alabama Posts: 87	Multiple. I don't rotate so much as carry depending on the situation. I sometimes want to open carry and other times I need a true pocket gun. I do mix semi autos with revolvers and mixing a safety in doesn't bother me.

June 21, 2018, 11:31 PM	#40
raimius Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 2,199	Ideally, carry the gun you are most competent with. If you do have to go to an alternate, try to get it to have the same controls, point the same under stress, and have similar sights.

June 22, 2018, 04:19 AM	#41
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Rule number one of any gunfight is HAVE A GUN. The small gun you took with you is better than the .45 at home.

June 23, 2018, 03:45 AM	#42
Cosmodragoon Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Location: Northeastern US Posts: 1,869	Another multiple here. I'm a big fan of having the best tool for the job, or at least the closest fit possible. Things like power and capacity are good but are largely controlled by size, which generally competes with our ability to conceal and carry comfortably throughout the day. It's a simple fact that jeans and a T-shirt in sweltering heat is a very different situation than multiple layers and/or a cover garment in colder weather. The best available tool will be different in each situation, so I have a few options in the "go to" roster.

June 25, 2018, 11:44 AM	#46
EM44052 Junior Member Join Date: June 23, 2018 Location: Shelbyville, TN Posts: 7	Multiple guns for me. It depends on what I am wearing. If I am tucked, I like to carry a pocket pistol Ruger LCP 2, and in the summer months I usually like something lighter like my Glock 43 or S&W Shield, but depending on the clothing, I like to carry my Cajunized CZ P-01 w/ defensive carry package or my G-19. I try to carry my P-01 as much as possible. It is a fairly new hand gun for me, but it has become my favorite.

June 25, 2018, 11:56 AM	#47
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	I have only one carry gun, and have had the same gun since... 2009, I believe... one holster too, since day one. I carry a Glock 33 in a Crossbreed Supertuck. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

June 25, 2018, 07:15 PM	#48
fastlane Member Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: ohio Posts: 71	I carry one of three guns P938, Glock 30 sf, CZ P01. The Sig gets carried most of the time. The CZ gets carried if I’m wearing a lite coat. The Glock gets carried in the Winter months if I’m not carrying the CZ. __________________ If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin. Wisdom of Will Rogers.

June 25, 2018, 10:08 PM	#49
Fjblair Member Join Date: January 3, 2013 Posts: 53	Various. Depends on where I am, what I'm doing and what I'm wearing.

June 29, 2018, 09:46 AM	#50
MINSH101 Member Join Date: September 8, 2015 Location: Washington State Posts: 63	My preferred CCW is my Kimber K6s or SP101. I practice with each. Neither presents issues with carrying with the proper holster. During the summer, thinner clothing, months I carry IWB. I switch to OWB during the colder months when I have thicker jackets and/or thicker clothing on.