Time to cull my ccw collection?

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Dr_2_B

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I have about 15 pistols in my carry rotation - ranging from 9mm to 40 to 45: GLOCKs, CZs, H&K, S&W, Kel-tec, SIG, Taurus, Ruger.

I have concluded that the Rohrbaugh would be the ideal carry gun for me - I'm not in law enforcement work - I'm a psychotherapist. I'm coming off a term of being unemployed and I've thought about how much I could stand to streamline things, including my CCW collection.

I could easily trade 2 or 3 of the above and get a Rohrbaugh without it even costing me anything. I realize this is partly a philosophical question, but anybody else gone through such a phase? Any thoughts?
 
Having *15* different pistols in your carry rotation is definitely too many!

The pistols you describe have different operating systems and different controls. That's a recipe for disaster under stress.

In theory, I believe that "Carry the same gun, in the same place, all the time," is the ideal solution. However, I realize that sometimes a smaller or thinner or generally more concealable gun is required for some situations, so I can see having a "primary" carry gun, and a smaller gun for when that is required.

But, 15 different guns in a carry rotation is just waaay too many.

Pick a primary carry gun. Pick a second gun, preferably one similiar to the primary, as a "spare" carry gun, and then pick a smaller alternative gun for when the primary is too big. The spare is for when the primary is down for maintainence, etc. You can go as far as pick a spare for the alternative gun as well.

The more alike all these guns are, the better. You don't want to have to think about "Does this gun I'm carrying today have a safety? Which way does it operate?" under stress.
 
Rohrbaugh sounds like a great idea. Just remember what that gun is designed for - it's NOT a range gun. It's very small (for the caliber) so tolerances are tight - consequently, it can be a bit picky with ammo. Find one it likes (Speer Gold Dots), and then practice with and carry that round. Don't expect it to shoot like a Beretta 92FS, it's about half the size. Finally, use a good quality holster (pocket, IWB, back, or ankle), and you'll be a happy man.
 
Generally speaking, I think that it's always a bad idea to sell any gun you own, for whatever reason. Somewhere along the line, and sooner rather than later, you will regret it and perhaps even embark on a lifelong pursuit to get the gun back again. On the other hand, I agree that having 15 different carry guns in your rotation is about 13 too many. If you want to add the Rohrbough, buy one and use it for your daily carry gun ... but put the others in a safe.
 
In theory, I believe that "Carry the same gun, in the same place, all the time," is the ideal solution. However, I realize that sometimes a smaller or thinner or generally more concealable gun is required for some situations, so I can see having a "primary" carry gun, and a smaller gun for when that is required.

I'm a firm believer in having a full size carry gun and a compact or subcompact model of the same gun as an alternate (CZ75B- 2075 RAMI)
 
So, you think I should get a Rohrbaugh .380 to go with my Rohrbaugh 9?

I should probably unload my old P-32, 442, 649 and a couple others that don't get used much anymore.

John
 
Having *15* different pistols in your carry rotation is definitely too many!

Yes, too many. You should cut it down to 12 like me. ;)

Joke aside, yes I do rotate that many pistols, but they are all either strict 1911 type or DA S&W revolvers of some type, so it's actually only two platforms. Frankly, if you put in the practice time to be competent with 15 pistols, that's not a problem in my book. But it is hard to do. Being unemployed certainly makes it easier!

Generally speaking, I think that it's always a bad idea to sell any gun you own, for whatever reason.

I do politely disagree with this - if you buy a gun and don't like it, then get the heck rid of it and get something you like. I once owned a Glock for less than 48 hours. I really enjoyed the first range session with it, then I wised up when I went home and detail stripped it and thought about it. A quick post in the local classifieds and it was gone by the next day at noon.

So cull what you don't like and focus on what you do. I'd rather own three of the same gun I love (and I do) than one gun I love and two I like less.
 
By and large, I agree that keeping is better than getting rid of. OTOH, I sold (practically gave) a Sig 228 to a buddy of mine and I haven't missed it. I also sold an AMT Backup .45, a Taurus 945, an NAA 22mag mini, an NAA 32 and an NAA 380. Frankly I don't miss any of them.

And I agree it's best to have one mode of operation - but I read that as point and shoot. While I carry pistols with different trigger pull weights, I do believe one should not carry some pistols on-safe and others off-safe. This is the main reason I don't go with a 1911 - it's different than the others and I imagine this is what would get me into trouble.
 
Point well made, Oro. There might be good exceptions to the "Always keep a gun, no matter what" rule. I once bought a Taurus revolver for the wife. She shot it twice at the range, handed it over, and said she'd never shoot it again. I finished the final three rounds, agreed, and sold it a week later; can't believe I bought it in the first place, looking back. But by and large, if you have guns that you like well enough to use them in your regular carry rotation, getting rid of them to make room for something else will come back to snap at you ... somewhere along the line. I sold a P.38 in 1969 so that I could fund a spring break trip. I've kicked myself so many times since over the loss of that gun that my heiney now rides a full three inches higher than it should (or once did).
 
Dr2B, from your original post it is obvious that you are a wise man. I say this because you own fifteen pistols. That is wisdom. You say that each of these guns is in your carry rotation. Having fifteen guns in your carry rotation shows that you have added understanding to wisdom. You understand that variety is, as they say, the spice of life. I'm a little concerned however, that you are considering parting with one or more of your weapons. While it's true that you would be adding the Rbaugh the thought of giving up even one of your guns has such a ring of finality and loss. Remember, there is no group or association that provides help and support to persons who have suffered the loss of a handgun.

Should you decide to delay acquisition of the Rbaugh until circumstances are more favorable is it possible that the wait will only increase the satisfaction of ownership?
 
Being small (Rohrbaugh) doesn't necessarily make it the best CCW choice. You really want the largest gun you can conceal and the one that you can deploy quickly and accurately. In my experience the small grip on small guns makes them harder to get out of the holster or pocket and positioned exactly the same in the hand each time.

Bill
 
get TWO Rohrbaugh's..........just like having a Jag - one to use while the other is in the shop....:D....NOT saying the Rohrbaugh isn't great....BUT it is mechanical, which means sooner or later it will need the proverbial "tune-up".....having two means manual of arms is the same.......get extra mags, number them and make sure they all work in both guns......and you're good to go
 
I had an R9 and I never felt well armed with it as a main gun.

I think it's biggest strength lies in being a backup for a larger gun.
 
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I see no problems with owning as many pistols as you can afford, but having 15 pistols in the carry mix for CCW is excessive.

I would think that you would never be able to master any of them if have that many you need to practice with.
 
WVshooter, you sound entirely too smart to be from Charleston. You haven't been drinking from the river have you?
 
Get 2 Rohrbaughs

.

I agree, get two Rohrbaugh's and carry them at the same time.
I do this with two Kahr 40 pistols. This is a much more versatile
solution than carrying one with an extra mag. And with two
Rohrbaugh pistols you will be packing less weight and footprint
than I do.

...or get two Kahr's

These chihuahuas BITE ! You won't feel undergunned, I can guarantee
you that. I've chronographed my PM40 at 1140 fps with a 155 JHP.
(the other pistol is a P40 Covert. It chronoed at 1165 fps)
They handle superb, having a low recoil pulse for it's power to weight
ratio. Trigger is outstanding. Sights too. DA so no safeties.
Draw and shoot.

stay safe Doc, dxr



SC-2PM40s.gif

SC-UCPM402.gif

PMRigWeight.gif
 
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I would cut it down a few. Get a gun that you feel comfortable with and can conceal with a little bit of work. Get one you will carry!

There is nothing wrong with trading away guns for other guns...if you don't have the cash than sometimes it is the only thing you can do. I have completed 2 trades already and do not regret either of them.

~Norinco
 
Doctorxring,

Is that *two* guns in your pocket, or are you *really* happy to see me?
 
I prefer to have options.
In Winter I may carry a 1911 or BHP or CZ 75 BD
In Summer it mat be the XDsc or CZ P01 or KT P11
The KT P3AT is always in my pocket--I feel naked without it.
I agree that under stressful situations that different formats may get confusing but first off--I handle stress fairly well and second--the formats are really not that different.
With Kel Tecs ,CZ's and XD's you just have to pull the trigger--nothing that stress would cause that should make one forget how to do that. If it does--that person should not be carrying.
For guns with the safety--just have to click it off. Stress would not hinder my ability to do that and may actually enhance that ability.
I too have about 15 guns or so that I use for carry. Of those only 4 are carried frequently and none of them have a manuel safety.
All of the guns I have were bought after much research on my part and I got them because I like them. It would be really tough to sell any of them.
I guess if money got tight and I needed to sell a few to survive I could part with a few but I would not be happy about that.
Selling guns is easy--buying them is the tough part.
I guess if you have a few that you don't really care for then selling or trading may be a good option.
What would the Rohrbaugh add or provide that any of your other guns can't?
IMO --that is a question that only you know the answer to and should base your decision on that.
Good Luck
 
I have 4 in the rotation: A Sig P239 DAK, a S&W 340 M&P, a 3" Ruger SP101 DAO and a Rohrbaugh. They all work the same...pull the relatively long trigger and it goes bang. I have a safe full of bigger and otherwise different guns but none that get carried. The Rohrbaugh gets the call 90% of the time. I have several really good pocket holsters for it and it's just too easy to carry comparred to having to think about keeping something bigger covered.
 
I have about 15 pistols in my carry rotation

Jiminy! And I thought I was past due on culling some of mine, with a whopping 3 in the rotation now. I think I was up to 5 once, at the height of my pistol-mania, but sheesh! :)
 
Goodness, that's a lot to rotate. I have three that get carried, mostly my Kahr K9 though. It's a small gun that thinks it's larger.

Just lay out your collection one day and play around with each for a while. If one doesn't speak to you, sell it.

IMO It's really dangerous to circulate guns that have different manual of arms, like a 1911 and revolver, or striker fired and hammer operated. Everything I have just requires a pull of the trigger.
 
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