Slightly Different Consideration for What NOT to Carry
- Thread starter Bill_in_TR
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Mosin77
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A reasonable person carries a gun good enough to do the job reliably. A reasonable person also chooses something, if they have the luxury, that they can afford to lose, and which they will not cry about if (when) it develops wear, patina, or marks in the course of its life. Since my name is not Scrooge McDuck or Mr. Moneybags, I don’t carry my original, matching, WWI Luger. I’d feel genuinely very guilty if I caused any deterioration of its condition, to say nothing of seeing it consigned to an evidence locker. (That’s not to say, however, that it isn’t loaded just like all the rest of my guns. An unloaded gun is useless if you need it, and a cool old gun is nothing compared to a human life, should that choice be necessary.)
Listen - don't worry about it. The topic itself isn't new - - but - - it IS new to you.
I recall a recent thread here telling all the members how they should react to this situation.
Another aspect of this situation can also be - -I don't want a gun used to kill someone in my house anymore. To some people, that's a silly way to think - to others it's a very real thing.
I'll leave it at that since that's a whole topic by itself.
I've got a Ed Brown Special Forces 1911 that I've carried quite a bit, same can be said for my DW Valor and Colt Delta Elite.
There would have been no point in me buying those guns if I didn't intend to carry them.
I'd much rather carry my Ed Brown or Delta whenever, wherever than a pocket 32/380/38snub (examples of what I'll not carry)
There would have been no point in me buying those guns if I didn't intend to carry them.
I'd much rather carry my Ed Brown or Delta whenever, wherever than a pocket 32/380/38snub (examples of what I'll not carry)
Obturation
Member
Yep, but everyone's idea of inexpensive is different. For me it's not really the monetary value but I much prefer a carry gun that I have zero emotional attachment and if it were replaced tomorrow with the same model I wouldn't care or even notice. Got to be replaceable and easily repairable with common parts. Got to have readily available sights , holsters , ECT. That's why I prefer to carry a glock, relatively inexpensive , ugly and more reliable than guns costing 3x as much. If something bad happens to my glock I just don't care.
RetiredUSNChief
Member
Don't carry a piece of felgercarb you can't depend on.
Don't carry a weapon you don't properly clean and maintain.
Don't carry a weapon you're not familiar with.
Don't carry a weapon you cannot handle.
As for "don't carry a weapon you can't afford to lose", I'd have to say that's way down at the bottom of my list of "don'ts". If it saves your life, cost doesn't matter.
Like I told my wife when she, her sister, and our youngest daughter walked away with virtually no injuries from an accident where her Expedition was absolutely totaled and we had to buy another one: that was the cheapest new car payment we'll ever make. Their lives and well being are priceless in comparison to the cost of the vehicle.
Don't carry a weapon you don't properly clean and maintain.
Don't carry a weapon you're not familiar with.
Don't carry a weapon you cannot handle.
As for "don't carry a weapon you can't afford to lose", I'd have to say that's way down at the bottom of my list of "don'ts". If it saves your life, cost doesn't matter.
Like I told my wife when she, her sister, and our youngest daughter walked away with virtually no injuries from an accident where her Expedition was absolutely totaled and we had to buy another one: that was the cheapest new car payment we'll ever make. Their lives and well being are priceless in comparison to the cost of the vehicle.
Bill_in_TR
Member
I agree wholeheartedly. It is way down on my list too. But it is still ON the list.
I consider my EDC a tool, just like my flashlight or pocket knife. I carry one that I trust and shoot well. While losing the pistol is certainly a possibility (especially if I have to use it defensively), I don’t let that dictate what I carry. I think $800 to replace my rig is a small premium compared to the insurance it buys me.
It's really hard to come up with a practical reason to spend more than $1000 for an EDC. The modern polymer striker guns are just fine. Yes, you might like metal and hammers and 1911s, etc. but if you watch folks shoot who use guns for real, that's a good gun and price point. If you carry more expensive guns, you should have the personal finances such that losing it, is irrelevant.
I recall a gentleman who had to carry (and show off) a very expensive field knife, think it was a Sebenza in the TX hill country. When driving across rocky territory in the dark in the TX hill country, said knife bounced into the void, never to be found - perhaps by an archeologist in 2500 AD. He was quite upset at the monetary loss. Other folks said that for every knife use in the field - did you need that? A taken deer or turkey or piece of sausage would never know the difference.
I recall a gentleman who had to carry (and show off) a very expensive field knife, think it was a Sebenza in the TX hill country. When driving across rocky territory in the dark in the TX hill country, said knife bounced into the void, never to be found - perhaps by an archeologist in 2500 AD. He was quite upset at the monetary loss. Other folks said that for every knife use in the field - did you need that? A taken deer or turkey or piece of sausage would never know the difference.
Offhand McFlan
Member
Old Dog
Member
Nope. Never. As explained well by others before me in this thread.
And we almost went three months without having this discussion for the umpteenth time, so there's that...
Well gosh, good for you -- but what's a "jam ham" situation and what does this have to do with the topic of having to part with an expensive handgun? P.S. -- how many Kimbers have you actually owned?
Back on topic, as others noted, in the end, your carry handgun is simply another tool. For me, I prefer the peace of mind that comes with owning quality tools, be they power tools, simple wrenches or firearms. And if one actually worries about the possibility of losing, having stolen, or having to give up a tool, for whatever reason, and that dictates the quality of the tools one buys and uses, well, that can certainly affect an outcome eventually, and not in a favorable way. I'm reminded of a guy I knew thirty years ago, when, as an off-duty officer, he nearly lost his life because the Davis .380 he carried -- because he didn't want to carry one of his "good" handguns -- failed during a critical moment.
Anchorite
Member
Yes. This. I’ve had personal knowledge and experience over the years representing criminally charged clients who have lost their firearms (not by forfeiture or condemned by plea) to police encounters.
It can - and does - happen.
Most likely scenario is the traffic stop and vehicle being impounded. Between the scene and the towing of the vehicle, the odds are that your prized piece will disappear and no one will have seen it.
Second most likely scenario is the search warrant. Again, funny what no one sees considering what they are often there looking for in the first place.
Carry what you want and can afford to lose (and replace).
Anchorite
Member
Exactly.
Fine Figure of a Man
Member
Yep, just like almost any other topic.
Owning any gun you can't afford to lose is foolish.
I don't really own any truly expensive guns. If a firearm is reasonably accurate & reliable, fits my hand well and has a decent trigger it pretty much meets my requirements.
Some other people have different requirements. Some folks prefer a 1911 that costs $3000 or more. Some of us prefer a $500 polymer framed pistol. In the end it is a personal choice.
While I do like most of what I have I wouldn't lay awake at night mourning if something happened to it. I would just carry something else until I replaced it. In all honesty there are other things that concern me more.
Some other people have different requirements. Some folks prefer a 1911 that costs $3000 or more. Some of us prefer a $500 polymer framed pistol. In the end it is a personal choice.
While I do like most of what I have I wouldn't lay awake at night mourning if something happened to it. I would just carry something else until I replaced it. In all honesty there are other things that concern me more.
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Zerodefect
member
What's your life worth?
$600? $1000? $5000?
Use the best tool for the job. You can get a new one.
I carry a Glock because it smokes my $3000 1911 on a simple Uspsa course of fire (with a draw from concealment added). Not because it's cheaper. Shot timers and targets don't lie.
$600? $1000? $5000?
Use the best tool for the job. You can get a new one.
I carry a Glock because it smokes my $3000 1911 on a simple Uspsa course of fire (with a draw from concealment added). Not because it's cheaper. Shot timers and targets don't lie.
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I'm not carrying a family heirloom gun. But other than that I wouldn't overthink this. I don't personally own any expensive custom guns so that isn't an issue for me. In fact the most common, reasonably priced handguns usually prove to be the best option anyway.
I had a dumbass ask me why I would waste "MY" money on such a high dollar gun and take a chance on getting it taken due to a shooting or having it stolen. I asked him would he not buy a nice home because he was afraid he would loose it due to fire or not buy a high end automobile due to it possibly being stolen??? He just turned and walked away. I practice often enough to shoot any of my guns from the cheapest to the most expensive good enough to effectively hit my target repeatedly. I choose to carry the most expensive because it has never failed me in several thousands rounds without any failures.
My first GP100 got to spend a couple of weeks at the Firearms Examiner, in June/July 1993, after a deadly force incident. Notably, a Safariland 070 duty holster, for the GP100, also fits a Colt Python, so, guess what I carried, while on duty, for those few weeks? 
Even then, I believed in the wisdom of keeping a spare primary handgun. (Actually, I never really warmed-up to that Stainless Python, and eventually replaced it with a pair of S&W K-Frames.)
I got the GP100 back. It is shown in my avatar photo.
At the time I retired from the PD, in 2018, I was “qual’ed” with two Les Baer pistols, and at least two Glocks, as primary duty pistols. So, yes, I am willing to carry an expensive weapon, into harm’s way. On the other hand, I doubt that I would carry an engraved, ivory-gripped weapon on the street.
Even then, I believed in the wisdom of keeping a spare primary handgun. (Actually, I never really warmed-up to that Stainless Python, and eventually replaced it with a pair of S&W K-Frames.)I got the GP100 back. It is shown in my avatar photo.
At the time I retired from the PD, in 2018, I was “qual’ed” with two Les Baer pistols, and at least two Glocks, as primary duty pistols. So, yes, I am willing to carry an expensive weapon, into harm’s way. On the other hand, I doubt that I would carry an engraved, ivory-gripped weapon on the street.
tubeshooter
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Good point. I got EDC #2 to retire EDC #1, which was my very first gun and (naturally) has sentimental value. Now, a few years later, the couple of defense encounters I have had (no shots fired) were with EDC #2 on deck. So now EDC #2 has earned some sentimental value to me as well.
Does that mean that now I go get EDC #3? Maybe - if I did, it would be something similar and easily replaceable. But honestly, most anything I have is easily replaceable anyway and getting another gun just on account of that = just another gun somebody has to deal with for my estate when that day comes. The actual real-world benefit would be questionable and "feel good" in nature at best.
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RetiredUSNChief
Member
I have an emotional attachment to all my guns!
I like the easy to support part. Readily available parts and products is an important consideration.
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