Just tell it like it is, no rationalizations.

Carry what you like and like what you carry. It's your choice of course, but be aware of what it can and can't do.

CDW4ME said:

Example rationalizations:
I live in a good area.
Nobody want to (volunteer to) get shot with it.
Better than nothing
The Extreme Nuclear 32 acp does bazillion damage to gel

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I do give you some credit for the topic. But, as I see it....

1) Life is about risk management and I'm responsible for that. I dont wear steel toe boots around the house but I do in other areas that present greater risks. Risk assessment, risk management.

2) This is the dumb one, imo. No one volunteers to let me flick boogers at them either.

3) Something is better than nothing. I wear shoes/flip flops around the house instead of steel toe boots because stepping on something small and sharp bare foot is not something I want to risk (carpet fuzz too) and it is much greater chance than having my toes smashed. Risk assessment, risk management.

4) Thats just plain false.

Howland937 said:

I'd rather think of it as finding the right balance for our needs, instead of rationalization.


Rationalizing is what I do to justify doing something that even I know isn't sensible.

I hope that there aren't many folks looking at their carry gun as being nonsensical and actively convincing themselves to carry it anyway.

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True, but it's one of those potato potahtoe type things. One person's sensible option is another's rationalized option.

So I do what fits for me, explain my reasons, and largely don't worry about what others say/think.

Of course, my choices are completely sensible and perfect and anyone who disagrees is being irrational and, frankly, wrong

Ah yes what ever these preceding pages tell us, and there are those here who truly think they are masters it still comes down to one factor in the end KISMET.
Try as you will you won’t change it and for 80 years it’s been kind to me.

Howland937 said:

I'd rather think of it as finding the right balance for our needs, instead of rationalization.


Rationalizing is what I do to justify doing something that even I know isn't sensible.

I hope that there aren't many folks looking at their carry gun as being nonsensical and actively convincing themselves to carry it anyway.

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I see how you rationalized this.

Demi-human said:

Oh. Dang.
(Puts Desert Eagle back in the safe…)

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If you truly believe you're rationalizing carrying it because it makes zero sense...to you.
I just don't believe that weighing out options, finding the right balance amongst pros and cons (trade offs?) is the same as rationalizing.

Rationalizing would be me carrying your DE "in case I'm confronted by a grizzly on the mean back roads of southern Ohio"

If like to know what kind of body armor the OP wears on a daily basis? What kind of tourniquet and pressure dressings he carries on him daily? Less lethal? Flashlights?

If he doesn't carry these items daily I'd like to hear his rationalization. Obviously anything short of full kit is subpar.

Im sure a few around here used to frequent an area of great anticipated threat. They carried an M-4 type rifle along with a dozen or so support fellas who carried similar rifles.

They upped their carry piece when they were in an area of greater anticipated threat. Funny thing is that no one seemed to care there or then. It was just what was done.

Example rationalizations:
People may not know their caliber &/or capacity lacks, so I will tell them.
It's a message board for discussing such things.
It's a unique question; give credit for that.
I am just playing devil's advocate.
Somebody, somewhere might see the error of their ways.
I sort of care about the respondent's life and health.
Even if I say "made you respond" - it's not trolling.
Obviously a lot of people don't take defense sufficiently seriously.


Example truths:
I won't be there when the chips are down.
I don't have to buy anybody's CCW.
I don't have to feed anyone's gun.
What works for others may not work for me and vice versa.
I just want to stir the pile just to smell it.
My mind is made up. This isn't really a good-faith discussion.
This thread will be allowed to stand and flourish because reasons.

When I carry less than a full-sized pistol during my free time, it's because I'm being lazy. I suppose I could say that it's because I'm so used to carrying that smaller gun in that holster and in that position on my body, that switching to a full-sized would be detrimental to my muscle memory function. But that's not true. If I can't be honest with myself, how can I possibly be honest with anyone else.

For 62years I never carried a weapon nor had a desire to. But then I lived in a state that made it exceedingly difficult to obtain one. In 2004 the bride and I bought a winter home in a state that made it easy to carry a weapon. So I got one. About the only thing that gets carried is the card that says I can carry. State of mind I suppose. I can’t carry up north so no habit other than no carry has been developed.

I am too lazy to do more than shove a 38 special or 380acp into my pocket.

At least I use pocket holsters, and I'm fairly proficient with those particular handguns.

But if I'm attacked by a gang of armed ruffians, my laziness will be my doom.

Tallball said:

if I'm attacked by a gang of armed ruffians, my laziness will be my doom.

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I'd venture to guess that such an attack would result in the doom of many of us, regardless of our carry choices.

Howland937 said:

I'd venture to guess that such an attack would result in the doom of many of us, regardless of our carry choices.

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That's not the truth OP wants to hear about.

CDW4ME said:

Thanks.
Risk assessment: I assess that if defending against a risk (threat) I'd prefer at least Glock 19 in hand and that doesn't change cause I'm in a nice spot.
Risk management: I avoid stupid people, places, live in a "good area" ect... that does not override preferred in hand... Glock 19 (wherever, whenever)

We agree, I think its dumb too; yet, I've seen that rationalization posted multiple times over the years.

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You're welcome. FWIW, I lean toward agreeing with your sentiment on this but it's not a simple binary issue.

For example, in reply to your comments....

Risk assessment: So do I (but not glock). I prefer/choose 9mm in various handguns which vary in size and capacity. Keeping concealed is very important to me. By my assessment, the risk of exposure (etc) is more likely to happen than needing to use it and the consequence can be severe.

Risk management: Due to the likelyhood risk of needing it and not having it and also the likelyhood risk of having it and exposing it, somehow a balance must be found to give myself peace of mind. Not your mind. Its my livelihood; not your mind.

As such, Attire and activities will largely be the influential factor which one I choose.

A smaller lighter 9mm with less capacity is far easier to ensure staying concealed in some attire & during some activities.

Some rounds are better than more rounds if having more rounds/larger gun increases the risk of exposure beyond my peace of mind. My mind, my life; not yours.

Youre free to disagree. And I welcome your input for what works for you. And I'll consider if/how I can apply it to myself as it's in my best interest.

But assuming that what works for you will also work the same for others is just another form of rationalizing & not being truthful in of itself.

As a light hearted exaggerated example, some people may be lucky? to have enough spare room in thier speedo to pack a Glock 19 while playing beach volleyball (like a sloth) and not print.

Others may only have enough spare room for a NAA mini revolver. Something is better than nothing.

It would be disingenuous to argue that you could conceal a Glock 19 in tight short shorts and crop top as effectively as you could a NAA and its not realistic to show up to a beach volleyball game in over sized 5.11 cargo pants to hide a Glock 19, spare mags, and ankle holster with the Glock 26.

Also, risk factors associated with area can play a part in your decision. For example, in LA, DC, NYC it seems groups of perps is becoming more common. I can speak in regards to LA, it's more common to have multiples in east LA than in Eastvale 50 miles away. I can't remember a single instance in Eastvale. I wouldn't be surprised if it was weekly in east LA.


Somewhere there is a balance that is right for the individual responsible for thier own self.

Dale Alan said:

More about the way your first post is in broken english and your attitude , that's the trolling part.

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Dale Alan is correct; the OP was poorly written. The confusion was evident in the following discussion.

DeepSouth said:

Tell it like it is, ok.

1: I carry what I like, if it’s a snub 38 that looks good and I enjoy shooting it, that may be enough even though I have better suited guns, and have no reason not to carry them… other than I feel like carrying the snub.

2: I don’t really care about what other people thank about my choice of carry.

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Not to be rude, but I simply carry what I want, regardless of other people's opinions, or standards.

FACT- a 32ACP or a 22LR, used properly, can be very capable firearms.
FACT-in many rural neighborhoods you are far more likely to be struck by lightning, than be required to defend yourself with a firearm.

Opinion-this isn't Beirut, and while I carry something larger on the farm, to handle pest control, my carry in town is considerably smaller.

I’ve found that I can discreetly carry my Glock 26 with 13 loaded and a 17 round reload in an aiwb holster effectively. Nobody ever sees it, it’s comfortable, and it’s basically a bob tailed 19.

In practice, I’ve found that I draw, shoot, and reload the 26 very well.

It’s my edc. Maybe there’s better but I don’t care. I’m running with my 26 with zero plans to change. Whatever happens, happens.