How many CCWs have you gone through?

I started with a smaller, quality 1911 (45 acp) that did very well for me that lasted 3 years and then moved to a quality larger 1911 (45 acp) for most of my "normal" carry. After 10 years, I still go back to the smaller 1911 when I need a more concealable carry and a Kahr PM9 when I need something very small. However, I prefer the 1911 platform in general and the full size most of the time.

Going from when I first started carrying to the present:

Glock 21 - Too big.

Kimber 1911 (Custom II) - Would not function properly. This was followed by a Springfield GI 1911 (enjoyed the gun, but didn't think sights or finish lent to carry). Tried another Kimber (TLR II), same set of problems.

Glock 19 - Liked it, but didn't enjoy shooting it due to the grip angle. I'm thinking about revisiting this in the near future.

Kahr PM9 - Pocket carried for almost a year, had no problems with the gun until one night when I struck a cat with the car and did the merciful thing. The Kahr fired the round in the chamber, then failed to go into battery with the next round. Chose to try something else after that.

Beretta 92/92 Vertec - Not my favorite handgun in the world, but it's what the army uses so I figured I might as well become proficient with one. This included carrying during the winter months when jackets are no problem.

HK P2000 - Similar to the Glock 19 in size, but I liked the ergonomics. This has been my primary CCW now for about 4 years. Holsters are IWB, OWB, and shoulder which makes it carryable in most forms of dress. Thinking about going back to the Glock 19 because I'd like to do all my own end user maintenance, ease of access to parts, etc. Even if I give that a shot, the P2000 isn't going anywhere. It's been 100% for about 10k rounds.

S&W 340SC - When it's scorching hot outside, formal dress, or other occasions that prohibit carrying something larger, the .357 J-Frame easily carries on pocket or ankle. Basically, it's the gun to carry when you can't carry a gun. Also makes a good BUG.

I still don't have a "right one" for all occasions.

Sometimes all I can fit is an LCP, so that's what I carry. Then sometimes I can carry a full sized S&W M&P, so I'll carry the S&W.

Why should I limit myself to one?

I predominantly carry my LCP also. Even in scrubs a fully loaded LCP wont bring the world crashing down around your ankles in all your glory. When out ridin the Harley I usually carry my Sig 220 Dark Elite .45 although good leather for it is harder to find than .380 rounds. When out enjoying the woods or such I carry a 686 or Mod 10 with a Marlin 1894.

My first one was a ParaOrdinance P13. Good gun but at the time I thought it was too big for carry. Youll see why this was foolish in a second.

My second gun was Smith Model 60 which I enjoyed well enough but wanted something different like another 1911.

So I bought a ParaOrdinance (aptly named) and the most important part, I got a good holster. All of the sudden carrying a larger gun was easy. The Para CCW is an all steel gun.

Then I tired of the LDA even though I still think it is a great idea and it functions perfectly. I wanted a P7. So I got the P7 thinking it would be the perfect CCW. It worked great but the grip was still a bit too big. I really should have given it a better chance with some different leather but instead I put the P7 in the nightstand and used it at league shoots for a few years.

Then I got really into revolvers again and carried the Model 60 again. Full circle right. I carried this for awhile and still do. It is my warmer weather gun. My colder weather gun or whenever I can get away with it is:

My Browning Hi Power in a VMII. I will always pocket carry the Model 60. Sometimes I carry both. These two have been in my carry arsenal longer than any one of the others mentioned and I tend to think they will stay there for a little while longer. I get the feeling I am going back to the 70s or 80s in the shoes of some big city street cop of which more than one probably carried a Hi Power as a primary and a J frame snub as a BUG.

I started with a P226 .40. It was way too big and heavy.

From there I went to a P228. It was a little lighter, but still on the heavy side, and the blued slide finish was not going to be durable enough long term.

After that I went to a G19 and have been on that one for about four years now with no plans to switch. Not too big, not too small, super durable finish, reliable, lightweight, simple.... doesn't get any more perfect for carry than this, I don't think.

I've stuck with my Hi Power through thick and thin........

I started my CCW life with 5 guns to use and try so i could see what i preferred.
PT1911 5" .45
PT745 subcompact .45
Walther PPS9
Sig P238
CZ vz 45 .25

I went threw the "I need a Backup" phase also so that explains some of the smaller calibers as id never carry anything below 9mm as a main ccw.

I sold all of those but the PT1911 as i found it the gun i preferred to shoot, And it carried very well. But i hit a snag this spring in Ohio as weather started warming up, The 1911 was getting too hard to carry in such lite clothing.

I added a SA XD SC .40 for Ohio's warm weather days, Once it cools again ill go back to the 1911.

Later i may consolidate those 2 into a small 3" 1911 thats lighter and easier to carry when money is more abundant. I would have done that now instead of buying the XD but i didn't have the $1000 for the 1911 i wanted.
So for now im very happy with my 2 ccw guns.

Came out of the service in 1971. Pretty much been hitched to a Colt .45 Officer ever since. She's been called on a few times, and she's always heeded the call. Lot of new stuff out their today, but I figure ,"if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it." Although a KelTec .380 does bode well when wearing
"speedos"-ha!

I started with a Smith 442 and have continued to carry that one generally in a pocket for the last 4-5 years.

I have larger choices, but am not really into trying to conceal a larger gun.

I started with a full-size 1911, and quickly found out it was too big and heavy to carry concealed.

I soon after bought a Springfield XD40 sub compact. I tried carrying it a few times and just could not get used to the thickness in my waistband.

I was about to buy a pocket auto like a Kel-Tec P32 or a Beretta Tomcat, when I started to notice the snub-nosed .38 revolvers without a hammer. I held a S&W 642 at a gun shop and was very surprised how light and concealable it was. I bought one and pocket carried it for quite a while.

Eventually, the 642 started to feel like a baseball in my pants pocket, and I found that I was only carrying it in a jacket pocket. I needed something even smaller for warm weather daily pocket carry.

I bought a Ruger LCP and have carried that and the 642 most of the time.

So that's 4 handguns before I found what was mostly right for me.

Two. The first one was too small, the second was too big and the third was just right.

Just one. Bought an H&K USP Compact .40 in early 2000 and been carrying it ever since. It's upwards of 12k rounds now and still going strong.

Bobby

I've carried several different guns. I won't say I've gone through them since they will get carried again. I carried a Glock 27 for a long time. Then I carried a Smith 649 on and off. I've carried a SIG P245 a few times. A G30 which is to heavy.Right now I'm carrying a Ruger LCR. That is one comfortable carry gun. Allot depends where I'm going with what I carry. My G27 has Trijicon night sights. I like the G27 the best but the LCR has spoiled me with comfort.

I'm still looking...

...for something to take the place of the P11 that I've carried for years now. I keep itching to move up to a .45acp, but I haven't found a pistol that does all the things and has all the features that make the P11 my top choice.

I think about going with a revolver, or an all steel pistol, but this dang Kel Tec hasn't failed once, never ever whatsoever. I haven't counted the rounds I've put through it, but it has eaten plenty 'nuf to gain my trust, so it gets carried everyday and shot as often as possible.

So I'm still looking for that 2nd option.

I've carried the following, and probably a few I'm forgetting:

Glock 19
Glock 26
S&W 642
3" GP100
Commander size 1911
CCO 1911
Full Size 1911
Sig 228
Sig 232
Sig 239
HK p2000
HK P7

I mainly carry the P7 now, but the 642 or a 1911 sometimes make it into the mix. Everything else has been sold off.

One a month,... its the LAW!

In order...

Glock G23
S&W M36
S&W M360
S&W M340 (x2)
S&W M49
Kahr PM9
Kel-Tec P3AT (x2)
Kel-Tec P32
Kel-Tec P11
Glock G19 (traded the G23 for the G19)
Taurus 441
S&W 396
S&W 325
Kahr P45
S&W M25
Kimber Ultra Carry
Kimber Ultra CDP
Kimber Eclipse Pro II
Ruger LCP

I'm forgetting a few more...
The ones in bold are the ones I still own.

EDCs? Three. Went from a 3.5" Para to a 4" Kimber, then a 5" Kimber.

1911s are thin, so they carry easily. So they just got bigger as time went on.

I started carrying with a smith and wesson 637. Traded it for a 638 because the hammer snagged during the draw. I now carry the 638 most of the time, but sometimes I carry a glock 30. The 30 is REALLY thick though, I've got the itch bad for a glock 27 or 26.

One Combat Commander and about half-dozen or so Government Models from various manufacturers over 30 some years. A revolver or two sneaked in on rare occasion.

jon86 said:

I started carrying with a smith and wesson 637. Traded it for a 638 because the hammer snagged during the draw. I now carry the 638 most of the time, but sometimes I carry a glock 30. The 30 is REALLY thick though, I've got the itch bad for a glock 27 or 26.

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We agree on the G30 being to thick and heavy when fully loaded. I love my G27. I had a G26 and sold it. I like the 40 cal better then a 9mm. I wish I had gotten the G36 instead of the G30

G30SF and 2 extra mags is my everyday carry, it's been that way for years.