Sold all my 'small' CCW pistols

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the count

the count

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After actually carrying several different so-called sub compact guns incl. SW Bodyguard 38, KelTec PF9 and Ruger LCP I came to the conclusion that the all suck firepower wise. Please, don't get back with comments like 'one well placed round between the eyes....' bla bla bla. I have not been in an actual gunfight (thank god) but have several advanced combat pistol courses under the belt and guys, even with these simulations its TOTALLY different from standing at the range with a stationary target 7 yards away. I now carry either a XDM9 with a whopping 19 round mag or a GLOCK 30SF with 13 rounds of 45 ACP. Slightly more uncomfortable? Maybe. Peace of mind? Tons better.
 
It sounds like you did the right thing, for you, that is good!
Thanks for sharing that with us!
 
I'm not opposed to carrying a larger gun, but I don't see where you're coming from with the firepower argument. I don't anticipate a realistic SD encounter to have the same requirements as an advanced combat pistol course. If you feel you need 20 rounds to be safe, go with what works for you. I'd rather take 8 rounds in a convenient package for EDC. When knowingly going into dangerous territory I think it makes sense to take a more capable weapon, but for EDC it doesn't seem necessary. Might depend where you work/live though.
 
While a larger gun certainly has advantages over a subcompact in a gunfight all those go out the window if you have neither. So as long as your frequency of carry doesnt change i wouldn't necessarily say you made a bad choice.
 
Yeah, I agree completely. A decent pistol course or some IDPA action really shows how much worse some of our favorite CCW choices are.

I carry my .380 on days where I choose not to carry anything at all. I have more confidence in a good fixed blade knife.

I still like DAO single stacks like the Kahrs, in fact those may be my favorite day time CCW's. But a Glock 19/23/26 or 4-5" 1911 completely outshoots those.
 
If you live in a climate that is cold enough year round to wear a short jacket or coat you can get away carrying almost any size pistol. But in 95% of the USA its just to hot and hard to conceal most medium frame guns and large autos.

So for most of us you need a summer carry weapon and a winter carry gun.

Not all of us wear 3XXXL hawaiin shirts during the summer and spring months, most average adult males will be wearing shorts and T shirts the hot summer months, so it really makes guns bigger than a 380 impracticle.
 
Zerodefect said:
Yeah, I agree completely. A decent pistol course or some IDPA action really shows how much worse some of our favorite CCW choices are.

I carry my .380 on days where I choose not to carry anything at all. I have more confidence in a good fixed blade knife.

I still like DAO single stacks like the Kahrs, in fact those may be my favorite day time CCW's. But a Glock 19/23/26 or 4-5" 1911 completely outshoots those.
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Thats my point. Many assume because something works at the range in perfect lighting and not shooting back that it will work in real life SHTF situations. Most attacks are at night or under low light conditions. And the bad guys will not stand still. So there WILL be a lot of misses. Incidentally I am also selling a bunch of my holsters. Have some nice leather ones and a couple Blackhawk Kydex withe the release button. My last course convinced me the the extra split second you fiddle with it can cost your life, so trading it for the plain jane version. But like JustinJ points out a big gun left at home does you absolutely no good.
 
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FWIW, I keep a full size 1911 and a G26. My G26 is my EDC, but it generally doesn't have a stock mag in it, but rather a +2 extension so it's pretty close to the grip length of a G19. None of my firearms are smaller than 9mm, but I feel just as comfortable carrying my .45 as I do my 9mm.

I have been thinking about getting a Sig P238, but I doubt that would be anything but a range piece and something to carry when I can't dress to cover either of my other pistols.
 
I don't care for subcompacts much either. I never practiced with them, but carried them for years. I always preferred the larger guns.

Now, I carry a 92FS. Much happier and I shoot well, as I'm always practicing with my fav range/carry gun now
 
I sold my Kel-tec P11 and P-3AT and now carry a Glock 27 or Glock 30


Gotta love having 13 rounds of 45 ACP......
 
I have not been in an actual gunfight (thank god) but have several advanced combat pistol courses under the belt and guys, even with these simulations its TOTALLY different from standing at the range with a stationary target 7 yards away. I now carry either a XDM9 with a whopping 19 round mag or a GLOCK 30SF with 13 rounds of 45 ACP.
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your training experiances has shown the need for Hi-cap or heavier bullets or both?
 
I think guns of that size are best as BUGs (backup guns), or for dress/social occasions when it is imperative that you not be "made." Gun scribbler Duane Thomas once called them - a bit facetiously, I think - "'church' guns." I would not want to be completely without a "small" gun, however.
 
the count said:
You need at least a dozen rounds. 9mm will do, 45 is better.
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yeah that makes sense, I'm thinking about the G30 but didn't realize you could get that kind of capacity with them.

I'm not giving up my LCP but a small, light hi-cap .45acp is something I'd like to buy.
 
I love mouse guns, mini guns, compact guns, pocket guns, well, all guns, really. BUT,
I do know where you are coming from. Common sense says carry enough gun, although we do not listen to common sense all the time. I own and carry a Colt 1903 .32, and a Colt Det. Spec. .38 on occasion. Neither is enough gun in a serious defensive encounter. I bow to a recent acquisition that is more compact than the Colt DS, but carries 11 rounds more powerful than a .357: the Glock 29. Now that is my peace of mind, and I SHOULD rid myself of all lesser guns. I just LIKE guns. Did I mention that I like ALL guns?
 
the count said:
You need at least a dozen rounds. 9mm will do, 45 is better.
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Good on you for getting training. I try to get into a class or private instruction once every 2-3 months and it is priceless. Just out of curiosity where in the world does a "dozen rounds" come from?
 
the count said:
The GL 30 will take the GL 21 mag which is 13 rounds. Works AOK.
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I am aware, but what's the point of getting a compact .45 if you are going to attempt to carry it with a 13 round magazine hanging out of it? Why not just carry the G21? Kind of defeats the purpose.
 
I suspect you're firing a lot of rounds during your combat shooting course, which makes it seem like you need a high capacity gun to stand a chance. Typically SD encounters are not going to be an extended shootout, and usually happen at short range. I'm not saying you're wrong to want more capacity, but to say that less than 12 rounds is insufficient seems unrealistic to me.
 
Big_John1961 said:
I am aware, but what's the point of getting a compact .45 if you are going to attempt to carry it with a 13 round magazine hanging out of it? Why not just carry the G21? Kind of defeats the purpose.
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I actually have the 30SF with the 21 mag. Sure, the mag sticks out more than with the 10, but the overall size is more manageable than the huge honkin 21. But you know the saying, to each his own :)
 
Effigy said:
I suspect you're firing a lot of rounds during your combat shooting course, which makes it seem like you need a high capacity gun to stand a chance. Typically SD encounters are not going to be an extended shootout, and usually happen at short range. I'm not saying you're wrong to want more capacity, but to say that less than 12 rounds is insufficient seems unrealistic to me.
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Its all about the personal comfort zone and its really just my 2 cents worth. I dont consider myself a really good shot so I need more round to send downrange....
 
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