Grading your carry gun..

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Glock model 23
29 pts, maybe -1 for concealability
Colt Diamondback
28pts, -1 for firepower, -1 for caliber
Taurus OSS 45
28 pts, -2 for concealable
 
XD40SC

Reliability = 5
Firepower = 5
Caliber = 5
Ergonomics = 5
Concealable = 5
Ease of follow up shots = 5
Total Score = 30



XD45 4in

Reliability = 5
Firepower = 5
Caliber = 5
Ergonomics = 5
Concealable = 4
Ease of follow up shots = 5
Total Score = 29
 
I think easyg is the only one so far who has grasped the concept of objectivity.
Most everyone else is seeking to validate their choice. :rolleyes:
 
My G37

Reliability = 5
Firepower = 5
Caliber = 5
Ergonomics = 5
Concealable = 5
Ease of follow up shots = 5

I would have not bought it or carry it if the score was any less

I think easyg is the only one so far who has grasped the concept of objectivity.
Most everyone else is seeking to validate their choice.

I agree, if the agenda is truely only validation.
 
SP 101 3" 357 mag

Reliability = 5
Firepower = 2
Caliber = 5
Ergonomics = 5 (with Hogue monogrip)
Concealable = 4
Ease of Follow up shots = 5
Total Score = 26
 
HK P7

Reliability= 5
Firepower=3
Caliber=5 (I use +P+ only)
Ergonomics=5
Concealable=4
Ease of follow up shots=5
HK Logo on grips=10000
Total score= 10027 :D

HKP7gecoprofiledark.jpg
 
I see you have some of the S&B ammo that is the real deal. Nothing like touching off some real 9mm ammo.

I have been known to carry the S&B 'Police' 115 JHP. It is a clone load to the 9BPLE load but is a bunch cheaper wit hthe same specs........
 
I have a CIP loading manual. I find it comical that most CIP starting loads are hotter than SAAMI maximum loads..

I rarely carry Domestic 9x19mm anymore. The S&B police labeled ammo or the nickle clad ball you posted is always loaded to CIP standard, that just happens to be a higher pressure than SAAMIs "+P+" loads. Fiocchi and S&B are my loads of choice, even their ball practice loads are alot hotter and cost no more than domestic ammo.....
 
I know some euro company, can't remember which right at the moment, has a listing for a 1400fps 124gr JHP 9mm Para.

That's freaking HOT, way hotter than anything you can get from a US manufacturer.
 
Too bad we call it "hotter" when in reality it is just normal. SAAMI ammo should actualy be labeled -P. I have no clue why it is loaded so wimpy. I know people with 75 year old lugers that will not cycle SAAMI spec ammo and are forced to shoot CIP normal spec ammo.

Its a shame what domestic ammo has become. I have NEVER heard of a gun blowingup because real CIP ammo was used in it........
 
Ok, I'll be realistic here.

Smith and Wesson 638

Reliability = 5
Firepower = 2
Caliber = 2
Ergonomics = 3
Concealable = 5
Ease of follow up shots = 2
Total Score = 19


Glock 30

Reliability = 4
Firepower = 5
Caliber = 5
Ergonomics = 4
Concealable = 2
Ease of follow up shots = 5
Total Score = 25

Why did my glock only get a 4 on reliability?
Cuz it's not a revolver. ;)
 
Glock 26

Reliability = 5
Firepower = 3
Caliber = 4
Ergonomics = 3
Concealable = 4
Ease of follow up shots = 4
Total Score = 23

Not bad, and I do think I was pretty objective there.

Ruger LCR

Reliability = 4
Firepower = 2
Caliber = 4
Ergonomics = 5
Concealable = 4
Ease of follow up shots = 3
Total Score = 22

Yup. Sounds about right.

The Glock 26 is very slightly less concealable, but overall the better gun. Sounds about right to me.
 
H&K P2000SK (9x19mm - DA/SA)

Reliability = 5
Firepower = 4 (10+1)
Caliber = 4
Ergonomics = 3
Concealability = 2
Ease of follow up shots = 4
Total Score = 22

Notes: On reliability, I have not had any kind of malfunction in this pistol in over 800 rounds. I formerly owned an HK USP Compact in .40S&W and shot thousands of rounds through it without any kind of malfunction whatsoever. I traded the USPc toward the purchase of the P2000SK, opting for a more concealable package. Due to the way I am built, however, I find it difficult to carry a doublestack gun in the Florida heat as often as I would like. If there is one handgun that I currently own on which I would stake my life, this is it.
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Sig P232SL (.380 ACP - DA/SA)

Reliability = 5
Firepower = 3 (7+1)
Caliber = 3
Ergonomics = 5
Concealability = 4
Ease of follow up shots = 5
Total Score = 25

Notes: Of any pistol I've ever handled, this is by far the most ergonomic and naturally pointing. It's as if it were designed precisely for my hand. I can draw and point this one and it aims exactly where I want it to. It has Hogue grips, of course. I've probably put close to 1000 rounds through this one with one double feed after shooting 4 boxes, and 2 FTEs during a separate session. FTEs were ammo induced.

As a compromise between concealability (single stack, smallish) and caliber/firepower, I find myself carrying this more often than any other.
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NAA Guardian (.32 ACP - DAO)

Reliability = 3
Firepower = 2 (6+1)
Caliber = 1
Ergonomics = 2
Concealability = 5
Ease of follow up shots = 3
Total Score = 16

Notes: For absolute deep concealment (e.g., work), this one is a must. Trigger pull is about twelve pounds, magazine capacity is a paltry 6, and I can only manage to fit two fingers on the front strap. Pretty underpowered, but as they say, the .32 in your pocket beats the .45 left in your safe.
 
Browning HiPower:

Reliability: 5
Firepower: 5 (13 + 1)
Caliber: 5
Ergonomics: 5
Concealability: 5
Ease of follow up shots: 5
Total score: 30
 
Colt Diamondback
28pts, -1 for firepower, -1 for caliber

I get that this is subjective, but for the folks giving 5 and 6 shot revolvers a 4 for firepower, what are numbers 1 through 3 used for? Because it seems like only a derringer is really lower among realistically carried firearms.

I like carrying my SP101 as much as anyone, but I would have to say:
1 = derringer
2 = 5 and 6 shot revolvers
3 = 6+1 and 7+1 single-stack autos or 7 to 8 shot revolvers
4 = 9 to, say, 12 rounds counting the +1
5 = 13 rounds and up

I also think it's hard to call a full-size auto a 4 or 5 when your talking about a relative scale. I mean, if a Glock 17 is a 4 (as someone put), then how do you rate the Glock 19, the Glock 26, a J frame or LCP, and a mini-revolver. The fact that there are several tiers of firearms more concealable than the Glock 17, to me, means that the 17 has to be relatively low on the scale, even if it conceals just fine for you. The Glock is just a convenient example. The same argument would hold true for Government, Commander, and Officer 1911s.

If I try to judge concealability on a relative scale, where being more concealable means a higher number, I would think something like this would be the scale:
1 = Desert Eagles, 8"+ revolvers and whatnot. Stuff few, if any, people would even try to conceal.
2 = Full or "Service" size weapons
3 = Compact
4 = Subcompact
5 = Pocketable and smaller firearms

I mean, if you just want to grade your weapon on a curve, that's cool. But it would be more useful if at least some of these criteria were consistent. It's not like the total means anything, really. That's the nature of making trade offs. A score of, say, 25 could be a hard to conceal firearm with plenty of firepower and in a caliber with an excellent track record. Or it could be an easily concealed yet ergonomic weapon with few rounds. They will appeal to totally different types of carriers.
 
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