One Gun For All Carry Situations?

I carry an XD9SC in summer and an XD40 in the winter. Same gun, same controls, but the clothing dictates what i bring. I am thinking of carrying my CZ40 more as when decocked it works just like the XD. Pull it and it goes bang.

I tried to make all my sights, and motions the same for carry.

joe

(spring & fall) (summer) (winter) different seasons different guns but your right makes more sense to get used to just one but it is a great excuse to buy more.

i use to carry an xdsc40 all the time till i picked up a xd45acp, now winter ill carry a keltes or Taurus CIA 850 on the on the ankle, just because. i still use the xdsc40 when my shirt might be too short to cover the 45

I think that the muscle memory is a bit overrated, yes it is true, however lots of people have switched back and forth at least in combat(just read some citations)

Example if you carry a backup does your muscle memory have you reach for primary first?(even if your primary arm is tied up) Most ppl's brains can decide what needs to be done quickly the key is handling stress If you put yourself in situations where you have to work-quickly and with dexterity and thought it will help you to think and not rely on muscle memory. example -smear blood on your hands and tie some nots with suture in different positions have someone yell at you or even jostle you while you are doing it, as you move you will need to reposition your fingers-no where near perfect but it can help.

I do think that if you train with a more"complicated" gun as a primary it makes it a bit easier, ie if you usually use a 1911 and are used to the saftey it won't hurt you to "sweep the saftey" as you bring up a glock. The other way around could be a bit more challenging

Collecting firearms is a hobby, and some folks want to carry their collections, and give some carry time to every weapon, as if the weapons themselves really care about being left out. No, IMHO, that is a poor strategy.

All of my serious handguns, the ones I would draw or otherwise grab in a hurry, are long-stroke double-action, and they all point the same in my hands. They consist of the SIG P229 DAK pistols I use for duty and most carry, the SP101 revolvers I use for back-up and some primary concealed carry, and the larger Ruger sixguns I use for utility and occasional carry. I can grab and shoot all of these weapons without having think about anything, not even the sights at short distance. Even my Seecamp LWS-32, rarely carried, points well enough, and has long-stroke DA, with the trigger set far enough forward to feel like a bigger weapon.

I also have a couple of P229s with DA/SA triggers. These see little to no carry time. I can indeed handle the DA-to-SA transition, but have figured that since I shoot them no better than my DAK SIGs, except from a sandbag rest, and not always even then, I might as well have one less possible complication when out on the street.

I shoot my 1911 fine, and it points well for me, but I have to remember to place the center of the pad of my finger on the trigger, rather than the crease, for optimum accuracy.

I really wanted to buy a SIG P245, recently, as its grip is narrower than that of my P229s, but it, like its bigger brother P220, does not point well for me. It is also DA/SA, of course.

To be clear, I am not saying that highly motivated individuals, with training time and a budget to match, cannot be proficient with more than one weapon system. I don't have an unlimited ammo budget, and time is precious, especially time to travel to a range where I can practice realistically.

IMO, a carry piece should be small enough to be used in most if not all situations, yet adequately powerful to handle most situations.

Now, even a .22lr semi-auto will fit this bill if you are trained adequately enough to use it accurately, swifty and at the exact point of most effectiveness on the target. That said, .380 and up aren't as picky about what they hit. I'm no caliber snob, however it's the truth.

IMO a carry pistol should be something affordable, not something uncommon or special...to for example ,use an original M1911 as a carry weapon is simply poor choice, as a newer firearm costs less and performs better.

Fancy engraving vs plain finish...again performs the same or better for less. Stick with high bang for the buck with defensive arms....the glitter and polish should stay with the BBQ guns and safe queens.

Having just one gun tends to lead to greater familiarity with it, thus better proficiency...as well as being more comfortable carrying it.

Your size,weight,clothing style,and gun will make a huge part of your decision. ...Russ

I have been carrying a G26 since they came out. Bought it as a BUG to an issue G17. Found I could shoot it almost as well as the G17. Added a +2 mag base for 13 shots. Its as small of a pistol as I want to carry. The other sub compact Glocks would also be good. If I want to upgrade in power, the Glocks operate the same. Just my .02.

Russ, I disagree. You should adjust your wardrobe and life to fit the gun you shoot best. Not the other way around.

This isn't a hobby or an accessory. It is a lifestyle choice. It is difficult to say you are serious and dedicated to saving your life if you won't even wear a longer shirt.

Frequently work concerns prevent the wardrobe adjustment, mljdeckard. My dress at work needs to conform to office standards. For those situations, a pocketable .380 can't be beat.

For myself, when I can choose how to dress, it becomes more dependant on the season. In my case, I have decided to stick with 3rd Gen S&W Autos. The manual of arms stays the same - so the 3913 gets carried when the clothing is light, the 5906 when the clothing is heavy. I am looking to get a 6906 to replace the 5906, though, or for "medium" clothing - gives up 2 rounds, but easier to conceal. Wouldn't mind having a 4506 as well....

I don't know if the student in one of my instructor's classes who tried to stuff his cell phone into the magazine well of his pistol during a magazine change learned anything from the event or not, but I sure did. There's a lot to be said for being consistent where carry firearms and accessories are concerned, IMHO.

fwiw,

lpl

Well-said, Kleanbore, about where one is going. It reinforces what I said about different handguns, that point the same, and have similar trigger strokes. From SP101 to P229 DAK to GP100, I have a "family" of handguns that point the same for me, and have long-stroke DA triggers, with trigger arcs that start and end at familiar points. If I decide to live where giant beasts walk the earth, I could add a Super Redhawk, standard or Alaskan, to the mix, put a GP100 grip on it, and be good to go. (The reach to the SRH trigger is the same as that of the GP100, and the trigger itself is the same in both guns.)

After consultation wit Loc Dog, we came up with this as the final arbiter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls7NYNpOxmw

Longer I carry the more streamlined I want my gear. For CCW I have two Glock 26's and a J frame. Also have a Glock 29sf but that is more for hiking & such.

Plan to get a SP101 and that will probably replace J frame most of the time.

All I have for handguns is Glocks and DA revolvers.

I carry a Ruger P95 and will be getting another someday....hopefully soon.
I am completely comfortable with this weapon and train with it exclusively.
Now, I wish they still made the 95 with just a decocker and no slide safety, but I have adapted. There was a time when I was younger that I had several different types of handguns, but I really don't see the need now so just the one type is simple, effective and comforting.

I CC a G26 24/7/365. I will OC the 1911 or Beretta 92 every now and then when I go to the range, but the G26 is an extension of my body.

Another line of thinking is if yu are involved in a shooting, most likely your weapon will be confiscated for who knows how long. I have read some stories where the gun was never returned. Having a BUG will allow you to have protection in the event of a confiscation..I am not sure of policies on confiscation of a carry permit during the investigation. I'm guessing a conviction would be needed first.

I do agree identical MOA's and the same caliber for ammo purposes is desirable for both weapons.

I also believe in the one caliber, one manual of arms program. I believe that you need to train and train and that any differences may (Just 'may' but It's just one more variable I can control...and will) trip you up under stress. Or at least trip me up.

I have a fullsize 9 mm striker-fired gun and love it. Like shooting it, it's extremely reliable, and I'm comfortable with it. However it weighs alot and is quite large.

I've fired a few SA guns lately tho and LOVE shooting them. I'm hoping to buy a smaller carry gun and retire the fullsize to be my nightstand gun.

I cant afford to change over to SA and buy 2 new (reliable and not cheap) SA guns.

So I'm looking at the compact 9's, DA...it's just more practical for me, rather than learning a whole new manual of arms and spending a gazillion $.

As soon as a quality firearms manufacturer makes a gun that fits all situations for me, and the "gotta have it now crowd" purchases theirs and works out the bugs, I will have just one carry gun. Until then, it's back and forth between my Kel-Tec PF-9, and Smith & Wesson M&P40 compact.

If you venture near and far from home, how can you possibly carry just one gun? Unless you are home bound or have a radius of travel that always presents the same possibility of hazards and same mode of dress only then can a one gun carry cover your modus operandi.

When walking the beach in a bathing suit and t-shirt a N.A.A. mini revolver in a neck holster is my m.o.

When going into town (3 miles away, pop. ~ 4,000) for staples/goodies a Glock 27 in a Nemesis pocket holster carried in my right front jeans pocket covers the situation.

When the situation calls for a day in a large city (45 miles away, pop. > 5000,000 replete with robbers/car-jackers/murderers/ dopers) my S.A. Compact 45 with an extra mag. and a Surefire flashlight, both in the same belt pouch worn under a vest/jacket/ t-shirt and open over-shirt, are my tag alongs.

Past experience in the military and police department which included actual shooting situations as well as a current commitment to SD/HD by regular practice with the aforementioned guns I believe covers my need for my multi-gun requirements.

Guns are tools. You don't use a screw driver to pound a nail. I use them for the following purposes -

Large game hunting/hiking (44mag revolver)
Small game hunting (22 cal revolver)
Long range slow fire target shooting
Short range fast fire target shooting (semi-autos)
Summer CCW (less cover garment = 9mm)
Winter CCW (more cover garment = 45ACP)
Back up gun for potentially bad areas (any large magnum kept within easy reach)

I know that one gun can perform double duty for some of these ecological niches considering I also have a wide selection of loads. But you get the idea.

Can't say I've ever become confused during the operation of a handgun. On more than one occasion I have gone back out into the woods to pick up brass and found a misfired cartridge that I didn't even remember clearing until I saw it.

I have a stainless Ruger 3" GP-100 that would no doubt be my first choice for an all around carry weapon. It can be loaded down to 38 special, almost like throwing a rock speed, and up to full bore magnum punch. It can be easily carried IWB in the right holster and is built like a tank.

no question...S&W J Frame...your choice of flavors