Carrying "less" in a "good" area. Nope, no thanks.

[CDW4ME]

My carry philosophy is: Of the concealable pistols I own, carry one I would prefer in hand if I had to defend myself.
There is nowhere I would prefer to defend my life a 38 snub/LCP rather than a Glock 19/23 (or 1911) and I carry accordingly.

 

[Ironicaintit]

I carry the most I can comfortably carry.
I’d rather have a rifle!

 

[bc38]

Each to his own. ...Prefer to have in hand to defend myself... a long gun and a platoon of marines would be my choice. After 40+ years for carrying a handgun and NEVER HAVING TO USE IT, I'll roll the dice once again. Truth be told I'm willing to bet that when the poo hits the fan 99.99% of everyone is going to be more concerned with staying behind cover ( Hopefully they remember concealment is not cover) or getting to hell out of Dodge.

 

[Jack B.]

I carry every day every where. It has become part of me. I don't even notice I'm carrying any more, but I never forget it's there. I also stay very cognizant as to where it is illegal to carry. Stay out of trouble that way.

 

[scaatylobo]

My carry philosophy is: Of the concealable pistols I own, carry one I would prefer in hand if I had to defend myself.
There is nowhere I would prefer to defend my life a 38 snub/LCP rather than a Glock 19/23 (or 1911) and I carry accordingly.

Makes perfectly good sense to me.

Having been there [ SHTF ] and not had on my REAL GEAR, I know that gut wrenching feeling and would tell any who think its ok,its not.

 

[GBExpat]

Choices ... <shrug>

I always carry whatever feels right at the moment that I saddle-up to leave The Fortress (my sister's pet name for my house ) and spend a brief time out in "civilization".

Among my recent active choices: 9x17, 9x19, .44spl, .45acp.

I only carry what I hope would be enough ammunition to "have a say" if forced into that choice.

As a proud member of The Skedaddle Club my preference would be to be observant, avoid engagement, exit the area (taking folks with me, if possible) and be a good witness.

 

[mcb]

I honestly don't carry all the time. If I am carrying in public (not the woods) it's almost always a J-frame. I could carry more, have in the past, but choose not too. The gun is not the only part of my general survival plan. YMMV

 

[FFGColorado]

My carry philosophy is: Of the concealable pistols I own, carry one I would prefer in hand if I had to defend myself.
There is nowhere I would prefer to defend my life a 38 snub/LCP rather than a Glock 19/23 (or 1911) and I carry accordingly.

Again..I carry which I know is reliable and I can shoot well with it and I can comfortably carry CONCEALED. I sold my LCP but I could shoot it better(more accurately) than my son's 44 magnum..

I EDC a Glock 42(with 8R magazine) or Glock 26(with 15R magazine)..everyday. clothes determine which..

 

[Jack B.]

I won't carry different arms. Don't want to have to think about what's in my hand when the pressure is real high. Keep it simple and keep it familiar is my policy.

 

[cslinger]

Over the years I came to the realization that FOR ME PERSONALLY IWB didn't work and if I had to/ wanted to conceal it anyway IWB didn't really buy me much so I went high and tight OWB. Needing a cover garment either way, it just made sense to carry a larger pistol and honestly with this type of setup carrying pretty much any NORMAL pistol is fairly trivial. A Glock 17 would be no problem. I myself settled on Glock 19 sized (HK P2000).

All that being said In working for a VERY short time in major Metro I will say that the gun itself rarely if ever mattered more then having a gun, ANY GUN, if the dire need arose. Food for thought.

Now as far as not feeling comfortable with a given choice....I'd imagine if I was ever faced with a real threat anything this side of a belt fed would make me feel under-gunned.

Take care, shoot safe,
Chris

 

[Zaydok Allen]

My carry choice is dependent on the time of year and the associated clothing I can wear and still effectively conceal. It varies a great deal where I live day to day. So when it's cooler I carry a bigger gun. When warmer, and I need to wear less clothing, I carry a smaller gun.

But it is consistent, and the location or niceness of where I'll be going does not change my carry choice.

As far as is the gun I carry going to be high enough capacity if I ever needed it, I hope so. But that topic has been beaten to death lately.

 

[Zerodefect]

I don't carry all of the time. It's a big responsibility.

 

[huntsman]

So OP you deciding factor is capacity?

Instead of LCP what about a Shield9?

I have yet to master the carrying of my G23 in sweatpants yet I have gone from LCP to Shield9 quite successfully.

Be-bopping around town in and out of the Jeep a single stack 9mm carries real easy, yet I’ve also toted a double stack without issue.

A 1911 huh, I guess it ain’t always about capacity or maybe the mythical powers of .45acp trump all?

 

[CDW4ME]

So OP you deciding factor is capacity?

Instead of LCP what about a Shield9?

I have yet to master the carrying of my G23 in sweatpants yet I have gone from LCP to Shield9 quite successfully.

Be-bopping around town in and out of the Jeep a single stack 9mm carries real easy, yet I’ve also toted a double stack without issue.

A 1911 huh, I guess it ain’t always about capacity or maybe the mythical powers of .45acp trump all?

No. "Of the concealable pistols I own, carry one I would prefer in hand if I had to defend myself."
Is the Shield what you would prefer in hand if you had to defend yourself? (Of the concealable options you own).
Smartcarry worked for me with Sweatpants.
Being able to carry without issue is important; I have no trouble carrying a Glock 19/23 size pistol even in "summer attire".
1911 was an example, I've carried them but have stuck with Glocks for awhile.

 

[CDW4ME]

Again..I carry which I know is reliable and I can shoot well with it and I can comfortably carry CONCEALED. I sold my LCP but I could shoot it better(more accurately) than my son's 44 magnum..

I EDC a Glock 42(with 8R magazine) or Glock 26(with 15R magazine)..everyday. clothes determine which..

 

[MCFLYFYTER]

If you carry long enough, your thoughts on the subject will typically evolve over time. Do what you feel is best, and to heck with strangers on the internet

 

[Kleanbore]

If you carry long enough, your thoughts on the subject will typically evolve over time.

Probably true.

Do what you feel is best, and to heck with strangers on the internet

Make an informed decision.

 

[MCFLYFYTER]

Make an informed decision.

Ideally yes, but most people make an emotional decision. I'm pretty sure nobody ever reviewed all data with an open mind and decided a 1911 was the best gun to carry. Not picking on the 1911, it's just any obvious example of emotion trumping information.

 

[MCFLYFYTER]

My carry philosophy is: Of the concealable pistols I own, carry one I would prefer in hand if I had to defend myself.
There is nowhere I would prefer to defend my life a 38 snub/LCP rather than a Glock 19/23 (or 1911) and I carry accordingly.

How many forums did you post this on? It would be interesting to see the different mentality of each forum.

 

[Jeff White]

Ideally yes, but most people make an emotional decision. I'm pretty sure nobody ever reviewed all data with an open mind and decided a 1911 was the best gun to carry. Not picking on the 1911, it's just any obvious example of emotion trumping information.

The best information available says that the best handgun to carry is in a caliber .38 special or larger in the platform that one is most skilled with. It boils down to having a handgun in an effective caliber that you have developed unconscious competency with. Auto v revolver, Glock v 1911...it's all immaterial and a waste of good electrons discussing. Choose a platform .38 special or larger caliber that fits your dress and lifestyle and train, train and train some more.......

 

[MCFLYFYTER]

Butchered this edit, I'm blaming my phone...

 

[Kleanbore]

Like I said, choose what you feel is best for yourself

I would never recommend that, unless what on "feels" is based on an informed decision.

...there is no need to justify your choice.

True.

 

[Kleanbore]

The best information available says that the best handgun to carry is in a caliber .38 special or larger in the platform that one is most skilled with. It boils down to having a handgun in an effective caliber that you have developed unconscious competency with.

Absolutely.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I carry every day every where. It has become part of me.

I want to get to this place, but I admit I'm not quite there. I'm doing better.

As far as what to carry, I picked a carry gun that was small enough to conceal with any outfit and that is comfortable enough to carry that I won't leave it at home. Since I've gotten it, I have done better about carrying more often.

As far as rather having something else if a situation goes down, well of course I'd rather have something besides a pocket .380. But I know me.

 

[MikeInOr]

I have several friends that won't carry anything smaller than a .357 or a 1911. Funny thing is that they NEVER have a gun on them even though they have a carry permit. I have one friend that only carries when he is riding his hog... he sold his Harley almost 10 years ago.

I ALWAYS have a gun on me when ever I am out of the house... even if it is just to take the garbage to the street. If I vowed to ONLY carry a .357 or .45 this would not be the case. When I finally started carrying FULL TIME about 20 years ago was when I picked up my first .32acp, a NAA Guardian. Now I have the luxury of a pretty decent selection from .22mag to .44mag and can choose what works best for any particular day.

You carry what you want, I will carry what I want! ...and if that makes you feel superior to me... more power to ya!

P.S. In the 30 years that I have had a carry permit I have had to draw and use my weapon once. A deer totaled a friends car and was lying on the side of the road with 4 mangled legs twitching. The LCP I had on me at the time put the deer down with a single shot.