Change in Carry Philosophy?

[kngflp]

For almost 2 years my primary CCW has been a full size CZ 75 in .40. I carry it in an IWB rig made by HBE leather, it is a very nice carry combo and I conceal it well. Every once in a while I will carry a kel tec p-11 in a don hume belt slide. I shoot a full size gun better, I prefer the .40 to 9mm, and also the higher capacity....but I clear leather with the little kel tec so fast. I shoot the CZ informally in IDPA and my draw time is not horrible, but I can really tell a difference in how fast the kel tec draws.

I was looking at the Taurus Millenium Pros in .40 and .45. The compact versions are very compact, but do offer full capacity mags. I like the way they feel and the triggers seem decent.

I feel like my whole philosophy of carrying a weapon is changing. I guess this is just one of the many comprimises one must make when choosing a CCW.
I do like full sized weapons better, but I think I could draw a compact faster.

Has anyone else out there every delt with this? Is it a fair trade off? Any input would be appreciated, as this has been driving me crazy.

With the short barrel what would be a better choice .40 or .45?
I am really starting to enjoy shooting .45 over .40 but that is out of a CZ 97 which is the polar opposite of a compact poly frame .45.

 

[armoredman]

Carry what you will carry more, and can hit better with. If you can consistantly tag the bull with the Keltec in IDPA better than with the CZ40, and you are comfortable with the load and caliber, then do what works for you. I went to a 9mm, (CZ PO1) from a 40, (Witness EA40), and fell just fine. I can get outstanding groups from this compact, better than I could with the Witness, and it works flawlessly. If the Keltec does than for you, then go for it. Just practice, practice, practice....AKA IDPA...

 

[Double Maduro]

The difference in draw times probably has as much to do with the holster as anything else.

I can draw my Ruger P90 faster from my Bianchi Black Widow belt slide than I can from my Ted Blocker DA3 IWB, not much but a little. I think it is because there is less pressure on the holster and gun.

I almost always use the IWB because it is easier to conceal and is very secure.

DM

 

[rockstar.esq]

armoredman has a great point. I think getting the maximum effect out of your rig is more significant than number theory gun putty tests. Should you ever need to actually shoot someone, getting the bullet where it needs to be is the main task at hand. I knew a guy who flinched really badly whenever he shot anything much above a 9mm. He carried his 9 in bear country with the resolve that he could reliably empty the gun into a bear if need be. I KNOW THIS ISN'T IDEAL but it beats a sharp stick. FN made tons of 32 caliber pistols for europeans. People continue to get dead from being hit by said 32 caliber. Shoot what works best for you.

 

[PCRCCW]

Well.....Ill jump in here. I DONT have 1 carry gun. I have 4-5 that get regular use, meaning at least once a week or so. There is nothing wrong with changing what you carry and why you carry it. Absolutely nothing.

As far as the quickness of draw......Ill bet its more feel/perception than anything. The fastest guys in the west draw heavy guns very quickly. Ill bet the difference is .1-.2 seconds on a timer. It feels slower because there is more mass and weight. Holster retention can make a difference in feel also.

I say carry what you want. You have nothing to prove to anyone but you.
If you can use the KT effectively then more power to you.

Shoot well..

 

[TimboKhan]

Two points. First, I can't remember the qoute exactly, but Wyatt Earp supposedly said something that equated out to "Accuracy beats Speed". If your draw is slower, but your aim is keen, then draw speed be damned, I say. Secondly, Col. Jeff Cooper has said on several occasions that a .22 is adequate for self defense if the shooter is skilled enough to put a bullet into the bad guys tear duct. The common theme here is accuracy. Marksmanship always trumps speed in my opinion (unless your Jerry Miculek, in which case your super-human), but your marksmanship also has to be able to sustain itself under pressure, which is one reason why I believe Drill Instructors yell at the recruits up to and during rifle quals in Boot Camp. Granted, we are talking about handguns, and not rifles, but the principle is the same. Getting the pistol out and up with blinding speed is worth zero if you can't get it on target equally as fast, which is why I personally am trying to make it a practice to never draw at a rate faster than I can aquire and fire at a target, accurately.

 

[CAnnoneer]

I think Earp said: "Learn to take your time in a hurry." Anyway, it is a valid point. You guys should check out the Wild West series on the History channel. There are some amazing gun stories.

 

[TimboKhan]

I was looking at the Taurus Millenium Pros in .40 and .45. The compact versions are very compact, but do offer full capacity mags. I like the way they feel and the triggers seem decent.

Incidentally, there were apparently some problems with the early versions of the Milleniums, which you can easily search for on the High Road to read about. Apparently those problems have long since been solved. It is my opinion that the Milleniums are a darn good pistol that offer superior ergonomics in a package that is just the right size. The fact that they are reasonably priced sure doesn't hurt either. Truth be told, I have found myself drawn more and more to the Taurus brand, because I think they make some pretty darn nice pistols. I just bought a 24/7, that I have yet to actually shoot, but I will be pretty surprised if it fails me in any way (although it may be testy with what it will eat, a problem which any gun by any manufacturer can have). Additionally, Taurus guns have a lifetime warranty, which is pretty rad, meaning that even if you buy it used, if something breaks that is covered by the warranty, Taurus will fix it for you for the cost of shipping, and if memory serves, you only have to pay the shipping to Taurus, not both ways.

 

[bigmike45]

kngflp,

I highly recomment the Millennium Pro....at least the newest edition. I have a PT-145 with the light rail and have stuffed over 2000 rounds through it with narry a problem. The trigger gets smoother the more you shoot it, accuracy is great and it will shoot anything I can get into the mag. Mine is my office primary carry and a BUG to all my other 1911 guns. It fits comfortably in the front pocket of any pants I wear, especially my pleated slacks worn in the office. I carry an extra mag in the other pocket and am well armed for any situation that might occur.

Good luck in your choice.

 

[boogalou]

I usually carry a CZ PCR, but I also have a CZ40B & CZ75B that I carry on occasion in HBE IWB hosters. It's all a matter of trade-offs on what you decide to carry on that day. The PCR is the lightest, the CZ40 is a .40,
the CZ75 carries the most ammo and is more accurate, but it's also heavy with 16 rounds and my back starts complaining at the end of the day.

I still think the best defense is situational awareness and being aware of your surroundings. That will do you the most good to stay out of harms way.

 

[WT]

Hopefully, as one gets older, one gets wiser - more experienced - smarter.

I think if you find something that works for you, go for it. If you have the confidence in the change and the firearm is reliable there should be nothing to hold you back.

Most 'good' teachers have changed their habits and outlooks as they have progressed thru life. I can't see why the rest of us can't change.

 

[TheEgg]

Try a kydex holster if draw speed has you worried.

If it is the SIZE of your GUN that has you worried, I can't help you.

 

[Eskimo Jim]

I'd suggest that you pick one set up and stick with it. The adage of 'beware of the man with one gun' does have some value.

I'm better with my S&W 66 than my 1911 when drawing etc however I have put much more practice into the revolver than the 1911.

Try a couple of IDPA matches with each set up and see what works best for you. It would be great if you could shoot the same match with both set ups. Talk to the match director and see if you can do that. That way you take the variable of different stages out of the equation.

-Jim

 

[3rdpig]

I've carried many guns from full sized autos like a Sig P220 and BHP to BUG's like a .32 derringer and KT P32. When I lived in cooler climates I usually carried a the P220 in a shoulder holster. Since I've lived in AZ I've experimented with smaller guns, easier to conceal under lighter clothing. Guns I've experimented with have included a S&W 3913, Kel-Tec P40, Kel-Tec P32, Kahr P9 and several different derringers. I wound up settling on a KT P40 in a KD IWB holster with a P32 in a Desantis Pocket holster. Like you I've found the smaller guns, assuming they have a decent grip, which all mine (with the exception of the BUG's) have had, to be faster to the first shot than a full sized pistol. I've added grip tape to most of mine so that the first grip is a solid one.

A couple of months ago I had a chance to spend some time with one of the baby Glocks, in this case a Glock 26. I liked it so much that I bought one as soon as I found a good deal. It's one of the fastest guns from the holster to the second shot of a double tap that I've ever owned. The short barrel clears the holster fast, and it's both faster and more accurate to a first aimed shot, even with a NY trigger spring installed, than the P40. Ease of concealment, excellent accuracy, superb reliablity, 13 rounds of 9mm (with a +2 mag extension) and the ability to use full size 17 round mags as backup, The G26 may turn out to be the best carry gun, when the need for real concealment is a must, that I've had in my 27 years of daily carry.

I wasn't expecting to be wowed by the G26, but I sure am. It's a fantastic piece for CCW use.