Choices-Always the same Carry??

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I tend to think that many have never been in a true life-or-death, super-high spinchter factor situation, or more people would be inclined to stick to one and only one gun/method of carry. Once you have been in that situation, you realize how much of your thinking process gets really screwed up by adrenaline/stress/fear.

Please consider this -- at least limit your carry choices to weapons that have the same manual of arms. I would be totally lost if one day I carried a revolver, the next a 1911, and the next a S&W Traditional DA/SA auto.
 
Amen to that TheEgg! I sometimes get the feeling that this is some kind of game to some folks when it comes to what to carry. Fortunately, I have never been in the situation where I have had to fire a weapon in defense but I did once have to make a would be assailant aware that I was armed and that put an end to the problem. I can tell you from that experience that I want the simplest, most powerful and most familiar gun on me. If others have nerves of steel more power to them but I will be the first to admit that I don't. Choosing what to carry isn't close to what shoes to wear. I will now gently step down from the soap box.;)
 
My two carry guns are nowhere near the same manual of arms. I don't really feel that distressed about it as I have practiced extensively with them, including going back and forth between them during the same session.

Primary carry is a SW 642 loaded with Speer Gold Dot 135gr.

Secondary is a Springfield Armory Lightweight Gov't Model. loaded with Winchester USA 230gr.

W
 
It can be tough to switch. I carried a 1911 for 15+ years and even now I find my thumb looking for the safety on my Sig 239.

But, when my thumb gets to a position where it would normally be "shoot" on a 1911, my trigger finger knows what to do so it hasn't been a problem.

I don't think I'd try a weapon that had a safety that was in a different location.
 
I didn't mean that a person can't have different manual of arms and be proficient with them as W Turner stated. I am certain that there are those individuals who can manage to do this quite well. I am referring to people that might be considered a Jack (or Jill) of all guns and master of none and simply carry whatever strikes their fancy when they get up in the morning without really thinking that they might need to actually use it. This is in no way meant to offend anybody but maybe spark some consideration about what they carry and just how proficient are they with that weapon.
 
I love the comment that picking a gun to wear on a given day is not like picking the right shoes to complete the dressing ensemble. Perhaps I'm guilty of this. I rotate between the two smaller glock .45s, the two smaller glock .40s, a kahr mini .40, a small para-carry 45, and a kel-tec 380 and 9mm. The makarov is a car gun, but I'd love to carry it after I get a better carry holster for it. Go ahead and laugh, but I coordinate my wardrobe around what gun I feel like carrying that day.

I will say this, though. All my carry guns intentionally have the same manual of arms. I do think that is a must. If I carry the makarov, I will never carry it on-safe. Plus the other detractor to the makarov is that the sights are not as visible as all my other guns.

One last comment: I do alternate between right hip IWB carry and pocket-carry. I don't know how to get around this within the constraints of my particular daily life. My only hope is that at the moment of sphincter activity, I will have the presence of mind to recall the right location the gun.
 
I finally saw the light a while back and decided to stick to one handgun type for carry, the 1911. I can practice with others (both revolvers and autos), but I'm determined to continue working on my proficiency with the 1911 and make it my only carry choice. My purpose is one platform, one manual of arms, one, familiar way of dealing with stress and duress. :D
 
Most usually it's my Model 60 .357 Mag. I do switch to one of my Hi-Powers frequently carrying it IWB. Once in a while I carry my XD-40 OWB when clothing permits. These three guns make up the most of my carry.
 
noob here

I've been carrying a USP40 for 3 years now. The only thing that changes is the barrel (.357SIG to .40). I can't imagine trying to switch it up. Everything about this thing is second nature to me, and I think that's how it's supposed to be. I got to the point where I could carry it concealed with dress pants and a tucked in, button up shirt or with swim shorts and a t-shirt on. I even wore it on my hip in a fitted tux at my sister's wedding. It's probably an inherent advantage for people with my body structure, but I can fit it on my hip almost no matter what I'm wearing.
 
Brian Williams said:
I switch
I like to carry a 3" S&W 13 with 158gr LSWC, but most of the time I just slip my 9/642 in my pocket and go.

Once in a great while I load up my 1911 and go with that and 2 8-round mags of LRN.
Click to expand...


Generally I would frown on people who try to juggle more than 2 platforms for self defense since you will revert to muscle memory and gross muscle movement in a adrenaline dump situation. That being said, if all of your carry peices have similar characteristics, such as no external safety, then it is workable.

For instance. a Sig, a Glock and a Snub. In all cases you simply draw the weapon and fire. Forget about the safety being engaged, there isn't one.

But a Glock, 1911 and a S&W auto would be a bad mix. 2 of them have safeties that must be disengaged before use, which can get really darn confusing under stress.

We practiced a fire and communicate scenario at work, you wouldn't believe how many people cannot simply speak when under fire, the reason is that they focus on the threat and forget everything else, including their partner and I'll bet the fine mechanics of their weapon.

For me, I carry Sig on duty and on some plain clothes assignments and Glock off duty and on other plain clothes assignments. I don't like juggling platforms, I point and press.
 
Normally I carry a Browning Hi-Power along with two extra magazines and a flashlight. Occasionally I carry a .357 SIG-Pro and two extra magazines. When I'm up in the mountains where I have to think about four legged predators I carry a S&W l3 .357 Mag. and five speed loaders.
 
Carry

I switch...from one 1911-pattern pistol to another...and except for occasionally carrying a Commander/Combat Commander, they're all pretty close to identical right down to the grips. Same for my range beaters.
If I have to reach for a pistol in a hurry, I want it to feel like I'm shakin' hands with an old friend instead of an alien creature from a planet far, far away.
 
Switch (depending on dress).

Nothing smaller than a P2000SK.
Nothing larger than a P220ST.

All DA/SA.
 
I switch, but only between a Kahr P9 and a CW9. Same exact gun, in terms of function. I own quite a few others, but stick with these for carry, mostly for the certainty that I know which style of gun I have on me.
 
Revolver, thumb break holster, strong side hip, 100% of the time.

While the M10 gets carried most often, I do occasionally carry the N-frame, but the operating principles are the same for both guns.

There's something comforting about simplicity.
 
I'm sure Masaad Ayoob, Clint Smith and the other defensive firearms use instructors would advocate carrying the same gun all the time - it makes sense.

However, I don't do it - I tend to switch off, carrying either my Glock 21, Glock 30, 1911, or H&K USP45 (see a pattern here??):D :D
 
I finally settled down to "point and press" only in Glock, DAO semi's, and DA revolvers. I carry strong-side OWB - open top and I carry the extra mag in the same spot all the time, but reloads for a revolver require a different location, and I am thinking about leaving that out of the mix for that reason. There are many styles and types of handguns that I like, but for consistency's sake, I may hone down to the Glock primary and the Glock or Keltec BUG. I really appreciate this thread and all the replies as it is making me consider these options and their possible consequences again.

Good shootin'....
 
Great question

1. Makarov: Currently my everyday carry gun. I take it ice fishing, hunting, hiking, etc. It is my all around beater gun. BUT I do take care of it.

2. CZ RAMI: I often switch off to my CZ RAMI when going to the office or town. My CZ holster holds the gun tighter against my body but makes some pants fit a little tight. So it depends on clothing as well.

3. Browning HP: I rarely carry this one anymore. If I had a better holster I would carry it more. Also, I like to keep it looking nice. Thus, I take it out on special occassions. If we go to the movie or out to eat or anywhere I dress a little nicer. I like to think that my HP "goes" better with my nice clothes...even though it is hidden. Nice duds includes a sweat HP...just seems rigtht. :)

Also, sometimes I carry the CZ C&L...sometimes not. The Mak can only be carried DA/SA and the HP is C&L. Thus I must adjust for the different actions.
 
I as all of you love guns...so I started thinking about this same question about 2 years ago....at that point I made the decision to carry the same weapon all of the time...but could not discipline myself to do it...I would look at my Sigs and I do love Sigs and decide that was going to be my always weapon..until I would look at my S&W 66 2.5 barrel and decide that was going to be it...then change to either a BHP or a 1911...or a Walther P99...I know that you get the picture and maybe some of you have even done the same thing...so I sit down one day and ask myself why a carried was it for show or bragging rights or was it to stroke my own ego...the answer to all of those was "NO" it was so I could defend myself, my family and friends and Country if need be...once that was settled I set my self on a course of action to see what I shot the best in all situations...the list was short....
1.BHP or 1911
2.S&W N Frame Model 29 4 inch barrel
3.S&W 36 snubbie
4. Beretta Jetfire 950

I try to let the BHP be my always weapon...I go to great lengths to keep this weapon on me at all times and suprisingly enough I am able to do this 95 percent of the time...I use the Kimber as a backup in case the Hi Power needs service...they have the same basic manual of operation...I do on ocassion carry a 1911 but that is rare, usually it just gets used at the range...I just like the higher round count of the Browning.

The Model 29 is my night stand weapon (it is just too big for me to carry concealed)..but in the middle of the night I do not want ot worry about safeties and the extra trigger pull is good for the sleepy head who has just been rudely awaken in the middle of the night. I have to admit that I keep it load with 4 44spl's and the last 2 chambers are 44 mags.

The J frame is BUG for the HP usually in a ankle rig. I find it too big for my jean pocket...I do sometimes just carry it in a Paddle holster...but this is really really rare

The 950 is for when I cannot find a way to dress that will let me wear a cover garment thus I pocket carry it C&L...even then the J frame is in its ankle.


I sold all 4 Sigs...great guns but I could not adjust to the DA/SA thing...the P99 I could in no way learn to like it's trigger....the Glock 23 is gone...Both CZ's..A Beretta Tomcat....too big for what it was...now all of these weapons were and are fine quality handguns and their performance was exceptional but with some my performance was at best only adequate....I had to sell to keep them off of my hip...I do really now believe that it is a mistake maybe even a fatal one to rotate your weapons..."Beware the man with only one gun"...I know that I have not totally managed to go to only one handgun but I am certainly working on it and I have narrow my self to two platforms SA autos and DA revolvers...maybe one day I will be able to exclusively carry the High Power..but just not today...selling the others was my way of forcing myself to carry the same weapon all the time or at least most of it

I do have to admit to keeping the K frame but it is stashed in my wifes vehicle for emergencies.

I now focus my love for guns on Rifles and Shotguns...it is like starting over again for me and boy is it fun.

This has been a long rambling post but I felt the need to just share my 2 cents worth with you.
 
I try to carry the same gun, in the same place, every time. My current carry choice is a 3" Smith Model 65 carried in a IWB Alessi Talon holster in the appendix carry position. I have a Smith Model 13 that I can use as a spare carry gun if the Model 65 is not available for some reason (needs to be cleaned, etc). My previous carry gun was a Makarov carried in a similiar holster at the same location.

I do need a smaller gun for that very, very rare occasion where I have to dress up in a tucked-in button down shirt and dress paints or a suit. The Smith is a little too big to work for that. That's less than 5% of the time for me though.

Other than that, the only time I carry a different gun is if I'm trying out a new potential carry gun as a replacement for my current gun. I carried a Makarov for three years before I replaced it with the Smith & Wesson. During the time I carried the Mak, I considered replacing it at various times with a CZ-75 and later a HK P7M8. I carried each of those guns a few times before deciding that they didn't work as well as the Mak. I stuck with the Mak until I tried the Model 65. Once I found out that it worked, and got more comfortable with it on the range, I switched and haven't looked back.
 
I carry a variety of pistols/revolvers and unlike cane, I am never confused regarding which gun I have upon presentation. I am always aware of the weapon on my person and that awareness is what keeps me honest regarding which gun(s) I have at any given time. I carry a 45lc single action, I also carry a Kimber Ultra Carry, a BP HP, Bersa .380, S&W airweight, colt 1911 government, S&W 696, Colt Trooper III, and maybe a coupla others as the mood strikes. But I have trained and practiced with all these weapons, am hip to the manual of arms for each, and I understand their individual uses and function. I guess if you are prone to confusion, carry just one type of weapon, but if you are prone to confusion under stress should one be carrying at all?
SatCong
 
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