Do you carry different guns for different situations?

[Dad-Gummit]

An earlier post of mine got me thinking about that. For my walking around, warmer weather gun I usually carry a Makarov or a g-17/g-20 during coat wearing time(not too often in Fl). But in my bedside quick-safe I have my .45 that I shoot competition with, loaded in 10rd mag 230g Hydrashocks. Because I have a child two rooms down and I know that load wont penetrate the walls, and I perfer the .45 when concealment is not an issue.
When I go on a road trip my car gun is a Dan Wesson 6" barrelled .357mag 158g XTP. Because I know that the combination will penetrate a car door and a windshield, and a .45 or 9x18 wont.
Then when I go out into the woods or go fishing my sidearm of choice is a bull barrelled Ruger MkII-because I can hit a snakes head with it in 10 shots or less(3rd and 4th rounds are the CCI snakeshot).
Anyone else use different guns for different scenarios?

 

[Neal Bloom]

On road trips I used to carry a 9mm. Now for different situations I use magnums in different calibers or barrel lengths.

 

[SteyrAUG]

Depends on need. Usually I'd rather carry more mags than another gun. I usually carry 1 handgun + 4 high caps. But when going into a potentially dangerous (ie Miami) I'll toss a AK w/10 mags in the car.

 

[HS/LD]

Nope H&K USP in the super cartridge .40.

The "does it all" self defense weapon.

Regards,
HS/LD

 

[cratz2]

A 686 is loaded with four blue Glasers 38s and two 158 Gr LSWCs 357s at home. Also, my standard Springfield 1911 with 200 Gr Gold Dots is ready to go.

Typically, the Springfield is carried or sometimes a KelTec P32.

Only thing I would ALWAYS go by is there should never EVER be a ported or comped gun ready for use inside a car. Never! I don't appreciate the added virtues of ported guns in general but esp not in a car that may possible be fired with all the windows rolled up.

 

[Viking6]

I usually carry a Charter 2000 44 Special for my "everyday" carry. For trips with my wife and kids, I carry/transport (based on which state I'm traversing) my trusty S&W 459 with two extra magazines.

 

[Poohgyrr]

Absolutely, usually depending on clothing. J frames, 3913/908's, & mini Glocks can do well when I have to wear a tucked in shirt with no jacket/sweater or other covering garment. If I can wear a tails out shirt or outer cover, then a good holster & belt give me a lot more options.

Or like the above posts, depending on needs for a specific threat, like penetration, lots of bad guys, or "power".

Sometimes you need a buzzsaw, and sometimes you need a hammer.

 

[Soap]

Concerning defensive handguns: No.

 

[Dad-Gummit]

An earlier post of mine got me thinking about that. For my walking around, warmer weather gun I usually carry a Makarov or a g-17/g-20 during coat wearing time(not too often in Fl). But in my bedside quick-safe I have my .45 that I shoot competition with, loaded in 10rd mag 230g Hydrashocks. Because I have a child two rooms down and I know that load wont penetrate the walls, and I perfer the .45 when concealment is not an issue.
When I go on a road trip my car gun is a Dan Wesson 6" barrelled .357mag 158g XTP. Because I know that the combination will penetrate a car door and a windshield, and a .45 or 9x18 wont.
Then when I go out into the woods or go fishing my sidearm of choice is a bull barrelled Ruger MkII-because I can hit a snakes head with it in 10 shots or less(3rd and 4th rounds are the CCI snakeshot).
Anyone else use different guns for different scenarios?

 

[priv8ter]

I do!

I know I have different gun/load combos for different situations.

While the old saw 'A gun should be comforting, not comfortable' has it's merits, I feel there are enough different firearms out there that are both comforting, and relatively comfortable, that one should explore all the options.

My choice of carry guns is greatly affected by weather. In the winter, with layers of clothes, I have no problem with a full size auto. In the warmer months, I look forward to carrying my SP-101. Like-wise, I see no reason to carry a P-32 for bear defence in with woods.

Variety is the spie of life, my friends.

 

[Blackhawk]

Yes.

The right tool for the job....

 

[Joe Demko]

Certainly. You don't use a crescent wrench to drive nails, do you?

 

[Blackhawk]

Yes.

Is there an echo in here? You posted this twice, I think.

 

[10-Ring]

Absolutely!

 

[Ledbetter]

I have used a crescent wrench to drive nails

But I still prefer the right gun for the job.

 

[dairycreek]

Yes - as called for by dress and situation!

If the dress is shorts/sweats then carry is a S&W 442 with a Bartami HipGrip. If I am walking in the woods then it is a S&W 629 Trail Boss in a Galco. Normal carry is a CZ 75BD in a FIST #44. Good shooting

 

[9mmepiphany]

of course..

the choice may be driven by climate, environment and possible application.

i also use different holsters, for the same gun, based on convience vs. activity or duration of carry

 

[blades67]

Yes.

 

[chaim]

For me I do use different guns (living in MD "use" is more accurate than "carry" since carry isn't legal). However, it isn't so much for different situations as it is based on my mood. All my guns are decent guns in at least minimally effective calibers. So for HD I sometimes use my CZ 75B (9mm), 6" S&W 586, 3" S&W 65LS, or Charles Daly 1911, and very occasionally my Colt Police Positive Special (.38spl, the sights aren't as good, especially when awoken late at night, I would consider it for carry during my regular waking hours). I don't usually use my CZ 40B though due to concerns for overpenatration with the .40s&w caliber and the fact that I'm perfectly comfortable with either a good 9mm load or .45acp.

If I would carry I'd be concearned with size though so I guess different situations would call for different guns. For woods, camping, or other times open carry would be ok and size wouldn't matter the 586 would be fine. The rest of the time, until I buy other guns that may supplant these, the CZ 40 (alloy frame, 4" barrel) and the S&W 65LS would probably go outside with me the most (sometimes the Colt would as its very light and sometimes I'd take the 1911 as it is pretty thin, or I'd take the CZ 75 with its 15 rnd mags if I knew I was going into a very bad area). For backup (a different situation) or when going someplace hostile to carry the Bersa and/or another snub would work and a smaller gun (probably a Kel-tec P32 or similar sized gun) would be good for areas that are hostile and low risk and other low risk times that lighter and smaller may be better (so should MD go CCW or I move I'd like to get a small hideout gun for that purpose- hey, I like to be prepared in advance). If I'd carry now I'd carry the Bersa Thunder (or the Taurus 605 when I had it) given that carry is illegal here so the more concealable the better (but of course that is a non-issue as I'd never risk that).

 

[CAP]

Yes, of course.
Why limit yourself on choices unless you have to.
Different tools for different jobs.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

I choose my guns according to mood and what I'm wearing. (I'm a woman for Chist's sake!) I'd also have to say it depends on the weather, some guns I'd prefer to use over others in bad weather. Lastly, it depends on what I'm going to be doing: going to the range, off to work, personal protection, where I'll be hanging out, etc.

 

[G-Raptor]

Carry different guns?

Yeah, but they're all Glocks.

The G23 get's carried the most. IMO, it's the best compromise of size, power, and capacity.

The G26 is for long road trips (when I'm driving for long periods). If I'm not in Illinois, I prefer to keep it on-body while driving and the G26 is more comfortable in that respect. It's also gets the nod when the belly band goes on.

The G17 gets carried the least; basically due to size - although it gets shot the most. When the weather is cool, (or cold), it provides a better grip for cold hands.

BTW - my standard load is Rem GS 124gr +P in the 9mil and Rem GS 165gr in the 40 cal.

 

[TarpleyG]

I go one of three ways with two different guns. A Kimber Pro Carry or a Kel Tec P11. If I have a casual affair that I can wear a shirt tail untucked, I will have the Kimber. If I am in shorts without a belt, the P11 gets carried IWB with the optional belt clip. If I have to "dress up" and have my shirt tucked in, I carry the P11 in a Don Hume pocket holster modified to allow the P11 to still retain the belt clip because it is cumbersome to remove and replace. And I ALWAYS have a CRKT M16 13 on me somewhere, regardless.

GT

 

[Harold Mayo]

I was switching around some, carrying a hi-power, a 1911, or a P32 (or a Sig P229) with the P32 carried the most. I have rethought my position, though. I had no confidence in the P32 AT ALL and planned to use it, if ever I had to draw it, as more of a contact-range weapon than a ranged one. I got rid of it. I can carry a full-sized gun in any weather and can dress so that I can carry it concealed, so why not carry something in which I have faith? Nowadays its either a hi-power or a full-sized 1911.

 

[bunkie]

Over the years my "carry gun" has and still does flex with the situation and scenario. Early in my "packing" career, the Browning HP was the choice. Once I became a cop, I still toted the Browning sometimes, but Dept regs forbade it. I carried a 4" SW M19 in 2.5 and 4 inch flavors, loaded with .357 Silvertips. A Colt Agent was my second gun on patrol, and a hideout in the summer. I went to an HK P7 for awhile as an on/off duty combo, which worked well. After Cop work and return to the Army, it was simple. M1911A1, both on and off duty. Then came the Beretta 92 (M9) and I was drug, kicking and screaming, into that system. I eventually became quite good with it (State Combat Pistol Champs, '94)and carried it as my primary concealment piece for quite some time. It's big, uncomfortable to carry and hard to conceal, but it always shoots and I can hit with it, every time. Now that I'm retired, and can carry whatever I want, I added a SW9G Glock clone and a 3" M60 .357 to my CCW. The SW9G, loaded with talons is my companion when in the city. The little smith goes with me when hot weather dictates minimal attire. I still pack the Beretta when space, and comfort are not an issue. The M9 with 5 or 6 spare mags in a fanny pack can get me out of just about any scenario. My house gun is a Combat Commander, loaded with Silvertips. When in the woods, I like the Ruger Blackhawk with big loads.