Do you change the handgun and equipment you carry depending on the situation?

I always carry a decent sized pepper gel when I walk the dogs, and I try to always carry it when I am out and about. I like having the non-lethal option for humans or animals.

When I am walking in the woods where I might be charged with a boar, I only carry my 10mm with hardcast bullets.

One thing I would like to add to my conceal carry equipment is some medical equipment and some basic training that I could use if someone had an emergency.
 
Generally not, with a couple of key exceptions. I used to spend time in areas populated both by big bears and city people, so I worked out a way to conceal a 4" .500 S&W. I don't do much of that sort of thing these days, but I still do a lot of trail running in mountain lion country. The power requirement for big cats is not huge, but weight sure does bother me, so a 340PD spends a lot of time in my running vest.

Outside of those two situations, I don't see any reason to alter my EDC.
 
I do not carry different guns. I subscribe to the methods I learned in the Corps. We were assigned primary weapons, which we carried all the time when armed. The purpose of that standard was to make us proficient with that assigned primary weapon. We’re proficient. The system worked.

I work to be proficient with my EDC. Proficiency requires repeated experience. A Marine knows his weapon inside and out. He knows his life depends upon it. He does not dilute his proficiency by adopting other weapons to replace his primary. “Primary” is the first in rank of importance. Anything less than that is additional which is not primary.

My EDC defensive kit is lightweight. I carry my pistol, two extra magazines, a folding knife, and a bandanna. The bandanna is my only first aid item. It can be used as a tourniquet, bandage, or to stuff an open wound. If we’re fighting in a war I would carry much more, but I carry in civilian environments.

I stay light to achieve maximum agility. I want to be able to move with agility on defense or offense. I am not going to be bogged down in an hours or days long fight. I Nam we chucked heavy gear in a fight. It would limit our maneuverability. We kept a weapon, water, ammo, first aid kit, and blade. It was the best way to stay alive. Flexibility depends on agility. Do not overload yourself to prepare for things that are not remotely likely to happen.
 
different tools for different situations.

lawful but socially non-permissive, minimalist, deep ccw: naa bugout1 22lr with cv revision grips.

long-distance, flying-trip, ccw & 300+ rounds ammo in a locked case: ruger sr22.

winter walk ccw with gloved hands: bond arms 410/45lc minus the trigger guard.

hiking ccw: s&w642 38sp or ruger bearcat 22lr.

everyday ccw: keltec p32.

one and done, do it all, carry & home, handgun: steel taurus 85 38sp snubbie.
 
I carry for the possibility of having to defend against human attacker(s).
The goal of stopping attacker(s) ASAP does not change based on where I'm standing.
Dressed normally, cargo shorts & untucked shirt, I'll have a Glock 22 or 20 AIWB plus a Sig 365 in pocket
Going to the gym, wearing gym shorts, I'm going to have to discontentedly settle for a snub in Smartcarry and LCP 380 in pocket.
Some people say "better than nothing" like its a goal to aspire to; my philosophy is try to carry a handgun I'd prefer to defend myself with.
 
When I was a youngster, less tham 70, and worked and had non-job affairs in Denver, I tried to carry as much firepower as practical --usually a 1911. I was very practiced with the .45 and a 6" .357 revolver. The weather influenced where the "practical" was, as well as dress code according to the situation.

With retirement and decreasing mobility nowadays, my "adventurous" activity has decreased to just erranding around Golden and Wheat Ridge, which is a less adventurous environment than Denver. So my routine personal defense firearm now is a pocket-carried hammerless laser-sighted J-frame. On rare winter occasions I may OWB carry a laser-sighted Kahr CW9 under my coat

Incidentally, even before Colorado got concealed carry, it was legal to conceal while engaged in the act of hunting with a valid hunting license. I frequenlty took advantage of that "loophole."

I'm in theoretical agreement with the Marine philosophy of absolute familiarity with the one single weapon, but it really is impractical for civilian life. I started shooting in the early 60s with all kinds of firearms and can pick up any handgun and do a creditable job of making its trajectory intersect with what I want to put a hole in.

Terry, 230RN

ETA It is true that with loss of visual acuity in my right "gun eye" over the years, the laser sights are now necessary for defense shooting practice. For just paper-punching, I have sorta-kinda adjusted to using my off eye on iron sights but using a rife lefhanded is something I have trouble with.
 
I honestly have barely carried in the last several years. For most of that time, I was working two jobs and not able to carry at either for one reason or another. And because I wasn't carrying, my wardrobe changed, and now that I could carry, I don't have the right clothes for it. Phone, wallet, keys take priority. So on the off-chance that I do carry, that's a change.

Back when I did, it was more dependent on my personal situation than on the situation I was in. Am I wearing cargo shorts and a t-shirt? Just the pocket carry. Am I wearing a jacket? Then I'll wear something heavier.
 
I have one type of pistol for "in town", and one for "out in the boonies". When in the boonies, I carry both.

Either of those pistols can change for any given year, but if they do, there will be a lot of range training first. I'm a big believer in "one gun". The problem is that my tastes have changed over the years as I've become more experienced.
 
I generally carry the same pistol (Shield Plus) at 4:00 every day. The only things I really change up are: (a) whether I carry OWB or IWB; and (b) whether I carry spare mags. I do have an LCR for pocket carry, but it's been in the safe for a couple of months now. I'm still considering getting some LCP-like pistol for pocket carry. I like my LCR, but something with a flatter profile would be easier to conceal.
 
Do not overload yourself to prepare for things that are not remotely likely to happen.
Man, that's so true. About 15 years ago I was in pretty good shape for a fat farm boy. I went moose hunting in Canada . I had so much crap in my pack that I nearly killed myself. My old trapper guide said the same as you. @dweis ....."all that survival stuff is going to kill you".

As far as carrying different equipment, I plead guilty.


I typically carry my personal SD gun edc which is an lcp currently loaded with CorBon HPs. 20230308_130151.jpg
On Sundays I do church security, and on occasion that I have other family members with me, or traveling at night or on the interstate highways, or traveling to unfamiliar places....it's a 9mm Hellcat with 13+1 and a spare(and some hot sauce).
20230326_075325.jpg
I also carry a money clip with two $50 visa cards and some cash to forfeit instead of my wallet. That is my peace offering in an attempt to avoid a shooting.
20230326_154832.jpg
 
My in town EDC (3.2 inch SP101/.327FM) doesn’t get switched out as it’s ideal for local trail walking. For serious, multi day back country excursions where big bears are a possibility I carry a SW 329PD.

Just like the OP is contemplating, I’ve been thinking about getting some pepper spray as a non-lethal means option while walking the dogs.

Would be front page news if I had to engage an off leash canine in a city park. I’m of the opinion that having attempted a non-lethal means first would be looked upon favorably by the authorities if I had to go beyond that.
 
If I am going hunting, yes.
If I thought more firepower was needed for self defense in a situation or place I would go somewhere else instead, or just stay home.
 
My in town EDC (3.2 inch SP101/.327FM) doesn’t get switched out as it’s ideal for local trail walking. For serious, multi day back country excursions where big bears are a possibility I carry a SW 329PD.

Just like the OP is contemplating, I’ve been thinking about getting some pepper spray as a non-lethal means option while walking the dogs.

Would be front page news if I had to engage an off leash canine in a city park. I’m of the opinion that having attempted a non-lethal means first would be looked upon favorably by the authorities if I had to go beyond that.
I've seen videos of pepper spray sending bears running the opposite direction.
 
^^^^. I’m a fan of pepper spray in bear country with a gun as back up. Problem is the spray I have is bear canister sized and I’ve been meaning to get something a little smaller for the walks with the dogs.

If I can get this 10 inches of new snow off the driveway I may actually head out around noon and pick that smaller spray container up.
 
My consideration is not dangerous animals, but rather suburban or urban environment.

It's an LCP for the former, and a G26 for the latter.
 
When I get dressed in the morning my M&P 9 compact goes from the nightstand to the holster and when I get ready for bed it goes from the holster to the nightstand. While I enjoy shooting a variety of guns at the range my carry gun does not change. It's the one I shoot the most and therefore it's also the one I am most familiar and proficient with.

I have an M&P .45 compact that is so similar in size it fits the same holster, the controls are exactly the same, and I shoot it almost as well as the 9, so in theory I could easily switch to it but I see no reason to do so. If the 9mm version had to be taken out of service for some reason that would probably be the only time I'd switch to the .45.

I have a Shield 9 that I try to keep in practice with in case I ever want to carry a smaller gun but I really can't think of a scenario where that would be the case.
 
I carry the same thing everyday. I always carry my issued G45, a spare mag, and my pocket knife. I have other handguns, but if I ever have to use it and it goes into evidence, the office will issue me a new one and I don't have to worry about how it's treated while I'm evidence. I carry in. Black Rhino concealment kydex holster that I absolutely love.
 
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