Ever come full circle with your CCW?

[Trey Veston]

I bought a S&W M&P40 Compact in 2007 as my primary carry pistol.

It was very accurate, reliable, decent trigger, held ten rounds, fit my hand perfectly, and was a handy size.

Then two years ago i thought I needed a smaller carry pistol.

I sold the M&P to a friend on a payment plan and I bought a S&W PC Shield 9mm.

Shield came with a flawed barrel. Ended up sending it back and a couple months later they sent it back to me with a lesser flawed barrel.

It was a disaster. I swore off S&W and bought an XDS 40. Wonderful little tack driver. It's been my carry pistol ever since.

Then earlier this summer, I bought a Taurus G2C for $199 on a whim.

It holds twelve rounds of 9mm and is not much bigger than the XDS 40. Points naturally, excellent ergonomics, reasonably accurate, but awful trigger.

I started grabbing it more and more for carry.

I liked the extra rounds, and the size didn't bother me.

So I decided to replace it with a similarly sized pistol in .40 S&W.

I researched a number of pistols.

S&W came out with the M&P 2.0 compact which was made larger. It is now the same size as the G19 rather than G27 sized. Pass.

Today, I got an alert from CDNN that they had a sale on the original M&P40 compact, with night sights, for $349. Plus there's a rebate for $50.

Bought it.

So I ended up with the same pistol I started out with eleven years ago.

Anyone else have the same thing happen to them? Start out with one pistol, then think you need something else, try out a bunch, and end up with the same pistol you started with?

 

[Hokie_PhD]

I have t done it with a pistol but I do that with calibers and gun size.

I started with a PF9 as it was the smallest 9mm at the time and I wanted a small conceal carry gun. I then got an XDs 45 as I figured if you’re carrying only a few rounds than why not make them ones that make big holes.

Since Smith & Wesson came out with the new 9C I’m now looking at one as I see the value of 15+1 and 17 round spare mags as a good thing.

The reality is if I need a gun I can carry in my pocket I carry the PF9. Otherwise I carry the XDs45. So why not switch and be able to carry LOTS more rounds for not much size penalty!

 

[AZAndy]

Yes. I started with a 1911, switched to revolvers for about ten years, and now am back to a 1911. It's smaller than the full-sized one I started with, but I guess it still counts. It's not that revolvers aren't good enough, it's just that I don't shoot them as well as a 1911.

 

[Trey Veston]

Forgot to mention that I bought a full-size M&P40 back when i bought the compact model. Still have it. It's wearing a light and is my night stand gun.

I also have an X-GRIP that lets me use the full-size mags in the compact.

 

[Charlie98]

My story is a little different... I wound up carrying the pistol I was sure I wasn't going to like. I bought a used Kahr CW9 as my first poly pistol... figuring it was a cheap and easy way to get into poly, realize I hate it, and dump the thing... but I found that, with the exception of the 1911, it probably fits my hand better than any other pistol I've ever fired. As far as the full circle thing... I had originally wanted the full-boat P45... a $700 pistol at the time; after I got my CW9, I traded a 686 and $200 for a P45, found out the 45 version didn't quite fit my hand as well as the 9mm version, and traded it even up for another CW9 and a bunch of magazines. I now have 3 CW9's and a CM9.

 

[Texas10mm]

Started with a LW Commander, still carrying a LW Commander. Flirted with a Defender or a Sig P938 for about six months.

 

[Browning]

No. Because otherwise I'd be willing to carry the size and weight of a Government model 1911 for 8 rds.

For some people they're only willing to do something because it's still somewhat of a novelty.

I still like the 1911, just not as an every day carry piece.

 

[bannockburn]

I started out with a small .38 Special revolver, a Charter Arms Undercover, because I liked that it was small, lightweight, and easy to conceal. There were also numerous S&W J frames in the mix over the years. My brother went the other route with semi-autos in .380. Gradually I began to find certain design features that I liked about semi-autos (small size, relatively flat and easy to conceal, and way faster to reload than a revolver). Carried a .380 (AMT Back-Up and then a Colt Mustang) for a number of years but still had an interest in getting back into revolvers.

Always had a "thing" for the S&W Models 49/38 and when they made one in stainless steel (Model 649), I just had to have it. Later I added a Model 638 for something a bit lighter with it's aluminum alloy frame for CCW. So I sort have come full circle as far as revolvers are concerned though I have a SIG P238 and a Kahr CM9 to keep things even up on the semi-auto side as well.

 

[BSA1]

No.

Well sort of.

I started out carrying J-Frame 5 shot 38 Special many years ago. I have always had a love/hate relationship with this type of handgun but as a wheelgunner stayed with it.

Then in February 2016 terrorism came to Smallvilles with a mass shooting. Along with other shootings and events across the country I reassessed my carry options and choose to upgrade to a SIG P239 9mm. A few months later I switched to the Beretta 92FS full-time after finding a comfortable holster.

So for me the J-Frames are now niche guns intended mainly for fishing (snakes) and varmint control. I do realize that in a few years after retirement the Beretta will become more gun than I will want to carry so I will go back to the SIG P239 for edc.

I still have a need for different size pistols for different conceal carry situations. For example I am considering the Ruger EC9s as it is smaller than the SIG P239. However it will be carried only occasionally for special events / occasions. But my different edc gun a year days are old history.

 

[WestKentucky]

I don’t conceal anymore, let my permit lapse after I moved. I haven’t sold and rebought anything other than a Taurus pt99 and will get another Taurus 689 revolver. Both of those guns spent a good deal of time on my belt. The 689 I shot apart with nuclear loads, and the pt99 got traded for a motorcycle. The pt99 I have now sucks. It’s a railed frame which I hate. I may buy a 92 or pt100 just to get a smooth frame then sell off the railed frame. Both guns are/were great woods guns. Good on a belt but not ideal for concealed because they are large. I’m a fat boy though so I can hide a 6” revolver or a duty pistol pretty easily.

 

[Charlie98]

No. Because otherwise I'd be willing to carry the size and weight of a Government model 1911 for 8 rds.

For some people they're only willing to do something because it's still somewhat of a novelty.

I still like the 1911, just not as an every day carry piece.

I found that when I was carrying my 1911... I was leaving it in the truck more and more. Not only the weight, which pulled my drawers down, but my body shape does not lend itself to easily concealing a 1911 in normal TX garb.

I would love nothing better than to carry my Kimber... in fact, I bought an alloy frame Kimber last year for a carry piece... but I'm only kidding myself.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

Nope.

I've just kept getting something a little bigger each time.

After coming up on only 3yrs carrying I've started caring less about printing and more about shootability and capacity.

Started out with a pocket sized single stack and now have a G26 that gets carried with 12rd mags.

 

[Armored farmer]

I just cant get away from my lcp.
A few nights ago i had to make a late-night, 6hr roundtrip parts run. I could have carried any of my guns, but i chose the lcp for its easy carry and comfort.

 

[nettlle]

Comfortable in the hand, light enough to carry all day, undeniably reliable, heavy enough to be steady , and accurate. All contributes to the gun that is a carry favorite.

For me my CZ PCR. After 2.7k it has proven out.

Since this picture I have installed Dawson Precision fiber optic sights from Cajun Gun Works. I am very pleased with these sights.

 

[Trey Veston]

I have Dawson's on my Glocks. Good sights.

 

[huntsman]

While my CC gun has changed over the last 9 years I view the evolution as progress so no going back.

Overall I can’t remember any gun I got rid of that I considered getting back.

 

[bannockburn]

frogfurr

Excellent choice! I occasionally take my P01 out for a walk every now and then.

 

[chicharrones]

Anyone else have the same thing happen to them? Start out with one pistol, then think you need something else, try out a bunch, and end up with the same pistol you started with?

Sort of, but not really. I started carrying concealed 10 years ago. I've bought 6 carry guns in that time. The difference is that I've kept all 6, so I can "come full circle" just by opening up the gun safe.

 

[Glockula]

I like my glocks. I see no reason that my 43 and 23 need companions.

Although the ladysmith model 60 gets carries from time to time.

I like that Glock pistols all have basically the same feel. Accuracy? I killed a cotton mouth from 10 yards on Saturday with a 147 golden sabers. Certainly up to task

 

[Godsgunman]

I have. My first carry was 40 S&w, don't energy remember the first gun but eventually bought a g27. Had it for a while and sold it. Fast forward years now I'm back to a g27 and sp101 .357 for my main carry. Really love the sp101 even though it's just 5 rounds. Fits great in appendix carry. G27 is a little fat for pocket but can be done.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

My full circle move is an annual thing. During jacket season: 1911, usually a Colt CCO model or Lightweight Commander. Late spring summer and early fall: XDs. My G-2 flight jacket conceals anything, while a polo shirt doesn't.

 

[bassjam]

I keep going back to j-frames. Started with a Smith 337, it was a great gun but I decided I didn't care for an external hammer and sold it. The super light titanium cylinder didn't seem that necessary to me either. Picked up a SIG P938 to carry. Love that gun, it shoots as well as some of my full sized handguns but I decided I didn't like having a safety so I put it in the safe and got a Smith 442. After some time I decided I wanted more heft, so I got a Ruger SP101. But after a year of carrying and practicing with it, I never could shoot it as well as my much lighter j-frame so I traded the Ruger and went back to carrying my 442. The gun I received in trade for the SP was a Kahr MK9. After a few months of practice I started carrying the MK9, but even now I find myself thinking about selling the Kahr and getting a Kimber K6. Even then, I wonder if I'd just end up grabbing the j-frame still.

 

[jr_watkins]

I've tried to change my CC gun several times, but still with my Glock 27 in 40S&W.

I bought my Glock 27 in 1996 to replace my Glock 22 that was mostly carried in my vehicle, started carrying it in an ankle holster for the first year or so because of work attire restrictions. After, worked through 3 or 4 different OTWB holsters over the years. Bought a Ruger LC9pro to replace it.....didn't. Bought Remington R51 to replace it....nope. I do carry a Ruger SP101 5 shot revolver during snake season when working outside, but otherwise it's still the same Glock 27. So I've got 22 years with this gun....likely I carry it the rest of my life.

 

[BobWright]

I've come pretty well full circle in carrying. This an early rig, a S&W Model 442 .38 Special, Galco holster:



Then went to this, S&W Model 586 .357 Magnum, Bianchi holster:



Then, Model 19 S&W, .357 Magnum, Don Hume Holster:



Ruger .44 Special, Bob Mernickle hoster:




Gaining in age and wisdom, now a Ruger .45 Colt, Doc Barranti holster:







Bob Wright

 

[JR24]

Sort of. The first gun I actually carried for any time was a Sig P225/P6. Then I moved to a 220.

Then I went small 9mms, then 1911s, then Glocks. Varying between .40, 9mm and .45

Now I'm back to a Sig, just the 225s bigger brother in a 226 (bigger because it's one more, obviously).

So not completely full circle, but some sort of shape for certain.