Help me figure out my carry strategy

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WheelMan

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I'm being optimistic about things here in Missouri and thinking about how I'm going to carry when I'm able.

I understand that concealed carry firearms are about compromise between concealable and potability/power. So, sort of how we dress in layers for versatility against the cold, I think I will "carry in layers"

I envision three layers of firearms.

1. A full-sized pistol that is your "main" weapon. You carry it when it's cold out and it sleeps near you in your house

2. A smaller gun that goes with you when the full-sized can't or when it's out of repair.

3. An even smaller gun that you can carry when nothing else will work.

Obviously you could get away with just 1 and 3. but I think 2 adds some extra versatility. Plus when you're carrying 1, 2 or 3 can act as a BUG

It would be nice if these three handguns were as similar as possible This immediately lead me to the CZ line.

1. CZ75

2. P-01

3. RAMI (if they prove themselves once they get here)

A big plus to this setup is that each smaller gun can use the magazines from the guns larger than it. Unfortunately this is limited to 9mm until a .40 P-01 sized CZ comes out in the US.

Can anybody else think of a trio of firearms that fit my purposes?

I've thought about glocks, but I'm not as familiar with their lineup. Will full sized glock mags snap into compact and subcompact frames? A G20/G29 combo is appealing but I'm not sure if a G29 is small enough for true deep concealment.

Any thoughts from experienced CCL holders (or anybody) are welcome.

Thanks
 
You could use 3 sizes of 1911. A full size gov. model, a Commander size, and a Defender or Officers ACP.
But really, why do you feel the need to use the same magazines in all 3? Or even the same ammo for that matter. Do you really think it would be a difficult adjustment to go from a full size auto in .40 or .45 to a compact 9mm, and then for deep concealment a sub-compact in .32 ?
I understand that you want to simplify things, but you're severely limiting your choices in doing so.
I have no problem switching from a full size .45 auto to a titanium snub nose .38, and I doubt most people would have difficulty making that switch, given a moderate amount of practice with each.
 
That's pretty much what I do.

1. G20 when I can manage it.
2. G19 when I have to wear a lighter cover garment.
3. PM9 minimum all other times (and sometimes as a BUG with one of the other two).

The Glocks have the same manual of arms, and the PM9 is pretty close.
 
After 8 years of CCW, I suggest:

1. small
2. light
3. nothing smaller than .38 Special
4. aluminum and/or stainless for rust resistance
5. double action

The smallest gun I would carry for self defense is a S&W 642. You'll learn to dress for it. Even in the summer, it disappears in an Uncle Mike's holster in the right front pocket of a pair of cotton shorts. FYI, I have at one time carried a Seecamp .32 LWS and a Walther PPK/S .380. The Smith isn't much large than either, it's about as light, and it fires a better cartridge. plus, I like the reliability of the revolver.

I like 1911s as much as the next guy. I own one, and have owned several. Finding a reliable one is a chore, IMHO, without resorting to a $1,600 Les Baer or Wilson. I hear good things about the new Colts and Springfield Mil Specs, though.

A nice compliment to the 642 is a Glock or another S&W 3rd gen. semiauto.
Same trigger pull, essentially, as the 642 -- they're pull and fire weapons, no safety to manipulate. Get one in 9mm, you can practice twice a week, ammo is so cheap.

And practice is the key, along with having the gun ON YOU when TSHTF.
The full-sized 1911 or an L-frame .357 Magnum at home in the safe has unlimited bragging power but ZERO stopping power if it's not on you.

Good luck to you.
 
I commend you for planning to be armed all the time, but I suggest you get good with one gun, two at the most, and make your wardrobe fit those two. Don't trust your safety to anything less that 9mm, and select a 9mm that will work every time and that you can train and train and train with.

Personally, I carry a G23 on duty and as a ccw gun on my belt, and a G27 on my ankle. I usually have both guns, always have the 27. The big deal to me is that they have the same trigger, same feel, shoot the same... And they stand up to tons of training without wearing me out.

FWIW, I think the MO ccw deal is gonna fly when it's all said and done. My inlaws live in the bootheel, so when MO makes ccw legal, I'll no longer be in violation when I visit them...:D
 
I just carry a full size for all situations. Like cool9mm, I haven't been placed in a situation where my Colt Gov't Model couldn't go.
 
After 21 years (twenty one years) of CCW in NY, NYC, Fla, PA and AK,, owning custom colts and brownings, along with HK p7s, SiGs, Walthers, ad nauseum, ad infinitum...

Get yourself a Seecamp (or if ya want a budget, Kel Tec), practice drawing from a pocket and emptying it at 2 sil targets at 10 feet until ya feel comfortable, then toss it in your pocket and walk around...

Without having your pants draggin
Without havin edges diggin into your love handles
Without having it print
Without worrying if its showin and having someone callin the po-lice
Without having to worry about it whilst relaxing on a public porcelin throne
Without having to worry about a holster
Without needing a belt
In shorts
In sweats
Always there, always in your pocket..

Dont let people tell ya ya need more than a 32...you may want one...but you dont need it..you carry a gun for self defense, you aint lookin fer gunfights....

Heck I carried a NAA 22 mini for many years....and am gettin ready to do it again...

My bedroom gun is whatever is lying around at the time, usually a Custom Defender with Win RA45T

PS I hear the Rohrbaughs are nothing more than a Seecamp on steroids (9mm)...havent seen one yet, have 2 on order and will see them at Shot Show

WildlettheflamesbeginAlaska
 
1 Shotgun (because I am too skinny to comfortably carry a full sized pistol, and for home defense....)

2 HK USP Compact in .40. This is currently my only carry pistol, and, in my opinion, is nearly perfect. It has performed flawlessly, and I can effectively conceal it in all but the hottest weather.

3. I am working on this one. Currently, I am leaning towards the Sig P32, but I am also considering the Keltec P3AT.....Because sometimes the USP is just too bulky and heavy.
 
I have two modes of concealed carry; when I have an outer untucked garment and when I don't. My belief is that you only need, at the most, two guns to meet all your CCW requirements. When I have an outer untucked garment I carry a S&W 640 .357 Centennial in an Uncle Mike's IWB holster worn between my pants and belt. This keeps the gun close to my body and fully concealed. The rest of the time, about 95%, I carry a NAA Guardian .32 in my right front pocket. I agree with Wildalaska that this mode of carry should suffice for the majority of folks. Having a gun in your pocket means that you can always have your hand on it without drawing attention to yourself should you become aware of suspicious activity.
 
Once you get used to the fact that no one is checking you out for

concealed weapons, (this takes about 6 months of carry) you will find you

can carry as large a gun as you want to as long as you dress around it.

Some don't want to put up with the size and/or weight of full size guns,

but it can be done anywhere in the country at any time of year. Personally

I've carried full size 1911's and SIG 220's in 100*/100% humidty all day

long. I guess what it boils down to is carry what you are comfortable

carrying and don't worry what others say.
 
Find yourself one platform that offers different sizes of the same gun. Same controls, same grip, etc.

I carry 1911's.

I have fullsize, commander sized, compact, and even a Colt Govt 380 if I need to get really small.

If all your carry guns are the same, you can train with any of them and it will cross over to the others. And you eon't have to stop and think when you need your weapon.

Smoke
 
Have you looked into the Kahr line. A K9 for belt carry, home use or idpa. A P9 in an Uncle Mikes pocket holster fits into my right front pocket of my Royal Robbins pants without anyone knowing(cell phone pocket is used for spare mag), and finally a PM9 as a BUG. Just a thought.:)
 
I agree with your three methods of concealed carry.

My primary that I carry with untucked cover garments: Kimber Pro CDP.

My 2nd method is for tucked-in situations: Taurus 617t (Titanium .357) in an ankle carry.

My 3rd method (typically coupled with 2) as an always gun: Kel-Tec P32 in the front right pocket.

These three methods offer me a solution for every dress, and offers quick access to firepower if needed.

Concealed carry rigs are a compromise between firepower and accessibility. I find the .32 in the pocket coupled with the 7-shot .357 in the ankle gives me the option of quick accessibility or substantial firepower, depending on which I need at the time. It also gives me a BUG.

And sometimes I just carry all three at once! :D
 
I'm in agreement with those who say 2 with the same trigger arrangement. My 99% gun is a H&K USPcLEM DAO in a strong side belt holster (Aker Flatsider). My 1% gun is a KelTec P11 in a pocket holster (either homemade from a plastic milk jug and duct tape - it works great, or an Unkle Mikes pocket holster). Both are DAO and both are of sufficient caliber. I have other guns, but those are the ones that I actually carry.
 
I think your origional plan is sound although I think a PCR or plain compact might be a better choice than the P-01. The light rail looks neat but just adds unnessisary bulk to the gun. For concealment it's more of a negative than a positive. The P-01 was designed for duty carry in the open where the rail didn't matter and was useful for add-on gadgets like lights and lasers.
 
I like to have two layers:

1. Competion-worthy carry gun. P7M8
2. Carry-worthy competition gun. Beretta 92G

The P7M8 can go tuckable for weddings and funerals. So can the Beretta, but not as well (probably because my pants don't fit because I'm too embarassed to shop in the children's section)
 
I think your origional plan is sound although I think a PCR or plain compact might be a better choice than the P-01. The light rail looks neat but just adds unnessisary bulk to the gun. For concealment it's more of a negative than a positive. The P-01 was designed for duty carry in the open where the rail didn't matter and was useful for add-on gadgets like lights and lasers.
Click to expand...

heh, I actually ment to put PCR there. Although I understand they are phasing out the PCR for the P-01. That's too bad if true because I like the "low-snag" sights on the PCR
 
I love to carry my Ruger SP101. I also occasionally shove my dad's 25 in somewhere. I have to change my wardrobe completely if I'm going to carry. It's hard to find shirts that don't print in my drawers since they are all kinda tight. For me one gun is enough. I might try carrying dad's...I mean mom's G19 one of these days. We'll see.
 
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