Froggy
Member
Over in another thread, a THR poster wrote:
Just curious about how it really stacks up.
Just curious about how it really stacks up.
How did you choose your "carry gun"?
- Thread starter Froggy
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MS .45
Member
As soon as I get my ccw permit I will be carrying my new CZ P-01 in 9mm. I had decided that I wanted a 9mm because I can practice for cheaper and still have good options for platforms and defensive ammo. I love the P-01 so far; reliable and more accurate than I am.
NailGun
Member
My carry gun selection was based on (ranked in order of importance to ME):
How well the gun fit my hand
Ease of target acquisition in sights
How well it could be concealed
How comfortable the gun and holster fit me
Whether it drew from the holster "snag free"
Ease of operation in a crisis situation
Perceived reliability
Capacity
Stopping power
Non Factors:
Price
Looks
Name brand association...well, maybe a little....
What my friends thought
I settled on a S&W 442, .38 spl. +p
It fits ME. I carry it with me every where I go.
NailGun
How well the gun fit my hand
Ease of target acquisition in sights
How well it could be concealed
How comfortable the gun and holster fit me
Whether it drew from the holster "snag free"
Ease of operation in a crisis situation
Perceived reliability
Capacity
Stopping power
Non Factors:
Price
Looks
Name brand association...well, maybe a little....
What my friends thought
I settled on a S&W 442, .38 spl. +p
It fits ME. I carry it with me every where I go.
NailGun
tubeshooter
Contributing Member
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2006
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- 2,150
Luck here, too; remember like it was yesterday. Originally put down on a Bersa .380, took too long to pay (broke student), ended up walking out with a Taurus 85 instead. Got a SP-101 later on down the road, but still carry that original snub .38 90% of the time after about 15 years now.
orionengnr
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2005
- Messages
- 5,713
still working on it.
Started with a Glock 23, went through a succession of j-frames, currently stuck on Kahr PM9 (pocket carry) or Kahr P45 (IWB), depending on weather/clothing, etc.
Started with a Glock 23, went through a succession of j-frames, currently stuck on Kahr PM9 (pocket carry) or Kahr P45 (IWB), depending on weather/clothing, etc.
possum
Member
for me, before i turned 21 and while i was baking in the hot desert i had already decided that I was gonna go with the xd, and loving the .40 so much, it made a perfect match for exactly what i wanted.
then when it came to my kahr k40, i bought off my dad, it was simple awesome, and yet again in .40 like my xd so i couldn't pass it up.
then when it came to my kahr k40, i bought off my dad, it was simple awesome, and yet again in .40 like my xd so i couldn't pass it up.
stiletto raggio
Member
I voted cartridge, but let me tell you why. My first pistol, and my primary carry gun to this day, is a G23. I wanted a .40 becaus I thought it was significantly better than a 9mm but still allowed high capacity and a compant frame. I picked the G23 because it was lighter, had higher capacity and more readily available components than its competitors. On the other hand, I picked the Kahr platform for my small gun and decided to get a P9 covert because of it's lower recoil and slightly higher capacity. I was coming off a 340PD and I wanted to make sure that I would want to practice with this gun. Both worked.
I don't think it is possible to divorce a gun from the cartridge it fires. Changing calibers completely changes the "decision matrix" that I use, which weighs weight, size, caliber, capacity and mode of function.
Which is a better fighting gun, a traditional 1911 or a G20? The G20 has a higher capacity and is more powerful, but the single-action trigger may outweight these advantages in some peoples' books. would these same people be willing to use a .22 1911 over a G20? Would a traditional 1911 fan go for a G21 over a 9mm 1911, choosing caliber over platform? Caliber changes so much in terms of the realistic application of a pistol that it can't be removed from the "type" of weapon in the decision making process. The caliber is integral to the design of the weapon, so I believe each weapon must be evaluated on its own, not in terms of "45s" or "polymer framed" or "double action." To make decisions purely on an arbitrary bias toward a caliber or classification of a platform is silly and unnecessary.
I don't think it is possible to divorce a gun from the cartridge it fires. Changing calibers completely changes the "decision matrix" that I use, which weighs weight, size, caliber, capacity and mode of function.
Which is a better fighting gun, a traditional 1911 or a G20? The G20 has a higher capacity and is more powerful, but the single-action trigger may outweight these advantages in some peoples' books. would these same people be willing to use a .22 1911 over a G20? Would a traditional 1911 fan go for a G21 over a 9mm 1911, choosing caliber over platform? Caliber changes so much in terms of the realistic application of a pistol that it can't be removed from the "type" of weapon in the decision making process. The caliber is integral to the design of the weapon, so I believe each weapon must be evaluated on its own, not in terms of "45s" or "polymer framed" or "double action." To make decisions purely on an arbitrary bias toward a caliber or classification of a platform is silly and unnecessary.
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10-Ring
Member
Cartridge then firearm. 45 acp - Commander 1911, USP 45, 9mm - P7M8, 92 Centurion, G19, 38 spl - mod 60, mousegun.
M2 Carbine
member
I decided on both at the same time.
Kimber Ultra 45ACP.
Kimber Ultra 45ACP.
Glockman17366
Member
My primary criteria was weight...
Ended up with a Taurus (excellent manufacturer!) Model 85 Ultralight.
For anyone who carries in a suburban environment...38 works fie, and weight is of paramount importance.
Ended up with a Taurus (excellent manufacturer!) Model 85 Ultralight.
For anyone who carries in a suburban environment...38 works fie, and weight is of paramount importance.
rich52us
Member
I decided that I wanted to move up from 9mm to .45 ACP. I rented several guns at the range including 1911, taurus PT 145, and Glock 30 & 36. As a carry gun for me the Glock won hands down. G 30 was better than the G 36. I shot the G 30 better, faster and more accurately than the others. The G 30 recoil was milder and follow-up shots quicker. I have no problem concealing it IW under a polo or T-shirt. It's now my daily carry.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
I've always been a huge fan of the .45 ACP; so there was absolutely NO
trouble choosing a weapon that chambered it~!
trouble choosing a weapon that chambered it~!
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
I've been partial to the .44 magnum round three decades now. It just took me awhile to get around to looking for a four-inch model. Almost the moment I started looking, I found a dandy three-inch pre-agreement Smith & Wesson model 629.
It's still a trifle heavier than the small of my back prefers, so I carry it about half the time.
It's still a trifle heavier than the small of my back prefers, so I carry it about half the time.
Anna's Dad
Member
Gun first
My first carry was a Beretta Tomcat. I chose it for the gun (size of the gun).
I found it too heavy and thick for consistant pocket carry, so I chose (again gun, not round) Kel-Tec as the gun I would carry daily. Just had to decide on .32 or .380. I chose the .32.
My first carry was a Beretta Tomcat. I chose it for the gun (size of the gun).
I found it too heavy and thick for consistant pocket carry, so I chose (again gun, not round) Kel-Tec as the gun I would carry daily. Just had to decide on .32 or .380. I chose the .32.
Fella's;
The first consideration was how left-friendly any platform was gonna be. Then, caliber.
I wound up with an H&K USPc variant 2, in .40. Been about 10 years now I've been carrying it every day. I did send it in a few years ago & have the ambi lever installed. Bought new mag springs & installed them at the same time. However, no problems, not one, in prit-near a decade of use.
900F
The first consideration was how left-friendly any platform was gonna be. Then, caliber.
I wound up with an H&K USPc variant 2, in .40. Been about 10 years now I've been carrying it every day. I did send it in a few years ago & have the ambi lever installed. Bought new mag springs & installed them at the same time. However, no problems, not one, in prit-near a decade of use.
900F
Zonamo
Member
Trial and error.
Started out with 9mm military surplus. Didn't like the caliber or platform, so I switched to the then "next big thing" and bought a double action .40 S&W. I then spent several years trying out a a gaggle of different platforms before finally chucking it in and buying a 1911.
In additon to 1911s, I have a .380 Mustang for those times I don't have the .45 with me. It's like a minime version of my fullsize carry.
Been in 1911 heaven ever since.
Started out with 9mm military surplus. Didn't like the caliber or platform, so I switched to the then "next big thing" and bought a double action .40 S&W. I then spent several years trying out a a gaggle of different platforms before finally chucking it in and buying a 1911.
In additon to 1911s, I have a .380 Mustang for those times I don't have the .45 with me. It's like a minime version of my fullsize carry.
Been in 1911 heaven ever since.
Jkwas
Member
I settled on a revolver and then the caliber choice was easy. I went with .357, figuring I could try a variety of different loads from 38spl all the way up to magnum loads. I ultimately went with 38spl+p.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
I listened and learned on TFL and desided that a S&W 13 3" was the one to have, Found one and carried it for a while, then found the 940 and realized a 942 would be what I wanted so I had a 642 customized to what I wanted.
The S&W 13/65 3" is the best, but I am lazy and wanted the light weight.
The S&W 13/65 3" is the best, but I am lazy and wanted the light weight.
NineseveN
member
I picked both at the same time...1911 platform, .45ACP was the logical choice...though in my younger days it was all about platform first (P99, XD, USPfs, USPc, IMI Baby Eagle etc...).
MachIVshooter
Member
I voted "picked chambering", but honestly I couldn't be much happier with the platform.
I love the 10mm cartridge and CZ design, and since I'm Italian..............
I love the 10mm cartridge and CZ design, and since I'm Italian..............
DFW1911
Member
What I carry depends on factors: event, temperature, dress required, etc. As you've probably guessed, I have more than one CCW.
Take care,
DFW1911
Take care,
DFW1911
i focused on both chamber and platform ( dont have ccw yet)
i want small gun cause im a small guy
i want a large caliber cause anything worth doing, is worth doing right
so. i can get small autos, in small callibers
large guns in large calibers
or the most effective, small revolver in large caliber
i want small gun cause im a small guy
i want a large caliber cause anything worth doing, is worth doing right
so. i can get small autos, in small callibers
large guns in large calibers
or the most effective, small revolver in large caliber
I decided method of carry first - then decided on what gun would best fit .
Pocket carry is quite different than belt carry and requires lighter and smaller.
Caliber in a lightweight gun can be anything up to .357 mag. but .38 Spl or smaller is more managable.
I started with a Kel-Tec in .380 and that was an easy carry. I now carry a Taurus Titanium in .32 H&R Magnum and that carries well in the front pocket.
Pocket carry is quite different than belt carry and requires lighter and smaller.
Caliber in a lightweight gun can be anything up to .357 mag. but .38 Spl or smaller is more managable.
I started with a Kel-Tec in .380 and that was an easy carry. I now carry a Taurus Titanium in .32 H&R Magnum and that carries well in the front pocket.
Black Snowman
Member
I found the gun that worked best for me and then standarized caliber and bought one of each size available in that platform. I now have the full family of CZs in 40 S&W, RAMI, 85 Compact, and a standard full size 75B and various holsters for each. For when even the RAMI is too big I've got a Kel-Tec P3AT for pocket carry.
For when space/weight isn't a consideration I've got a CZ 97B in 45 ACP as well. Doesn't share caliber/mags with the rest but it shoots so well if I could only have a pistol in a gun fight it would be my 1st choice. 2nd choice being a Glock 20, 3rd being an HK USP 45 loaded with 45 Super. The last two I don't own, although a Glock 20 might be in my future.
For when space/weight isn't a consideration I've got a CZ 97B in 45 ACP as well. Doesn't share caliber/mags with the rest but it shoots so well if I could only have a pistol in a gun fight it would be my 1st choice. 2nd choice being a Glock 20, 3rd being an HK USP 45 loaded with 45 Super. The last two I don't own, although a Glock 20 might be in my future.
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