I Do Not Rotate My Carry Guns

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Trunk Monkey

Trunk Monkey

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Rather than highjack Amprecon’s thread I decided to start my own.

I don’t rotate carry guns. There are two guns that I carry based on my concealment needs, an M&P Shield or an M&P9. Which are essentially the same gun or at least close enough that I can switch between the two with no learning curve.

All the training I’ve been able to take since I started carrying has emphasized simplicity. I know how I act under duress and the less I have to think about the better off I am. If (God Forbid) I ever have to use a gun in self defense I don’t want to have to stop (even for a millisecond) and think about which gun I’m carrying.

Oddly enough the most notable advantage I’ve seen so far is the time I no longer waste deciding which gun I’m going to carry.

Anyway that’s what works for me what are your thoughts?
 
Nothing wrong with that. I carry a 1911 or a DAO S&W snubby, dependent on clothing, where I'm going, etc., that's it.
 
I think youre a lot better off staying with one platform and carrying in the same place/places all the time.

I never got the switching around thing. To much chance for screwing up, especially under stress.
 
Shoot.

Shoot often.

Shoot a lot.

Shoot enough to master the fundamentals.

Then you will have the confidence to defend yourself with any handgun you own.

Oh did I mention that learning and practicing shooting skills are more important than carrying only one type of gun?
 
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BSA1 said:
Oh did I mention that learning and practicing shooting skills are more important than carrying only one type of gun?
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Sure they are but anything I can do that skews the odds in my favor can only be good right?

Your brain does weird things when it’s full of adrenalin; it likes to do the familiar. As someone said in the other thread I’ll bet my ass that people have died trying to squeeze the trigger on a 1911 because they were used to GLOCKs and forgot to take the safety off or lost time on a reload looking for the magazine release on a revolver.

If I ever have to use a handgun in self defense all I want to have to think about is pull, point, shoot.
 
I fully agree with practicing with as many types as you can, so you are familiar, and proficient with them. I think that should be a given. Not that you really see it a lot.

I dont agree with constantly switching them up (as well as carry position), in a carry rotation, as that just adds an element of disruption to things, and could very well get you killed.

Practice with everything you can, just practice more, with what you carry, and carry it/them, in the same place, consistently.
 
I do change 'em up now and then, but all are "pull, point, and plug" models with a double-action first shot (if not all shots) and no manual safeties in use (if one is even present.)

My PF9 is my primary, taking up probably better than 80 percent of my active carry time. My P32 is in my pocket (PF9 is a belt gun) when cover isn't available, which is when in transit to and from my full-time no-carry profession, or during my one-night-per-week pizza delivery gig.

When nostalgia kicks in every now and then, one of two .38 snubs (my old LE BUG, or my dad's) goes on my belt instead..
 
I think youre a lot better off staying with one platform and carrying in the same place/places all the time.
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I'd agree in theory, but rule #1 of the gunfight: "Have A Gun!"

When I'm mowing the yard in 95+ degree heat, a small .380 in a "thundercarry" rig under my gym shorts will have to suffice.

Other circumstances require other options, all of which are unlikely to actually be needed -- same as I'm unlikely to actually need the fire extinguishers located about the place.
 
I don't switch around.

"Beware the man with one gun"

I also blame Tex Grebner shooting himself on the fact that he was switching between guns / gear. He never personally connected the dots, but that is my opinion.
 
I'm always carrying a Smith and Wesson revolver of some sort.

Same manual of arms for all of them, simple. That's the way I do it!
 
If you have to draw your gun, then your life depends on it. Under stress you will do what you have trained for. I carry a XD 9mm subcompact only. I chose it because it had a backstrap safety and no manual safety. I carry with a round in the chamber. All I have to do if I draw is point and shoot. Anything different reduces the probability of me staying alive.
 
I carry a Glock 26, that is it. I can certainly see the need for a smaller gun under some circumstances such as work for some people. But I've never understood the people who have a "carry rotation". The concept just baffles me. I do not understand the idea at all.
 
I guess we could take this to the extreme and point out that SEALs, Delta Force, etc. match the weapon to the mission. Personally I carry Option 1 or Option2. I have decided I like Option 2 better and I am working on buying a pistol to replace Option 1 so both are the same basic platform. Option 1 will be slightly larger and have larger capacity than Option2 but Option 2 will be carried more often. When I get around to adding a backup gun there is no way I can get it to match either of my carry guns.
 
My problem isn't operating the gun since none of the guns I carry has an external safety, or at least one that I use. My problem is whether it's in my pocket or in my waistband.

I hope if I'm ever attacked it's on the weekend because I can draw from IWB in casual clothes much faster than from my front pocket in dress clothes.
 
you know...except for aficionados like on this board most people I know either carry one gun if/when they do ; or are accumulators who may carry any number of their favorites if /when they do carry.

Not a "rotation".

I don't see a lot of this training and muscle memory stuff being an issue with them.

It mainly puts you ahead of the game just to have a gun you know how to shoot.
 
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My problem isn't operating the gun since none of the guns I carry has an external safety, or at least one that I use.
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I am just the opposite. My default training is a 1911. It isn't a problem if I try to swipe off the thumb safety on my Kahr PM9 as there isn't one there, but if the reverse were true and I didn't swipe off the safety on the 1911, then I would be in trouble.
 
Rotation seems so obligatory, I'm curious to here if the guys with a rotation base it on a calender date, season, or what.
I've been shooting defensive weapons (handguns) for over 40 years and have dozens that I could competently carry but have settled on three and could get by with two, what mandates my carrying is almost always clothing and a means to support the gun.
To me competence is having knowledge and experience with the function and firing as well as a means of proper carrying and training with draw presentation and safety.
There is of course differences in carry application and I'm speaking of social situations, for roaming the woods, hunting, etc I'll often OC a revolver or 1911
 
Plan2Live said:
I guess we could take this to the extreme and point out that SEALs, Delta Force, etc. match the weapon to the mission
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That may be true but those are people with a lot more training and (more importantly) experience than I have. They’ve (for the most part) been in real fights and have had a chance find what works for them and had a chance to refine their training.

Statistically I’m only ever likely to be in one gunfight in my life (if even that) , that one time I am sure that I’m going to be freaked completely out and I want to make things as easy for me as I can make them.
 
Xrap said:
what mandates my carrying is almost always clothing and a means to support the gun.
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As I stated earlier I switch off between the 2 M&Ps. Like you the decision is based solely on what I’m wearing.

At home in sweats I carry the Shield, When I’m out and about wearing real clothes I carry the M&P 9 and if I’m wearing a winter coat or something else that might impede my getting to the full sized gun I carry the Shield in my right coat pocket usually with my hand on it.
 
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