Mindset Behind Expense Of Carry Piece

[Mr. Mosin]

I do not yet carry, but I've always heard tell from several people close to me something along the lines of "Don't carry anything not readily found, afforded, or replaceable. You ever have to use it, you probably won't get it back". They own quality handguns, but they all carry run-of-the-mill new production handguns, from an LCP, Smith 637, and several others I can't recall. Handguns that you could run to the local Academy and take your pick of from the display. They don't carry Colt Gov't's, Pythons, old Smith Mdl 36's, etc.

On the other hand, I have another handful of buddies that carry handguns not as readily found or replaceable- Colt Gov't Mdl's, a Python, a Colt SAA, an original Mdl 36, etc. Pieces that you don't just find growing on Academy display counters.

To which group do the community of THR fall ? The "I'll carry something readily replaced group", or the "I bought it to use it, I'm gonna use it" group ?

 

[LNK]

I do not yet carry, but I've always heard tell from several people close to me something along the lines of "Don't carry anything not readily found, afforded, or replaceable. You ever have to use it, you probably won't get it back". They own quality handguns, but they all carry run-of-the-mill new production handguns, from an LCP, Smith 637, and several others I can't recall. Handguns that you could run to the local Academy and take your pick of from the display. They don't carry Colt Gov't's, Pythons, old Smith Mdl 36's, etc.

On the other hand, I have another handful of buddies that carry handguns not as readily found or replaceable- Colt Gov't Mdl's, a Python, a Colt SAA, an original Mdl 36, etc. Pieces that you don't just find growing on Academy display counters.

To which group do the community of THR fall ? The "I'll carry something readily replaced group", or the "I bought it to use it, I'm gonna use it" group ?

Carry what you shoot the best in an effective caliber. Should you ever need to use it, the last of your worries will be whether you will ever get the gun back, or if it can be replaced.

 

[tomrkba]

When a lawyer costs $300-1,000 per hour, how many hours is your gun worth? Does it even matter in a case that goes on for months or even over a year?

 

[tarosean]

I would never carry anything irreplaceable. However, I darn sure do not make a carry decision based on cost alone..

It doesn't matter if it cost $200 or $10,000. If it saved my keister, or loved ones, it was worth every penny paid..

 

[WrongHanded]

I'm personally not worried about "losing" a gun to the evidence locker if I ever need to use it. In that unlikely event, it has done it's job. But I do worry about other things such as replaceability if; something breaks; if I ever wear it out; damage it irreparably; or actually lose it (e.g. in the backcountry). And as I want my carry guns to be similar in operation and design, and like to have more than one incase the primary goes down in some way, a commonly available pistol is desirable.

So for me, that means Glock. Though other common designs certainly fit the bill for an EDC pistol.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

I'm personally not worried about "losing" a gun to the evidence locker if I ever need to use it. In that unlikely event, it has done it's job. But I do worry about other things such as replaceability if; something breaks; if I ever wear it out; damage it irreparably; or actually lose it (e.g. in the backcountry). And as I want my carry guns to be similar in operation and design, and like to have more than one incase the primary goes down in some way, a commonly available pistol is desirable.

So for me, that means Glock. Though other common designs certainly fit the bill for an EDC pistol.

Something along the lines of a S&W revolver would fit the bill. Multiple million K frames made. Unsure of the number of J/L/N frames made.

 

[bannockburn]

Would have to agree with the notion of going with a Glock that best fits your CCW needs (and budget). Extremely reliable, durable, accurate, and readily replaceable if necessary.

 

[Obturation]

A carry gun should be easily repairable with extra common parts on hand. Any gun that's carried will show it, guns carried for years will certainly show it. If someone wants to carry something valuable it's their business but for me I like a modern polymer pistol that I don't care when it gets beat up.

 

[edwardware]

Neither, it's not a consideration. I carry the most effective balance of speed, accuracy, power, and reliability that I can find.

In my hands, that happens to be a rebuilt Colt Combat Commander. It's worth much less now than when I bought it, but it's precisely what I want it to be.

 

[WrongHanded]

Something along the lines of a S&W revolver would fit the bill. Multiple million K frames made. Unsure of the number of J/L/N frames made.

Certainly could be. Providing it meets the other more obvious criteria for a carry gun. Though barring reliability, those things are largely subjective. Size, weight, capacity, cartridge, etc.

 

[Grizzly2]

I imagine alot of us carry what we can afford or save up for. Then swap around until we find the right combination. What I wouldn't carry is a treasured keepsake such as a hand me down from someone you love that is not replaceable.

But we are all different just like the thought behind this thread. Mine are tools. I hate to loose tools, especially nice ones I've gotten used to. Would I carry an older pinned Smith and Wesson revolver. Sure. Many of us are older than some of those revolvers.

 

[Hartkopf]

I just make sure to have an extra gun to replace my carry gun for any reason, (hopefully never the evidence locker.) Like many others, I would just slap on another Glock.

 

[Rexster]

I do understand the concern, regarding a defensive firearm being taken into evidence, after a defensive shooting, because my first GP100 got to visit the Firearms Examiner for a few weeks, in 1993, after a defensive shooting. One difference, however, at least at that time, was that the weapon was not held in an evidence room, pending the justice system getting the case sorted-out, but returned to me, after testing, as I was a police officer, and the DA was not actively seeking to file any charges. (The case did, however, still have to make its way through the grand jury system, so it remained potentially possible for the weapon to have been seized, and held, pending trial. And, yes, the grand jury experience was scary, as some members were seemingly not so sure that I had done the right thing.)

During the time my GP100 was at the Firearms Examiner, I toted a spare revolver, on duty, which fit the same Safariland 070 duty holster, a Colt Stainless Python. If I recall correctly, I carried that Python concealed, during personal time, too. Believe it, or not, I did not regard that Python as being all that special, as I shot the GP100 better. Somewhere along the way, before it became collectible, I traded that Python, and today, have several GP100 revolvers, in addition to that first one.

I have recently carried a Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special 1911 pistol, that would cost more than $2K to replace, if bought new, at 2020 prices. I paid less than $2K, because I bought it new, about 20 years ago, when list price was in the mid-teens. It rode in my police duty holster, from 2016 to 2018, so, I was willing to risk its getting scuffed and dinged. When I can train regularly enough, the superior accuracy potential of an “accurized” 1911 makes it worthwhile to carry.

With a recent lack of opportunities to train, due to the pandemic, I have generally reverted to revolvers, as my long-stroke DA triggering skills are less-perishable than my auto-pistol skills. These revolvers would be less-costly to replace than a Les Baer, but more costly than some autos, such as my Glocks. (I need even more training, more often, with the quirky Glock trigger system, to maintain what I consider to be acceptable skill.)

 

[md7]

My ideal carry gun is reliable, reasonably easy to conceal, chambered in an acceptable defensive caliber, and simple to use. Cost is a consideration, of course, but not a deciding factor.

There are tons of current production options that satisfy that criteria. Personally, there’s no reason for me to purposefully carry a rare or valuable gun when there are so many good, current production alternatives.

I’ve found my ideal carry gun to be a Glock 26 with 12 round mag, a 15 round spare, and all bundled together in a tuckable AIWB holster.

 

[Pat Riot]

When I lived in Oregon I carried whatever I liked but mostly I carried my S&W 442 in town but out on the back roads and in the woods I carried my S&W 327 NG or my .45 Colt Vaquero. In Portland, however, I carried a Kel-Tek P3AT or my Remington RM380. I wasn’t worried about losing my gun if I got into a scrape away from Portland but in that scum hole I carried what I wouldn’t mind losing to the police or some moronic ADA’s whims.

Now, in CA I do not carry. I won’t even bother trying to get a CCW permit here. Not worth the hassle and by the time my name would come up for review I will be leaving here. There’s a 2 1/2 year waiting list for permits in my county now.

If I did carry here it would be a Glock or an S&W Shield. Fairly inexpensive but easily replaced.

 

[SharpDog]

I buy what I think is the best I can afford. Same with holsters and ammo. If I have more money I get another. Price does not enter in to how well a gun is suited for my EDC but it can determine which one I end up choosing. For example, When I carried Sig p22x I had a p226 Mk25 and an M11A1 that stayed home while I carried Sig p229 LEO refurbs. The refurbs were half of the price of the new Sigs and had better triggers. I bought two and knew I could get more.

 

[jonnyc]

I have collector/range guns and serious guns. As a rule, my serious guns are newer and fairly replaceable, but not cheap junk for many of the reasons stated above.

 

[mokin]

I'm in the replaceable camp. That's only part of the reason. After noticing increased wear on the BHP I started with, I decided something with a polymer frame and wear resistant coating was more practical. Occasionally I will carry a stainless revolver.

 

[Old Dog]

Most of my carry guns are all in the $1200 to $1800 range. Now, were I packing a $5500 Wilson Supergrade Commander when a bad thing transpired, I'd be just fine with losing it (might be a little bummed for a minute) so long as I did my part, the gun did its part, and I, and/or my family survived.

In the end, it's all just stuff, and stuff can be replaced. Family cannot.

I carry what I shoot the best and train with the most. And I like expensive firearms. And I always buy at least one duplicate of my favorites.

The cheapest pistol I'll carry alone is the mighty little SIG P-365. But to worry about losing a more expensive gun to a "police evidence locker" or whatever if you've actually had to use it in self-defense/defense of another is about, frankly, the stupidest thing I can think to even fleetingly worry about, and certainly no reason not to carry your best gun, if that's what you shoot better than all else.

I spend my "worry time" worrying about what the driver in the next lane, the one ahead of me, and the one behind me, are going to do... Or I worry about how much tax I'll have to pay when I hit the MegaMillions or Powerball jackpot.

 

[mljdeckard]

I do not own, nor do I plan to own, any guns that I do not use. I have a few heirlooms that came from my grandfather. My grandfather would not want them to sit and never shoot. Having said that, I assume that every gun I keep as part of my defensive plan will be confiscated if I ever use it. So those guns aren't part of that plan. But if my grandfather knew that I hesitated to use one of his guns to save a life because I was worried about the gun, he would exact retribution.

We are fortunate to have so many options in this day and age, we can choose a very good economic option. But let's imagine for a second there weren't? What if the only options that were feasible for concealed carry cost $10k each? Would we STILL your life is more important, and if it saves your life one time it's worth it? If the principle of self-defense is correct, we would still say yes, it's worth it. I tell carry students, "Start with a used G-19 or J-frame .38. Buy ammo and training." That doesn't mean that some people can't carry a $4k custom 1911 if they want to.

I am currently carrying a RIA double-stack 9mm 1911. It cost me $600 and change, with a .22 TCM barrel. It is dead-nuts reliable, and if it gets confiscated, I have others for backup.

And personally, if I was ever involved in a defensive shooting, and my gun was confiscated, (as soon as I was legally clear,) I would be in the phone to the manufacturer and tell them; "Hey, your gun just saved my life. It got taken away. What are you willing to do for me?" I bet most manufacturers would be happy to at least cut a deal, if not send out a freebie, in exchange for the loyalty and endorsement from a real-life save.

 

[Old Dog]

Another thing that cracks me up some: I know guys who'll do a full year of research before going out and paying for a new big-screen television, gotta have the latest with all the bells and whistles, will spend 3K for a flat-screen with a marginally better picture than the $700 70" set they could have got at Wal-Mart... yet they'll depend on a $300 Bersa or Taurus or $500 Glock (and crow about the money they saved) as their primary means of self-defense.

Yeah, and some of the guys smoke two packs of cigarettes a day ... how much is a carton of smokes now? What do you spend on them every year? And this habit will kill you.

Which consumer item will save your life, or the life of a loved one? What do you all put a price tag on? What's the real priority here?

Life is full of "what-ifs." But what-if you have to use your gun and it ends up in an evidence locker and tied up in the court system for years? So what? I can't understand why this always seems to come up as a topic.

 

[ms6852]

To carry a gun based on cost is incomprehensible to me. This firearm is suppose to protect your most treasured possession we all have, ...our lives and loved ones! Regardless of cost the choice made should be based purely on what caliber you want to shoot, and its quality and reliability of that firearm. A gun is not an investment, it is an expense that you must realize that if ever you want to be proficient and that if you ever want it to do what it is meant to do than you should practice, practice, and practice. If ammo is to expensive than learn to reload, but the initial expense of buying the necessities for reloading will be an extra expense. If one begins to worry about using a gun and not getting back, as a human race we have fallen down a deep deep hole and humanity has descended so low that the value of a gun is higher than that of a human life.

 

[entropy]

Cost of a carry gun should be the last concern. Reliability, and proven caliber/rounds should be much more important. Obviously concealability, for CCW, and safety (which is why Hi-points are out; the safety on them is not a good one for CCW, and even the .380 will pull your pants down....) should be concerns also. None of my current carry guns are top-end custom guns, but I would not hesitate to carry one (Note my response in the concurrent Python thread) if I had one.

 

[JohnKSa]

If a person has two guns that are equally suitable for carry, I think that choosing the one that costs less and is easier to replace makes sense. But only if one is not giving up anything in terms of performance/reliability.

 

[Hal]

I don't want my better guns to be taken away from me in the event I have to use them - no matter how slim the chance.

There are plenty of good guns that will get whatever job needs done that don't break the bank - or your heart.