Most expensive CCW

[BullfrogKen]

What's the most expensive CCW gun you've carried, or have seen carried? I've always heard not to carry expensive guns. Carrying is rough on them, and if you ever are forced to use it, you might not get it back.

Still, I once met someone who used a stainless Kimber Compact 1911 as their CCW. Talk about pricey...

A Kimber Compact 1911 is designed and marketed to be carried

^^^ This.

Guys take expensive side by sides hunting. And guys buy over/unders that cost more than some cars I've owned to shoot shotgun games. I've seen plenty of guys bring competition rifles out for matches that cost a few thousand dollars and shoot 'em in the rain.


$1,000 may seem like a lot of money to you, but it's all relative.


For the record, I've carried custom-built 1911s that would cost in the neighborhood of $3k to replace now. One Jim Garthwaite built for me, the other I built in a week long build-your-own class I took under him.

I didn't have guns made up that are appropriate for defensive/carry uses - and little more - with the intention just to stick 'em in a safe to look at from time to time.


I've had those for something approaching a decade now. The vehicles my family drives were in worse shape after a decade of use, and they have all cost a whole lot more than a gun.

Of course there are people who get really nice cars, keep them in a garage, and only bring them out for show and tell, too. That doesn't make sense to me, either.

 

[Old Fuff]

If you had a fire break out in your kitchen, would you want the extinguisher at hand to be the cheapest one sold at Walmart?

No, I wouldn't. But I would be interested in a top quality one that cost less because it only offered basic features without questionable extras.

The point I have tried to make is that some who buy the most expensive guns seem to think that somehow that - in itself - will insure they'll come out on top if they get involved in a confrontation. Maybe, but I doubt it.

In this sort of situation a person's mindset, and ability to remain cool and hit where they have to while under unbelievable stress, is far more likely to determine the outcome than whatever handgun they are using. This presumes that the pistol or revolver is a quality arm, but not necessarily overly expensive.

The class of individuals most likely to get involved in a shooting incident is those who are law enforcement officers or agents of one kind or another. Unlike civilians, they're profession requires that they seek out and take into custody those who are most likely to be violent. For them, evade and retreat is not an option. And they are also highly likely to be not carrying a customized sidearm.

Unfortunately so far as tools are concerned you can’t buy superiority, and bragging rights mean zip in a showdown.

 

[tarosean]

The point I have tried to make is that some who buy the most expensive guns seem to think that somehow that - in itself - will insure they'll come out on top if they get involved in a confrontation. Maybe, but I doubt it.

I don't think that's it at all. I'm under no disillusion that my 3.5k guns are intrinsically different than my 500 dollar guns. I feel just as safe with any reliable gun on me, period.

 

[mavracer]

Unfortunately so far as tools are concerned you can’t buy superiority, and bragging rights mean zip in a showdown.

While I agree with the bulk of your idea, that skillset is infinitely more important. You can most certainly buy superior tools for the job and while many times any 1/2" wrench will work, there are those rusted old nuts that the tighter tolerance of a Snap on will take off without fuss that that bargain brand Walmart special will just round off.

 

[MrTuffPaws]

For sh*ts and giggles I sometimes carry a NG327 that I had cut for moon clips. About $1000 into that gun.

 

[BullfrogKen]

The point I have tried to make is that some who buy the most expensive guns seem to think that somehow that - in itself - will insure they'll come out on top if they get involved in a confrontation. Maybe, but I doubt it.
------
Unfortunately so far as tools are concerned you can’t buy superiority, and bragging rights mean zip in a showdown.

I'm sure that the industry who markets product to such people have caught many using that ploy.

In no way do I believe in those kinds of self-deceptions, nor did I make my choices because I wanted a bragging piece.


I've spent more money in training than on my most expensive gun. And I've spent much more yet in ammo.

Just like an African guide hunter who wants that expensive double rifle; or a talented trap shooter who wants that custom fit over/under; or a skilled rifle competitor who wants that Tubb 2000; I want what want for similar reasons.

Sure someone with talent can make something else work. But if we can have a tool that has what we want that is made to better do the job at hand, we can take advantage of the improvements, and we can afford it that's not ego or self-deception.

 

[ohioshooter]

I carry either a Kimber Custom Crimson Carry II or a Coonan .357 mag

 

[JohnBT]

"that some who buy the most expensive guns seem to think that somehow that - in itself - will insure they'll come out on top "

Has anyone mentioned the large group that thinks they'll come out on top because they have a cheap no name gun of some kind? They haven't even made the commitment to decent equipment, much less expensive equipment.

 

[Elkins45]

I used to own a Sig P239 that was my carry gun for about a year. They are selling for >$800 these days, so I guess that was my most expensive carry gun in today's dollars, though my 340PD certainly wasn't cheap.

If you ever have to shoot somebody you should pray that the cost of the gun in evidence is your biggest worry! Besides, how many THR contributors don't have another handgun (or two, or 26...)

 

[monotonous_iterancy]

Has anyone mentioned the large group that thinks they'll come out on top because they have a cheap no name gun of some kind?

I've never heard of this mindset.

 

[oneounceload]

Sure you have - those are the folks who only carry something cheap because they heard on the internet that they'll lose their gun if they ever have to use it

 

[Ky Larry]

I was stopped by LEO's one night (mistaken identity) I was carrying my Kimber Custom Defender II. One of the LEO's asked me how much $ I had in it. The cost of the pistol, CT grips, street reliability package, and trigger work came to $1800. She said that was more than she could afford . I told her I didn't know how much her axx was worth to her but mine was worth $1800 to me.



If you ever have to use your weapon to save me or my family and the police confiscate it, I'll replace it. That would be a cheap trade.

 

[Old Fuff]

In a previous post I described what I carried as:

--- high quality, mechanically sound, but absolutely ordinary.

Sure you have - those are the folks who only carry something cheap because they heard on the Internet that they'll lose their gun if they ever have to use it

No, those are the folks like an elderly gentleman I know that's living on a small pension and Social Security. This modest income prevents him from buying a handgun like mine (as described above) so he has been pleading with me to find him something along the lines of an inexpensive .25 automatic or .32 revolver. Obviously he can't afford the "professional schools," or even a quantity of ammunition to practice with. Regardless of what you may think, I'll do my best to help him.

Back in the day... (In this case the early 1980's) Jeff Cooper had just opened his new training facility and named it Gunsite. The bane of his existence were students that showed up with very expensive (so called) Combat Pistols. They were everything but - and endlessly jammed which messed up the orderly flow of training.

So finely when the frustration got to be too great, he ordered his on-site gunsmithing facility to make what he called a GSP or Gunsite Service Pistol. It was to have "everything you need, but nothing you don't." And, yes, it was supposed to be (and was) affordable. In his experienced view it was a much better tool to have in a gunfight then some of the expensive examples he was seeing that cost as much as three times more.

I suppose that some here might call the GSP, "cheap junk. I wouldn't and didn't. I don't think that a sound S&W model 10, 15 or 19 is junk either, even if it's a relatively inexpensive police trade-in. With any of the above a well trained individual with the right mindset will probably come out all right if they get caught in a confrontation.

 

[Old Fuff]

I was carrying my Kimber Custom Defender II. One of the LEO's asked me how much $ I had in it. The cost of the pistol, CT grips, street reliability package, and trigger work came to $1800. She said that was more than she could afford . I told her I didn't know how much her axx was worth to her but mine was worth $1800 to me.

Yes..., but in a close quarters gunfight how is it superior to an ordinary Glock?

They don't need a "street reliability package, CT grips or trigger work." It's sad to think that a Kimber Custom Defender II would either. Cooper's GSP didn't. If it wasn't reliable it didn't get out of the shop.

 

[orionengnr]

"that some who buy the most expensive guns seem to think that somehow that - in itself - will insure they'll come out on top "

I don't think I've heard anyone say that.
There is something to be said for having that little bit of additional confidence in your gear, and your abilities with it.

Another gentleman used an analogy with the helmet above (although the gentleman he referred to didn't get it). I can relate to that. Good protective gear assures me of nothing, but I like my odds just a little better with it.

 

[j1]

Smith and Wesson mod 60. Looks good carries and shoots well. Why would I carry a piece of garbage?

 

[oldbear]

How much is your security worth?

Price has never entered into the decision of what gun I carry for S/D. The most important decision is how sure am I, that my S/D weapon will work if needed. That being said, I have decided, based on 40 + years of experience, that the Smith and Wesson line of K frame revolvers will work when needed. So my carry weapon is a Smith and Wesson M-19 4” or M-66 2 ½”. Sadly neither one of these would be easy or inexpensive to replace if needed.

 

[guyfromohio]

I wouldn't hesitate to carry a competent gun if it was reliable and accurate. I don't own any real high-end pistols, but my Sig 239 does the job.

 

[TAKtical]

Springfield Full rail TRP Operator, Sti tactical 4.0 in 9mm

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Det-1 mcsosom

I used to haul it about 'cause I really liked shooting it and it was an interesting tactical take on Bar-B-Que carry.

Then a friend got involved in a righteous self defense scenario and the gun went into lock-up till a minor glitch was resolved.

Now, nothing gets carried that I don't mind hanging around an evidence locker should there be matters requiring resolution.

Fortunately, I had the MEUSOC armorer back in the day build me a couple of 1911s and one of those is the toter.

 

[el Godfather]

When used in SD dont you eventually get it back after the trial? Because if you do, I would retire that gun as a trophy that protected my life and did its money's worth.

 

[Torian]

What's the most expensive CCW gun you've carried, or have seen carried? I've always heard not to carry expensive guns. Carrying is rough on them, and if you ever are forced to use it, you might not get it back.

Still, I once met someone who used a stainless Kimber Compact 1911 as their CCW. Talk about pricey...

I want to carry the best if I need to use it in defense of my life. I have enough guns that I could deal with losing it for a period of time if need be.

 

[mavracer]

Yes..., but in a close quarters gunfight how is it superior to an ordinary Glock?

Why would you only prepare for some gunfights, if you can afford better?
If you only prepare/practice to be "average" 1/2 of the time you aren't going to be good enough.

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

Sig P229R, Sig P220R, or a Sig C3 1911Crimson Trace edition with extended magwell . The prices are $800ish each for the P series, and $1000 for the 1911. I prefer the P229

 

[floydster]

Springfield EMP 9mm.