Re-thinking my daily carry

[CDW4ME]

I'm not trying to influence what you do, God forbid.

I appreciate that. Besides, it would be an exercise in futility.
For you, perhaps.

At least that is honest, which is preferred over the rationalizations frequently posted.
You didn't say anything about "good area"
No cliché like, "nobody volunteer to get shot with it"
I'd rather somebody just say, "its the best I'm willing to do" which is basically what you did.

Edit after reading your sig line:
In the past, I've been accused of trying to tell people what to carry; I'm more about addressing what is posted.
For example:
Someone says they carry usually 32 but a 9mm when they "feel the need"
So you would prefer to defend yourself with a 32 rather than a 9mm?
They shared what they do but don't want to be questioned. Gun forum show & tell, no questions, apparently.
Any critique basically elicits a "how dare you". Why post it then.
Then someone will say nonsensical "caliber war" which is what they say when you post something they don't like.

 

[Zerodefect]

I switch carry pistols. Carrying the same one always, wouldn't be optimal on some occasions.

J-frame. When I dont want to carry. Or when I want to be as accurate in defense, as a blind New York cop. Pocket.

Kahr p380. Deep concealment. IWB.

Glock 23.4. My carry pistol of choice. IWB.

Glock 23.3. Setup for OWB, faster draws, and reloads.

Glock 41. HD. OWB.

DW Valor 1911. Thinnest fullsize pistol for winter carry. Sight radius is priceless. Also a great choice for "extra safe" needs, or one handed days. OWB.

Glock 34.4 with Dawson Magwell and +5's. Because of a car and a puppy. OWB.


I'm proficient with all of them. Each has its niche. I agree with the 1 gun mentality. The G23.4 gets almost all of the real carry tasks.

The rest are for odd situations.

 

[Racinfan83]

Can't argue a P365 is a good carry. With two mags you get 20 with just one mag change. With a single stack, it takes three changes for 18. There is a limit to how much weight someone wants to carry, so I keep the Kahr .380 around.

For capacity, I got a Canik with 18 round magazines. For a field pistol with three mags, it has 54 on hand.

I carry as I feel, too, but it's based on when and where. A craft festival, I can go light. After dark, a higher capacity 9mm. What I'm "feeling" is really a gut assessement of risk related to the activity, location, and what time of day.

I just picked up a SA Hellcat with a 15rd mag. So 15+1 in a small package. I use the 12rd mags in my 365, so 12+1 and 12 = 25 in a very small package. Rarely do I actually take an extra mag though.

 

[JohnKSa]

An important part of adulting is learning to be quiet and let the other person be wrong.

Ultimately, of course, people make their own decisions. Providing useful and pertinent information so that decisions can be made from an informed standpoint isn't quite the same thing as trying to convince someone they're wrong. And, on a venue like this one, the information can be useful to many people other than the specific person that a reply might be directed toward.

I think a big part of the situation isn't so much WHAT someone decides to do but more that they UNDERSTAND the potential ramifications of their decision.

For example, I have three carry guns. I shoot well with all of them and know how to operate all of them proficiently.

Two of them are identical in terms of where I carry them and their operating procedures. One is slimmer and has lower capacity than the other and I wear it when I can't manage OWB carry for one reason or another. I don't have to think about where I need to reach to draw, I don't need to worry about trigger differences, manual safety differences in operation or position, etc. The grips are a bit different, but not in terms of how the two guns point only in terms of their thickness. The sights have a very similar look between the two guns.

But the third carry gun is different. It's for when I can't carry in a holster. It's much smaller than the other two and because the trigger isn't protected by the method I use to carry it, it has a manual safety. I can't carry in the same location, so that's another variable. It does point the same as the other two for me so that's one variable I don't have to worry about. It has a very noticeably different feel in the hand since the grip is not only relatively thin, but also quite short. The sights are much smaller than my other two guns and they aren't night sights like the other two so their visibility is noticeably less in any conditions but really different if the light is low.

If I needed to access that gun, it wouldn't be a disaster, but it would take more time because I have to consciously think about where I need to reach to get it. I will need to switch off the manual safety and that's something else I will need to think about because it's different from my normal carry guns. I can't react instinctively when I'm carrying this gun, I will have to think about the steps involved in getting to the gun, getting it out, and getting it ready for use. There are practical situations where I might be able to effectively defend myself with one of the other two carry guns but would fail with this one because it's so different from the other two.

I've put myself at a disadvantage compared to my other two carry guns in multiple ways when I carry this gun and I need to keep that in mind when I'm carrying it because understanding one's limitations is pretty important.

I realize that it's not an ideal situation, but so far I can't come up with a better solution--so I have to accept the limitations imposed by this one. But the key is that I realize the limitations of the solution I've chosen and the ramifications of those limitations. That's significantly different from advocating the idea any and every solution is just as good as any other.

 

[WisBorn]

I'm a huge believer in situational carry. In most cases I feel a 380 or 38 pocket gun fills my needs. I up the game with higher energy cartridges in wilderness settings. I still prefer pocket carry and will have a 357 or 41 in my front pocket. At times I add a second firearm, but I seldom carry a reload.

 

[Kleanbore]

I carry as I feel, too, but it's based on when and where. A craft festival, I can go light. After dark, a higher capacity 9mm. What I'm "feeling" is really a gut assessement of risk related to the activity, location, and what time of day.

I can understand how one might assess the likelihood of occurrence differently for different situations, but ho would that influence shat would be needed should the risk occur?

 

[AgPilot]

For some time now I have been carrying my little Sig P365. I shoot it well enough and with an extra 10 round mag I have 21 rounds to send down range. But being who I am, (never satisfied) I picked this up at a local gun show last Saturday. Haven’t shot it yet but I plan to get out to the range soon.
Weighing in heavier and quite a bit larger than the Sig, but I like it anyway and it has the ability to send 40 rounds down the tube when carrying two extra mags.
This Beretta 92x compact is the first of that maker I have purchased in over twenty years. Even if it ends up a range toy only, it’s quality and ease of operation make it’s purchase worth while.View attachment 1031729

Wanna unload that P365

 

[Lo-Profile]

Well, when I carry my 365xl. I carry it with a 12 round magazine + 2 15 round magazines .... Total of 43 little 9 milli-metric pew pews

 

[jonnyc]

Still 110% happy with the Glock 43X and Shield 15 round mags. Never liked the feel of the 365 anyway.

 

[CDW4ME]

I'm a huge believer in situational carry. In most cases I feel a 380 or 38 pocket gun fills my needs.

Different take on situational carry.
Any situation where I'd prefer to defend myself with a 380/38 rather than a Glock 19/22? No. I feel a Glock 19/22 fills my needs.

 

[WisBorn]

Different take on situational carry.
Any situation where I'd prefer to defend myself with a 380/38 rather than a Glock 19/22? No. I feel a Glock 19/22 fills my needs.

If you feel comfortable with the compact size Glocks, with your attire and environment that you live in there great choices for you!
I like pocket guns. Easy to carry, very conceal able, physically comfortable, and ample fire power for defense.

Thats the great thing about our endless choices today

 

[TacticalSpeed]

There’s no downside to carrying the beretta if it proves to be reliable, you’re proficient with it, and you’re able to effectively conceal it.

Stretch it’s legs, and see how it pans out would be my advice

This.

I went from carrying a fullsize M&P40 to a M&P40C to a XD40SC to a Hellcat. Now I have no idea how I carried those heavy pistols around IWB for years. Love carrying the Hellcat.

 

[TacticalSpeed]

If you feel comfortable with the compact size Glocks, with your attire and environment that you live in there great choices for you!
I like pocket guns. Easy to carry, very conceal able, physically comfortable, and ample fire power for defense.

Thats the great thing about our endless choices today

Pocket guns are great too. I have my LCP for that, but only carry that when I am wearing clothes where carrying the Hellcat is much less than ideal.

 

[CDW4ME]

with your attire and environment that you live in

I retired about 4 years ago, can dress as I choose.
Lived on 20 rural acres in KY, nearest neighbor was 200 yards away; moved to a excellent area in FL months ago.
Either place (environment aint a factor), walking the dogs, shopping, errands = Glock 19 minimum
And why is that?

Any situation where I'd prefer to defend myself with a 380/38 rather than a Glock 19/22? No.

How do I manage to carry a Glock 19 size gun in FL, in the heat, and despite being in a "good area" ...


2nd attempt at "situational carry"
I perceive that if I had to defend myself a Glock 19 in hand would be advantageous over a 38 snub/380 regardless of the situation (area).

 

[Skylerbone]

So you would prefer to defend yourself with a 32 rather than a 9mm?
They shared what they do but don't want to be questioned. Gun forum show & tell, no questions, apparently.

It may not be preferable, and they may not clearly voice the why. For instance: my Kahr K9 is my bedside and daily carry. I’m outfitted for it, proficient shooting it, and I know it well. There are however times when I choose my .380 ACP for concealable carry where I would otherwise be forced to go unarmed.

As for that sig line, see any issues below with accepting people’s word on what works for them? It has limits. Beyond what they “feel” works is what actually works which is instilled by training.

 

[Skylerbone]

I retired about 4 years ago, can dress as I choose.
Lived on 20 rural acres in KY, nearest neighbor was 200 yards away; moved to a excellent area in FL months ago.
Either place (environment aint a factor), walking the dogs, shopping, errands = Glock 19 minimum
And why is that?

You can concede that you aren’t everyone else? I am not retired, I cannot always dress as I choose, I wear a uniform at work as I have these past 26 years. I do not live hundreds of yards from the nearest neighbor in a rural area. I’m 6’2” and weigh 225. Even if you were the same height/weight we won’t be twins. If my preference for SD is .50DE and that’s what I carry, does it stand to reason that I might ask you “in what situation would you prefer to defend yourself with 9mm instead of .50DE?” Now imagine I tell you I can easily conceal a Desert Eagle and so it must hold true for you as well.

Point being in this and in my previous post that all things being equal is a qualifier because all things are never equal. Now sell that G19 and get yourself a G17L for the increased velocity.

 

[Old_Grouch]

As for that sig line, see any issues below with accepting people’s word on what works for them? It has limits. Beyond what they “feel” works is what actually works which is instilled by training.

I assume it's my sig line you're referring to. When I read about what others do that I disagree with I will sometimes ask them why. I will gladly tell someone what I do. I am not, however, so arrogant and self righteous that I feel compelled to tell someone that if they aren't doing things the way I do that they're wrong. There seems to be enough of that going around lately.

 

[CDW4ME]

As for that sig line, see any issues below with accepting people’s word on what works for them?

You can concede that you aren’t everyone else?

Nowhere did I say I was; I posted what I do and my take on a concept.

 

[Kleanbore]

When I read about what others do that I disagree with I will sometimes ask them why. I will gladly tell someone what I do. I am not, however, so arrogant and self righteous that I feel compelled to tell someone that if they aren't doing things the way I do that they're wrong.

Good philosophy, except when it has to do with using magnum loads in a damascus barreled gun, some reloading issues, and the like, and probably when it comes to firing a high powered rifle in the basement. Question is how best to do it. Sacrifice feelings if necessary, but make the point.

 

[Old_Grouch]

Good philosophy, except when it has to do with using magnum loads in a damascus barreled gun, some reloading issues, and the like, and probably when it comes to firing a high powered rifle in the basement............................

Or when someone chooses to carry a 5 shot revolver instead of a wondernine, or not carry the same gun every day?

 

[Hangingrock]

My EDC is a S&W Shield 9X19mm Gen1, but what's more important I practice avoidance of stupid people, places and things. The fight that you don't have to fight is the fight that you win.

 

[WisBorn]

I guess I need to explain situation and environment.
My 4 pocket guns.
LCP 2 380
442 38+p
605 357mag
415 41mag

Two weeks ago I had my 41mag in my front pocket while hiking Yellowstone. I guess I could have carried my 380

This week it's my 357mag while hiking Shenandoah NP. Left the 380 at home

Next week I will be walking the beach in Daytona with that 380 in my shorts pocket

Grizzlies? Black Bears? Or Beach Bums?

I guess I could have carried a Glock, 19 but it doesn't fit in my front pocket very well.

I'm a firm believer in carrying in the same place. I respect someone that carries IWB and needs to switch to a pocket gun because of shorts or a suit. Practice is the key!!!!

 

[Rexster]

All else being equal, I will perform better, especially at extended range, with a full-length-grip, duty-/service-sized pistol. (Some double-column-mag pistols, that also have a long reach to the trigger, however, can be a bit much, as I have medium-length index fingers.)

 

[Skylerbone]

@CDW4ME,

I simply gave examples of why I may not carry a G19. I gave you the same justification for a caliber larger than your personal choice so you could consider whether it’s just your feelings about 9mm compared to say .38+P or whether there’s truly any significant difference. How about .38 Super in a 1911 with extended magazine.

I am not, however, so arrogant and self righteous that I feel compelled to tell someone that if they aren't doing things the way I do that they're wrong.

Again with the Signature Line: I’m expressing fact. Someone’s preference can be wrong as in the “gangster hold” used in my example pictures. Not conducive to accuracy, control, or safety. Kleenbore expressed it well in post #44, “Sacrifice feelings if necessary, but make the point”. I understand your methodology, you’re working with people’s strengths, but I’m hoping you can see that sometimes (not always) what they perceive as a strength is what’s holding them back.

That makes me no more self-righteous or arrogant than a math teacher telling a student that 1+1 does not equal 437.

 

[CDW4ME]

@CDW4ME,

I simply gave examples of why I may not carry a G19. I gave you the same justification for a caliber larger than your personal choice so you could consider whether it’s just your feelings about 9mm compared to say .38+P or whether there’s truly any significant difference. How about .38 Super in a 1911 with extended magazine.



Again with the Signature Line: I’m expressing fact. Someone’s preference can be wrong as in the “gangster hold” used in my example pictures. Not conducive to accuracy, control, or safety. Kleenbore expressed it well in post #44, “Sacrifice feelings if necessary, but make the point”. I understand your methodology, you’re working with people’s strengths, but I’m hoping you can see that sometimes (not always) what they perceive as a strength is what’s holding them back.

That makes me no more self-righteous or arrogant than a math teacher telling a student that 1+1 does not equal 437.

The difference in 38 special +P and 9mm is capacity; For me 5 rounds is deficient regardless of where, thus Glock 19 > snub
I am not content to carry a handgun with just 5 rounds, don't have to and won't.

I don't know what you are talking about signature line? You lost me. Mine? Should I assume its mine?
"Strive to carry the handgun you would want anywhere, everywhere; forget that good area bullcrap."
Strive = try, if you can't you can't, but try to.
the handgun you would want = I didn't define it, the handgun you would want.
anywhere, everywhere forget the good area bullcrap = often people will post something like, "I usually carry a 32 but a 9mm when I feel the need" ...
In that example they prefer the 9mm (we know this because its what they carry when they feel threat level is greater) but the 32 is carried out of convenience.
Sure, the 32 is "better than nothing" but that is not a criteria that should be used by preference, not by me anyway.
I would encourage carrying the 9mm everywhere, but of course they can (and usually do) ignore the advice.