mercop
Member.
Selecting gear can be a challenge for everyone. Here is the easiest way that I have found to do it without wasting time and money. The MCS SCDU Model -
Selection – what role do you expect the piece of kit to fulfill? Are you going to use it every day? For things I will use and carry everyday I get the best I can afford. For other things I get just what I need.
Carry – for things like guns and knives the number one consideration here is comfort. If it is not comfortable you will not carry it. Too often the comfort test is only glanced over because people become so enamored with a new toy, especially if it was purchased at a good price. Base this on your normal environment, wardrobe and amount of use. Think about not only the position of carry but also the method. For example I find carrying a pistol in the appendix position very comfortable with an IWB holster, but unbearable with a belt holster.
Deployment – this is the big issue with guns, knives and lights. It is easy to shove any of these items into any pocket big enough to carry them, but this usually is does not provide an expedient way to bring them into action. Example – many people choose to carry their pistol IWB behind the strong side hip. This works pretty well when standing, but when seated behind the wheel of a car is covered with concealment garments and the fastened seatbelt I find it much slower than my appendix carry. Same goes for guns and knives carried in the small of the back. Think about how rapid your deployment would be from the physical settings and body positions you find yourself in. Can you deploy your primary tactical folder while seated? And if the answer is no, is there a secondary you can get to?
Use – do you know how to use what you are carrying? Is there a specific manual of arms for your carry pistol, and are you confident in performing that manual of arms under stress? I am sure that there are many folks out there carrying 1911s who are less than 100% proficient with the required skill set.
For things like guns, knives, and lights, one is none and two is one. If it is important enough to carry, then carry at least two.
Selection – what role do you expect the piece of kit to fulfill? Are you going to use it every day? For things I will use and carry everyday I get the best I can afford. For other things I get just what I need.
Carry – for things like guns and knives the number one consideration here is comfort. If it is not comfortable you will not carry it. Too often the comfort test is only glanced over because people become so enamored with a new toy, especially if it was purchased at a good price. Base this on your normal environment, wardrobe and amount of use. Think about not only the position of carry but also the method. For example I find carrying a pistol in the appendix position very comfortable with an IWB holster, but unbearable with a belt holster.
Deployment – this is the big issue with guns, knives and lights. It is easy to shove any of these items into any pocket big enough to carry them, but this usually is does not provide an expedient way to bring them into action. Example – many people choose to carry their pistol IWB behind the strong side hip. This works pretty well when standing, but when seated behind the wheel of a car is covered with concealment garments and the fastened seatbelt I find it much slower than my appendix carry. Same goes for guns and knives carried in the small of the back. Think about how rapid your deployment would be from the physical settings and body positions you find yourself in. Can you deploy your primary tactical folder while seated? And if the answer is no, is there a secondary you can get to?
Use – do you know how to use what you are carrying? Is there a specific manual of arms for your carry pistol, and are you confident in performing that manual of arms under stress? I am sure that there are many folks out there carrying 1911s who are less than 100% proficient with the required skill set.
For things like guns, knives, and lights, one is none and two is one. If it is important enough to carry, then carry at least two.
