Weight--How Important to You?

[BerettaNut92]

How important is the weight of a gun to you?

For long guns I prefer lighter, since even though I'm small I can take recoil pretty well, but am not that strong, so lighter is good. That said, I have an M1A because I'm in California. I can't hold it on low ready that long but strangely can shoot offhand okay with it.

For pistols I used to like them as heavy as possible because of competition, but since I got my CCW that may change. A lighter pistol may be better for carry (esp if I plan to have two extra mags and a BUG) but not always easier to shoot with.

I guess even if I prefer lighter I seem to deal with the weight because I go with a certain weapon, and weight isn't the top priority for me. If I can shoot it better--say a Beretta 92 vs a .38 snub, then I get the bigger one and dress around it.

You?

 

[Baba Louie]

You nailed it Skunk.

Depends on the venue of course...

Still hunting is one thing. Climbing mountains is another, CCW is one thing, home defense a whole 'nuther ball of wax and handgun hunting another still.

Thats why you've gotta own one or two of every kind tho, right?

Shotguns... HD, Duck blinds and Upland, Skeet and Trap

Rifles... SHTF, Deer, Varmints, Plinkers

I'd say once you got around 20 various makes, style and models... you're just about serious to begin your collection

Daily carry, light is best, tho. Doncha think?

Adios

 

[keithernTN]

For me lighter is better when it comes to CCW. I want to carry at all times when legal, and I don't want to suffer while I'm doing it.

 

[Smoke]

Weight has never played a major point in my weapon of choice. I do gravitate towards heavier weapons but mainly due to my choice of the 1911 platform.

I prefer full size double stacks. But they are hard to conceal. I carry a steel Springfield Champion, and an aluminum framed Kimber Ultra carry.

I will concede the ligher gun is more comfortable to carry but I still prefer the largest gun I can conceal.

 

[FJC]

I've found that weight is important to me for pocket pistols, but that if I'm carrying a pistol on a good belt it doesn't matter much.

I can seem to carry an all-steel Commander just as easily as a lightweight Colt Defender in a Sparks VM2.

 

[KMKeller]

Skunk

I carried a light gun (HK USP .45c) forever, then switched to a heavy gun (Sig P220 ST). I prefer the heavier gun and find that selecting a holster with broad or separate belt attachment points greatly mitigates the weight of the pistol. A proper holster can make all the difference in the world.

 

[davidtdm]

What about the method of carry. (when ccw'ing)? I cary a Kimber Pro Cary HD and depending on the rig it's in has a lot to do with the how I "feel the weight" But then again i find that heavy doesn't bother me. It's the little ones i worry about. I got a Tomcat for a BUG recently and I keep having to remind my self NOT to keeping checking to see if it is still there.

My first long gun was a Mauser so anything else I tend to use has no "fatigue" factor. I will state I have not been hunting yet. When I start doing that I don't think the Mauser wil be going with me

HD: Shot gun all the way. I have a Beneli Nova (Man I love that thin) It is the perfect size and weight for my apartment (small apartment)

...Dave

 

[TonyB]

I carry an SP101 2.25in.For a snubby it's on the heavy side...but I want to shoot it alot....sometimes w/ 357's.I got used to the weight of it.
OTOH,I tried to carry my Taurus pt99(Baretta wanna be)and it seemed HUGE.....probably wrong holster(i was using my IDPA kydex holster).I carried my Glock 17 the other day and it didn't seem bad at all.I think it actually weighs less than my SP.

 

[RandyB]

I tend to go to the heavier weapons. Grew up shooting muzzleloaders (not the new fangled jobs) and go used to a lot of weight quick climbing the hills here in S. Indiana. I also like for guns to be durable. Of course my current pocket gun is a kel-tec .32......

 

[Lennyjoe]

The only time I became worried about weight was when I got my CCW.

Rifles and shotguns arnt a big deal weight wise for me.

That was until I lifted my stepfathers old spanish 10 guage double barrel shotgun. That dawg is heavy.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Even my pre-agreement Smith & Wesson model 60 feels heavy after I've been carrying it a few hours, and my model 1911 is now out of the question due to back troubles. Curiously, I prefer fairly heavy .22 caliber match pistols and revolvers for target shooting.

 

[BerettaNut92]

I looked up the Benelli Nova specs a while ago and seems to be the same weight as the Super 90...I couldn't figure it out because it felt lighter...maybe because the plastic frame so I thought 'lighter' in my head??

My USP45C was lighter but I didin't feel confident with it...my Beretta I feel pretty good with, I'll probably carry a second one to balance it out on my belt

 

[Billy Sparks]

Weight is very important depending on your carry method and qualitity of belt. I stainless steel snub nose will not work for pocket carry...unless you are aiming for the sagging effect of fashion.

 

[Kinsman]

Weight is not that important.
I have an M1A.....because it is a fine rifle.
I conceal a .45 cal ruger P90 and sometimes open carry a .44 blackhawk with a long barrel.

Skunk, I just checked out yr music stuff....nice. 'Specially your Dad's (?) bass. Beautiful. When you come up here for an elk hunt-BBQ-pickfest, bring the banjo. I'll have 6-strings and my bass.....and plenty ammo.

 

[Chupacabra]

Weight isn't that important to me when carrying concealed. I really can't tell the difference between a fully loaded 1911 and my compact USP. That says a lot about having a good holster IMO.

 

[brian0128]

I carried a spingfield ultra compcact for a while, and while not being that heavy, switching to the glock is much more comfortable for daily carry.

 

[mainmech48]

For everday CCW, which I do, I've come to value how the particular pistol handles for me over either relative weight or sheer physical dimensions.

If it points naturally, balances well, has a control layout that is easily manipulated with either hand, and is absolutely functionally reliable, weight isn't an issue. How well I can shoot it quickly and accurately is the deciding factor.

For me the ones that work best tend to be relatively massy for their size. My most frequent primaries are a Springfield Champion, a Para C7.45 LDA, and a Star M43 "Firestar" in 9x19.

All are "compact" to one degree or another, and near the upper end of the size/weight ratio of their class. I've tried a lot of alternatives where the main attraction was less mass for the relative size, but have generally found the few ounces of reduction in total weight not worth the difference in how quickly and effectively I can engage multiple targets. Mostly a "training" issue, perhaps, but I have some limitations and these work for me NOW.

 

[Erik]

I shoot heavier pistols better. Subsequently, I carry them.

I shoot "standard" rifles better. Again, subsequently, that's what I find myself afield with.

(If ever there is a change one way or the other, I'll change my preferences along with it, I imagine.)

 

[only1asterisk]

Weight doesn't factor into my handgun choices. I figure I can stand to loose a few pounds rather than shave a couple of ounces from my guns.

David

 

[Oracle]

I prefer a lighter gun, it's much easier to carry all day long, every day that it's possible for me to carry. That's why I carry a Glock 26. Light, and easily concealed. I practice enough with it that I can fire it accurately, but 9mm recoil isn't bad even in light guns.

 

[HBK]

I've owned about 10 different handguns, maybe more. The ones that I stuck with are the Walther P-99 and the PPK/S, althought the Sig P220 or whatever may be more efficient now. I like the P-99 just because it feels like it was designed for me. The PPK/S is great for summer carry, I just slip it in a pocket (in a pocket holster of course) and go.

 

[faustulus]

I think weight is always a consideration.

As you said it depends on the application.
I want my match guns to be heavy, my carry guns to be light and my porridge to be just right.

 

[DDGator]

For CCW, generally the lighter the better. BUT, weight sure can make a small gun more shootable. I don't mind .38 +Ps out of my 15 oz. airweight, but its darn snappy in a 10.8 oz. airlight. And lets not even talk about .357 Magnum in a 12 oz. gun!

 

[jthuang]

My preferred method of CCW is pocket carry so weight is critical. Too heavy and it won't work. Current carry gun is a S&W M342 AirLite Ti (purchased prior to the HUD agreement).

If I were to wear a handgun on my belt, it is less of a concern. A good solid belt will take care of almost any reasonably-sized handgun. I use a Kramer double-thickness horsehide 1.25" belt for those occasions. Got one in brown and one in black to match my shoes.

 

[.45Ruger]

When I carry with a belt holster is't an XD40 and pocket carry is XD9 Subcompact. I'm comfortable either way and the wieght on both guns is fairly similar.