What WON'T you carry and why?

Styx said:
What's the maximum weight you'll carry when it comes to handguns?
Click to expand...

There is no specific weight for me. Days away from 60 now, the maximum weight is whatever doesn't cause me to have to deal with discomfort/pain due to the constant weight.

Not that I'm an invalid, mind you, but I'm not living in the body of a twenty-something anymore. For example, I moved my wallet from my left rear pocket to my front right pocket a few years back because apparently my body has decided it would like not to have to continue sitting on it for years more.

Up until a couple years ago, I consistently carried a full sized Colt 1991A1. I carry a Walther CCP M2+ in 9mm these days, and it's significantly more comfortable weight-wise to carry. Would I carry my 1991A1 again? In a heartbeat! Other than the weight, I find it an exceptionally comfortable gun to carry.
 
Styx said:
What's the maximum weight you'll carry when it comes to handguns?
Click to expand...
That's a good question.

I actually put some of my handguns on a postal scale recently and took really dark pictures that are impossible to read. I wont post them here as they need to be retaken. I ultimately am really accurate with my previously mentioned Ruger LC9s Pro and Glock 43X. I have 20rd mags for my 43X.

My internal debate is... why carry an overly heavy steel framed 9mm handgun when I can carry a significantly lighter weight handgun that I shoot well with and has the same capacity?

I previously owned a Beretta 92FS that I sold off. It was accurate and reliable, but heavy. At the end of the day I was glad to take it off and switch to a light weight polymer pistol. I also previously owned a steel frame Witness 10mm pistol that was another HEAVY pistol.

I don't find my 1911's or FN Hi Powers all that heavy to carry.

Guns that I currently own that I find that are too heavy for EDC:
My CZ 75 SP01 Tactical - it's reliable, it's crazy accurate, it has a 19 or 20rd mag, but dang is it heavy. It's a keeper for now, though.
CZ 75 SP-01 Tactical 2.jpg

My Rex Arex Zero 1 - it's reliable, with practice, I can hit with it. But it's also kind of heavy. I'm probably going to sell it off as I like the CZ more.
Rex Zero 1 b.JPG

Revolvers - I have a Ruger Redhawk 45 Colt / 45 ACP that I rarely shoot or carry. I leave it in the safe and forget about it.
I do like shooting SA 45 Colt Revolvers and that's why I haven't sold this one off yet.
Redhawk 45.jpg
 
I started out only being comfortable carrying very small lightweight pistols and revolvers like 380 mouse guns, polymer single stacks, and J-frame subnose size revolvers. My first handgun was a G26, and I remember thinking that it was huge brick. Now a G26 looks small to me.

Now, it's more of a size thing, and weight doesn't really matter. I won't carry a G19 size and thickness or larger pistol, but I have absolutely no problem carrying an all steel Officer size 1911, stainless frame Kahrs, steel frame subnose (model 60, 640, etc), and the like over the lighter weight options. I also EDC a 686+ 2.5" that is very comfortable for me. Weight is only an issue for ankle, pocket carry, or IWB drawstring (sweat pants basketball shorts) carried handguns and not a non concern for my typically method of carry, which is leather OWB pancake holster with gun belt.
 
Last edited:
staccato2011.com

Staccato C2

Redefining the compact carry gun. With double-stack capacity and unprecedented accuracy, the C2 allows shooters to push...
staccato2011.com staccato2011.com

I really like the Staccato 2011 and the compact model is just so nice and cool! But I would find it hard to use it as a carry.

Positives:
Capacity 15-16 9mm
Weight
Build quality
Accuracy

Negatives:
Manual safety
Full size grip
Price

The price is the primary reason I would not carry it. If you use a firearm to defend yourself it will be collected by law enforcement.
A Glock 19 has the same capacity, but cost around 20% of the Staccato.
 
Styx said:
I started out only being comfortable carrying very small lightweight pistols and revolvers like 380 mouse guns, polymer single stacks, and J-frame subnose size revolvers. My first handgun was a G26, and I remember thinking that it was huge brick. Now a G26 looks small to me.

Now, it's more of a size thing, and weight doesn't really matter. I won't carry a G19 size and thickness or larger pistol, but I have absolutely no problem carrying an all steel Officer size 1911, stainless frame Kahrs, steel frame subnose (model 60, 640, etc), and the like over the lighter weight options. I also EDC a 686+ 2.5" that is very comfortable for me. Weight is only an issue for ankle, pocket carry, or IWB drawstring (sweat pants basketball shorts) carried handguns and not a non concern for my typically method of carry, which is leather OWB pancake holster with gun belt.
Click to expand...

Nice guns. I've shot a bunch of 686's in the past and always liked them. A friend of mine stored his guns with me about a year or 2 ago while working as a traveling nurse. One of which was a 686+. What a nice shooting gun and I really should own 1 by now. I have a pair of Ruger Security Six revolvers that I will carry during Deer Season.

Ruger Security Six with holsters.jpg


I've always liked Kahr pistols but never owned one. I mostly carry either OWB or pocket. I have a few IWB holsters but find them uncomfortable.

In the past I've tried a couple different guns thinking they would replace my Ruger LC9s Pro. Previously a Sig P365 and most recently a Glock 43. Turns out I don't care for either of them. The Sig was sold off during Covid. I still have the Glock 43 but will probably get rid of it.

My Glock 43X replaced a G26, 3 G19's, and a PSA Dagger. I'm still holding on to them though.
Glock 43X Final.jpg
 
redneck2 said:
I’m not sure it’s the appropriate background. I’m leaning towards a much warmer environment
Click to expand...

WisBorn said:
staccato2011.com

Staccato C2

Redefining the compact carry gun. With double-stack capacity and unprecedented accuracy, the C2 allows shooters to push...
staccato2011.com staccato2011.com

I really like the Staccato 2011 and the compact model is just so nice and cool! But I would find it hard to use it as a carry.

Positives:
Capacity 15-16 9mm
Weight
Build quality
Accuracy

Negatives:
Manual safety
Full size grip
Price

The price is the primary reason I would not carry it. If you use a firearm to defend yourself it will be collected by law enforcement.
A Glock 19 has the same capacity, but cost around 20% of the Staccato.
Click to expand...

We just got one in the shop, I'd say the biggest negative is the overly aggressive pattern on the grip, and that while other options are available aftermarket, they cost as much as some guns.
 
Im not opposed to using anything I have, if it was all I had, Id do my best to make do. What I don't "normally" do is, I don't carry back up guns as a primary, and my back ups are often bigger than a lot of people's primary guns. These days, 9mm is the smallest caliber I carry and capacity is a thing. Full sized handguns arent "big", don't weigh all that much, arent hard to conceal and carry, and are the easiest to shoot well with across the board.

As far as expense goes, I wont dump a bunch of money into "one" gun, when that same money will buy me five of something else that's just as reliable and shootable, so I have duplicate practice and back ups to what I carry, along with accessories. I won't be stuck with just one gun.

Now, if you can do that with the high end guns, more power to you. I just don't understand blowing the wad on just one, when there are plenty of serviceable guns out there that don't cost an arm and a leg and work just as well, and in some cases, better. If you're going to buy "just one", then buy the cheap one and a ton of ammo to burn up in practice. Youll be way ahead in the long run.
 
I can't carry heavy steel guns anymore.
Has nothing to do with being old and sore, but if I try to carry something heavy, I can't keep my pants up.
Somewhere along the way, my butt moved into my belly and instead of holding my pants up, they get pushed down.
I know I could tighten my belt until my feet go numb, but it's easier to just carry a lighter gun.
 
Much as I enjoy my vintage revolvers many of them are too heavy, bulky, or impractical to carry anywhere except around home and/or possibly the range.
The smallest I have is a Wells- Fargo pocket but it is cap & ball (percussion) so not really viable for means of s.d. applications.
Derringers/vest could be the way to go and you would only need 1 or 2 well placed shots.
[FBI statistics show you don't need a 24 round semi-auto for most shooting s.d. situations. of course there may be those who would say otherwise lol]
 
docwharden1881 said:
Much as I enjoy my vintage revolvers many of them are too heavy, bulky, or impractical to carry anywhere except around home and/or possibly the range.
The smallest I have is a Wells- Fargo pocket but it is cap & ball (percussion) so not really viable for means of s.d. applications.
Derringers/vest could be the way to go and you would only need 1 or 2 well placed shots.
[FBI statistics show you don't need a 24 round semi-auto for most shooting s.d. situations. of course there may be those who would say otherwise lol]
Click to expand...
Many many good points!
 
To make my carry list a gun has to have 500 rounds through it without a problem. I have 2 22 LR that have passed this. But one took a trip back to the factory before that happened. But about the only time I carry a 22 is working in the yard going to mail box etc. Glocks are my carry guns. As far as common name brand guns I absolutely will not carry a Taurus automatic never seen one that I could rely on. I trust Hi-point far more than Taurus automatics they may be ugly blocky and cheap but they g bang every time you pull the trigger and are half way accurate
 
Anything with less-than-service-caliber terminal ballistics; anything with which I cannot perform usual defensive drills with some proficiency; anything with a trigger pull too short or light for safety if there is no grip safety; anything too large or too heavy to carry concealed all day.

The second one will dictate maximum trigger pull weight, max recoil, and minimum capacity, and it all mitigate against tiny pocket guns.
 
Well, certainly not a phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range as it's far too bulky to conceal, and the recharge time is sub-ideal.

My old XP-100 was unsuited for "carry" as it had wonky dimensions, and single shots of .308 not an ideal for "carry use" per se.

As a notional sort of envelope, probably nothing with a bore over 11.5mm, any dimensions greater than 16-17cm, and anything much over 0.75kg (roundish numbers, 0.45"; 6"-7" and 25-26 ounces), and, like as not only conventional cased rounds using smokeless powder for propellant.
 
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