I am always confused by posts where people state their carry weapon is a mini revolver one day, a 1911 the next, and on thursday a glock, and a engraved Ster model 1912 for sundays. I mean, what is up with this? This sounds like they are making a style choice, not deciding on a tool to save thier life. I can distinctly remember trying to drop the mag out of my 1911 by pushing on the heel, and .trying to thumb off the safety on a P7, and this was under the "stress", if you can even call it that, of a match. So what is going to happen in a REAL stress enviroment? Years ago, I read Bianchi's book on gun leather and he emphasised using one gun, one carry style, one holster, and practice. If a duty weapon was too big for ccw, he reccomended a smaller version of the same weapon, IE, k frame to j frame. A gun collection is a fine thing, but betting your life on your ability to operate a different weapon every day under extreme duress is nuts.
why do some folks carry so many different guns?
- Thread starter Tokugawa
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That's why I don't carry my beloved 1911 any more. It has a safety that needs to be knocked down before firing (I never carried in Condition 0). If I carried a revolver then next day I'd be trying to release its nonexistent safety. And vice versa. One set of conditioned reflexes is enough under stress. Two is way too many. I chose to go with the simple point-and-click interface. This means that my Glock, Kahr and revolver are all options. Which one is a matter of what I'm wearing and doing that day.
i'm not sure why others carry so many different platforms.
i alternate between 2, and i alternate depending on conditions. my usual carry piece is a sig 229. occasionally i will swap that out for a s&w j-frame. i swap out when what i am wearing is inappropriate for the gun. eg, my suit doesn't conceal the sig very well, so i will go w/ the j-frame when wearing a suit and tie. for almost any other time, even t-shirt weather, sig 229 it is.
don't know why others switch out, but that's why i do it.
i alternate between 2, and i alternate depending on conditions. my usual carry piece is a sig 229. occasionally i will swap that out for a s&w j-frame. i swap out when what i am wearing is inappropriate for the gun. eg, my suit doesn't conceal the sig very well, so i will go w/ the j-frame when wearing a suit and tie. for almost any other time, even t-shirt weather, sig 229 it is.
don't know why others switch out, but that's why i do it.
Car Knocker
Member
Same gun, all the time, always.
larry_minn
Member
Different situations different gear. 
I have CHANGED weapon/holster over yrs. I do change between a Sigma .380 and G19/G26 for daily carry. (same type of trigger)
All the guns I have carried (except a short time with 1911) had NO safety that needed to be flicked off. (S&W 66-2, S&W 39-2, 1911, 39-2 Glocks.)
Figure reloading shouldn't be problem as I (HOPE) I have either/both (stopped the threat/gotten away/to cover)
I wouldn't care to change guns of wildly different systems. I.E. HK P7M8 to 1911, to Glock, to European type weapons, etc.
I have CHANGED weapon/holster over yrs.
I do change between a Sigma .380 and G19/G26 for daily carry. (same type of trigger) All the guns I have carried (except a short time with 1911) had NO safety that needed to be flicked off. (S&W 66-2, S&W 39-2, 1911, 39-2 Glocks.)
Figure reloading shouldn't be problem as I (HOPE) I have either/both (stopped the threat/gotten away/to cover)
I wouldn't care to change guns of wildly different systems. I.E. HK P7M8 to 1911, to Glock, to European type weapons, etc.
Langenator
Member
I do the same as dakotasin-I have two pistols, and which I carry is basically weather dependant. In cooler weather, when I'm wearing either a coat, jacket, or flannel shirt, I carry a Sig229.
When the weather warms up, I carry a Kahr K40, which I can conceal underneath a large t-shirt. Can't do that with the Sig.
When the weather warms up, I carry a Kahr K40, which I can conceal underneath a large t-shirt. Can't do that with the Sig.
browningguy
Member
Well I normally carry one of my .40 cal. High Powers. However sometimes I just can't carry them because of clothing or activity, so then to plan B. Either a Beretta mod. 21 (which can be carried cocked and locked like the Brownings), or a Bersa .380.
In my case it's just not always possible to carry the same pistol.
In my case it's just not always possible to carry the same pistol.
JMusic
member
My choices are due to dress and location. I use several weapons but their operation is very simular. I agree with Biker if you can eliminate the safety differences you are probably OK. You are probably better off only carrying one weapon, but do you only drive one car? You can become very familiar with more than one weapon. Key is realizing the need.
Jim
Jim
I have always kept my off duty weapon as similar to the duty weapon as possible.
Duty ..................................Off Duty
SW Model 65/66..........................Colt Agent
Beretta 92F................................SW 3914
SW 5906....................................SW 3914
Glock 21.....................................Glock 36
Kimber Warrior.............................Colt Officers Model ACP
I also keep my duty belt for uniform patrol and tactical operations as close as possible in layout. I don't want to reach for cuffs and come up with a flashlight. Holsters are a Safariland 6280 for patrol and 6004 for tactical operations. Both utilize the same SLS hood retention system.
Jeff
Duty ..................................Off Duty
SW Model 65/66..........................Colt Agent
Beretta 92F................................SW 3914
SW 5906....................................SW 3914
Glock 21.....................................Glock 36
Kimber Warrior.............................Colt Officers Model ACP
I also keep my duty belt for uniform patrol and tactical operations as close as possible in layout. I don't want to reach for cuffs and come up with a flashlight. Holsters are a Safariland 6280 for patrol and 6004 for tactical operations. Both utilize the same SLS hood retention system.
Jeff
cslinger
Member
My rule is I will not use a gun with any external safeties for SD. No 1911s, etc.
9 out of 10 I carry either a TDA SIG or a small revolver. I practice with both and either simply require me to pull the trigger.
Chris
9 out of 10 I carry either a TDA SIG or a small revolver. I practice with both and either simply require me to pull the trigger.
Chris
I carry both pistols and revolvers at times. The autos are similar as are the revolvers only different brands. At the range I always shoot 4 or 5 different handguns each time. While sticking to one gun only may have some merit I'm completely familiar with any gun I may carry at a given time and trust myself enough to use each in the right manner at all times.
90% of the time it's my XD40 or new XD45ACP.
5% of the time it's my Colt Detective Special. I also use this as a gun when carrying another gun, but sometimes my attire makes anything larger a pain in the butt to deal with.
5% of the time I like to carry another gun just because I can.
Another thing is, when I broke my holster for my XDs, I had to carry my CZ 75B or go without for about a month. I simply carried it condition 2 however to replicate the manual of arms of my XD closely.
It's worth remarking all my handguns save one that's sentimental and not a CCW piece feature point and shoot operation. I leave myself no room for confusion.
5% of the time it's my Colt Detective Special. I also use this as a gun when carrying another gun, but sometimes my attire makes anything larger a pain in the butt to deal with.
5% of the time I like to carry another gun just because I can.
Another thing is, when I broke my holster for my XDs, I had to carry my CZ 75B or go without for about a month. I simply carried it condition 2 however to replicate the manual of arms of my XD closely.
It's worth remarking all my handguns save one that's sentimental and not a CCW piece feature point and shoot operation. I leave myself no room for confusion.
JohnBT
Member
I guess I don't understand what is so confusing about different controls and operating systems.
I've never had any trouble driving a stick shift, an auto, a different auto at work and a bicycle after work - all on the same day. What's the problem? I just do it and never have to take my eyes off the road to operate the lights, radio, heat/ac, etc. Now, maybe when I was 16 and had only been driving for a year it would have been a problem, but after years of practice it works just fine. To each their own I suppose.
John
I've never had any trouble driving a stick shift, an auto, a different auto at work and a bicycle after work - all on the same day. What's the problem? I just do it and never have to take my eyes off the road to operate the lights, radio, heat/ac, etc. Now, maybe when I was 16 and had only been driving for a year it would have been a problem, but after years of practice it works just fine. To each their own I suppose.
John
Another thing that I pay close attention to is the grip angle. For example, my Taurus 450 and my Glocks, along with my old Charter Arms Off Duty snubby all go to the same POA for me. Conversely, my AMT .380 Backup points low, which is why it is the last gun I pick up.
When things go bad, I like things to be as natural and snag-free as possible.
Biker
When things go bad, I like things to be as natural and snag-free as possible.
Biker
I used to switch around a lot.
Everything I owned I shot quite a bit, and I practiced with as big a variety as I could get my hands on, with no problems.
Eventually I settled on the Glock and the 1911, and I have no trouble going back and forth. The pistols feel different in my hands, reminding me whether or not I need to worry about a thumb safety.
But I can certainly agree that finding something that works and sticking to it is a good idea. When I decide to switch I shoot that pistol first, to make sure I remember, and then it is the pistol I shoot the most in the rotation.
I do not switch styles of holsters or location at all.
Reaching for something that is not there can be rather embarrassing.
Everything I owned I shot quite a bit, and I practiced with as big a variety as I could get my hands on, with no problems.
Eventually I settled on the Glock and the 1911, and I have no trouble going back and forth. The pistols feel different in my hands, reminding me whether or not I need to worry about a thumb safety.
But I can certainly agree that finding something that works and sticking to it is a good idea. When I decide to switch I shoot that pistol first, to make sure I remember, and then it is the pistol I shoot the most in the rotation.
I do not switch styles of holsters or location at all.
Reaching for something that is not there can be rather embarrassing.
I don't see how carrying a SA auto most times would be a problem when carrying a revolver or DA auto on occasion. Swiping a non-existent safety under stress won't hurt, the gun will fire either way.
OTOH carrying a DA most and an SA on occasion would cause problems of forgetting the safety.
OTOH carrying a DA most and an SA on occasion would cause problems of forgetting the safety.
I say stick with one platform....
I have a two Colt 1911's, a Combat Government for wearing when I walk around the property, and a Lightweight Officers for CCW wear. Both operate the same way.
I was a firearms instructor when I was a peace officer, and tried to explain that it is best to stick with the same platform, so one doesn't get confused under pressure and make a costly mistake.
I have a two Colt 1911's, a Combat Government for wearing when I walk around the property, and a Lightweight Officers for CCW wear. Both operate the same way.
I was a firearms instructor when I was a peace officer, and tried to explain that it is best to stick with the same platform, so one doesn't get confused under pressure and make a costly mistake.
I agree with the one gun theory. I carry a steel 5" or 4" 1911 all day (12 hours+), everyday, IWB, OWB, and sometimes even in a shoulder rig, depending on my attire. A good rig makes this perfectly comfortable, but, believe me, one doesn't easily forget where on one's body he is wearing a 45 oz (loaded weight) pistol. And, despite the plaintiff bleating of the Ayoobian herd, one doesn't forget to swipe his thumb safety down.
shermacman
Member
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Because its America and I can. Inside waist band, small of the back, ankle, under arm, reverse grip cross carry. Heavy .357 revolver, tiny little .32 Teltec, full service Glock 23 in triple threat holster, 1881 in a leather upper leg holster tied at above the knee. Not really a fashion thing at all. Just experience and attitude.
CAnnoneer
Member
As in all other things, training is the critical thing. If you routinely handle mutliple systems, you will probably have little problem flicking the safety even under duress. Conversely, operating even the simplest system may prove daunting if you are mentally unprepared.
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