why do some folks carry so many different guns?

[orionengnr]

I am on board with the concept of similar actions.

My carry choice varies with my wardrobe; summer to winter in Texas can mean dramatic differences in attire.

Nonetheless, I am aware of the location of my carry piece--front pocket for the light J-frame or Kahr, 4:30 for the Glock or Para LDA.

Note that all of the above are no-safety, essentially DA type actions. No thought required, point-and-click.

Yes, the Para has the thumb safety, but I don't use it. The LDA action is very Glock-like (actually, it is a whole lot nicer).

 

[chaim]

I see no problem with switching HD or CCW platforms, but I don't think switching between different manuals of arms is a good idea.

I'm a big 1911 fan (and CZ fan, which uses a 1911 style safety), I'm a big revolver fan. So, in the past my plan was to train with the 1911 safety and use guns that either work like the 1911, revolvers, or DAO autos for defense. However, I have since changed my approach- I don't use the 1911 that much for defense anymore (just for fun) so I'm not really wedded to the 1911 style safety and I like the speed of not needing to bother with a safety. So now I go with DAO autos, DA/SA with the safety not engaged or revolvers- just point and shoot.

 

[SquirrelNuts]

I used to switch back and forth lightly. I would normally carry a G17, G26, and Raven P25 in my pocket. I would from time to time switch to a 1911. I have been known to carry five handguns before just as a challenge. After my shooting in August of last year, I have been consistent with everything I will carry. This is not to say I won't shoot other things, but I always carry the same thing. During the shooting, I do not recall removing the safety from the shotgun. It just "happened." I had practiced this and I reverted back to that practice. I got tunnel vision and temporarily lost my hearing (not from the shots though). I never heard one shot fired. Someone even rushed outside and tried talking to me (yelling) and I could not hear her.

That shooting did greatly change the way I think about firearms for self defense. I could go on and on about the way my thoughts changed, but I will stop with two. 1) Use enough gun, even if the cost is more - it may save your life. That shotgun has paid for itself a million times over. 2) Be consistent with my carry. Again, I don't remember removing the safety due to practice. If I had a different shotgun, I may have been trying to remove a non-existant safety.

-Robert

 

[roo_ster]

Different tools for different jobs.

If I can manage a cover garment, a 1911 is at 0400 in an IWB.

If no cover garment, likely I will tote a snubby in the front pocket (75% chance it is there even if JMB's baby is on my hip.).

I do have some others I carry once in a blue moon: Kel-Tec P40, KT P32, AMT DAO .45. One thing my non-1911s have in common: DAO & no safety. No TDA for me, thanks.

The completely different feel of the 1911 vs the revos & others is what my muscle memory keys on. If I draw and my hand feels "1911," my thumb comes down, swipes off the safety, and rides the safety. Every time, all the time.

I grip all my CCWs pretty high, revos highest of all.

 

[m14rick]

I wonder how many of those that switch platforms so easily have seen the elephant?

 

[Edmond]

I switch depending on situations and equipment that I have. If I'm going to be sitting in the car for a while, I'll wear my P229 on my shoulder rig because of comfort. I also use this for IDPA with my Don Hume OWB.

If I'm wearing street clothes, I'll likely carry my G30 IWB. It's easily concealed. I do not wear my G30 OWB.

If I'm in a suit, I'm likely to wear my USPc because of the comfort of the gun.

It also depends on what caliber the other guys are carrying. We do like to all stay on the same caliber.

 

[Hemicuda]

My batterey of Smitty semi-autos are all Da/Sa Decocker guns... so manual of arms is the same... (so's my Beretta Mini-Cougar 8040-f)

My Smitty 637 is different, but the grip is so different, that upon grabbing it, i instinctively know what it is, so i do not try to use the non-existant safety...

i see no problems with this system...

 

[rocky]

My 2 carry guns have similar safeties. Down for off. I planned it this way.

 

[Old NFO]

I also do the same as dakotasin. Since I'm in coat/tie 80% of the time, it's a Kahr P9, otherwise, a G26 or the Kahr in an ankle holster or a S&W J-Frame in the pocket. Same as most everyone, no safety, DAO, routinely practice will all pistols from all holsters/locations.

 

[Huntzman]

Practice !!

After my shooting in August of last year, I have been consistent with everything I will carry. This is not to say I won't shoot other things, but I always carry the same thing. During the shooting, I do not recall removing the safety from the shotgun. It just "happened." I had practiced this and I reverted back to that practice.

SN, glad that the good Lord was smiling down on you !! And you hit the nail on the head. When it happens, it happens so fast that your going from rote memory. The last thing in the world you want to be thinking of is where your gun is and what type it is.

Yes, I understand all the arguments, style, choices, temperature, attire, yada yada yada.... Real world truth - that potential gun fight is going to be clocked at Olympic Speed Skating time. That 1/100 of a second might mean DEAD.

I carried for over twenty years in harms way. My gun is where it is 100% of the time. If the weather changes, I adapt my wardrobe. The only change is when I carried a backup revolver. Trust me, the last thing you want to do in a gunfight is grab the empty hip where you wore your P226 last night, cause your PPK is in a shoulder holster.... Game over you lose.

 

[earthworm]

Why do you have so many different clothes in your closet or tools in your toolbox?

 

[JohnBT]

"I wonder how many of those that switch platforms so easily have seen the elephant?"

Only at the zoo.

Got one little-pocket gun(no safety), one medium-pocket gun(no safety) and one big belt gun(with a safety.) If that big SA auto would fit in my pocket I'd go with it 24/7.

John

 

[gt3944]

I always carry my Taurus pt145, it has an external safety and it is also equiped with a trigger safety, in other words it wont fire without pulling the trigger..cuts down on accidental firings..

 

[MM]

If you get confused, you need to be with-out.
I carry at least 6 different handguns, one or two at a time and have never been confused as to the manual of arms for any or either.
You owe it to those with whom you share air to know what you're about with any weapon you choose to carry.
SatCong

 

[tellner]

I've never had any trouble on the range. When the effluent hits the air circulation device Murphy's Law rules. The famous "cop dies looking for coffee can to drop his brass in" isn't just speculation. Best to eliminate all the opportunities for screw ups that you can beforehand.

 

[ThreadKiller]

Occasionally I'll shoot with my brother at one of our informal shoots where we invent games and scenarios. He's a 1911 guy. I'm a Sig guy. We'll swap guns occasionally just for grins.

Inevitably, when I'm pushing myself for speed, the 1911 will go off just a tad prematurely as my muscle memory is telling me to take up the Sig's trigger slack.

There's a whole lot more to consider than whether or not there's a safety involved.

K.I.S.S.

 

[Sir Aardvark]

I'm allowed to carry only 3 guns using my California CCW.

Usually it's a choice between 2 of them, and then it depends on what I'm wearing......

If I need to 'Pocket Carry' then I have my S&W 340PD in a safariland pocket holster; usually I do this while wearing shorts and a T-shirt. Sometimes (when I feel like wearing a T-shirt instead of a button-down shirt) I also carry this IWB in a Milt Sparks Summer Special II if I'm wearing blue jeans and a T-shirt - it is nearly invisible this way.

Most often, I carry my SIG 229 IWB with pants and a button-down shirt. T-shirts don't cut it with the SIG - it prints too easy.

As another option, I can carry my Glock 30 IWB, same as the SIG.

What my guns have in common is that I can draw and pull the trigger - no safeties to worry about. Of course the trigger on the Glock is a little bit light when compared to my double-action options, but that's why I practice a lot.

 

[pete f]

I carry one of four guns all the same type, based on 1911's. In the cold i carry a p13 para ord. more ammo. and i am wearing heavy clothes to cover it . summer either a colt commander or a p 12 paraord. all of these are in a thumb snap owb some are paddles some are belt, but it depends on the days work. (if i have to go to the court house to file stuff then i take the paddle holster for the carry and often carry the p 12 in a exec planner, and then lock that in the locker at the checkin door.)

dress up in a suit i carry a 6-45 in shoulder holster. no one can see it and no one but me knows it is there. If i wear it under the dress shirt, i can even take my coat off to dance.

 

[Strings]

I'll admit, when the law passes here (WI), I'll be a "multi-platform guy". Smith 19 lives in the vest, 1911 or Beretta 92 IWB at roughly 3:30. If I want to go for bear (and I've worn this around the house, just once for grins), I can add a Taurus 850 forward cant crossdraw at 10:00, a Seacamp .32 in the right front pocket, and a Colt Mustang on the ankle. But the standard is .357 in vest (always accessable, even with jacket zipped) and autoloader IWB...

I also spend a LOT of time practicing draws: gotten to the point the exact same thumb movement swipes the safety on the 1911 and the Beretta. The muscle memory (for me) keys off where I'm reaching (and yes, my brain DOES seem to know to reach for the vest pocket if my jacket's closed)...

 

[Jeff22]

multiple weapon types for CCW?

In general, it's probably a bad idea to switch around between weapon types too much.

That being said, I do it myself. I think it depends on how often and how regularly you practice with whatever you choose to carry.

"They" always say "Beware the man with only one gun".

In my experience, the guy who has only one gun usually has only one gun because he isn't that interested in guns, and he doesn't practice with that one EITHER. That isn't ALWAYS true, but it is often true.

I wouldn't say there is any need to go out and buy a whole bunch of different guns of different function types for "social" use BUT if you happen to have a bunch of different guns already, IF you practice in a structured way on a REGULAR basis, you can probably get away with it.

We do all strive for a simple life and so lately I have limited the variety of guns that I carry. I'm issued a Sig 226R-DAK in .40 cal by the PD. I usually carry a Kahr P9 in 9mm off duty, but sometimes carry a Glock 19 or S&W 60 (3 inch heavy barrel) in .38 Special. The PD currently mandates that backup guns have to be a Sig product, in my case a P230 in .380. I also have a Walther PPK I wear on social occassions . . .

When shooting IPSC or IDPA matches, I usually shoot the Sig, although the last couple matches I've been shooting the Glock 19 for variety.

I usually find a practice session of 150 to 200 rounds with any particular gun gets me "hooked up" again.

 

[Tokugawa]

I am not sure, since there is no poll, but it seems like the BTDT folks favor the single platform idea. So what are the functionable variables?
revolver- single or double action, with and without exposed hammer, methods of cylinder release, number of rounds.

Auto loader- single action, sa- da, dao, safety or decocker, or no safety, safety- up or down to release,slide or frame mount trigger pull -light or heavy, squeeze cocker, no cock, half cock, or cocked and locked, mag release- push button on left, lever on left, heel release, this is getting to be a long list with no end in sight.

 

[Thin Black Line]

"I don't think anybody is going to have a problem at the range shooting pop cans or paper. It's when stressed to the limit and you have tunnel vision and your fine motor skills are gone that the one gun starts making sense."

+1. Or, it's at 3am and you're still groggy. Or, it's raining or snowing
or -10 outside ("gee, it's crappy out here compared to the last time
when I went to the range when it was warm, sunny, and there was
no wind...wow, the bad guy picked a bad day for me.").

Then again, maybe people have their rain day pistol, their snow day
pistol....

 

[insidious_calm]

I guess I'm a multi-gun guy. Carry piece and method are determined by where I'm going, what I'm wearing, and what I'm doing. I prefer my Para p-14, but will carry a G26 if I have to. 9 times out of 10 if I'm wearing the Para the glock is on my ankle in an Alessi holster(Thx Mas for the recomend ). Let's face it, 15 rounds of .45 feels better in my hand than 11 rounds of 9mm, but sometimes I just can't conceal the big Para because of clothing concerns.

As for the safety, my first hangun was a Ruger P-85. I still have it. It has a thumb safety similar to a 1911. A thumb sweep is part of my drawstroke. I find I do it even when drawing a glock and it hasn't caused me a problem yet. Personally, how a gun 'feels' in my hand is more important than it's safety. If it doesn't feel like a natural extension of my hand I won't own it or carry it. That's why I won't own a berretta 92. I think you're better off getting a gun that's comfortable in your hand. If it feels awkward you may never get proficient regardless of training. If it feels natural you'll naturally be good with it. 2 cents.


I.C.

 

[thorazine]

why do some folks carry so many different guns?

To be fasionably correct one must match their clothing and accessories with their holster and gun.

 

[wjustinen]

Gunner

1911 worked for me from 56 below to 100+ above zero. Adjusted the clothing to suit.

"As for you, be calm and cool and steady, accept and suffer unflinchingly every hardship..." 2 Timothy 4:5