Your carry progression?

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I'm on the 'getting smaller' path as well.

PT145 -> P11 -> PF9 -> LCP

Looking for a NAA Mini as well, but not as a primary.

These are everyday carry...special circumstances result in different options...like camping gets the P11 (like having 23 rounds of 9mm in such a small package), but am also working on getting an SP-101 for another option.

I also just picked up a J-frame, but haven't gotten to test it out yet, so it haven't been evaluated fully for its role.
 
The only changes I've made are to change and add holsters to be able to carry more firearms, more effectively.

I started with a Fobus paddle holster for my M1911 and a belt slide for my Glock 19 and Glock 22. I never wear cover garments in warm weather, and VERY rarely untucked shirts, so they were only appropriate between late fall and early spring. I had these before I got my Ohio CHL last year.

No matter what I did, the muzzle of the Glock 22 showed while carried in the belt slide. I ended up giving it to my boss for his XD9.

The day I picked up my CHL, I bought a Desantis Nemesis for my S&W Model 36 and a Bianchi IWB for the Glock 19. The Nemesis has worked great and I use it whenever I'm going to need to disarm frequently (Post Office, restaurants with liquor licenses, etc.) The Bianchi was a disaster. It's not reinforced at the mouth, so it's VERY hard to holster when on my belt. I was so concerned that I might accidentally pull the trigger while fighting to holster, that I stopped using it after a couple of days. I replaced it with a Don Hume 715M IWB.

I liked the Hume IWB so much that I bought similar holsters for every gun I carry, except for the Model 36.
 
Been carrying everyday for about 5 years now. I was living in Memphis during this time and always thought the way my CCW "evolved" while living there was somewhat funny.

Started out with a Ruger SP101 .357, loaded with 145 gr. Winchester Silvertips, carried in a Milt Sparks VersaMaxII. I love this gun and still carry it from time to time. It wasn't long though and I started to feel a little underprepared with just 5 rounds and a less than speedy re-load. Now I do believe this was, and is, an excellent carry gun. I just began to feel like the chances of facing more than one, or maybe even more than two attackers wasn't that far fetched. I decided to up my capacity and switched to a Springfield-Armory XD9 sub-compact. This weapon was loaded with Winchester Rangers and concealed in another Milt Sparks holster, but this time in the Watch-Six model. With this set up I had 11 rounds of 9mm on tap, with another 16 round mag on my belt. Now this I'm sure was an adequate combo. I was well trained and practiced, and spent alot of time taking defensive pistol classes. It was a daily occurence though to hear about assaults and murders on the news and I had several friends become victims of violent crime. At this point it was probably more of a psychological upgrade than anything, but I felt the need for a larger caliber. Bought my first 1911, a Springfield Armory full-size stainless loaded model, and I've never looked back. I love this gun and have carried it nearly everyday since I bought it in a Milt Sparks (yes, I'm a fan) Summer Special II loaded with 230 gr. Remington Golden Sabers. I've had a little trigger work done and a few other changes since then. It's incredibly reliable and accurate and IMHO one of the finest CCW platforms avaliable. This gun served me well while living in the city and I was very very thankful I had it on a number of occasions. I did finally make what I believe was the finest "progression" possible though and moved away from Memphis. ;) Still pack the 1911 everyday, though thankfully I feel like the chances of me having to use it have dropped considerably!!

-Kevin
 
I carried illegally for over 10 years with a .25ACP, little cheap RG zinc gun that was reliable if inaccurate. It was small, it was cheap if I had to ditch it, and so it fit the need. It saved me once, too, without having to shoot.

Then, I got an NAA .22 mini, 1 5/8 inch in long rifle, folding holster grip. I carried that about 10 years and got a little Grendel P12 .380ACP (that I still have) that saw some rear pocket duty until 1996 when the CCW law was passed. I immediately traded a P95 for a Taurus 85SSUL and bought a Kel Tec P11 as I was waiting on my CCW license to come in. I'd played with carrying IWB around the house. While I bought an IWB for the Kel Tec and a Ruger P90, I quickly found that larger pocket pants and jeans would handle pocket carry with the P11 and even the revolver.

So, you see, I have carried big guns IWB, but my progression was from the smallest guns I could get before it was legal to carry and up to the little Taurus and Kel Tecs when the new carry laws came along. I probably would have bought that little P11 anyway as a part time carry when it came out along about the same time as carry became legal. But, I probably wouldn't have carried it all that often in preference to smaller guns that are harder to detect.
 
I started with a used Glock 19 that would not shoot to point of aim to save my life. But it was the only gun I had. I replaced it with a Kahr P9, which was traded in because I didn't like the multiple failures it had (Although to be fair to Kahr, they all occurred within Kahr's stated 400 round break-in period) and because for a low-capacity 9mm I thought it kicked like a mule. Bought a Ruger SP101 which was traded in because it was difficult to carry and the Crimson Trace grips, though I loved them dearly, made it stick to my shirts. Along the way, I bought a S&W 642 that I still carry when my dress is restricted in some way. Traded the Ruger for a S&W M&P .40, which I carry pretty much everywhere now. It's not as concealable, but the capacity and power is greater, and it's fantastically accurate and ergonomic. Now I want an M&P compact.
 
Depending on the temp, and situation, I carry my S&WMod60, Franken1911, Star BM, Arcus 98 or PM63. Though the Arcus replaced my KBI HiPower, and the PM63 replaced my CZ50 this year. With as much time as i spend in Schools, I don't carry 100%, but the PM63 is always in the truck if it's not IWB
 
I started with a Browning Hi-Power with military sights. I stayed with it. Why tamper with perfection? :evil:
 
Done this many times in the past, but what the hey - I'll see if I can remember:

Since 1996 (and yes Gawd help me, I had a Glock nut phase)....
1. Glock 21, .45 acp
2. Glock 27, .40 s&w
3. Glock 29, 10mm
4. Glock 30, .45 acp
5. Glock 30, in .400 Corbon
6. Glock 29, 10mm (again)
7. Kel Tec P32, .32 auto
8. Kimber Ultra Compact II, .45 acp
9. Wilson KZ45, .45 acp
10. Kimber Custom CDP II, .45 acp (wish I'd kept this one)
11. Kel Tec P380, .380 auto
12. CZ 85 Combat, 9x19mm (kept this one; glad I did)
13. Taurus Tracker 4", .45 acp
14. Taurus Mil Pro PT145, .45 acp
15. CZ 75 Compact PCR, 9x19mm
16. Kahr MK9, 9x19mm (still my primary carry)
17. Sig GSR Revolution Compact, .45 acp (kept this one, still carry some)
18. Taurus 85 SS, .38 spl (kept this one; still carry some)
19. Taurus 24/7 OSS-DS .45 acp (still carry rarely; woods carry)

Along the way at one point, I'd carry an NAA mini-rev in .22lr for backup. There were times when I carried the following just for spits -n- giggles, but they weren't carry guns, just dedicated house, pickup, office, or woods pistols that I tried on for size once or twice: CZ 75 SP01, Springfield longslide loaded, Bersa Thunder Nine, Ruger P40, Llama 1911, Glock 20.

I think the best "standard belt carry" ever was/is the CZ 75 Compact PCR, but I just don't do standard anymore - the vast majority of the time it's SmartCarry (Kahr MK9), pocket carry (Taurus 85 OR Kahr MK9), or tuckable IWB (Sig GSR revolution). The CZ just wasn't/isn't suitable for the common "no covering garment" type carry that I now do. I suppose you could try to find a custom tuckable holster for it, but it'd still print like a muthahumpa.
 
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My first carry gun was a Ruger P-95 w/ a Kramer IWB holster, about 8 years ago. When I got a bit more money I went to a Taurus Millenium PT111 in 9mm. Next to a Taurus Model 85CH. Recently I got a Taurus Model 605. I sometimes carry the PT111 or 85CH or both. After some range time with the 605 I may carry both revolvers.
 
Started out in '81 with a Sterling 22 auto, before aquiring a 6 1/2" Smith 29. Not too long after, I laid hands on a 4" 29, which has been one of the main carry's since. What a joy to carry after the 6 1/2" gun! Been some sidetracks with a 4 3/4" Colt SAA 44 spl for a couple years, and several Colt's 1911's. For my uses, the 1911's simply weren't up to the revolvers as far as functional reliabilty, flexibilty with various loads, and power for out in the hills. I never got used to waking up with it under my pillow and finding it cocked and unlocked. I also was never able to shoot an auto as well as a revolver, despite many thousands of rounds thru them. Shooting game with 230 gr ball ammo is singularly unimpressive also, compared to even medium vel SWC loads in the 44 or 45 Colt. Been some off and on flirtations with a 4" Smith 19 (nice and light to carry, but VERY LOUD, and not really comforting in grizzly country) and a Smith 24. Ruger SA's in 44 and 45 Colt get used fairly frequently when up where the bears hang out (tho no guarantee that they won't be wherever they want to be). Still have and carry the 4" 29, tho can't do it with hot loads since a hand injury years ago. SA's work fine with big loads.
 
My first was age 11 and it was a Ruger Standard .22lr
when KS got CCW I started with a 642in a blackhawk but didnt like the recoil, moved to a S&W 10-4 3" in a Galco Highrise, and then a glock in a galco cop, next came a Colt 1911 in Milt Sparks leather but couldnt find a good belt to keep it up so I went to a Ruger LCP in a Fobus. Next came a sig 232 in a leather bikini wrap, and between that and the LCP I have found the answer.
 
Springfield XD9 Sub-compact> still carrying it, I love that little gun!

I did recently buy a sig p6 with the intentions of creating a carry rotation, but i dunno...
 
Started with a Rossi 461 (.357 mag). Carried IWB on my lower back, ankle holster when at work (delivery driver, college job).

Now, with my newfound income, I've moved up to a S&W 442 (.38+P) with Crimson Trace grips. I carry in my front pocket.

It's totally worth it to splurge on the gun, and never look back.
 
Very interesting reads above... If nothing else, a newcomer might read all this and think "hmmm.... I better look into this a bit and shoot a few guns before buying". :eek:

My progression:

Way back when:
-Glock 17 gen 1, didn't carry often. Shot beautifully.
-Beretta flip-top .22LR for more discreet carry, still didn't carry often

Years later, decided to carry more:
Sold above as had little money (esp. Beretta was ammo-sensitive, tho neat little gun)
-Glock 27

Started carrying more, spent lots of time fiddling with the Glock, 357SIG barrel, sights, smithing, etc..
Finally decided I didn't like shooting .40 at all. 357SIG actually better but frustrated with size of platform.
Had young kids, wanted external safety. Wanted external safety anyway, with soft holster. Sold it.

-H&K USP45c. V1. Niice shooting. Multiple modes of carry/readiness, from condition 1 on down. Usually carried SmartCarry, sometimes C-TAC. Reliable as a hammer. About as good-looking. :)

Started to learn more about H&K. Did more minor gunsmithing. Didn't mind the crunchenticker manual of arms, but still... Always lusted after a P7M8. Then the P7 PSP police refurbs showed up!!! :D

-P7 PSP. Nearly the ideal manual of arms for me. Very elegant and well-built. Fiddled, melonited it, tritium tubes, etc. Tried various holsters, SmartCarry, Alessi CQC/S, Crossbreed Supertuck, AKJ Concealco.

Found myself wanting to pocket-carry more. Researched why I wouldn't benefit from the SW 340PD. Looked at SW, Taurus, Ruger. Charter.

-SW 442. Fantastic pocket carry. Feels pretty good to shoot for a tiny gun.

------
Nowadays, I carry one of the above:
-SW 442 in pocket holster (Mika or PCS molded leather), "go everywhere", or in SmartCarry to go running, knock around, etc.
-HK P7 in SmartCarry or AKJ Concealco if I want a fast and secure classic holster draw, more capacity, more often when I go into the big city or want something more powerful than the 442. It's a thin gun (like the 1911) and in the unique AKJ rig, it's pretty much optimal and disappears under most clothing.

For remote areas, I take the 629 carry comp. Which is the wife/home defense pistol; a work of art. :D

It's a journey. It's really a very individual choice. Not sure I'd have got where I am now without the above learning. If someone told me not to buy a Glock 18 yrs ago, or again 9 yrs ago, not sure I would've listened.
 
Started my legal days of carrying with a Kel-Tec P3AT in the front pocket. Did that for years and it was reliable enough that I bought another one as a spare. I felt it was just too "fragile" of a pistol, though, and it would break at any time. Carried my Interarms PPK/s in a Desantis pocket holster a few times, but it was too large and heavy for the same payload as the P3AT with a +1 mag extension, so I went back to the P3AT for a while. I IWB carried my G19 a bit but, living at Florida at the time, limited that a lot because it was so friggin' hot and humid all the time! Found my perfect pocket carry with a Kahr PM9 and still carry it in a JS leather pocket holster every day. Sometimes it's the primary and sometimes it's the BUG. I also carry two 6 round spares in a mag holder in the left pocket. I had a Kimber 1911 (hi cap at 13+1), but that was the house gun as I didn't have a holster for it. Now, it rides in a Crossbreed Supertuck up here in Connecticut during the winter. It's not all that heavy (polymer grip/aluminum frame), but it's bulky, so the G19 gets most of the summer IWB duty. I still carry the Kimber if it cools off a bit and the PM9 always rides up front in the pocket. P3AT and PPK/s never get carried anymore.
 
I started with a xd45 but the grip was too long and printed sometimes. I had not learned that a good holster could fix that easily yet.

Moved to a Colt Commander XSE in 38 super. Ammo was very hard to find locally though.

Picked up a Springfield Champion next. I'm a sissy though and the gun felt too heavy compared to the Colt that I had.

Bought a Taurus 605 that I loved but it didn't serve too well as a range gun as much as it did a good carry gun.

Traded the Taurus for an xd9sc. Got back to not liking it because of the width of the grip.

I then bought a J-frame 642. I love to pocket carry it in cargo shorts.

I acquired a PPK/S in .380 that I love carrying as well. now I just have to save up for an Aston Martin to go with the Walther.
 
I started with an XD45 compact which has been pretty constant over the two years I've had my permit. I've tried a bersa .380 and a Sig P232 with mixed results. For about the past year I've been using a P3AT and that has been working great but i'm looking more for a .357 mag J frame now.
 
PPK/S for 10 years plus
Now Colt LW Commander or if the situation dictates a Keltec 32 or both.
 
Not sure you could call it a progression. My first was a CZ compact in 9mm followed about a month later by a 642. I still carry both. I am thinking about a Colt new agent or DW CBOB in the future though.
 
1970's. . . .2" S&W J frame revolver (.38)
1980's. . . .3" S&W K frame revolver (.357)
1990's. . . .several different Glocks
2000--2009. . . .2" S&W J frame revolver (.357)

After years of teaching personal protection I found the gun I always seemed to have with me was a trusty revolver. I know all the arguments about fire power and reloading, but up close and personal the little revolver will do what I need. I have other choices, and I will change if the situation dictates. But I never leave home without my snubbie.
 
-Kel Tec P32 the day I got my CHL (about a year ago). I still carry it on occasion.

-S&W M60 'chief special' J-frame .357 in a Galco Holster for the past 6 months. (I love leather and SS)


My next carry piece will probably be a DW CBOB in 45acp, or 10mm if I start hand loading <---(more leather and SS! :evil: )
 
Lessee...

Pre-CCW days, open carry:

Iver Johnson Trailsman 66
Ruger Single Six
S&W Combat Masterpiece
Ruger Blackhawk .357

Pre CCW, concealed illegally:
NAA .22 LR

CCW, concealed

KelTec P-40
Kahr P9 with KelTec P3AT

CCW, open carry in the woods and on the ranch:

Ruger SS 2 3/4" Speed Six
Uberti .45 Peacemaker clone
Ruger Standard .22
KelTec P3AT always, front pocket
 
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