Your Concealed Carry Evolution

[Ben86]

I went from Glock 22 with no extra mag or sometimes 1, to Glock 26 with at least 1, sometimes 2 extra mags.

So I went smaller gun, caliber, more extra ammo. I'm not sure if I want to go the "slim" route, I would have to give up so much in capacity.

I've got a ruger lcp as a BUG, or pocket gun if needed. I am seriously considering going to the Glock 19 for CC, just not sure if I want the extra size and weight.

 

[TexasBill]

Started out carrying a .38 snubbie or a Walther .380. Still most often carry a .38 snubbie or a Walther .380. Been lots of detours and distractions in between. And I do have other guns in the rotation. Always have a speed loader or spare magazine, as appropriate.

 

[daniel454]

I started with a Sig 228 in 2006. Up graded to a Sig P229 SAS in 40 in 2007. 2008 I added a 642 smithy and a Kahr Pm9 for hot weather carry....

 

[carbuncle]

I've owned and played with, and carried, a lot of different guns over the years but my own EDC history is: S&W Sigma, 1st gen, in .40>S&W 5906>Taurus 85>S&W Bodyguard .380. Like I said, I've owned many a gun, and carried many more, but these are the 4 that spent the most time on my belt or in a bag, pack or pocket.

 

[Remo223]

started with a 357 snubbie and a speed loader strip
then truvelo ADP 9mm and a spare mag
then kahr pm9 and a spare mag
then kahr pm9 without spare mag
briefly switched to a NAA mini revovler
then charter arms undercover(old style, not the current version)

I am currently in the process of fabricating my own chopped down charter arms revolver...shortened grip frame and shortened barrel and shortened ejector rod.

 

[MikePaiN]

My carry gun evolution was not about caliber, size or amount of ammo....I evolved form being a cheap *astard to buying only "quality".
I remember being at the gun shop to make my first CCW purchase and agonizing over the choice between a $700 Kahr PM9 and a $325 Kel-tec PF9. My cheapness won out but the problems started....The PF was crap and took a complete rebuild to get it working. I carried it for years but HATED the thing, it felt bad and shoot worse. I finally did get rid of it. I went though another few years of trying to carry small revs and a few other guns I got used for cheap $$ none really worked out or worked period...Then I had the bright idea to get a NIB Taurus PT709 Slim....It was a perfect carry size and comfortable but I bought it for the price(yes still had not learned my lesson)...It was a good shooter at first but went to crap after ~600rounds and a year of carry, two trips back to the factory and another one down :banghead:.
After this I decided when it comes to firearms, I will ONLY be buying if the the weapon has a reputation for quality and function. Never again on price alone...
On this new philosophy I found a sweet Kahr K9 I use an EDC. It is superior in every way to the cheap carry pistols I've had. I truly trust it completely and it is a pleasure too shoot.

 

[Scipio Africanus]

Started with a Kimber Custom Compact in .45 ACP, which I still carry in warm weather. Added a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan loaded with .45 Colt ammo. Found this to be quite heavy on the belt, but very comforting. Latest addition is a S&W 325 TR. I find it to be an excellent, shooter in all respects, very easy to carry, and I like the ammo versatility over an auto. It seems, have "evolved" to appreciate the reliability of a revolver over an auto in most cases. Need to add a small frame "pocket" revolver, maybe in .44spl.?

 

[bannockburn]

I first started out with a Charter Arms Undercover .38 Special, with a Bianchi speed strip for a reload. Since then I have scaled down in size to a KelTec P-3AT for every day carry, along with one spare magazine.

 

[rich e]

Evolved to smaller handguns

These are what I used to carry..(Sig239 in 40,,Glock 19,23,,Ruger P89 and a Ruger 4 inch security six 357mag....

Here is what I carry now....(Kel-Tek P3AT,,S&W 342 airlite TI,,Glock 26 and Glock 36......I've recently added a Kahr MK9 and a Kahr K9 to the stable as well...They haven't completed initation yet though...

Forgot to add my newest,NEWEST member...A Glock 29SF (10mil)...This will be retiring my S&W mountain gun (44-mag)..It is strictly a hiking,camping pistol when I'm out with the family..

 

[helitack32f1]

I began with a Glock 23 about 18 or so years ago. Bought an LCP awhile back but that has been made pointless by the advent of me buying a Crossbreed holster for the G23. Now I still carry the G23 daily even in summer. I carry the LCP when I need something quick and comfortable.

 

[Old John]

I started in early mid-1980's with a Taurus model 85 .38 special. I carried that a few years.
I switched to a Makarov semi-auto, 9mm Mak. I carried that a year or two.
Then I switched to a Ruger KP95, .45 acp, which I carried a few years.
Next was a Colt 1991A1 Commander, .45 acp. I carried it several years.
It got heavy, so I switched to a Ruger SP101, .357 magnum.
I've carried it off & on for about 8 years........But, in between, I bought a Taurus
model 450, .45Colt that I carried for a month or two.
And I bought a Ruger 3", GP100, .357 mag. that I still carry once in a while.

Most recently I bought a Ruger LCR .38 special, pocket revolver.
I use it on occasion, when I get into a suit & tie.

My carry has evolved over the years, but not predictably. I still/back to carry
a 5-shot revolver in .38/.357 caliber, with one Bianchi Speed strip or H&K Speed-loader.
I've carried 5 revolvers and 3 semi-autos.

 

[smfritch]

Started with a PPK, went to a Glock 30 and settled with a full size 1911.

 

[Zzyzxx]

My first was a Raven .25 Saturday night special.
Then .357 Model 27.
After that I evolved to a Sig P245.
Then came the P220 when it's winter and am wearing a heavy coat.
Now, Normally I go out with either a Model 627 .38+P, or a P239 .40SW. depending on how heavlily I am dressed and the pants and shirt I wearing.
I have Tucker IWB's for both. (Damn good holsters!!)

My Brownings (9MM and .40SW) are my plinking and range pistols, and I keep securely stashed and readily available for home defense backup. At the range I use a belt slide holster.

The P220 being the primary for home defense.

It gives me an exscuse to go to the range and when the little lady is crabby.

Of course, my.22 mag NAA is always in the pocket for backup.
It beats a pointy stick.

 

[clutch]

I started with a Bersa 95 .380 auto, bought a S&W M&P compact in .40 but it is a bit thick so I bought a S&W 442-1 Air light J frame.

Typically I'm carrying the J frame with 125g JHP .38spl +p. I haven't checked to see if it can shoot to the other side of the thin part of a 2x4 yet. My .380 could almost penetrate a 2x4 (1.5 x 3.5).

The J frame is so much easier to conceal and I'm sure it has more power than the Bersa.

Now if I ever drop a lot of weight and become a stick boy again, I'll be packing JMB's master piece, full size, IWB.

Clutch

 

[Dr_B]

I'm happy to see I'm not the only one who has gone through six or seven guns before finding the right one to carry. I started with an SP101 .357 but couldn't find a great holster. Didn't know about the online sources for SP101 holsters. So I switched to a Bersa .380, then found it too large for pocket carry. So I sold it and got an LCP. Started thinking about a .38 for pocket carry and got a S&W 642. Hated how it shot, too big for the pocket, so I sold it. I finally settled on a Sig 226 for belt carry since there are a lot of options for holsters and I can practice at the range with a .22 conversion kit, the revolver for a stash/camping gun, and the LCP for summer carry if I can't hide the 226.

 

[orionengnr]

Glock 23
S&W J-frames (at least six, in aluminum, steel, Scandium)
S&W 325 .45 acp AirWeight
S&W 396 AirWeight
S&W 4" K-frame in .357
A variety of 3" 1911s in steel and alloy
several double stack 1911 Paras

Kahr PM9 -- a ray of sunshine, and voila...a bunch of guns suddenly went up for sale
Kahr P45--took three years, but it has taken the PM9's place now

Kel-Tecs in P32, P380, P11--disasters one and all. K-T will never again see a dime of my money.
Ruger LCP--finally a .380 that works...
More 1911s in Commander and Government sizes
S&W 4" N-frames in .41 and .45LC
Kahr PM45

In the last two years, I have settled on a few.
--Kahr P45 through the summer
--Kimber 4" steel 1911 in fall/spring
--S&W 4" N-frame in the winter

Kahr PM9 about three days per year, when nothing else will do.
Ruger LCP about three days a year...just so I have an excuse to keep it.

 

[357mag.]

Only been just under 3 yr's for me but still carry the same gun I started with, sp-101 357mag.Will be adding a service sized 45 semi in the near future for times when concealment is not as big of an issue for me (not at work)but the sp will still see a lot of carry time.

 

[jeepguy]

1st was a p239 .40 2nd cz 82 for a cheap backup pistiol & truck gun when i was going somewhere that i couldn't carry. 3rd kimber pro carry .45 4th cz 75 compact 9mm 5th i bought a p228 but think i will be selling this or my p226 .40 for a p229 sas .40. so i went from single stack p239 to a 4" 1911 .45 to a double stack p229. i will alternate between the kimber & the p229. i like the idea of 12rds of .40 caliber though with an extra mag thats 24rds vs 16 for the .45. i would carry the cz but it doesn't have good night sights.

 

[XxWINxX94]

Started with: Nothing
Currently have: Nothing
Hope to get: Concealed Carry in my State

Aside from that, at my summer home in WI, I was using a Smith 29-4 with a 6'' barrel in .44 Mag only in the woods on private property. At times this big rig was hardly 'concealed.'

I then switched to a Smith Mountain Gun in .45lc. I prefer the Stainless Steel because muzzle wear was starting to really show on my 29-4's bluing and I didn't like that. The 6'' barrel on my 29-4 seemed to be a nuisance and somewhat uncomfortable at times. I prefer the 4'' barrel on my Mountain gun now. I just personally prefer the mountain gun for almost everything.

I also occasionally use a Stainless Ruger Security Six in .357, with a 4'' barrel.

 

[willypete]

I clicked every option lol.

Started out with a 1911 with a spare mag. I've been through .32s, .380s, .357s, 9mms (with 17 rd mags), .40s, and .44 mags. I've carried none, one, or two speed loaders or spare magazines with me.

 

[possum]

i use to carry a sa xd service model in .40 (12+1 rds) with one spare magazine.

Now I carry a g-19 (15+1 rds). I have a g-17 mag that I have as a spare ccw mag, but honestly i hardly ever carry it.

 

[Doug Add]

Carried a Browning Hi-Power for the first year until I traded it for a SIG P228. It has been the P228 ever since. Occasionally I carry the Ruger SP101, but that is rare, almost always the SIG. So, capacity and caliber have stayed the same, while the size has gone down slightly.

 

[Rail Driver]

I sorta hopped around... I started with a low capacity 9mm, went to a low capacity makarov, then to a .357 revolver (6 shot), and from there to a high capacity .40 now I carry various guns based on situation and clothes... I have a G19 for the glove box in the car when I'm out on the road or wet days, a 1911 (either officer or commander) for most days, and a browning hi-power for days when I need a little refinement...

 

[glassman]

Started with a 642 and moved to a 1911 CCO. Don't know if it's an evolution since I still carry both as a primary depending on dress requirements, etc. Sometimes both at the same time.

 

[jkittle99]

I started off with a .380 PPK, got tired of it digging into my side, went to a Glock 19 during the cold months (feels GREAT iwb) and an LCP in the pocket during the warmer months.