Your handgun when you don't need one.

[Lagadelphia]

Fortunately my carry system makes this easy even on the hottest days. 'Course, we are talking about NH hot.

thats what? 70 degrees?

To keep on topic, I'd carry my GF's Bersa .380 if I was going to go smaller than my G-27. Even thought the Bersa is heavier empty than the G-27 is loaded, it is thinner and thus would probably be easier to conceal. Then again, I do dress around my gun.

I don't see how some of you guys tote around a full sized 1911. Do you guys drift to the left while walking when you don't have it on?

 

[Series 70]

I never think I'm going to need a gun. If I thought I was going to need one, I'd arrange to be somewhere else. But I always have my 1911 with me, just in case. The only exception would be if I were out, say, mowing the grass without a shirt. Then it'd be the j-frame in a pocket.

 

[mattk]

Colt Government Pocketlite .380. Nice little gun.

 

[MrPink]

Well, I never expect to need a handgun. I've been carrying for years and never had need. Not to say I never will need one however, hence my carry gun is an S&W340PD in a pocket holster. Very much an "always gun". Yes it hurts like hell to fire full power magnums out of such a light gun, but it is soooo light and small and snag free its just fine shooting "lite" 357s or 38+Ps.

If I figured I had need for a gun, I'd bring a rifle. Even better, I'd stay home. While it pays to be well prepared for trouble, its even better to avoid it.

 

[Landric]

Well,

I do my level best never to carry anything smaller or less powerful than a "real combat handgun". Right now my carry guns are:

Kimber Full-Size 1911 .45ACP
HK USP40 Compact .40S&W
Beretta 92D Centurion 9mm

Sometimes I have to wear a little more clothing than I would like, but I think its worth it. I figure the time I think I won't need a gun is probably when I will have to have it, so I try not to "gun down" when I think it will be "safe".

Every once in a while I find it totally necessary to carry something smaller. When I do, I usually carry a S&W 342 .38 Special and a 642 .38 Special, or a 342 and a Kel-Tec P32.

Landric

 

[Heraclitus]

I'm wondering if there are those of you that also carry a gun at times where you really don't believe you will have a need for it.

Someone on TFL once said that if you don't carry your CCW everywhere, all the time, you are not serious about CCW.

Although I don't absolutely, positively, 100% agree with him, I must point out the fact that criminals, like sharks and crocs, are animals of opportunity; and as such, they'll strike when you least expect them to. It can happen anywhere, at any time (I know someone who was mugged and beaten in broad daylight, within feet of the local PD's main carport entrance. Another was carjacked at a busy stoplight during rush hour).

With this in mind I always carry my gun. There is simply no other way to extenuate the dangers involved in going around without protection. I may not be able to predict when or where Murphy will raise his ugly head, but at least I will have done everything reasonable to reduce my chances of becoming his next victim. Not carrying when I can, is not carrying when I must.

As far as calibers go, I gave up .380 ACP a long time ago. The way I see it, 9mm/.357/.40/.45 is the way to go. Anything smaller, and BG might tear me to shreds before he even realizes he's been stopped.

 

[Valkman]

Like Ben, I won't go below a certain caliber, and for me it's .357 in a S&W 640. 99% of the time I'll be carrying my Kimber CDP, hot or not, because I don't want to be caught without the gun I practice the most with.

I'm also not going to guess when I'm going to need my gun and pick a caliber based on how much I think I'll need it. I train mostly with my .45, and and I can be attacked anytime, so the only time I'll be without it is those times I don't want to get dressed, so I'll run out in elastic-waisted shorts and put the 640 in the center console of the truck. This is the "I gotta get tacos at Jack-In-The-Box at 11pm" scenario.

 

[manyironsinfire]

I believe in a backup gun so I aways have two that I carry, a guardian .32 in a Don Hume wallet holster,( execellent product) and a Para LDA carry in a Milt Sparks VMII. This little gun holds 7, is in .45, flat as a pancake, very concealable and the light double action is smooth. I've put about 500 rds. through it without a hitch and IT'S very accurate..My other favorite is an H&K P7M8 in aSparks VMII....

 

[45+]

I appreciate the logic of SERIES 70 and MR PINK. If you think you will need a gun someplace, stay home and call 911.

I carry for the times I do not think I will need a gun. I carry a Glock 21 or a Taurus Tracker in 357 regularly. If dress will not allow, I either stay away (often) or carry no less than a snub 45ACP and a snub 357. If I can carry legally, that is the minimum. Occaisionally, I cannot carry legally some place I have to go, like jury duty or drivers license renewal. Then I leave the ccw behind, conduct my business as fast as possible, and get back to my weapons. But even those places, I still take along a folder, where legal, and a good, stiff ballpoint pen.

ChristopherG talked about not wanting to spend the last few seconds wishing he had "more" gun with him. I am trying to make sure that never happens to me...