Concealed Carry- one, or many?

T

tobnpr

New member
I read on another (unrelated) thread that a poster mentioned he had over a dozen concealed carry weapons that he "rotated".

As a gun owner that is awaiting his concealed permit, it got me thinking.

Doesn't seem to make sense to me.

Isn't it better to have one concealed carry pistol, that you train with constantly...to the point where everything is intuitive, where you can react and control/handle the weapon instinctively and correctly?

Am I wrong on this, and if so, why?
 
In my opinion it boils down to fun. You get good with a pistol, you want to carry it. If you have a bunch of them you end up plinking and training and later carrying a bunch of them.

For practical purposes, sometimes its good to have a roster based on things like weather and wardrobe. I also believe in the winter vs summer carry argument.
 
I am one who subscribes to the theory that you do what you practice under stress. Therefore, it is prudent to practice with one type of defensive handgun and carry that type.
 
"...Am I wrong on this, and if so, why?..."

From a purely technical SD view, you're right... But, from what I've gotten on these forums, a lot of us are willing to sacrifice a second or two in quick-draw presentation time for the fun and variety of carrying different guns. My rule is SAME-OPERATION i.e. no safeties, no racking, no cocking; ready to go... just draw, point and fire.
 
In theory it makes sense to carry one gun, in the same place at all times. With that said, my carry piece varies based on clothing. In the winter, I'll carry my 1911 OWB or my S&W 637 OWB, both at 8 o'clock. In the summer, either's either my 637 OWB or my Ruger LCP in my left front pocket.

I suppose I could get away with carrying my 637 almost full time, but I enjoy carrying my 1911 when clothing and weather permits however.
 
Why stop at 1? You can have 1 pistol on each side, a pocket J frame revolver in your coat pocket, 2 more pistols strapped to your ankles, and depending on how big your jean pockets are, throw in 2-3 pocket pistols for good measure.

Are 6 firearms enough to keep you safe? On second thought, better make it seven....you never know when a gang of 50 is going to attack you, and you may have to shoot each guy 5 times before you kill them, so make sure you have hundreds of rounds of ammo. ;)

If you haven't realized it by now, this is sarcasm. Look, just carry what you feel comfortable with. Only you know what works best for you!!! No one else can tell you what to carry. That is a very personal decision.
 
I admit that I do have a carry rotation. My primary EDC is my 3" Ruger SP101. Most of my rotation is revolvers, so the mechanics are the same. Dress and where I'm going to be is how I make my choice. I will admit that I carry a high cap pistol on ocassion just for fun.
 
I've moved...

...exclusively to carrying S&W revolvers. All are 3" or 2.75" in barrel length. I carry them all in Don Hume J.I.T. slide holsters, and in the same spot on my hip. They all have Ahrends RB combat, finger-groove stocks. (Models 65-5, 696, and 325NG).

My original concealed carry piece was a Kimber Ultra Carry. I like a revolver better for daily carry.
 
Today, 06:50 PM #6
American Eagle
Senior Member


Join Date: March 20, 2009
Location: Florida, USA
Posts: 252 Why stop at 1? You can have 1 pistol on each side, a pocket J frame revolver in your coat pocket, 2 more pistols strapped to your ankles, and depending on how big your jean pockets are, throw in 2-3 pocket pistols for good measure.

Are 6 firearms enough to keep you safe? On second thought, better make it seven....you never know when a gang of 50 is going to attack you, and you may have to shoot each guy 5 times before you kill them, so make sure you have hundreds of rounds of ammo.

If you haven't realized it by now, this is sarcasm. Look, just carry what you feel comfortable with. Only you know what works best for you!!! No one else can tell you what to carry. That is a very personal decision.
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I was thinking the same thing, But you said it so much better!! Good Post msn
 
I don't have many CCW handguns but I have one for each mode of carry. Ultra Carry for Winter, Solo for Summer, P238 for pocket and a 638 or SP101 for ankle, biking and camping/hiking. These all allow a different mode of carry and ensures I don't leave the house without one.
 
I carry a RIA CS in the Fall/Winter/Spring time and a S&W 469 in the Summer, although I carry them (more or less) in the same position. When Its very cold outside "Parka" weather, I throw a revolver in the outside pocket. So yes I do rotate my guns but I wear my clothes around the guns carry.
 
My opinion is:
Carry however many guns you are absolutely confident with.
I doubt most folks can be skilled with a multitude of guns. It is possible. Not likely.
I can not afford to practice with, and be confident with a dozen guns.
 
One gun at a time. Just know when and how to use it. Reload is a must. Change up your rotation as much as you like. Revolvers are revolvers and autos are autos.

When I pull an auto my thumb goes to the safty if there's no safty no problem. Revolvers, well what can I say, if double action pull the trigger if single action cock the hammer and pull the trigger.
 
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There is a story of officers in a gun battle who put empty casings back into the cylinder of their revolvers because of how they trained. They are dead now but not from aging. I can't remember the story exactly but during training, they would empty out their spent casings into their hands instead of onto the ground(I guess to keep the range nice and tidy) and then they wold put the empties into their pockets after that. It is believed that during the immense stress of the firefight, both officers fired all the rounds in their revolvers, emptied the casings into their hands and/or pockets and then tried to reload their weapons with the empties. If you are carrying for self defense, train to win. Drop and forget your magazine or slap that empty brass from the cylinder, reload as quickly as possible from cover or at least concealment, all the while keeping visual of your aggressor if possible. I'm so used to carrying my Beretta 96D while at work, I often fumble for the magazine release during weapons qualifications with my H&K P2000 I use mostly when I'm not working. That stumble could cost me sometime.
 
that is a famous story and still taught at many agencies, as the lesson never gets old. I believe they were California Officers who would empty their revolvers in their hands and then put the casings in their shirt pocket. I don't remember hearing they refilled the cylinders with casings. Of course multiple officers who perished that day had similarities that raised concerns&eyebrows: casings in the pockets rather than strewn about which was more time consuming and not the priority.
 
Youngunz, I heard the story back in '90 or '91 and I don't remember where the incident occurred but I'm sure that is the same incident. That and so many police shooting incidents caught on dash cam, we learn from their mistakes.
 
Was the empty casings story from the Newhall incident? I know I've heard about it, but can't recall where...

Meanwhile, with regard to the OP's question:

On the one hand, having everything be of the same type, or of similar operation, makes a lot of sense.

On the other hand, a good argument can be made for being familiar with multiple weapon types, in case one finds oneself in a situation where the weapon one must use is not a weapon one brought with him.

(Example: No license to carry while visiting a friend who is licensed in that state; something happens, he hands you his spare.)

I'm fairly comfortable with several types of handgun, and have not yet found myself doing stupid safety tricks with 1911 or HiPower types, nor having trouble hitting targets with DA revolvers.

So I guess many is just fine by me, with the caveat that any weapon one carries should get its fair share of practice time at the range.
 
MLeake, Exactly....

I mostly carry either my H&K P2000, or my 1911 but I sometimes carry my Makarov or my SP101. I always take the opportunities offered at the range or where ever to shoot another new gun and become familiar with the operation and how it shoots.

My Dad taught me to shoot and he drilled it into my head that you never know for sure you'll always have your gun so you'd better learn how to use all the others that may be out there. He's a WWII and Korean war vet and said somtimes you may have to bend down and pick up something off the ground so you'd better know how to use it.
 
though it is true in the early 70's that some california agencies did permit their officers to empty spent brass into a can while at the range, this was not a factor in the chp newhall gun battle. finding empty brass on any of the deceased officers never occurred, in spite of this "myth's" continuing legacy.

ed
 
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