concealed carry same gun or switch it up?

C

checkmyswag

New member
I respect that due to weather dictating different clothes or other circumstances that some like to/feel it necessary to change carry guns.

The overall trend appears to be large handguns/large caliber during cold weather when thicker/more clothing is worn and small handguns/small caliber during hotter weather when clothing is less. Justifying to ourselves "needing" different guns for certain circumstances gives us a "reason" to add our our collection too. Who's got two thumbs and is guilty of this? This guy! (points at self)

But...isn't there something to be said about ALWAYS carrying the same gun, the same way?
 
So far for me it's just my Beretta 85FS. I do eventually want to add a 3 inch barrel S&W revolver for variety, and a Kimber Solo for the hot summer months.
 
Well, I am not any kind of an expert, nor will I represent myself as being one.

That said, since I got my CHL about seven year ago, I have been on a non-stop search for the Perfect CHL.

In that time, I have spent way too much attention and money...but I am satisfied with the results.

Started with what I had--Glocks and j-frames. Worked my way through a number of different options.

I will not bore you with my opinions, as they are like...well, you know what. :)

Okay, since you asked, I carry a 1911 most of the year. When it gets cold enough to wear a cover garment, I carry an S&W N-frame..."because I can"...and because I need to rationalize keeping every handgun I own. If I don't carry it, or shoot it regularly, it's for sale..
 
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I used to Carry a bigger gun (5" steel 1911 in .45ACP) all the time.

Now I Carry a smaller gun (3" alloy 1911 in 9mm) all the time.

Am contemplating Carrying a SIG 238 ....... but will probably stick with the 9.

What I will not do is change platforms, and muck up the muscle memory I have developed...... getting used to a different system would be several steps backwards...... Crunchtime is no time to revert to your training and look for a safety that is not there halfway through the drawstroke....... or squeeze off a well aimed shot ...... only to have nothing happen because you did not pull through the DA first round of the DA/SA ......

A DA/SA for winter and a j-frame for summer? Foolishness, IMO. YMMV.
 
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I carry a S&W 638 .38spl +P snub, it's also for reason's I don't feel like explaining "again", I use it as my HD.

I have little 22s, up to big 44mags.
 
In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with switching up, but on the other hand, one gun, carried the same way, every day, has a lot going for it. To my way of thinking, it simplifies things considerably. Now, I've read articles from Guru Ayoob where he recommended that LEOs carry their duty weapons while off duty. He said that it made good sense, because the duty weapon is the one the officer would be most comfortable with and accustomed to. Being in LE myself, I cannot fault his logic on this [or on anything else he says pertaining to guns & tactics]. I'd follow his sage advice myself, except for the fact that the Sig P220 my agency issues us has proven to be a better paperweight, rather than a tool you can stake your life on.:mad: So, for me, when the uniform comes off, that piece of #*?! Sig goes with it, and the Ruger GP-100 goes on.
 
I switch it up;

Poolside or other situation where wearing is difficult, I put my NAA pug inside a covered drink cup, or a small water-tight camera-sized Pelican case that can be handheld and even swam with.

Most hot days finds an LCP in my pocket.

As it gets cooler, I begin to IWB carry my PPS-9 more.

In coat weather, my LCR can be carried and even fired from inside my coat pocket.

Those are my norm. I reserve carrying my commander 1911 as last ditch. I don't care what everyone else says; it's a burden to conceal comfortably compared to the PPS, and I prefer to be comfortable.
 
I just enjoy carrying different guns from time to time.

I always have an NAA .22 short in my pocket, it goes in with my pocket knife and my money clip, just too easy to carry (even easier to carry than a sharp stick;)) for me to leave it behind.

My "EDC" is a Para 6.45 LDA and is the 3 to 3.5" pistol that I can achieve best accuracy with as well as being comfortable in a generic IWB holster.

But sometimes, in order of frequency: Star BM, Ruger SP101, Colt Government Model, and occasionally in coat pocket S&W M38 or M340PD.

I've collected several handguns over the years (not rich, just old) and I like 'em all.

Best,

Will
 
I do not always carry the same pistol or carry in the same spot.

Minimum protection is a P3AT in pocket. (This is the better than nothing level)

If circumstances / clothing allow one level up then I'll add a Glock 33/27 in a clip-on holster carried appendix IWB. (I'm fairly happy at this level :))

At the optimum level :D, I'll still have the pocket P3AT, but the main pistol will be a full size 1911 carried strong side IWB.
 
I always have a NAA .22 mag revolver in my pocket. My warm weather CCW is a Beretta 84 and my cold weather is a SIG P220. Both CCWs are DA/SA and carried IWB in holsters from the same maker.
 
Ive always carried the same full sized handgun (except for a couple of model changes over the decades) in the same place, all the time, regardless of season.

It just keeps things simple, and I dont have to play musical guns, and stop and think where my gun is today, and how do I get it to work.

When you do everything on a constant basis, its all a quick thought and muscle memory that gets the gun in your hand, even when other things may have your attention and youre not "thinking" about it.
 
I used to switch up once in awhile, especially by season, but have come to believe that carrying the same weapon all the time is a wise idea.

It's all about the fact that if you ever need to use it, you won't be using logic so much as reacting and relying on your muscle memory and instincts. You want your carry weapon to be one you have trained with to the point that its operation is automatic, because you might not have the time or ability to "think."
 
When i am around the house or have to run to the shops i will take a 38 snub, a Beretta 950, or even a full size 1911. I take this opportunity to mix and match a bit.

When i leave the house in my normal routine, it has always been the same brand and model of pistol worn in the same place in the same type of holster depending on the season.

I carry a Browning Hi Power in either OTW or UWB holsters with a spare mag on my weak side. I also have the same Beretta 950 on my ankle and an unusually large and sharp folder in my pocket. Everything is concealed.

I know where they are, i know how to use them and i train with them regularly for the last 20 years. I do not feel the need to change as i feel confident that what i am carrying is the best equipment, in the right place to allow both comfort and familiarity.

I know that Hi Power so well that i can shoot out a bullseye over my shoulder with my back to the the target while watching a YouTube video on my cellphone. Well i once dreamt i did this, or did i actually do it???

Jokes aside, i have thousands of rounds through my primary pistol in training for a deadly encounter.
 
I switch it up a bit. In the summer I carry a S&W 637 or a Ruger LCP. Winter I tend to go a bit bigger with my Springfield TRP 1911 when more layers allow for easier concealment.

As far as always carrying the same gun, that is certainly good advice but I have to dress around my carry and a 1911 just doesn't work as well as a smaller gun in hot, humid t-shirt and short weather. A smaller pocket gun is better than a 1911 left at home.
 
Being in LE myself, I cannot fault his logic on this [or on anything else he says pertaining to guns & tactics]. I'd follow his sage advice myself, except for the fact that the Sig P220 my agency issues us has proven to be a better paperweight, rather than a tool you can stake your life on. So, for me, when the uniform comes off, that piece of #*?! Sig goes with it, and the Ruger GP-100 goes on.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I had to laugh. You get what you get, if that's what they give you.
 
I like the appeal of carrying different guns. I also like the appeal of carrying the same gun.

I can't speak from experience, but I think too often we assume we will be cool under pressure/ice water in the veins when we get attacked by someone.

All of my friends who were in combat...I was in the Army Reserve but never in combat...they all said the first thing they thought was "oh sh*t! someone is shooting at us!" then they relied on their training.

If I'm carrying such and such boomstick and someone threatens my life...I don't want to have to think about which gun I'm carrying today and where it's located, if it does or does not have a safety, how many rounds are in it and so on...

That being said I don't want to carry around a big gun all the time...but know what the limitations of 32/380's are.

So, I ask myself...which one can I accept?
 
Yes I also switch out my CCW pistoles. Because I can. My justification for buying another is because I can and I want to.
 
I believe that one must be very well acquainted with any CCW piece and it can be moe than one model (but I respect the views of those who disagree and advocate one CCW only and can understand their logic).

That being said, personally I rotate between three different models, namely, KT P-11, Taurus PT-92 or a 1911 all contingent upon the weather.

And always, I have a Beretta Bobcat 21A in 22LR BUG in my pocket at all times.

One more note, the KT P-11 is great in that I can carry 11 rounds in an amazingly compact semi (one of the smallest large capacity 9's on the market).

-Cheers
 
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