Does your "go to war" carry differ from your EDC? Why??

Yes. But not the way you think.

My EDC is a full-size 45acp. 1911 in a western holster. Why? Because this is America, Longmire has a 1911, and no one will accuse me of being a commie. I can also puff out my chest to the Glock guys and tell them they don't understand freedom, they don't understand liberty, and that real Merican's are too tough for 9mm.

Then, when SHTF I will probably just go all Soviet with my 9mm CZ-75.:D
 
If you think that you can EDC enough firepower to meet any potential threat, you have a REALLY limited imagination.
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Yep. We live in a world where a Special Forces Security detail may not be enough. Tactical nukes? Strategic Nuclear weapons? There are many potential threats that are outside of our control.
 
If I get drafted into the 60yr old brigade, I'd give strong consideration to my G26, which is my edc. It is light enough and small enough not to be a burden.
It does, however shoot like full size pistol, and can have the capacity.

And, to the drumbeat that the military handgun is so insignificant in the big war picture that it is a huge waste of money...
Yes, it is insignificant...until you're the one in a million who needs...Really needs it.
 
My carry (when not wearing work clothes) has been a Glock 21 or 22, heat index above 100.
I think either of those about the best I can carry concealed.
 
Think about it.. Many of us often deliberate what the ultimate carry weapon or weapons for ourselves. We make that decision based on a variety of factors: caliber, size, shoot ability, reliability, 'cool factor', etc. But, often do we stop and consider the fact that our EDC is the ultimate last resort option when confronted with a deadly treat or threats. Combat, in any setting, is as unpredictable as it is ugly. Is your 5 or 6 round semi-auto 'enough gun' to take into combat?
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Two thoughts, before I go read the rest of the thread:

  1. Re combat, a handgun is going to be a very minor part of the equipment under consideration.
  2. of course, what one carries into combat will likely be different than what one carries on a trip to the gas station.

What would you change about your EDC of you knew that 'today was the day' Would you size up in caliber, capacity or ease of shoot ability?? Think Bout it...
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If "today was the day", and I couldn't not be there, couldn't take a rifle or all my friends with rifles, and I was stuck with what I own right now, I'd leave the j-frame at home. I would carry the XD40 Service, with every single extra magazine I could stuff in my pockets. Upping every single one of the characteriscs you ask about (caliber, capacity and the vaguely defined "shootability"), at the cost of weight and convenience.
 
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I'm assuming "go to war" means defending our country and families in place. If that's the case, it will a rifle, as the saying goes the best use for a pistol is to enable you to fight your way back to your rifle.
 
I think what the OP is really asking is would you feel confident fighting with the gun you carry every day and yes I would.

At work I carry an M&P40 and 2 reloads
When I'm not at work I carry an M&P9 and 2 reloads
When I'm sitting around the house I carry an M&P9C and 2 reloads

Any of those would be an adequate handgun.
 
My EDC pistol is a Glock 19 with one reload. The same pistol I carried as a contractor in Iraq.

My "Go to war" set up is a rifle, armor, trauma kit, basic combat load of ammo, and radio to communicate with my buddies similarly equipped. I would have the Glock 19 with me as well.



Full disclosure, I also carried a Sig P226, CZ99, CZ999, M9, and Beretta M92fs at various times and in various countries. The Glock was my favorite because it is small, light, and accurate for me.
 
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Allow me to answer this way. After Chattanooga, the wheels started turning. Then came San Bernadino and I was 75% there. The day after the Dalllas massacre, I traded the 442 in on a Gen. 3 Glock 23. I wouldn't call it a go to war handgun but it is a one-size-fits-all proposition. You just cannot go wrong with the 19/23 platform. The Gen. 3 23 is my TX license to carry pistol. I carry it to the deer lease I sweat on it, drag it through the mud, dust, dirt and sand. It travels with me. The world changed when Jihad and radicalized BLM mobilized on our soil. I have. Gen. 4 Glock 22 and a S&W M&P9 but the G23 is the go to Handgun. I see a Gen 3 19 in my future.
 
And, to the drumbeat that the military handgun is so insignificant in the big war picture that it is a huge waste of money...
Yes, it is insignificant...until you're the one in a million who needs...Really needs it.
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There may be one in a million who needs a better handgun, but there are literally hundreds of thousands of servicemen and women who need better communications, better integrated command & control, better body armor, better medical care, better training, and better psychological care (both deployed and at home), etc., etc.

All of these things will save many more lives and better assist the military in accomplishing its mission than replacing the M9.

So which should money be spent on?

.
 
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While we're at it, how about lighter equipment? Both to increase mobility and reduce the rate of spinal injuries seen post-service.

I'm with Fishbed on this. I don't personally see anything on the market that is significantly superior to the M9 to warrant money spent on another handgun competition (remember the Joint Combat Pistol program?). Any type of special operations force typically has the funding to procure its own handguns and does so. The vast majority of infantrymen would likely see more benefit from programs Fishbed listed.
 
As far as the OP... I try to carry something very similar to the manual of arms of whatever I would defend my home with. So an XDM 9 3.8 compact with a full size at home... or a Glock 26 with a 17 at home... or a Sig 938 with a 226 at home. Same muscle memory, same caliber, different scale.
 
While we're at it, how about lighter equipment?
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I know if it were up to me other than carry a M9 with 2 mags, I'd rather have a smaller slim sub compact IE PPS,XDs, Shield or LC9 and one extra mag and add another M4 mag to my loadout.
 
Regarding the OP: Yes. My EDC is a PF-9. That is adequate for day-to-day threats, and it is comfortable and easily concealable. If it comes down to that acronym that I hesitate to use here, I'll be carrying one of my double stack 9s and a rifle.

It's a different situation, which calls for different equipment.
 
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