I know some who only carry if they head toward an area they perceive as dangerous. Most carry whenever they can, but feel perfectly confident with a micro .380 pistol. Others are ok with only 5 shots, so long as those 5 are of a big caliber.
Others carry full-sized duty pistols with at least one full spare magazine. And yet others add a micro .380 to this.
What made you decide how much gun to carry?
What led you to your decision?
I live in MD where I can't get a CCW so I only carry a gun part time (I have a UT non-resident permit and I can carry in most of the states around me, where I do spend a lot of time). In MD, I choose not to break the law and carry, I figure my chances of being in a life-or-death situation are lower than my chances of being caught. I carry pepper spray and a knife when I can. Though, as a teacher I can't have a knife at work and only keep it in my car while at work.
When I'm in a state where I can carry on my UT non-res permit (about 2-4 days most months, plus vacation time), I usually carry. I don't carry to my aunt and uncle's house because they are very anti-gun, and I don't carry to my cousin's house since he doesn't want me to (they live in VA). If I'm going to be there for more than just visiting them, I'll carry for the rest of my trip, but remove it when going into their houses (property rights means I will honor the desires of the property owner). Otherwise, I do not worry about safe or not safe areas and only carry in not safe areas. I try to avoid non-safe areas when I can, and I know bad things can happen anywhere, so when I can carry, I carry no matter where I am going.
At first, I was comfortable with a 5 shot snub. It concealed easily and 5 shots was better than what I'm allowed at home in MD. Later, I decided that was false logic: just because I can't carry at home, doesn't mean I shouldn't carry something more capable just because something is better than nothing.
As for which gun, my first criteria is how well I shoot it. Second is capacity. While I used to go small (SIG P290rs), my current carry philosophy is to carry the largest gun I can conceal well. I can conceal a traditional compact (P229, P250 Compact, G19, Commander, etc.) sized gun almost as well as a mini-9 like my P290. I can conceal a thin 1911 as well as just about anything else.
The guns I shoot best are a full-sized 1911 or CZ 75B, with a medium frame revolver coming next. Full-size is a little large and heavy for carry, so I am switching from my SIG P250 Compact, to a CZ P01 and both a Commander sized alloy 1911 (S&W 1911SC) and a steel 3 1/2" 1911 (RIA Tac CS). I will likely be selling all my small framed snubs (I
may keep one of my four) and eventually replacing them with a 7 round 3" S&W 686 Plus.