I've decided to carry two spare magazines.

Noc, don't sweat the petty chit going on here. It's pretty typical for those who follow the "group think" dynamic to critiscize others who approach the same issues differently from another perspective.

Like I said earlier "you are commited to conceal carry"! And self-preservation..How you choose to ensure it, needs to work for you. Again I'm still interested in your suspender brand;)

As you move on and become more accustomed to CC, your likes and dislikes will surface and further changes will take place. However, I think you would do better to keep all of your mags loaded with one type of defensive round, instead of haveing a "cafeteria" offering. Consistency is key.
Peace ST~:cool:
 
Hey, u need to carry a dozen, carry them. No one ever said after a gunfight, man I had way too much ammo!
 
My personal philosophy is to keep things as simple as possible, and still keep the bases covered. I live in a relatively safe, rural area in the midwest with a low crime rate, but there are several metropolitan areas nearby (each with a correspondingly higher crime rate) and you can never tell who might be driving through your town. I personally choose not to carry mixed loads in my magazines (per my "Keep It Simple" philosophy again). I buy decent hollowpoint ammo and load all my carry guns/mags with that once I ensure reliable function. I carry Glocks due to their simple manual of arms, reliability and consistent trigger pull. My EDC usually goes something like this:

Benchmade tactical folder clipped to one pocket.
190 lumen tac light in opposite pocket.
Glock 23 on strong side hip.
Single extra mag on opposite side for balance (sometimes)
Buck 110 folding hunting knife in sheath on belt.
Occasional second gun - either KelTec P32 in pocket or Glock 27 in ankle rig.
Cell phone clipped to pocket.
Keys with kubotan keyring stuffed inside rear pocket next to wallet.

I'm sure there are some people who would consider my setup as being overkill. Hell, there are quite a few who would consider carrying ANYTHING that could be used as a weapon as overkill. We call them "liberals" and should be avoided whenever possible.

Probably the most reasonable advice is this: carry what makes you comfortable and seek to do no harm unless threatened.
 
Hhmmm....Well, I think there are those that "carry" for purposes of self-defense, and there are those who carry who expect to be in a gun battle. Each to their own.--Patrice
 
I have only been involved in one shooting one shot fired bad guy dead before he fell over, however i don't carry just one round with me I always carry for the worse case scenario.

This is my load out plus I carry a Spare Mag in my car & a knife in my pocket you don't like it that is not my problem, it works for me. Plus If you are involved in a shooting you will lose the weapon you used until the case is closed out.
DSCF1056.jpg
 
Interesting... so the man with the most experience and in the best position to know how gunfights and confrontations play out carries two guns. Interesting implications for armchair commandos claiming carrying two is nutty...
 
Daekar

Interesting... so the man with the most experience and in the best position to know how gunfights and confrontations play out carries two guns. Interesting implications for armchair commandos claiming carrying two is nutty...
Click to expand...

Conversely, one could maintain that it's 'nutty' not to carry a BUG.

-Cheers
 
Interesting... so the man with the most experience and in the best position to know how gunfights and confrontations play out carries two guns. Interesting implications for armchair commandos claiming carrying two is nutty...
Click to expand...

Right because he is the only person on this forum or in this world that has been in a fire fight. You might want to know people's background before you make comments.

I was simply asking because he was an officer on duty... which is a lot different that a private citizen conceal carrying.

I have been drawn on, I have been shot at, been grazed with a bullet, luckily it was only a graze, hit across the face with a beer bottle, and I've been stabbed. I don't need to go into stories, but that doesn't change the fact that 2 spare mags for a Glock 22 and a BUG is a bit much. Im not a betting man but I would make the bet that after a year or so of lugging all that around you will be dropping most of the load out for something smaller and lighter.

Gear and extra ammo does not make up for lack of skill. I am in not way calling out anyone or the OP on this one. But a lot of my customers think guns are an automatic safety blanket, and the more bullets they have they better they will be. You need to know how to use it, and be effective with it . If you can't hit a moving target under stress with 10 shots... you probably won't hit it with the other 20+ shots either... not to mention the fact that you are legally liable for where every single one of those rounds are going.

I don't take peace in the fact either that just because someone was in the military they are a "weapons professional". I have nothing against the military, I support them in every way I can, but they only teach you what they want you to know. For 95% of troops they barely get training on a handgun. My co-worker who is a former green beret with a few silver and bronze stars and 3 purple hearts will be the first to say that most military people do NOT know much about firearms. It goes the same for LEO's, they are not weapons experts because they carry a firearm on duty and qualify occasionally. Some of them couldn't even tell me what their issued sidearm was.

ArmsMaster
Retired LE, M.P., Sr. M.P. Investigator F.B.I. Trained Rangemaster/Firearms Instructor & Armorer, Presently Forensic Document Examiner for D.H.S.
Click to expand...

Is VERY qualified... which would help in in the event of having to go to court for a shooting. Your average joe's and "armchair commandos" aren't as qualified yet ex law enforcement, so the prosecutors will have an easier time pressing the issue that someone who lacked professional training was toting around more of a load out than some duty cops.

I carry 1 gun, a 4'' 1911, strong side, with 1 spare mag that is an extended 10rounder. That gives me 19 rounds of .45+P's on my person, and I carry a Kershaw Blur Tanto clipped inside a pocket. Since I am in the industry I am at the range at least twice a week, so I train a lot with my carry gun.

On a side note.... why ask for opinions if you don't want to hear the answers? I fail to see any logic there.
 
Last edited:
HKFan,

I was stirring the pot a little, some people around here need a bit of poking. :-)

I'm not sure I agree completely about how an on-duty officer is different from a concealing citizen. Yes, the law will treat them differently, no question there... but their experiences in a gunfight probably won't be that different, nor will the skills or equipment required to win or survive. They may or may not have different responsibilities... I would like to think they both shoot-to-stop... but I don't know about what they teach police.

I agree about lugging stuff around... I'm very glad to have my P2000 rig to carry when I'm going sketchy places, but you bet your bottom I'm glad to get rid of it at the end of the day. I never feel that way about my P238.

I'm sorry to hear you've been in some rough situations, but very glad you came out OK. :-)

Amen about guns not being a shield or talisman, as some members prefer. That is one reason why I carry my .380 with confidence - I can shoot it better than my 9mms. All the ammo and power in the world is worthless if you're nervous and can't hit anything, or have to use your off-hand or something.

I'm with you on military and police not knowing squat about guns. I've seen it time and again... you should check out some of the police forums, they're kind of scary. I live near two military academies and two colleges, and the ROTC kids come out thinking they know everything when they actually know a tiny slice of the pie. We get lots of guys with souped-up ARs and the latest polymer combat pistols that know how to squeeze the trigger real fast and that's it. My brother is an armorer for the Marines (deployed now to the sandbox, may he come home safe!) and his stories about his buds are quite amusing. He can shoot better at 25 yards with his M9 than some of them can with their little baby M16s.

Part of the police thing is training opportunities... in poorer areas, they just don't get to practice that much, and their shifts are so tough that they barely have time to take care of real life things let alone have a hobby like ours.

EDIT: Question for those listing flashlights and knives in their EDC load - are those primarily weapons or are they utility items? I ask because I carry a Leatherman Surge for utility and a 4Sevens Quark AA2 for utility as well. The Surge has a knife and the flashlight has a tactical-level beam w/strobe option, but I carry it because it can run FOREVER on its moon mode and low setting. Never occurred to me that some people might carry "tactical" knives and flashlights daily.

I could carry two extra mags and still have less ammo than you... can I still be a nut? :-)
 
Last edited:
I hope your brother returns safely.

I wasn't trying to offend anyone really, but just simply think the OP's gear is a little much. Whatever floats your boat I suppose to where you are personally comfortable... but you (the OP) DID ask for our opinions... you cant expect everyone to be on the same page as you however.:rolleyes:

I carry my Blur Tanto as a weapon... but I have taken hand to hand and *some* knife fighting lessons. But in reality no matter the style or intended purpose of a knife they can double as a utility. I actually keep your same Surge in the glove box of my car however. I also keep a Leather-man Kick in both my shooting bag, and my tackle box, just in case.;)

As for the light's... again I keep a Surefire in my glove box. I don't see a need *in my personal life* where I would need a flashlight for the area's I frequent. Obviously this is very personal situation dependent so I have nothing against guy's that do.

I do have night sights on my 1911 for a little extra help in dark places however.
 
I guess I did open pandora's box when I ask for everyone's opinion. Some of the comments would suggest that I am ready to kill anyone that looks at me wrong and that can't be further from the truth. I only carry for self defense and to protect my family.

I realize that I carry a lot of ammo on me and will likely never need one bullet. But the day may come where I need every one and I just want to be prepared if that day comes. I have managed to be robbed at gunpoint 3 times in 11 years, the odds are against me.
 
To me, varying opinions are fine and, in fact, welcomed). That being said, I will never understand why someone vociferously insists that one drop his or her opinion in favor of theirs. I carry two spare mags regularly with my P11 and would not hesitate to recommend that everyone do the same. However, as with any other subject, be it sports, politics, religion etc. I do not try and demean, mock or convert those with contrary beliefs--Maybe if they are blood related but certainly not a mere acquaintance--it would be a bit condescending in my view and my parents raised me differently (no disrespect intended).

-Cheers
 
EDIT: Question for those listing flashlights and knives in their EDC load - are those primarily weapons or are they utility items? I ask because I carry a Leatherman Surge for utility and a 4Sevens Quark AA2 for utility as well. The Surge has a knife and the flashlight has a tactical-level beam w/strobe option, but I carry it because it can run FOREVER on its moon mode and low setting. Never occurred to me that some people might carry "tactical" knives and flashlights daily.
Click to expand...

My mini flashlight is carried for utility but it also acts as a fist load (yawara)for my non dominant hand.

I carry a CRKT M-16 Big Dog Tanto folder. I will only use it as a last resort fighter. I like it because it's big, it's sturdy, its aggressive tanto blade and its ease of one hand opening. It has a flipper and two thumb studs with a LAWKS linear lock.

The Big Dog is easy to care for requires a drop of break free once in a long time. Utility wise I carry my Buck stockman pocket knife for the past 33 years

Depending on season and my mode of dress. My primary CCW is a IWB 45XD compact. A pocket carry Radom P-64 9x16 mak with 2 extra 7 round mags.. Or A .357 snub with 2 extra speed strip. Pocket,IWB,OWB,or Ankle.
 
I'm with you on military and police not knowing squat about guns. I've seen it time and again
Click to expand...

Wow! quite a statement and in contrast to my experience in both fields. Of course some know more than others but a statement such as that is demeaning to professional military and Law enforcement Officers and shows ignorance of anyone making such a broad statement.
 
No offense meant there, GM! After all, I've got military in the family and police friends. I suppose a more accurate statement would've been more along the lines of what HKFan said, which was that just because they're military or LEO doesn't mean they know anything about guns in general.

Is it demeaning? I suppose the phrasing could be said to be, yes. Is the statement itself? Well, those are two professions that include weaponry but often the 'thinking' involved with the selection of weaponry and each potential model's individual merits is done for them, leaving simply the need to know when and how to use them - obviously, those two last bits are very important! However, I don't think that the phrase - as intended - is demeaning because it reflects an important truth: many don't care to know anything more than they have to know about the tools with which they must do an unpleasant job, or tools which others use for the same purpose. That's for somebody else to worry about. You might be interested to know that my brother's interest in firearms has decreased the longer he has been in the Marines. Not that he doesn't like to go to the range anymore, but he doesn't do it the same way or with the same frequency. I think this is a good illustration of my point above.

Of course, some get a real kick out of it, and those who do usually end up being excellent marksmen or taking up specialize positions within their fields. There are always exceptions, and this leads me to one of my favorite contradictions: "There is no such thing as an absolute." Of course there are military and LEOs who know about guns! They couldn't function otherwise, and it would be totally unnatural that they just happened to be the only population segments who are not attracted on an emotional or personal level towards an implement that represents history, power, skill, and responsibility.

I think that, borne of ignorance or not, the point still stands... many military and LEOs know enough about guns to do their jobs. No more, no less, and they don't care to know any more - or if they do have a mild interest, the sources of data from which they receive their limited extracurricular learning often lack wide perspective and realism. I believe the same thing could be said about many private gun owners as well, if that makes you feel any better!
 
It wasn't meant to be demeaning or ignorant in any way, just simply stating most in our military are non combatant. One of my best friends is in the Air Force and sits at a computer stationed in Hawaii.. He couldn't tell you the different between a Glock or a 1911.

I wasn't trying to put anyone down... just simply stating being military or LEO is not simply a badge that makes them a firearms or weapons expert. Armored truck personnel carry a sidearm as well, but if you talk with most... at least who pick the cash up from our shop... they have no idea about firearms or training. The same thing can be said for military and LEO's. Sure not all are like that... but a lot are, the Military is a big system, willed with lots of parts, not everyone is front line.

You might be interested to know that my brother's interest in firearms has decreased the longer he has been in the Marines. Not that he doesn't like to go to the range anymore, but he doesn't do it the same way or with the same frequency.
Click to expand...

That is interesting because the same can be said for my co-worker who was a Green Beret. He still carries, but openly told me that he doesn't have much interest in the range anymore.

I had a LEO freaking out in our shop once because we had a case full of Glocks and "that's what we carry... you can't have those!":eek: I of course asked him how else was I going to make it through the metal detectors at airport security?!

I will also post this tried and true tidbit I am sure we all have seen....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeGD7r6s-zU
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top