Over the course of my career as a LE firearms instructor I had the chance to work with a fair number of cops and even CCW folks. I eventually came to a dismaying conclusion.
It's likely that there are a fair number of lawfully armed folks walking around in the general public who may be somewhat over-confident when it comes to their abilities to defend themselves in an unexpected, tumultuous, rapidly evolving, chaotic, physically & emotionally stressful situation involving the realistically perceived threat of imminent serious bodily injury or death.
Not just from an equipment perspective, either.
Mindset, skillset, toolset.
Some folks like to reverse the order of relevance, placing equipment first when it comes to considering priorities.
People can buy equipment, though. Just involves spending money.
Being physically prepared from the equipment perspective is not the same thing as being physically prepared to react and effectively function at a heightened physical level, nor does it mean someone may be prepared to be able to react and effectively function mentally & emotionally.
Me?
Sure, I've invested a lifetime learning how to safely handle, manipulate and shoot a number of various firearms. Since I was about 5 years old.
I spent a number of years improving my knowledge and skills while working as a firearms instructor, too.
I've spent 38 years working to improve my knowledge and skills in the martial arts.
I've been very fortunate and lucky in that regard.
There are times when I leave the house without carrying a lawfully concealed firearm, though.
I somehow manage to make it home again safely, too.
While I spent the better part of a decade carrying an issued 6-shot revolver as a young cop I wouldn't go so far as to feel like carrying a short-barreled 5-shot revolver as a service weapon. As a secondary/backup, but not as a working primary. At least not in most situations. I'd rather have a somewhat larger, easier to shoot 6-shot revolver. Comes to that, a 7 or 8-shot revolver would be better still.
Anyway, I finished up my LE career carrying an issued 7+1 shot .45 compact pistol for a plainclothes assignment and either 1 or 2 spare magazines, depending on my caseload and anticipated activities for any given day.
On my own time, especially now that I'm retired, I generally carry either a 5-shot .38 Spl or a small 9/40 pistol of some sort. The magazine capacities of the small pistols range from 7-10 rounds ... and I carry a spare magazine. Sometimes a pair of them.
I also carry 1-2 speedstrips or speedloaders when carrying a J-frame. Sometimes more, especially if I'm going on a day ride through the hills and countryside along the Coast or inland valleys.
I can shoot a 5-shot revolver relatively well, though. Shooting 5 shots into a fist-sized group at 5 yards in less than 3 seconds is one of the ways I check myself from time to time. I still test the basic skills at distance, too.
Sure, I can do better when shooting a pistol.
As long as I can do well enough with one of the diminutive J-frames, however, the 5-shot guns will remain in my retirement CCW lineup. Handy. Convenient. Able to be carried in pocket holsters and pockets where even my compact & subcompact 9/40 pistols won't easily carry.
I still remain mindful of the importance of awareness and mindset, though, as well as continuing to work on fighting off the ravages of time in the way of working out, too.
I don't shoot as much as when I was working, but I enjoy my range sessions a bit more. I also find I can burn up less ammunition and still meet my needs and goals, too.
I no longer have much concern regarding what other folks may, or may not, choose to carry as lawful concealed weapons. Not my business. Each person has to make such informed decisions for themselves after careful review of their perceived needs, their knowledge, their skills and their experience.
With such decisions can come the potential for consequences, though ...
