Who Switches Carry Guns Regularly?
- Thread starter scgunrunner
- Start date
Muscle Memory
Although I would love to rotate around and give them all equal carry time.... I must admit that I am a believer in muscle memory and practice practice practice. If I were not using a G22 on duty, I would carry my 1911 more than likely. However, since that is what I shoot mostly and know the feel of best at this point.... that is my carry. I shoot a 17 in IPSC for that very same reason, same frame size, feel, function, etc as my 22. I KNOW that pistol and exactly where everything is on it. It's second nature at this point and that should be the feeling you have about anything you carry. When stress hits..... you revert to what you know best, even if it isn't in your holster!
Case in point... took my HK out last week and shot. Everything was fine.... then we went to shooting timed plates for fun. At time for a mag change I immediately hit where my Glock mag release was.... and I hesitated.... had to think about it. It was funny on the range, but NOT what you want if Sugar turns to $hit. Do I like shooting my Glock more than my others? No. I love my 1911's and HK. I shoot it most because that's what I carry.
Case in point 2: My mags have always been to my left hip. Going through Kilo classes, they required to place on right side right in front of duty weapon. Huge FUBAR for me. I tried and tried to explain, but that was a requirement until graduation.... to look consistent and uniform. Needless to say they are where I want them NOW.
It's all what you are use to.
I'm not good enough to carry several different ones and in a stress situation automatically determine which I have, etc etc. I carry a 642 for a BUG and have been shooting it a lot lately. Drawing from a different location (leg for me) seems to switch mode for me so the 642 is a no brainer at this point (after about 500 rounds).
Sorry for the long post.... as others have said... whatever you carry... practice practice practice.... and I hope nobody ever has to actually use it on someone. Contrary to what you see on TV, it's not a pleasant thing to have to go through.
GodSpeed!!
Although I would love to rotate around and give them all equal carry time.... I must admit that I am a believer in muscle memory and practice practice practice. If I were not using a G22 on duty, I would carry my 1911 more than likely. However, since that is what I shoot mostly and know the feel of best at this point.... that is my carry. I shoot a 17 in IPSC for that very same reason, same frame size, feel, function, etc as my 22. I KNOW that pistol and exactly where everything is on it. It's second nature at this point and that should be the feeling you have about anything you carry. When stress hits..... you revert to what you know best, even if it isn't in your holster!
Case in point... took my HK out last week and shot. Everything was fine.... then we went to shooting timed plates for fun. At time for a mag change I immediately hit where my Glock mag release was.... and I hesitated.... had to think about it. It was funny on the range, but NOT what you want if Sugar turns to $hit. Do I like shooting my Glock more than my others? No. I love my 1911's and HK. I shoot it most because that's what I carry.
Case in point 2: My mags have always been to my left hip. Going through Kilo classes, they required to place on right side right in front of duty weapon. Huge FUBAR for me. I tried and tried to explain, but that was a requirement until graduation.... to look consistent and uniform. Needless to say they are where I want them NOW.
It's all what you are use to.I'm not good enough to carry several different ones and in a stress situation automatically determine which I have, etc etc. I carry a 642 for a BUG and have been shooting it a lot lately. Drawing from a different location (leg for me) seems to switch mode for me so the 642 is a no brainer at this point (after about 500 rounds).
Sorry for the long post.... as others have said... whatever you carry... practice practice practice.... and I hope nobody ever has to actually use it on someone. Contrary to what you see on TV, it's not a pleasant thing to have to go through.
GodSpeed!!
I have 5 weapons that I carry with regularity. Which one I'm waering is largely determined by what I'm wearing, what I'm doing and where I'm going.
My main three are always worn left side in either my VMII or my UBG Striker.
Kimber CDPII Pro
DW CBOB
Kimber Utlra Carry
All are easily concealed under even a thin loose fitting shirt with the quality holsters they are in.
If clothing (wearing sweats etc), situation or comfort makes hip wear impractical, I can switch to my Glock 27 in a Galco ankle holster.
If I'm going to the pool I wear my Taurus .38 in thunderwear inside my suit. Noone has ever noticed. I don't know if that's good or bad........
The first three get 80% of the carry time, the Glock in the ankle holster about 15% and the thunderwear the last 5%.
I ensure that I am proficient with all and am always actively aware of what I'm carrying and where it is.
Interesting question.
Sarge
My main three are always worn left side in either my VMII or my UBG Striker.
Kimber CDPII Pro
DW CBOB
Kimber Utlra Carry
All are easily concealed under even a thin loose fitting shirt with the quality holsters they are in.
If clothing (wearing sweats etc), situation or comfort makes hip wear impractical, I can switch to my Glock 27 in a Galco ankle holster.
If I'm going to the pool I wear my Taurus .38 in thunderwear inside my suit. Noone has ever noticed. I don't know if that's good or bad........
The first three get 80% of the carry time, the Glock in the ankle holster about 15% and the thunderwear the last 5%.
I ensure that I am proficient with all and am always actively aware of what I'm carrying and where it is.
Interesting question.
Sarge
The Great Mahoo
New member
I presently have 4 guns from my collection which I carry, depending on activity mostly.
For daily concealed carry, I have 2: a Glock 36 and Taurus 651. I prefer a revolver for carry, as I don't like the thought of a mis-feed, but I am just much more skilled with my auto's. I tend to rotate between the two every few months but tend to carry my glock. I generally carry OWB nowadays, but will be switching back to tucked-IWB as soon as my new holster arrives, allowing me to carry more frequently (ie, at work).
For outdoor activities, such as hiking, riding, what-have-you, I generally carry a Taurus Judge, in my gear, not on my belt. My backpack has a small-of-back accessed compartment which holds my firearm, so the size isn't an issue for me. My primary concern was with snakes, so I was intrigued by the shot-shells. I keep it loaded with 2 rounds of shot and 3 45 colts. This last fall, I picked up a S&W 625MG, which has pretty much replaced the Judge (which now gets used almost exclusively for popping hand-tossed clays).
Above all else, the important thing is to practice.
For daily concealed carry, I have 2: a Glock 36 and Taurus 651. I prefer a revolver for carry, as I don't like the thought of a mis-feed, but I am just much more skilled with my auto's. I tend to rotate between the two every few months but tend to carry my glock. I generally carry OWB nowadays, but will be switching back to tucked-IWB as soon as my new holster arrives, allowing me to carry more frequently (ie, at work).
For outdoor activities, such as hiking, riding, what-have-you, I generally carry a Taurus Judge, in my gear, not on my belt. My backpack has a small-of-back accessed compartment which holds my firearm, so the size isn't an issue for me. My primary concern was with snakes, so I was intrigued by the shot-shells. I keep it loaded with 2 rounds of shot and 3 45 colts. This last fall, I picked up a S&W 625MG, which has pretty much replaced the Judge (which now gets used almost exclusively for popping hand-tossed clays).
Above all else, the important thing is to practice.
David Armstrong
Moderator
I've got one I carry regularly, a S&W 642. I've carried a lot of others over the years, and am quite proficient with them, but the 642 meets almost all of my needs on a day to day basis. Something special going on I don't mind slipping on a 1911 or a Glock or a Model 65, or even a P-38 for some occassions. or the other direction, I might go with a Beretta Mdl 21 or some other mini-gun. But the litle J-frame does what I need and does it almost across the board.
Sparks2112
New member
I carry a lot of different Glocks, all in the same place. Sometimes a HK P7, some others. It really depends. Other than the HK everything I carry is of the point and shoot variety, and the HK might as well be.
Hunter Rose
New member
It seems the biggest sticking point is muscle memory: some have an easy time with it, and some don't. Wow, who'd have thunk it: we're all different!
I have an easy time with muscle memory: I automatically recognize the feel of any gun I own when my hand wraps around the grip. So I have no problem switching between primary weapons (Colt Officer's, Beretta 92, Smith 19). Others don't have that ability, so it's better for them to stick with one.
As for multiple weapons: there're a couple reasons for this idea. I seem to recall one of the mods used to routinely carry 4: 1911 IWB @ 3:30, snubbie in left front pocket, .44 spl in purse, and another snubbie in the handwarmer pocket of her jacket. The idea being she ALWAYS had easy access to a gun. I have a similar set-up: primary (Beretta or Colt) IWB, Smith 19 in my colours, and a Seecamp in my pocket. Pretty much guarantees I'll be able to get my hands on a weapon if I need it.
This is what works for me. If you DO want to try switching, practice at the range to make sure your body will do what you want. I remember watching one of the local IPSC guys when he first got his new race holster: flubbed the draw because he wasn't used to it, then forgot to disengage his safety (because he was so flustered). Fine at a match, not so fine on the street...
I have an easy time with muscle memory: I automatically recognize the feel of any gun I own when my hand wraps around the grip. So I have no problem switching between primary weapons (Colt Officer's, Beretta 92, Smith 19). Others don't have that ability, so it's better for them to stick with one.
As for multiple weapons: there're a couple reasons for this idea. I seem to recall one of the mods used to routinely carry 4: 1911 IWB @ 3:30, snubbie in left front pocket, .44 spl in purse, and another snubbie in the handwarmer pocket of her jacket. The idea being she ALWAYS had easy access to a gun. I have a similar set-up: primary (Beretta or Colt) IWB, Smith 19 in my colours, and a Seecamp in my pocket. Pretty much guarantees I'll be able to get my hands on a weapon if I need it.
This is what works for me. If you DO want to try switching, practice at the range to make sure your body will do what you want. I remember watching one of the local IPSC guys when he first got his new race holster: flubbed the draw because he wasn't used to it, then forgot to disengage his safety (because he was so flustered). Fine at a match, not so fine on the street...
I switch, mostly between:
(a) 2 SW J-frames -- may add a Colt Agent - DA -- pull gun, pull trigger
(b) 3 1911s - SA -- mostly 2 and sometimes a third, pull gun, safety down and off, pull trigger
(c) SW 3913 - DA -- I carry without the safety engaged, pull gun, pull trigger
(d) Colt Mustang -- SA, pull gun, safety down and off, pull trigger
That's 7 guns (and maybe an 8th). But, only two manual of arms.The safety on the SW is backward, up for fire, but I don't carry it with the safety engaged. All my carry guns pretty much sight the same -- a dead on hold.
Some of them I carry for different dress and different situations. One or two I carry just because I like the guns. Am I as proficient if I carried only one gun? I don't know but I suspect not. Am I proficient enough? I believe so and sure hope so.
I do not entirely subscribe to the one gun theory. Seems like I've read that some of the elite military and para-military units choose different handguns (and other weapons) for different situations. Now, they get a ton of training that I will never come close to getting, but the point is that switching between, say a Beretta and a 1911, doesn't impair their functionality. It really is possible to do more than one thing well.
(a) 2 SW J-frames -- may add a Colt Agent - DA -- pull gun, pull trigger
(b) 3 1911s - SA -- mostly 2 and sometimes a third, pull gun, safety down and off, pull trigger
(c) SW 3913 - DA -- I carry without the safety engaged, pull gun, pull trigger
(d) Colt Mustang -- SA, pull gun, safety down and off, pull trigger
That's 7 guns (and maybe an 8th). But, only two manual of arms.The safety on the SW is backward, up for fire, but I don't carry it with the safety engaged. All my carry guns pretty much sight the same -- a dead on hold.
Some of them I carry for different dress and different situations. One or two I carry just because I like the guns. Am I as proficient if I carried only one gun? I don't know but I suspect not. Am I proficient enough? I believe so and sure hope so.
I do not entirely subscribe to the one gun theory. Seems like I've read that some of the elite military and para-military units choose different handguns (and other weapons) for different situations. Now, they get a ton of training that I will never come close to getting, but the point is that switching between, say a Beretta and a 1911, doesn't impair their functionality. It really is possible to do more than one thing well.
i alternate between 3
i switch between a para warthog, glock 29, or a newly acquired sig 220 compact, if i just cant carry any of the above then i carry a kel tec p3at with an extra mag, i usually go about a month on each gun, i practice with all, and all are carried in the same style holster in the same spot. my 1911s have 3 dots, and all others have xs big dot sights
i switch between a para warthog, glock 29, or a newly acquired sig 220 compact, if i just cant carry any of the above then i carry a kel tec p3at with an extra mag, i usually go about a month on each gun, i practice with all, and all are carried in the same style holster in the same spot. my 1911s have 3 dots, and all others have xs big dot sights
chris in va
New member
I change mine all the time. Some days it's the Sig 220, or perhaps the P11 with belt clip. Today it was the old J-frame.
All my carry guns are similar in operation though...DA/SA. No safeties. Pull and go.
I wouldn't want to transition between a 1911 and a revolver.
All my carry guns are similar in operation though...DA/SA. No safeties. Pull and go.
I wouldn't want to transition between a 1911 and a revolver.
Firepower!
New member
I have been thinking about using one handgun all the time for my CCW and HD needs. The reason behind this idea is so many different mechanisms out there. I think one can get confused between SA, Decockers and Safe Actions that can lead to ND or AD whatever you want to call it.
I would like to know any of you think on the similar lines and what measures do you take to avoid ND/AD?
I would like to know any of you think on the similar lines and what measures do you take to avoid ND/AD?