I have six that I choose from depends on what's happening and what I think I need.

Deep cover only .32acp NAA
Semi cover needed .380 LCP
General all around .38 Spec 442
Keep in truck for emer. 9mm Ruger SR9
Heavy duty work .45acp P220
Crisis Situations 16" Marlin 30-30

That seems like a lot but most of the time is spent with the old 442. Once in a while I could see some heavy duty and crisis situation come up with the terriorist situations and the need to be prepared. The 30-30 is always in the truck that way I never feel unarmed. There is nothing like rifle to even the odds.

fknipfer1

I have one, as you only need the one... ._.

SW 6904 9m, although I'm collecting SW knives.. I don't see the need for more than one firearm for protection.

I agree.... But it is fun to collect a few....
But find a good one....and always have it...

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Travel light..stay aware..

Just one, the others are offensive.

Usually one Smith J frame. I have an M38 in my pocket as I write this.

I have carried two J frames, or a J and a K frame, from time to time

Well everyone needs to collect something, my wife collects bells and I collect pistols, revolvers and rifles. I don't know what I am going to do with all of them. I just keep cleaning them all and admiring them for the quality and pride of ownership.

fknipfer1

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I don't collect, I accumlate

I carry two guns.

Primary; S&W M&P 40C
Glock 22
Dan Wesson Commander Bobtail

Second Gun; S&W 642

One.

More than one makes my pants fall down.

When I find myself seriously considering carrying a second gun to go somewhere, I come to my senses and don't go there.

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VIVERE MILITARE EST

Only carry one at the time -----^^------ but rotate between Sig 229, Sig P6 , S&W 5903, and Beretta 92f.

I have been known to carry both my Glock 23C and S&W 642 at the same time.

Always at least one, usually two, sometimes three. Now, in my vehicle, no telling....

one 25-14 lew horton....

I have carried m36 in a pocket holster once in a great while but then when I get back home I realized I probably didn't need to.

Four to choose from. Colt Lightweight Commander, Springfield Micro, S&W 638 and S&W 649. Depending on mood and dress of course!

I usually carry one in my pocket (because of my business i cannot overtly carry) but the one in my pocket plus 2 speed loaders makes me feel that I can at least (if need be) fight my way back to my truck to get the heavier weapon and good amount of ammuntion.

to the truck for a rifle!

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Big bang, much smash'em.

No foul meant, but until it's hit by gunfire, unreachable, or you want to use the weak hand to draw (me last September), one gun might be enough.

"Need" is a very abused word in the english language. One does not know what is needed until it is needed.

I have 4 in rotation.
1911 full size, 1911 compact... both in .45ACP.
Astra Terminator .44 magnum snubby and Taurus 445 .44 special snubby.
I carry 1 or 2 of them at all times.
I like to carry the autos together and the wheelguns together, for ammo sharing reasons.


Jim

__________________
Big bullets leave big holes

I think your right but it's been argued on other threads before. Thinking that one can look in thier crystal ball and see that they won't need one gun, two guns, a reload, etc..... Is foolish. Some just dont care, don't think, or simply aren't being truthful with themsevles. But they are however free to do as they please.

But again, it's been argued before on other threads.

I carry two when I am working....
A Glock 39 usually, and usually a Kahr PM9 or my Model 49....

I had a Glock 23 extractor break during firearms qualification in the middle of a timed string of fire at the 15 yard line...after a tap rack didn't clear it, I dropped it and got a few rounds off with my Kahr....
therefore, two guns....

I assumed when I started thread everyone would carry their guns one or two at a time, not all six or seven. But whatever floats your boat go for it.

fkniper1

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I don't collect, I accumlate

I carry two at a time and spare mag for each. Unless I need to go into East St Louis, then its two spare mags and more in the car.

Glocks 26, 19, & 17. The 26 on my ankle with the 19 or 17 on the hip with a spare 17 mag that will fit any of the 3.

The arguments as to why someone would carry more than one gun are inseperable from a thread about multi-gun carry. This, like many things, may have been discussed before, but we also have new people here all the time.

Good point. But sometimes seeing the same old arguement circulate gun forums gets old. Much could be accomplished by a simple search.

I guess the question I asked was missed or improperly submitted. What I meant in the thread was how many guns do you own that you think are capable of CCW. I have six guns and calibers which I think are capable of ccw. Some may not agree with my assessment but TMHO. If you are going to get into a real gunfight take a rifle.
I put my classes of CCW in the first post. I only carry one at a time and no way will carry more weight. Most times I just have something in the car.

fkniper1

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I don't collect, I accumlate

Seven:

S&W 642 (IWB)
S&W 457 (IWB or Shoulder Holster)
S&W M&P40C (IWB or Shoulder)
S&W 681 (Shoulder)
S&W 629 (Shoulder)
Glock 27 (IWB, Shoulder, Retention)
Ruger LCP (IWB, Pocket, OWB/under belt)

The 681 and 629 are cold weather only when I can have a jacket. The 642 and LCP are usually BUGs, but in the summer or when it's easier to carry small may be primary.

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- The Federalist #46 -

That's not always an option.

I have ~ eight guns that work and all see some use, but it's only four of them that are frequently carried.

First, I carry ONE gun at time. Most states issue concealed weapons permits. Generally those permits allow the carry of A (singular) concealed weapon. While I carry only one weapon, I will usually have a couple of others near by in my vehicle (I am seldom more than 50 feet from my vehicle when in questionable areas or have others with me that are armed).

Next, the legal system takes a hard look at those involved in a shooting. The number of weapons and the amount of ammo carried is going to be considered while thinking of what charges may be filed against the shooter. While the carry may be legal with the intent of the law, it may well be illegal with the letter of the law. Many District Attorneys will be of the opinion that a person carrying two weapons was looking for trouble and with 50 rounds of ammo carried, they were expecting to be shooting for a while.

It should be remembered that a successful defense is one where the good guy walks away and no innocents are harmed. The more bullets fired will increase the odds of injury to others.

it is far better to know one gun well and be able to handle it in total darkness than to have several and have to consider what needs to be done for the firearm of the moment to be used. Also it only takes one well placed bullet to end a critical situation.

I firmly believe in the right to carry, the right of self defense and the use of deadly force. The court does not always feel that justification for a shooting was present.

Either way, any shooting will be costly to the shooter in legal fees. I have found it best to be as legal as possible before a shooting happens.

That said, I carry a S&W .357 with only six rounds of ammo or else a Glock 22 with 15 rounds. In my 40+ years of carry, I have never needed more nor have I wished I carried more.

oldman45.

Thank you for your good answers to the questions, lot of useful information in your post. One gun at a time makes sense to me and fifty rounds of ammunition would sure seem like you want to be there all day and maybe looking for trouble. I have been carrying a S&W 442 with one loader with an additional five rounds which is ten rounds. I sure wouldn't want to get on the bad side of the law by being aggressive.

This is my opinion only and no one elses, it seems that when you are licensed and carry if something happens you are automatically wrong because you had the weapon. If I was young enough I would just run and do my best to get out of there. But being 70yrs young I can't hardly run anymore, bad back, knee problems all I can do is just stand there.

I'm not sure it is worth it to have a ccw and carry because I sure couldn't afford the attorneys and court fees even if I was right.

This is a subject I need to mull over to really consider if I want to continue carrying. I can see keeping the weapons in your domicile because of the castle doctrines but outside the home you are looked at (almost) as a criminal.

fknipfer1

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I don't collect, I accumlate

There are so many sayings about having a gun that I will not bring any up here.

The plain fact is the criminal will more likely prey upon the elderly, defenseless and weak than on the avg citizen. I am right up there with you and just a very few years behind you. My size being 6'3" and weight being 250 helps me from being jumped on by those I have to deal with. But I am too old for the fights now and too stupid to run.

I carry day and night. If I am wearing boots, I will also be wearing a gun on my side. None of us know when we may need a gun. Certainly we can reduce the odds of needing one by watching where we go, where we park and how we walk. Doing all we can will not assure us of not needing a gun. I could open my home door to find someone trying a home invasion and I live in an upper scale subdivision and we have a virtual zero crime rate in the town but I continue to go to my door armed.

Yes, any shooting is going to possibly be costly to the shooter but it can also be a lot cheaper than a funeral or hospital bill you suffer from not having a gun. The NRA has some lawyers that will help in the event of legal probems. Again, we bring a lot of grief upon ourselves by what we do. Walking around with a belt full of ammo is almost like looking for trouble. Carrying two guns is also a red flag to the police, prosecutors and judges. I have heard the arguments of trigger and mag springs breaking but that does not justify the additional arms. The odds of such happening at the time of need is more remote than being attacked in the first place.

But the CCW will allow you to carry in other states as well as your own area. A travelling person may not know the safe areas of a strange town or which motel is safer.

I don't find that I'm looked at as a criminal for being a carrier. I've dealt with law enforcement twice since I started and in both instances they were cool with it. To avoid looking unreasonable, don't go anywhere your mother wouldn't want you to go and avoid trouble, or escalating it so far as you are able. As to why I practice multi-gun carry, I could easily explain why in a court of law.

Jim Cirillo and Bill Allard once got in a shootout with a couple perps and Allard emptied an Ithaca 37, a S&W model 10 and a 1911 .45. Except for two shots from the Ithaca and three shots from the .38, all of the firepower was directed at (and connected with) the one perp. Bill Allard was a national level pistol competitor and one gun didn't cut it, nor would two have in that case.

Carry one or three, I'll repeat what I often say, "Thanks to all the good guys who carry".

In reality, we're all more likely to benefit from keeping house and car doors locked than needing gunfire to solve a problem.

LEO will run into the more hardened criminal than will the CCW citizen. LEO has more in their cars than civilians.

But playing the devils advocate here and having been in about 788 court trials, I would love to hear what type reasoning you would give in court that would exhonorate you. Now remember, your atty fees will already be in excess of $20,000 and not many attorneys want their client on the stand. I have yet to hear a single accused give a reason that got them off the hook. I will also say that fortunately I have only been involved with three cases where the issue of multiple guns came up but all three of those lost the right to carry and spent time in the grey bar motel.

Of course, such "hardened criminals" only prey on cops. Us private citizens have nothing to fear from them.Unless he's innocent and can articulate himself well. There are a myriad of reasons to carry more than one gun such as the ability to draw from a front pants pocket, yet not sacrifice the ability to carry a full size gun, have a second gun available should the primary run dry (New York reload), or be hit by gun fire and the ability to arm another friendly. I'm a revolver shooter. Some people are packing more ammo in one pistol than the sixteen (three guns) I had on earlier. I suppose I could waste my time calling them excessive also.Generally when prosecuters charge someone they have an airtight case or have reached a plea bargain. That said, I'm sure more than one person ever accused of a crime has walked.Then they probably were guilty. Each case is different. I'm not a criminal and religiously avoid trouble.

Just about any handgun will work well as long as you are proficient with it, know the features of the gun and can comfortably carry it on your person. I own a lot of handguns and there are maybe five that I feel would not make a good piece for ccw. But some guns are better than others.

Getting back on topic......

Mine include:
Sig 239 (.40) - This gets carried 98% of the time
Ruger SP-101 (.357) - Carry about 10% of the time
S&W M-60 (.38) - Carry about 20% of the time

As you can see, sometimes a 2nd gun accompanies the Sig 239. If i'm without the Sig, i'm with one of the wheel guns.

With the exception of my 22A, and Heritage 22lr/22mag all my handguns can, and have been carried as defensive guns.

They range from a P3AT .380 to a 4" Model 629 .

The two that get carried the most are my Centennial Airweight 642, and my Glock 23.

No more than 2.....gets too darn heavy.

I've carried up to 3 guns at a time but that was when I was going to the range to shoot all 3.

My normal carry is my Sigma and/or my 85 or my M&Pc.

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Don't look, reload and shoot!

I always carry two guns.
Primary: Charter Arms 44 Bulldog
S&W 37 Airweight
S&W CS45
S&W 39-2

Backup Gun: Keltec P3AT

Usually I only carry one gun. Away from home I carry a Glock 19 or occasionally a Glock 26. Sometimes I will add a J Frame in the pocket (337PD with bobbed hammer).

If I am dressed nicely with my shirted tucked in without a jacket, I only carry a J Frame or a P3AT .380 in a pocket - depending on the pants. I greatly prefer a J Frame to the P3AT .380.

Around the house, I carry a J Frame in a pocket or AIWB using the clip draw.

I always carry at least one folding knife as well.

I have many other handguns, but those 4 are the only ones currently on my carry "menu."

My carry guns:
1. G 36 (winter)
2. G 26 (summer)
3. S&W 642
4. S&W 637 (no lock)
5. Ruger LCP - BUG all year round

One 38 plus pepper spray a lockback knife and a walking cane.

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Protected by Sigma 40VE

My sig 380 carries very well. But my s&w 649-2 just makes me feel more like at home.

Ditto - its hard to remember you even have it with you

But I am always looking for another

Switched to one of three pistols 3913, 4040 PD or 457-always a J frame somewhere handy too

In the woods 325 PD or 66 4 inch

Since I bought my New Agent and my LCR, I have almost cut the number down to 2. Usually one or the other, not both at the same time. Though, that is also possible.

A couple of years ago, I got by with a 696, or my old model 58. Both of these have gotten so high I hate to risk scratching them now. They were both pretty much winter weather guns anyway. The LCR and even the New Agent can be carried in summer time fairly easily.

When I was working patrol, I carried my primary sidearm, my S&W 4506, one back up gun, varied through several finally ended with a Glock 23 that replaced my Walther PPK, 16 rounds of 40 caliber vs. 8 rounds of .380 ACP with the same weight - no brainer. Usually had a another in a briefcase along with shotgun and rifle in the patrol car.

Off duty was the Glock.

Now carry my 45 M&P as primary sidearm and Glock 32 as my off duty but am also qualified with my S&W 686 2 1/2" and a Colt Mustang for very discreet carry.

Early in my stint I observed and was guilty of changing guns like one changes their socks.

I have since become a believer in the saying "Beware of the man with just one gun. He probably knows how to use it."

__________________
I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

I CARRY 229 SIG W/357 SIG BARREL MOST OF THE TIME
M60-3 2'' 38
M66-5 3'' 357 MAG.
M686-4 4'' 357 MAG
PARA ORDNANCE 45ACP 5'' W/CRIMSON LASER
I KNOW I CAN SHOOT THIS GUN @ 50YARDS NO PROBLEM HITTING MY TARGET.
I JUST LIKE TO CHANGE UP.

Some of you guys are awful gun poor, chuckle. Anyway, staying mainly on the topic, only New Mexico that I'm aware of limits a person to carrying a single gun via permit laws, and nowhere limits ammunition carried. Lansing cops never cared, neither did those in VA whether you clanked when you walked. Sometimes I did, but slum lording and the equally hazardous undertaking of meeting women from the internet led to all manner of adventures.

Anyway... Guns that I own that are at least nominally fit for carry... This is off the top of my head so I might miss a few...

1. Colt Series 70 (original) box stock 1911 in .45 ACP. Works fine IWB or OWB strong side carry, just put a garment over it. I have an old Safety Speed paddle/tab holster that I really like that goes with it. I was four years old when it left the factory.

2. Colt Detective Special from 1974, my birth year gun. I went through musical grips on this one, finally stuck a set of Pachs on it, the "Compac" model if I remember right. Magically comfortable. Can go many places where a J frame could. Mine is in great shape so I don't usually carry it, but it'd work.

3. Colt Lawman Snub - really works best OWB strong side like my old snubby Six Series Ruger did. I get a longing for a magnum snubby periodically, this is the one that I have now.

4. Sig Sauer P229R in .357 Sig with night sights - what I've carried lately OWB in a Desantis rig that I got off Ebay cheap. All the joys of a .357 revolver with double the capacity and the magical powers of teutonic gnome engineering. A bit heavy but eh...

5. Glock 32 in .357 Sig also with night sights - I like to have two guns in any given caliber if possible. Works fine OWB or IWB.

6. Glock 34 seems big to many people as a carry gun, but it is the same size as a 1911 and actually lighter. It's more of a rainy day gun really. The sort of rainy day where you tuck it into one of the mag pouches on your rig and have your rifle plates on. I'm a homemaker. A white sale at Macys might go just that wrong.

7. A Glock 26 - I like having a baby Glock around as a potential pocket alternative to J frames. Since I sold my 27, I now have the 26.

8. A Sigma 40VE -why? Trade in and sale value are nil, I've got plenty of mags for it, and I like to keep a .40 around in case that is the only ammo I can find. Been too lazy to get conversion bbls for the Sig and Glock, thus the Sigma is retained. Works fine in a holster that I think was meant for an XD

9. Little Beretta .22 short auto with the longer barrel - for when I shot the squirrel that looked like Lincoln.

10. Walther PP, German, in .32 ACP. Traded my old Krag sporter for it. It works, good shape, and soothes my guilty like for the Walther PP series for pocket purposes. Easier to hit with than my old Kel Tec P32 was and would even make a wood's gun in a pinch.

11. 3" 31-1 in .32 SW Long. Not commonly seen, but they hold six instead of five and report and recoil are minimal. In high school we had an exchange student that was a pretty white girl from Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia. During the "troubles" she was carrying a gun at age six. I have kids so this and the Walther double as Rhodesian specials if the need should arrive. Otherwise a nice walking around gun.

12. 3" 36-1 in .38 special, uses the same holsters and same selection of square butt grips as the above. Makes a nice retro carry rig and can also be a walking around gun.

13. 637-2 with the hammer bobbed, fine pocket gun

14. 638-2 - another fine pocket choice, or clip it to my armor under my left arm with the clip draw attachment on it. Plus I have more than one pocket.

15. 2" older square butt Model 36 with stag grips and a clip draw. Sometimes one needs a dash of style

16. 4" minty nickel 10-7 4" with stags. Pimpin' ain't easy and it matches my hat.... More seriously, see above. Some people call them BBQ guns.

17. 4" 19-3 .357 mag with Pachs and just honest where on it. K frames like the 19/66 in .357 mag are just a sweet spot in terms of size/power. Worth keeping one around.

18. Smith and Wesson Model 629-something or another pre lock pre MIM 4" .44 magnum. Sometimes I go places where man eating hogs, bears, and what not might be a problem. This replaced my old Model 58 and 57 for that niche. Can be downloaded with specials if needed.

19. 3" hard to find DAO bobbed hammer Rossi Model 720 5 shot .44 special. My current gun filling my odd relationship with the .44 special, plus my wife likes big bore snubs.

20. CZ-82 - eh. I got a good trade deal. It's there.

21. Old Smith and Wesson .38 SW top break from 100 or so years ago. I fit a modern set of Pachs on it. In a pinch it is surprisingly concealable and it works. I'd use it as a belly gun in a pinch.

22. Bond Arms .45/.410 2.5" Cowboy defender derringer. I don't like snakes and at least I can still find .410 shells with regularity.

23. ADC Model 1 9mm Derringer - handier than the Bersa I traded for it. It's nice to have a last chance 9mm option to match up with another 9mm if I had to

24. S&W model 5903 with the old square trigger guard. It's light and relatively handy and gives me a spare 9mm. With the MecGar 17rd mags, it's downright useful

25. A 3" Charter Pathfinder in .22 LR. Hey, I can still find .22LR ammo too. Potentially useful, and recoil and report are again nil.

26. A Ruger MKIII .22 auto - I can conceal it if I had to, and again, it's still easy to feed. Like the little Beretta, it's earmarked to eventually be fit with a can.

Yeah, I'm short on guns lately. I suppose that I could also conceal - under a coat -27. a folding stock (Choate) Iver Johnson M1 carbine, I've certainly carried it in the car, 28. an NEF single shot cut down into a whippet gun (still legal length) and a 12 gauge alligator deterrent, 29. and 30. either of my two M4 carbine clones, or 31. my Sig 556 folding stock/collapsible stock rifle. Or is it really a carbine. I forget.

From my wife I could borrow 32. a Beretta 96G in .40 with night sights, although it is a bit bulky, 33. her oddly favorite Lorcin L-25 that I put pink grips on and traded a couple boxes of .45 FMJ for. She carries it in a little Hello Kitty thing meant to carry a portable game system. Shrug. 34. her Kel Tec P3AT that I don't really trust since I gave up on .380s for the most part

All the double action revolvers work the same way basically. I'm good with a 1911/BHP/SA auto and that's what I prefer, I need more. Until then, I know how to use a DAO auto just fine and also manage with the TDAs.

In my usual rotation, I'll carry a S&W Model 10-6 for open carry and a S&W Model 640 for concealed carry. That's about it, although I have carried my S&W Model 28-2 once, just to see if it would pull my pants down (turns out that it doesn't, not with the right belt).