I've always had a sort of thing for fancy or otherwise flashy guns, to the point that for a time, I actually would opt to carry something that wasn't necessarily the best option, merely because I liked the look of it better.

From 2015 to 2019 my primary carry gun was a Walther PPK/S, a classy little carry piece made almost entirely of Stainless Steel with a lovely pair of aftermarket Altamont Rosewood Grips.



However, over that course of time, I began to consider other options, and began to desire something smaller and lighter, which ultimately lead me to the Ruger LCP. Sure, there were fancier options on the market of similar size/weight such as the SIG P238 and the Remington RM380, but I liked the Ruger LCP for its track record for reliability, and to suit my desire for a bit of flair, I opted for the 10th Anniversary Edition with an Engraved Stainless Steel Slide, but for all intents and purposes, it was still a budget pistol.



A few months later that same year, due to a number of reports of wild predatory animals coming out of the woods surrounding my residential area, I decided that I wanted to carry something with a bit more oomph than .380 ACP, just incase I were to have to defend myself against something like a hog, but I didn't have any money to spend on yet another new carry gun after buying the LCP. However, one day when I stopped into my favorite gunshop to buy a couple boxes of ammo, I saw a Smith & Wesson SW40VE in the case, Like New for just $199, so I put it on layaway and paid it off the next month.
For those who aren't familiar with it, the SW40VE is a 3rd Generation variant of Smith & Wesson's Sigma Series of pistols which had in recent years become their budget line of pistols compared to the higher end Smith & Walther SW99 collaboration and later the M&P Series.



Well, early this year I decided to get something a bit nicer, but since I was concerned over the possibility of future Gun Control legislation and because I wanted something smaller and lighter than the SW40VE, (which is a Compact Pistol similar in size to the Glock 23) I ultimately ended up with a Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P40 Shield 1.0 which I had found a really good deal for online.



I love the Shield, and I've carried it all year long with confidence, but today since the weather was too cold for shorts and I could easily carry a bigger gun, I decided to carry my trusty SW40VE again, and that's most likely what I'm goung to do clear into next Summer when it gets warm enough for shorts again. Because while the SW40VE isn't as fancy a gun as my Performance Center M&P40 Shield, and although the trigger isn't as nice, it holds more ammo, is easy to carry in colder weather, feels great in my hand, and is plenty accurate/reliable, so I see no reason to carry the lower capacity Shield. Both are carried concealed anyway, so it's not like I gain anything by carrying the fancier Shield, and besides, they're both just utilitarian polymer framed guns to begin with, so I wouldn't be wearing either to a Barbecue regardless.

I'm curious if anyone else here has been in the same position, and went back to carrying what is generally regarded as a lower quality firearm after a time carrying something of higher quality. What's your story?

__________________
Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

IF you were ever to use your gun in a self defense situation, it will be seized as evidence and it will likely be years before you ever - if ever get it returned. So, keep that in mind when you consider carrying the Wilson, Les Baer, Smith PC model, etc. As a side note, it will not receive the care it gets at home while residing in the police property room…

__________________
S&W factory revolver armorer

Seriously why is that even a concern. If I have to use it, it did it's job. I'll buy another one if I have to. I wear nice clothes sometimes too even though ems will just cut them off if I get injured.

I carry what I like and shoot well. That includes a shield which while it didn't break the bank isn't a Saturday night special and is kind of a step up from a ppk in the shooting department of you ask me.

Do you want to accessorize or carry the most comfortable gun that will serve its purpose. I have a lot of choices, I carry a Gen 1 LCP. 600 rounds without one hic up. Small, cheap and effective.

It's fun to carry my "nicer" guns, but far from necessary.

__________________
Just hanging with my dogs

Goofiest thing I've read in a while . . .

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

It's a concern to many because they have to have something to worry about and obsess over.

Makes sense too me. I also don't drive a piece of junk so if I have a wreck my good car won't get damaged.
My pride is another reason for carrying a good gun. When I die or get killed I don't want too be found dead with a cheap gun. Larry

If a gun looked like my ex sister n law I'd carry it, if it did the job it was supposed to do. To me, looks mean nothing, it can either do the job or not. if the answer is not, then I divest myself of it.

Looks are not everything. I mostly carry a M-649, which I once thought was plug ugly but it grew on me. I also carry a Walther CCP, better looking than a Glock but just as plastic , but these compact guns work for me so they lead the carry list. I don't worry about how they look because nobody sees them!

__________________
Come and take it!!

Wow! Are you kidding? My life is worth more than some stupid
gun.

I have thought about what you said before, but if
that happens I’ll just seek out and buy the hard to find
Revolver I had before. I’m conservative but not that
conservative.

It may cost me more but I’ll worry about that when it happens.

Attached Images

B3BC3523-E89A-4698-AAE7-B3A1DCE7EB20.jpg (74.8 KB, 111 views)

__________________
SD social distanc'n since 1889

Norseman,

That’s one fine single action!

Buy and carry what makes you happy. In the off chance that you loose it for a time in the evidence vault, so be it. I carried a total custom 1911 for years as a LE knowing full well that it might someday be seized for evidence.I felt confident with it and knew the cost.

Gun shop tried to sell me the Wilson 9mm EDC9. Awesomely crafted gun it is. $3000 is the price of admission.

For that kind of money I can get five G19s. And my G19 carries 16 rounds. Wilson only carried nine. So I run out of ammo quick, and the th*** get my $3000 gun as an extra prize. Whereas if I'd packed the Glock, I'd have stayed alive.

I have always considered losing a weapon after surviving a shooting would be like losing a friend that jumped on a hand grenade.. will always remember the sacrifice made to save my life... but the big difference would be it is just a thing not a person

I get what folks are saying about a gun lost in exchange for dear life is a more than equal trade, but at the same time, why carry a fancy/expensive firearm for self-defense is a plain/inexpensive pistol will work just as well and won't cost you anything that you'll miss? Your life can still be saved by a Glock while your more expensive guns remain safe inside of your safe back at home, its a win/win.

__________________
Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

Ditto about the pug ugly! But, they've grown on me too and I would carry one if I had one!

__________________
otis

I am first and foremost about utility and function. Current concealed carry is an LCP Max. Not a custom gun by any means, pretty utilitarian, and high capacity.

__________________
otis

The gun that has saved your life doesn’t owe you any money, and replacement costs shouldn’t even enter the mental calculus.

I think that the mentality behind concern over replacement depends greatly on income. Obviously those with more money who can more easily afford replacements are going to be less concerned than someone who can't so readily replace a handgun in the aftermath of a self-defense shooting.

Personally, it's at least a minor concern for me, hence why I would sooner carry a more utilitarian firearm than something fancy or otherwise expensive.

__________________
Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

You're setting up the cheap car analogy again. Why drive a nice vehicle if something beat up will get you the same result?
Answer: Because I want to.

__________________
Because of the metric system?

So, you missed the first 9 times with the Glock, then corrected your aim, and it saved the day?
And if it's any consolation, the dude that took you out is toast, because now he only has 9 rds in your 3k pistol.

__________________
Because of the metric system?

I was merely attempting to explain the rationality behind the concept, if you want to carry a fancy gun, then more power to you. As I said in the OP, I myself used to carry a Walther PPK/S mainly because I loved the style of the gun, my focus has merely shifted over the years towards more utilitarian carry guns, and I'd rather save my nicer guns for the range.

I still love a fancy gun, in fact my last gun that I purchased (H&K USP45 Elite) kind of walks the line between fancy and utilitarian, and if I were going for a hike in the woods, then it's most likely what I would carry.

__________________
Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

Define fancy...... a $3,000 Wilson Combat EDC9, a $1,200 Wilson Combat Beretta......
a S&W PC gun I bought used for $500 in 1996....... a $270 used 3913NL I bought 20 years ago.......................... a 3" 66 I got in 1988 for $270 OTD????????

If it saves my life; or protects my family, I will be forever grateful....... then I'll get my (similarly priced) backup out of the safe............................

*sighs*

You guys seriously get way too defensive over this... Carry whatever you like, nobody is arguing that you must do otherwise.

__________________
Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

I don't think there's a ton of people carrying $3k pistols that couldn't afford to replace it. It also entirely misses the obvious, while it would suck to lose the pricey gun, nobody has to replace it with a pricey gun, you can get yourself back up and armed again with a $500 p365 regardless of whether you lost a $3k pistol or a $70 jennings.

What I've been saying for years........................ one size doesn't fit all....

But I would say if you've got a favorite EDC..... if you haven't already done so; get a back up!!!

Yes, but that's a reasonable and objective approach. Some see arguing as a competitive sport. They find the opportunity to participate irresistible, regardless of whether their argument has merit or not. Controversial threads like these wouldn't survive otherwise.

They probably already have a spare. Larry

I've heard of many people who have an identical gun as a back up.

If finances are and issue this approach would allow someone to prepare before it's needed

__________________
Retired Career Security Guard

This line of discussion reminds me of the old Jack Benny gag.

Armed robber: “Your money or your life”.

Jack Benny: (pause)……”I’m thinking”.

interesting replies.
I have never taken into consideration , the "what-if" scenario of giving up my EDC to LEO in the event of it being used for SD. My main concern is that it goes bang when required.
I'm a Beretta convert to M&P 2.0 and the dreaded G company.

Hilarious!

__________________
Don't kiss smiling dogs!

For me, the carry weapon is a tool, and one that is likely to be carried a lot and possibly never used other than at the range. Given that it is a tool, and like my hammers, pliers, screw drivers, etc., none of which are fancy, my carry weapon is very utilitarian. I don't see the need to carry a $3000 custom pistol when a $300-$500 off the self pistol carries just as well and works just as well. I'd rather invest the money saved with an off the self pistol for some nice leather and a lot of practice ammo.

__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA

My thought exactly.

I carry the nicest I can afford. I have other nice ones to carry in its place, if need be.

So essentially what you're saying is everyone would be better off driving a beater car so it won't hurt as much when it's stolen, damaged, etc., or if you have a nice car or gun it should be relegated to the garage or safe. Life's too short for beater cars and cheap guns.

__________________
213th FBINA

all of us probably have at least one handgun we'd never carry due to possible confiscation. a Colt Python [i'm 3rd generation owner and it will go to a fifth generation when i'm called home] and S&W 386Sc Mountain Lite are two i'd never carry and both would be good carry guns during cooler weather. the 386 is a 7 round revolver and very light weight. a joy to shoot. the Python speaks for itself.

My Carry history:
38 Special LCR
9mm Shield 1.0
9mm Shield 2.0
9mm Glock 43x
9mm Shield Plus

38 Special M36 rotates in there sometimes.

Like a broken record I sing the praises of the new Shield+. I'm in love and home again after the Glock.

I drive an old Honda CR-V, it's paint is faded and it has plenty of parking lot dings. The dings bothered me when it was shiny, new vehicle, but now I really don't care if it gets another ding or scratch. If I had a 1969 Ford Boss 302 Mustang, it would not be my daily driver.

__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA

Something to consider that depending on all the legal wrangling that could go on during the investigation of a shooting you could lose any/all firearms you own depending on the prosecutor.

Carry whatever you want, have a good attorney on speed dial and don’t give any statements until after you’ve consulted with said attorney.

I've heard folks say this quite often, but I've yet to see any compelling evidence to suggest that a prosecutor can successfully convince any Judge/Jury that an otherwise perfectly legal self-defense shooting was in fact manslaughter.

I'm sure that there have been some such occurrences in anti-gun states where folks have been successfully socially indoctrinated into having a negative predisposition towards firearms in general, but obviously that only applies to specific regions and therefore shouldn't be a factor for someone who lives elsewhere.

That being said, anyone who has chosen to carry a firearm for self- defense ought to be aware of the local laws regarding concealed carry/self-defense, have a legal contact, and to always consult legal counsel prior to making any statements to the police in the aftermath of a self-defense shooting, that's just common sense.

__________________
Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

I'm not a collector, and guns are tools to me, so whatever works is what I own and carry. My feeling is that carrying a firearm is serious business, not a fashion show.

__________________
GOA life member

You carry for what does the job and suits you NOT for how freakin flashy it looks. You want flashy, join a parade.

There can be a long time between an incident and a decision by a prosecutor or grand jury to choose to indict. In that time frame one could find themselves unable to possess a firearm. In 40+ years of being a firearms owner I know of one such instance that resulted in no true bill against the person-he lost temporary possession of all his guns until that point. They all were returned in the same condition as surrendered.

I carry what I’m most familiar with/handle the best. As anyone should imho. To each their own. I’ve nothing more to add, stay safe all.

I can understand going with top quality or spending a little extra just because it makes you happy, but a carry gun is just a tool, like a hammer. That said, I'd never carry a plastic hammer.

Do whatever you are assured/experienced with. If you are confident in your self defense, no other opinions matter (provided applicable laws). Be safe and good wishes, TH.

ETA: I have a relative who only owns one gun, a S&W Model of 1905, 2nd change, I believe, in .38 spcl. for self defense. This old gal has it by her bed. Good for her and who cares, at the same rate. Husband died and it is her self defense.

Addendum: The value of a tool does not matter. In trying to be objective, addressing your post, I FEEL that price does not enter the correspondence. I am sorry, but this line of thought is non-sequitur. It does not follow.

__________________
Rather be outdoors

Oddly enough, I've never carried a hammer, regardless of what material it was made of, simply because I've never needed to carry one.
But then again, I didn't even know that they made actual hammers out of polymer, nor that they could perform the task of hammering just as well as their steel counterparts, thus rendering your statement a valid, apples to apples comparison, so just shows what I know.

__________________
Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

I've done the same thing. i used to only carry high end Sigs *229,220,226,228* and HKs *mainly USP Compacts*. and.......kimber 1911s.

I carried a 226 on duty, 229 or USP Compact off.

But the more times i had to draw down on someone at work, the more i realized that there was a increasing chance that i may have to use said weapon. And for duty use....accuracy and reliability are all that matters.

So I put my exotics back in the safe and picked up a M&P .357 sig for duty, and a M&P 40 for off duty carry.

if they get taken to evidence land. I dont care, i can buy another. actually at todays pricing on .40 cal guns I can buy 3 for the price of one of my sigs.

Budget works. Budget is good :-D