There and Back Again: From Luxury to Budget -- My Primary Carry Gun Experience.

[petepeterson]

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 thugz get my $3000 gun as an extra prize. Whereas if I'd packed the Glock, I'd have stayed alive.

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.

 

[Echo40]

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.

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.

 

[BAM-BAM]

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............................

 

[Echo40]

*sighs*

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

 

[waffles]

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.

 

[BAM-BAM]

*sighs*

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

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!!!

 

[rockquarry]

*sighs*

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

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.

 

[tops]

I don't think there's a ton of people carrying $3k pistols that couldn't afford to replace it..

They probably already have a spare. Larry

 

[Smoke]

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.

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

 

[Oldsalt66]

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".

 

[Chief Wiggums]

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.

 

[WC145]

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 thugz get my $3000 gun as an extra prize. Whereas if I'd packed the Glock, I'd have stayed alive.

Hilarious!

 

[stansdds]

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.

 

[RobertJ.]

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.

My thought exactly.

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

 

[CH4]

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…

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.

 

[oldiegoldie]

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.

 

[jjmIII_Ruger]

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.

 

[stansdds]

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.

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.

 

[S&W Fan]

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.

 

[Echo40]

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.