Dilemma:M&P vs 5903 for carry?

[Silversmok3]

There is no doubt to my mind that I would rather carry my 3rd generation sidearm for civil concealed carry.

That said, we live in litigious times. I have to balance my choice of gun with the unfortunate truth that carrying it means risk of confiscation should I be forced to use it-potentially for good. Losing my 5903 to the police evidence locker on a permanent basis would represent a personal tragedy.

Thus, the logic of carrying the M&P. But the M&P, great handgun that it is, ahem, polymer. I strapped it on for a grand total of five hours before running back to the safe for my aluminum 3rd Gen. Carrying the M&P to me just feels ...unnatural. Both weapons are capable and self-defense accurate in my hands, so it is not a question of capability.Im just biased towards metal.

Im considering ordering another 59 series weapon for carry to alleviate this dilemma, but then the "new " gun is at risk of confiscation itself. Am I over thinking this issue or are these valid concerns?

[Craig19]

I feel your pain. I bought a 6906 for carry last summer, but I think I have only carried it once. I usually carry my Glock 19. Its not that I prefer the Glock (I do like it), but it can be easily replaced, the 6906, not so much.

In cold weather I have carried my 5906 OWB, there seem to be a good supply of them right now, it I had to buy another, I could. Plus my 5906 isn't in as nice of shape as my 6906.

[Badkarma 1]

The thing is if your involved in a "good shoot" your weapon may still be confiscated (check your local laws on this!) for evidence and you may (it has happened here) have to sue the police to get your weapon back.
Believe me I've been in the same boat as you and have a SW99 in .40 for my "out about the yard" gun. Not my preferred caliber but the platform is pretty wicked!
So you can buy another 59xx series or carry your M&P, personally I'd get another 59 and go forth. Dale

[Fastbolt]

Well, I can understand your apparent reluctance to have the 5903 taken into evidence/property for an indeterminate length of time. I have some 3rd gen pistols which I appreciate, myself.

On the other hand, they're basically just "safety equipment" to me, meaning I have no problem carrying them as dedicated defensive weapons ... which role naturally includes the possibility of them being taken into evidence/property is actually used in a shooting situation.

I like my cars and motorcycle, too, but I understand the potential risks involved in actually using & driving them (meaning damage/loss from accident, theft and any natural acts). I drive/ride them.

I don't mind having a number of plastic guns which are more easily replaced than my 3rd gen guns, though, and I use/shoot & carry them quite a bit. Hey, they're just handguns. (Glocks, M&P's & SW99's)

I could replace my Glocks and M&P's without looking very far or hard. I could replace my SW99's with a similar Walther P99 model without much trouble, too.

When all is said and done, though, I don't own my 3rd gen guns for "pride of ownership", or because I "love them". I appreciate & like them for what they are, but they're still just a few of the many handguns I own and use for the role of dedicated defensive weapons.

I won't presume to tell you you're over-thinking things. Or that your stated preference and "bias toward metal" pistols is wrong. Not my business or my call.

You know, there was a point I remember when I found myself reaching into my safe for a handgun to carry, and I discovered I was using avoiding picking one or another to carry that day. When it occurred to me to stop and wonder why I felt that way, I found that I was letting some sort of "favoritism" influence my selection that day.

No big deal ... but if I liked them all enough to own, train, practice and qualify with (as authorized off-duty weapons) , why would it matter to me which one I was carrying for any reason other than how well it was suited for my anticipated activities, tasks and clothing for that day? After all, I'd carried handguns as issued weapons which wouldn't have been my choice to buy as "favorite guns" at one time or another ... but I didn't short myself on practicing with them, or being able to meet my agency's requirement for a Master medal when using them.

So, while I may satisfy a whim to wear a particular gun at one time or another nowadays, I'll also stop myself when reaching for a "favorite", reminding myself I'm only carrying it for a specific role, and I'll grab whichever one I don't necessarily "feel" like carrying that day or evening.

"Unnatural" doesn't enter into it for me. As long as I can use one of them safely, accurately & effectively on the days or night I work a range qual or training session, it ought to be good enough to protect me the rest of the time.

It's just a handgun. The shooter/user factor - meaning knowledge, skillset & mindset - are much more important to my thinking.

Suit yourself.

I do.

[mlk18]

I say wake up every morning and flip a coin; heads you go with the 5903 and tails you carry the M&P. If you use a different coin every day within one year you can go buy a Hi-Point 9mm and never have to worry about the 5903 or M&P ever again.

I carry whatever I feel like that day, which means whatever will be the most comfortable based on what I am doing and what I am wearing. What I buy on the other hand is always based in favoritism. I never worry about the Police taking my gun or my losing it permanently and neither should you. If you get into a shoot out and the only thing you lose is your gun, count your blessings.