CCW options ... One, two, or more?

How many handguns in your CCW rotation?

  • One -- A single trusted revolver/semi

    Votes: 45 29.4%

  • Two -- Odd and even days

    Votes: 21 13.7%

  • Three -- A primary carry, and two alternates

    Votes: 53 34.6%

  • Four or more -- Variety in the rotation

    Votes: 34 22.2%
  • Total voters
    153
Gawd, don't I hate the term "carry rotation", the inference that you would carry a particular gun just because it's the one that comes up in the rotation for that day bugs the hell out of me.

I only carry 1911s and J frame snubbies but I have several 1911s in different sizes, weights, and calibers that I choose from depending on what I'm doing, what I'm wearing, or where I'm going. I have a railed 1911 that is a dedicated home defense gun. They're all similarly set up as far as trigger pull, sights, etc..
 
I voted three, but it comes down to whatever I feel like carrying- 1911, 1076, or XDs. Rarely I go with a .38 taurus snub if I'm in a hurry, and even more rarely I go with a 9mm.
 
I decided about 6 months ago to stop "rotating" carry guns and limit myself to either an M&P Shield or an M&P 9.

Hick's Law postulates that the more variables you add to the decision making process the longer it takes you to make a decision and act on it. So if I add variables by carrying different guns in different locations in different types of holsters with varying levels of retention all I'm really doing is adding to the menu options I have to go through in my mind before acting in a self defense scenario. My brain has to answer a series of questions before I can even start to draw my firearm.

Eliminating variables makes anything a human does more consistent and reliable. By definition if I'm in a self defense situation I'm already behind the curve. Every step I have to take to prepare to and defend myself is an opportunity for something to go wrong. Every step or decision that I can eliminate increases the odds in my favor.

It's my belief that the more I practice with my carry gun the better I'm going to be with it under stress. The fewer variables in my equipment the faster I'm going to draw, the less chance of a mistake or hesitation, and the better my chances of survival. I have completely eliminated the variable of what I'm carrying, where, or how. It's always exactly the same. I'm better prepared to defend myself as a result.
 
Good post, Smoke. That's why I go with 1911s, whichever one I carry it's the same as the others, one platform, one gun.
 
When I used the word "rotation", I didn't mean it indicate a fixed schedule of cycling sidearms on a regular basis. Rather, I meant multiple revolvers/semis in a person's collection that are routinely carried, as opposed to a single CCW.

Personally, I shoot my CCW J-frames the same, so carrying one vs. another is a moot point. The difference comes when I have the 624 or 65 with me, although I shoot those both quite well also.
 
I have a 1911 Commander that I carry. If it's not available for some reason, I have a 1911 full size. I also have a M&P 45, but it works exactly the same as the 1911.

I'm with Smoke on this one. Simpler is better.
 
I don't have a carry rotation either, but my usual carry gun is my Ruger LCR followed by my XDs (45) and finally my Glock 30. I carry the LCR far more than the others.
 
My usual carry is a 640-1 in the waistband and a 337ti on the ankle. I have a speed strip in each side pocket...Both are loaded with the same ammo. The operation of both is identical since the 337 has the hammer bobbed and is DAO. Both have fiber optic, tritium front sights and same stocks...I practice right and left handed draws and shooting with them...I don't think regularly changing types of carry guns is a good idea.
 
I will carry any gun I can conceal. Right now the following are in rotation:

1. Glock 29SF. 10mm FTW.
2. Glock 19 Gen4.
3. H&K VP9
4. Sig P938
5. Kahr CW380

I don't subscribe to the single gun mindset. Sights are sights. Trigger control is trigger control. Gun has a safety? No problem. Gun has no safety? No problem. At minimum, I can shoot any gun with combat accuracy. I attribute this to a single hard earned skill. I put in the time and effort to learn to shoot a truly heavy DA revolver trigger well.

Call me old-fashioned. I believe a firearms enthusiast should put in the time to learn how to shoot a DA revolver trigger. Master this skill, and every other pistol trigger type is easy.

... I also believe that anyone who drives a car should learn to drive using a manual transmission...< end premature old-guy rant> :)
 
I have 2 that I use depending on what I'm in the mood to carry. Primary is a M&P 40C in a IWB holster from Hidden Hybrid Holster company. When I feel like carrying a revolver I have a custom made IWB holster and it holds a SP101 .357. I practice with both, and am very comfortable with either should I need to use it. Hopefully I will never need to use the training I have with either.
 
I carry my S & W 640 Pro with a speed strip everyday. The only time I don't is when I take my dog out for a walk in the morning and evening in my neighborhood. Then I usually drop a NAA Pug Magnum in a holster in my pocket. But anywhere other then my neighborhood the 640 goes with me.
 
Due to the need to disarm, I primarily pocket carry my Smith 36, but on a previous job, I used to regularly rotate several semi-autos, the 36, and a 3" 65.
 
JaPes said:
I don't subscribe to the single gun mindset. Sights are sights. Trigger control is trigger control. Gun has a safety? No problem. Gun has no safety? No problem. At minimum, I can shoot any gun with combat accuracy.
Click to expand...

I go with single gun because...

As you say, sights are sights, trigger control is trigger control, etc. You are absolutely right.

I go with one gun not because of the gun but because of the carry.

In a high stress situation, like it would be if having to use your gun for self defense, I do not want to have to hesitate for even a single second while I figure out where the gun is...IWB right forward cant at 4 o'clock for the big gun, pocket holster in right front pocket for the itty bitty revolver, shoulder rig for this gun, ankle holster for that one, and a waterproof derringer stuffed in my speedo when I go to the beach...:D:D:D

If I ever have to pull I want to reach for it in in one place and know what's there, exactly where "there" is, and how its carried (vertical, forward cant, etc).

Sure, I could practice all of that at the range, or even dry firing exercises, and do it perfectly, but...

The split second it takes to remember which piece of training for which gun to access mentally is still there and in a high stress situation we all will devolve to our training.

... I also believe that anyone who drives a car should learn to drive using a manual transmission...
Click to expand...

Cars can have automatic transmissions if the owner wants, but every puckup should come with a manual only...:D

< end premature old-guy rant> :)
Click to expand...

Old farts rule!
 
Primary ccw S&W 1911 pro series sub-compact 45acp
then Mod.37 and Model 638
 
I think it important to always carry the same firearm, qualify with it, know everything about it. That is what we did when I was working, in uniform we were all issued the same firearm. In retirement I always carry a CS45, and sometimes a PPK as backup.
 
The weather dictates what I'm carrying that day. Most days here around Tampa I'm carrying my G42 since that will slide right into my pocket. If weather will be cooler (later this week) will be carrying my 9 Shield OWB with open over shirt.
 
I hope this doesn't get me thrown out of here. But I carry either my Ruger SR9c or my Taurus 850. Mostly my Ruger. But switch to the 850 when I am in the mood for a revolver. Can also depend on where I am going and think I might need the capacity of my SR9c. But once I get my 442, 642, or 637 I will be using that most likely.


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
 
90% that little LCP on top is carried.

As far rotating guns.... the guns below all go bang when the trigger is squeezed.
I have seen countless experienced guys try to shoot a gun at the range with the safety engaged.
I reckon it don't get a lot better under stress.
If I carried a gun with manual safety, that would be the only one I carried. Well... 1911 I'm okay with since over the years Ive developed an involuntary thumb reflex no matter what gun is in my hand.:D

IMG_1314_zpsv9auazux.jpg
 
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Kahr CW-45. Light, single stack DAO with a 5# butter smooth trigger. It rides in a Shepherd kydex\leather holster in the small of my back. I sometimes carry a Sig P238 in a Desantis pocket holster but the Kahr gets max use. A SDVE 40 lives in my truck.
6174ef28e5d27e87396aad129b630cb1.jpg
a643f38b0524e819664e3e2ca8ab7c67.jpg
 
JaPes said:
I don't subscribe to the single gun mindset. Sights are sights. Trigger control is trigger control. Gun has a safety? No problem. Gun has no safety? No problem.
Click to expand...

Several years ago when I first started carrying a gun someone tried to mug me. I drew my firearm from my pocket and the guy saw it and took off. At the time I carried my gun with an empty chamber for "safety" and in the heat of the moment completely forgot that I was carrying an (essentially) unloaded gun and made no attempt to chamber a round.

That incident gave me a first hand look at how your mind works under stress. Had the guy pressed the attack I would have very likely gone down trying to squeeze the trigger and not knowing why my gun wasn't firing.

All of my training could be characterized as a process of simplifying and streamlining and cutting out the things that don't work.

I've said it before but every variable and every step you add to the process is just one more chance for something to go wrong at the worst possible moment that it could go wrong. I am not willing to bet my life that on that day I'll remember if I'm carrying a gun with a safety or not and I'm not willing to bet my life that if I remember wrong I'll have time to correct the mistake.

In fact I'm not wiling to bet my life that the safety won't pick that day to stick. That's why I carry strictly striker fired pistols with no manual safety and a loaded chamber Pull, point, shoot,
 
Smoke. It has to do with training. You need to train more with no round in yhe chamber to remember. I remember when i started doing patrol exercise in my m16. Kept forgetting to swithc safety off. Took a few times but yhen jt became automatic
 
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