EDC Considerations

[jakerudy]

Like many others I've spent considerable time and money trying to decide on the best option for me. There are several factors to consider with some being vital such as reliability, proficiency with the weapon, confidence in the caliber, etc.

One factor that is often mentioned is having the weapon confiscated as evidence with the primary concern being the dollar value of that weapon that may be lost forever. If I am ever unfortunate enough to have to use a weapon for self defense and am fortunate enough to survive the incident I don't believe the dollar value of that weapon will be a primary concern.

I am interested in the thoughts of others.

 

[murphydog]

Agreed. Know your self-defense laws, train and carry what works best for you, and consider one of the legal defense plans. If your firearm is lost forever, its cost will make up a tiny fraction of the legal and other expenses if there is a trial.

 

[mikerjf]

This is why you don’t carry heirloom firearms. (Frank Reagan gets away with it because he’s the PC!)

 

[URIT]

Too many newbies buy the latest and greatest offerings from a huge selection of quality handguns.
-After the purchase, they start to consider how they will carry their gun.
-Some new offerings don't have holsters molded to their make and model of gun, so they have to settle for less than desirable.
-Fit is important. Does the choice fit your hand or is it too big or too small to aim and shoot properly? Can you get a solid combat grip on the pistol when you draw it from you holster?
-Is the holster positioned so you do not have to point the muzzle at your body on the draw?
-Is the operating manual of arms simple enough that you can be effective in a crisis without fumbling away a precious second?
-Training to use your choice of handgun - revolver or pistol - may be needed.
-Develop an action plan that limits your use to defense of your life or that of another person. It would be heartbreaking for you and your family if you shot someone holding up a store and the proprietor refused to prosecute. That would leave you all alone in the deep end.

You can buy a great used carry handgun for nearly half MSRP. No one can see the weapon if it is carried conceal, so no need to spend big bucks on your CCW.

 

[cracker57]

One way to look at it is ask yourself whats your life worth? A lot has to do with income, if you can afford to lose a 5K gun and feel the most confident with and its what you shoot the best carry it.
if all you can afford to loose is $400.00 and practice with it so you can hit what you want remember it beats a sharp stick.
Again no single answer for everyone.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Being confiscated as evidence would be low on my list...if it served its purpose to successfully defend me and my loved ones it's served its purpose. That doesn't mean I would carry a hugely expensive gun when less expensive will serve the purpose just as well.

It has to be a handgun that's reliable...is of sufficient caliber to quickly incapacitate an attacker if I do my job right...and is easy to carry and access in an emergency. It doesn't necessarily have to be comfortable when being worn...if that's the criteria carry a .22 Derringer and be done with it. As Jeff Cooper said...a defensive handgun should be comforting...not necessarily comfortable.

 

[balin]

I have guns i bought for collecting all the other regardless of price are tools that i use as needed.

 

[robertrwalsh]

There are a lot of considerations. Is it something you can get ammo for, both for practice and serious carry? Is it something you can physically conceal-carry for hours at as time and still access it with little trouble? How much does it cost? (Not an issue for some.) How much does ammo cost? (Not an issue for some.) Are you willing to be parted from it for days or weeks or months for legal process if necessary. (Should not be an issue but it might be.) Can you use it effectively if the need arises? It all SHOULD come into the mix.

 

[mikeruns]

I recommend carrying a Glock or m&p auto or a j frame revolver. All easy to replace, all proven. I sometimes carry an SW40VE when traveling across state lines…otherwise a Glock 27 or 642. Jmo cheers.

 

[WR Moore]

I'd like to make a wee point. Once you've finalized what you're going to carry, buy a duplicate and break it in. If your trusty defender spends some time as evidence, you don't want to be learning a new firearm system while there might be folks who don't appreciate your point of view.

 

[stansdds]

I've never seen the point in buying a $1500+ customized or custom built handgun for carry. To my way of thinking, it is better to buy a $600 handgun, a good holster, and lots of practice ammo. As a bonus, if you did get into a defensive shooting and have your handgun kept as evidence, would you want to get back a crusty, rusty $1500+ gun or a crusty, rusty $600 gun? Then there is the cost of a replacement while your primary gun is being held. Are you going to buy another expensive, custom gun or a much cheaper, off the rack gun?

 

[dben002]

I'd like to make a wee point. Once you've finalized what you're going to carry, buy a duplicate and break it in. If your trusty defender spends some time as evidence, you don't want to be learning a new firearm system while there might be folks who don't appreciate your point of view.

100 percent in agreement here.....My everyday cc is a Shield Plus carry comp but I have my 3.1 shield plus as a backup just in case things go south.

 

[Brian Parrish]

I started CCW in 1986.
Every gun I ever had has been a disappointment in some way or another.
Every gun I ever had has also at the same time been great and perfectly fit for the purpose.
I don't have a gun collection, what I have is a living history of my attempt to find the perfect carry gun.
I eventually accepted the truth that every gun is a tradeoff, a compromise.

What settles it for me is a little saying I have:
"Skills Not Gear!"
With my S&W big bore revolver I can shoot the wings off of a gnat... in flight! AND with the gnat flying too
But not with a Glock. I know I could put the time in and get the skill but there is no need. I can use one if I need to.
I can operate a 1911, but I'm not great with it, cuz I still forget to wipe off that thumb safety when I am rushed. I know I could put in the time on it but Why? By now, I have already put in the time with my S&W 3rd Gen Automatics. No malfunctions, no misses, just boring reliability every day every time.

You will learn that some of what passes for wisdom here among the members of our wonderful forum family is not really true,
or does not matter,
or matters so little compared to other vital things that are ignored,
the most important being physical fitness,
but if you've got those things covered, it is great fun to debate calibers and trigger function and even open carry (be ready for the hostility, Snowflakes!)

As you search for answers, consider that there is a fighting philosophy behind it all. Learn about fighting until you have a plan.
Your skills and equipment should match your plan.
You will get stronger as you go.
Heavy full-size gun? Can't even feel it on me anymore.
Recoil? I have not felt any kind of recoil in years and years. I remember that it was a thing once...
Trigger? My finger got stronger. The trigger smoothed out. All of them on every gun. How did that happen?
You will get better.
You will change your mind.
You will get a different handgun.
Lather, rinse, repeat.

Great idea for a thread. I will enjoy everyone's contribution.
Kind Regards!
BrianD

 

[alwslate]

The number one requirement of a gun for SD is reliability. Second you need a draw and fire gun. Chamber loaded, no need to rack the slide or disengage the safety. It must be where you can reach it and fire it with one hand. .380 is plenty good enough for up close and personal. My primary SD is a Glock 42 .380. I don't know of a better choice and only costs around $350.

 

[WR Moore]

Building on some of Brother Parrish's themes:

"No plan survives contact with the enemy." Field Marshall von Moltke the elder.

"Everyone has a plan 'til they get punched in the mouth." Mike Tyson..

"The mind is the weapon, what you use is a tool"." Unknown, but true.

I recently ran across an interesting website. I’d like to suggest that you visit tacticalanatomy.com (tactical anatomy LLC) Click on the shop button and read Gunfight Myths.

The vast majority of defensive gun uses don't involve actually firing the gun. But I'd like to point out that you don't decide when any festivities are over, the attacker(s) do. They may not have read the memo about how they're supposed to react to whatever you're doing.

Late addition: Novelist John Sanford had one of his characters make a statement that's applicable. "I've never been over gunned. One time I was under gunned, then I reconceptualized." "Under gunned" can also mean wrong tool for the job at hand.

 

[Bald1]

This is exactly why Sig created the 365 Masterpiece.

 

[SAFireman]

Going home at the end of the day is priceless. Carry what works. If lost to evidence and you went home to your family, consider it money well spent.

 

[fatcat3]

I carry what I shoot well. That just happens to be a J frame. Or maybe its nearly half a century shooting the lil buggers. I can't afford to have a $1000 gun confiscated, on the other hand if I was dead it wouldn't matter.

 

[Frailer]

Here are the factors I considered when choosing the firearm I carry, in order of priority:

1) Can I carry it concealed in the clothes I actually wear every day?

2) Is it absolutely reliable?

3) Can I shoot it well?

Cost is irrelevant. Even high-priced guns are cheaper than a lawyer, and the lives of myself and my beloved are priceless.

 

[Doug M.]

I admit that outside of WA I tend to carry cheaper/replaceable platforms because I am sure I would run into some dullard who thinks the firearm is evidence, which it almost never is. Member "Nyeti" wrote about this in another setting based on his experience investigating OIS, and after considering his assertions, realized he was right.

The condition of the firearm is relevant to precluding a claim of a negligent discharge or other problem with the platform. An armorer level inspection should be done ASAP and the firearm return as soon as possible assuming that there is no real suspicion of criminality. The firearm itself is not evidence and to assert otherwise is a violation of ER401 and to argue otherwise is probably not just malpractice but misconduct worthy of a Bar complaint and related discipline.

As I am admitted to practice here, I can do my own fighting if needed. Other states? Nope.