Finally Settled on my Carry Guns

[RoyOdhner]

I've owned a bunch of handguns over the years. Some have been great purchases, and others have been wastes of money. I used to drive myself crazy trying to find that one perfect carry gun, but I've stopped doing that because for me there is not any single, perfect, fits every need gun. It's taken me a few years to reach this conclusion, but it beats the gotta get a better gun mania I used to subject myself to.

Lately, I've been carrying three different guns. Well, four. My little NAA Pug is my duty BUG. I never leave home without it, and sometimes it's the only gun on me when I am at home. Still, it's primarily my BUG. My go to primary EDC guns are my Taurus TCP, Glock 42, and S&W Shield 9mm. I'm comfortable with either the 9x17 or the 9x19 round, and these three guns are sized (physically) so that I'll actually carry them. I'd love to own a 1911, but I know myself too well and I wouldn't carry it cuz it's just too honking big. These three guns, however, are what I carry as primary guns. What I'm wearing or what I'm doing at the time dictates which particular gun I carry at the time. So does my mood.

Mostly, I carry my Glock 42. I like the compact size, I'm comfortable with the ballistics, and I'm accurate with it. Its soft shooting characteristics allow me to rapidly and accurately get six rounds on target quickly. And reloads are a breeze. It fits right down a big front pants pocket, or carries well in an IWB. If my pockets are on the smaller side, I'll often just drop my little TCP down there and go about doing whatever I have planned for the day. Again, I'm comfortable with the ballistics. However, if I'm going to go somewhere where I perceive I might need a bit more juice I'll carry the Shield 9mm. Sometimes, though, I carry it for no other reason then I feel like carrying it. (Truth be told, there is a fifth gun that I will occasionally carry - my trusty old S&W 642... but mostly when I get a wild hair, though)

None of these EDC guns are particularly spectacular, but they all work and they all have pretty good triggers. Also, each has a utilitarian styling that I like. They aren't flashy and they aren't sexy, but they do say that they're all bidniss - and they each back that statement up since I've put over a 1000 rounds down each of them without a hitch. But of the three, it's the G42 I like best. I think ol' Gaston perfectly matched the size of the gun to the ballistics of the round to create a pretty impressive little gun. It just handles the best of the three, at least for me anyway, and gives me just enough firepower in a gun that I will actually carry without feeling like I'm lugging around a boat anchor.

Kind of liberating, having found the guns that work for me. I've long since given up thumbing through the gun rags trying to find the newestest bestest carry guns because these EDC guns serve me so well. I've found quite a few other guns I'd love to own, but they don't give me anything I don't already have - and I just don't fell like prying open my wallet to pay for them cuz, well, I don't think they offer anything to justify prying open the wallet. They're not chambered for a what I think are better rounds, they don't offer me any advantage in size or capacity, and they probably won't be any more reliable or easier to maintain. I think after 1K rounds each, all of my carry guns have proven themselves to be reliable - and I've proven to myself that I'm accurate with them.

Hows'bout y'all. Have any of you found your perfect carry gun/guns?

 

[kbm6893]

For me, it's all about size and weight. The lighter the gun, the more
Likely I'm gonna carry it. I've been through them all. I had a Sheild, but sold it for ruger Lc9-S. it's lighter and smaller. I carry an M&P Bodyguard .380 in the summer. I also occasionally carry a Model 60. Its heavier than the Ruger but the shape of the j frame just makes it easier to
Conceal in the waistband. I'm in the process of trading in my full size SR9 for an SR9C for winter outside waistband carry.

 

[petepeterson]

I've found mine, too. Many times! Which time would you like to hear about???

Truth be told, despite it's perceived shortcomings, I think the j-frame revolver has moved to the front of the line.

 

[bigwheelzip]

A guns action became primary to me as I tried different carrys. Didn't trust my capabilities with cocked and locked or any gun with a safety in an emergency.
I short stroked revolver and DAO triggers on followup shots in simulated emergency shooting.
Not comfortable with non-safety IWB carry of light trigger striker fired guns.
Finally discovered the DA/SA Decocker Without Safety action, which addressed all my inabilities. It avoids my need of a safety with a revolver-like long and heavy first pull, and avoids the short stroking with a fast reset. And no safety to possibly get in my way, just point and squeeze.
I know with diligent training I might achieve high confidence in the others, and I keep them for occasional specialized use, But I've settled on the CZ PCR. It's also a good shooter with 14+1 but that was secondary to me.

 

[coachray]

The shield 9mm is what I mostly carry. The taurus millenium G2 9mm and bodyguard 380 are the other two I sometimes carry.

 

[Brasky]

Glock 17 now that it is cooling off and Glock 23 was my choice in warmer weather. Eventually I will get a Gen 2 Glock 19 so I can split the differences.

Easily carried AIWB with a medium shirt and 31 waist jeans. No printing problems either. It's all in your holster, belt, and jeans not on the size or shape of the gun.

I really enjoyed carrying an sp101 as it was an attractive and hard hitting firearm, but I shoot the Glocks worlds better

 

[federali]

Tactical Need

Assuming you pick guns with proven reputations, for me, what I carry depends on what I'm doing. I agree with the OP that large, heavy guns, tend to be left in the safe or night stand. One exception to this is the Browning HP, a full-sized gun that carries easily in an IWB holster.

My daily carry gun is a Kahr P-9. This gun is narrow, easy to carry, reliable and shoots the 9mm round. However, I consider it a personal defense handgun. On those occasions when I must visit a local convenience store later in the evening, or a shopping mall, I'll carry a Glock 19 simply because it's a better gun to have than a Kahr P9 should things go bad. I live in an nice neighborhood but we do have our fair share of armed, convenience store robberies.

I'm not a mall ninja and despite my skills, I recognize that I could still lose a confrontation, especially against multiple adversaries armed with .223s. However, it won't be by summary execution.

 

[Murphy's Law]

Size matters, so carry a Shield in 40.

 

[roundgun]

I carry a Sig P938 IWB. I also rotate in my Smith full size 1911 (8282) IWB a few times a week. Both guns serve me well in my everyday work/routine. The full size requires more effort though.

 

[Arik]

I started out the same way. Had different brands, models, sized calibers, action.....etc.....come to think of it I still do....DOH!

I used to carry a Taurus PT 145. Then a CZ75 compact. And there were others as well. The trigger weren't that good but mainly i sucked. Not enough practice is probably an understatement. With the CZ heavy DA my shots were all over the place and really same with all the rest regardless of action type. On top of that I bought cheap holsters and Walmart brand belts. So guns became heavy and uncomfortable and I'd stop carrying. For this reason I bought a Kahr CW 9. It was light but I really dislike the straight thin grips (on any gun) the L.O.P is to short/too close and I can never get a good grip, there is always some space in my grip.

Anyway, around 2009 I discovered that there are internet gun forums. Never knew these things existed, never bothered to look. And outside of Gunbroker I didn't know online ammo stores existed! When I joined a few forums (one was heavy into shooting a lot and, professional experience, logic of purchases...) I started to evaluate my own shooting and found that I was extremely lacking. I needed to find a gun/style/platform that was consistent and constant. One where I could practice and carry the same gun. About this time a LGS was having their Black Friday sale when I happened to stumble in. They had police issued Glock 19s for $325 with night sights and 2mags. I have always been a "screw Glock" type of guy because my gun is "just as good as" .... With my changing mentality on how I views guns I decided to buy one. I still have it and to this day it's my daily carry. Rain or shine, hot or cold this is the gun I carry 99% of the time.

After finding out about online ammo sales I practiced with my Glock a lot more, I read more and proper holds, trigger control, sight alignment...etc..and got better and better. Then I started taking classes.

Many of the guns I had a decade ago are long gone. The CZs, Tauruses, Rugers. I still buy other brands to check out and practice with different action types but they are 3 types that I have. My main ....Glock....in all 3 calibers, a few SIGs and the rest HK. These guns are more of a just in case.

To make a long story longer I bought a S&W 36 for when I needed something small but the weight and the hammer were not ideal for my situation so I bought a 642. Much lighter and no hammer but the skinny grip and bulkiness still left me looking for something else. Ended up buying a Glock 43. Still don't like the small grips but at least it's only one inconvenience now. Now, if I'm not carrying the G19 I split the time between the 642 and the G43. G43 when I need something small but still can wear a holster and the 642 when I can just throw it in a jacket pocket

I've tried carrying other guns but always come back the the G19. For my comfort level it is the perfect gun. Tried the Sig 228 but it's heavier and actually bulkier than the G19. Tried the HK compacts but their grip angle and shape make them sit way to high...and they too are bulkier. For a while I was carrying a full size 1911 but it kept wearing holes in my jeans and shirts.


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[loknload]

Back in the day when I first started to carry the only thing I could afford was a 3" model 37. I carried that IWB and in a shoulder holster. That was my one and only and for me it carried well.
Over the years I have purchased many handguns and tried different ones for carry purposes.
Now after all these years I'm back to a Smith model 36, a Ruger LCP and when I believe I need something really big,,,my Glock 27
But it came back around to the gun basically I started with, the 37.
The 37 is more or less retired but the 36 does the job very well!

 

[CATI1835]

I have three guns that are in my rotation. They are the Remington R51, S&W 43C and Beretta 3032 Tomcat. I choose which one based on any number of things - clothing, weather, environment, possible threat level, etc. I practice with all and am comfortable with all of them.

It saddens me to say that the R51 replaced my Shield in my EDC rotation. Although it is a fine weapon the Shield has become a bit of a problem for me. Arthritis is beginning to take a toll on my hands, particularly on my left hand. The slide on the Shield was always difficult to rack and has become even more so. By a WIDE margin the R51 is easier to manipulate.

This was not a decision I made quickly. If you have read some of my earlier posts you know that I had a Gen 1 R51 that was a total piece of garbage. Remington made that right for me. A few months ago I came upon a deal on a Gen 2 and bought it. I have almost 2000 rounds through it without a single gun related failure. I am not exaggerating, not ONE gun related failure. I did have some that were magazine related. That has been fixed. I have complete confidence in my R51. Not sure what I am going to do with my Shield yet, I don't see ever carrying it again.

 

[fyimo]

My carry gun is a Sig P228 9mm Swiss police trade in

 

[mrchuck]

I carry my P-11 9mm Kel-Tec which has their accessory stainless belt clip on it. This clip holds the pistol inside your waistband securely and hidden with your "T" shirt over it. That is 12 rounds of hi-po hollow points. I carried it and retired with it. "An old friend"
Shorts are worn 8 months of the year, and sweat pants in the colder months,,,known as Winter here in my area of Texas.
Always a "T" shirt".
That is what this old crusty retired LEO wears.
Oh, and my "John Deere" green ball cap.
Very un-assuming don't you think.
Today is the coldest day so far, so when I go out today, I'll have on my long pants, and my light coat.
We don't have those big City racial problems here in our 5,600 population.
Quite a few residents still commute into Dallas for their work.
I believe the Black population here is 2 or 3.
Our main problem is White scum types addicted to Meth!
Our weekly Newspaper prints out the mug-shots and arrest details.
These types like the remoteness and cook up their fix, but get caught and interrogated by our Authorities and arrests are quick.
This last Saturday, I attended a "gun-show" over in Ennis, TX.
A small 100 table event. Sold some, didn't buy anything!

 

[mrchuck]

My carry gun is a Sig P228 9mm Swiss police trade in

My Sig P-6 is a great gun to carry when wearing a belt to support it's weight.

 

[Ogandydancer]

I have three that will fit the same custom made holster which was made for my P229R the other two are my P30 V3 H&K and my FNP40. I also sometimes carry my P6 which I have the issue holster for. I also have a nice Beretta FS Centurion and a nice 5903 TSW that do not get carried much mainly because of no proper holster. For protection I have them in nylon holsters but they do not lend well to CC.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I have a safe full of carry guns and holsters, but it's the LCP in a DeSantis pocket holster that works for a living.

 

[rwt1405]

In 1990 or 1991 I purchased a S&W 3953, which I carried until purchasing a Glock 30 in 1997 (or so), and carried that (G30) until 2012, at which time I went back to my 3953.

In the mid 1990's (maybe '96 or so?) I also purchased a S&W 642, which has been my BUG, and at times, my primary carry (when pocket or ankle carry are the only available options), since I bought it.

So, since 2012, the two handguns making up my carry options, are my S&W 3953 and 642.

 

[Flattop5]

I have been looking for the "perfect carry gun" for 30 years, and I have not found it yet.

For now, I carry a Colt Cobra alloy frame .38 revolver. It's light but powerful.




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[Rustyt1953]

I have a safe full of carry guns and holsters, but it's the LCP in a DeSantis pocket holster that works for a living.

And, there you have it.