Genuine Daily Carry People and Their Guns

[keith44spl]

Everyday, I’ve tried several different ones
over the decades…I am now back where
I started half a century ago.

An N frame Smith and or a 1911 of some sort.


///

 

[armorer951]

I retired in 2015 after 40+ years in law enforcement. I can't unsee what I've seen, so I carry every day. Actually, I'd rather not have to, but daily carry became an integral part of my life long ago, along with all the other baggage LEO's carry around....some visible, some not.

As you can imagine, the journey began with a K-frame model 19 and a J-frame model 36. I still have them. After being dragged kicking and screaming into the world of plastics just before the turn of the century, I was forced to carry a Glock at work. There I said it, "Glock". Still have three of them. They will never see the light of day again.

"Now", or "post retirement", I have reluctantly transitioned over to a Shield Plus in 9mm. It fits my hand and I still shoot it fairly well. Sometimes, my "shoots around corners" model 442 goes along, mostly because it weighs in at about 13 ounces. Around the house I carry a Ruger LCP Max. All I can say is, I'm very happy I was trained in 1974 to shoot instinctively.....I can no longer focus clearly on the front sight or the intended target, even with correction. Fortunately, there is a beautiful indoor range near my home, and still some money available for ammunition.

Thankfully, at age 72, I'm not on any medication, and I can still pick up a screwdriver.

They told me these days would come but I didn't want to believe them.


Carter

 

[Yaworski]

When I do it’s because there is good chance I will need it.

So, how many times did you need it?

 

[Yaworski]

I’ve conceal carried for 38 years and pretty much the only exceptions to daily carry have been work hours for three years on a non sworn law enforcement federal job in DC. . .

I'm curious how you managed to carry in your non-work hours. When I lived in that area, getting a carry license required you to have high political connections or "a valid and substantial reason" and self defense was not considered "valid."

 

[Colt191145lover]

Ive carried everyday since my late teens. Same two guns always unless I'm home and want to play with something else or go lighter . Beretta PX4 Compact 9mm with at least 1 spare mag and a Ruger LCP Custom in a pocket holster . Just as important, I carry a IFAK in my back pocket that has a TQ and homeostatic gauze. Exception is a medical condition or injury , then I change things up if needed.

 

[John Patrick]

Ive carried everyday since my late teens. Same two guns always unless I'm home and want to play with something else or go lighter . Beretta PX4 Compact 9mm with at least 1 spare mag and a Ruger LCP Custom in a pocket holster . Just as important, I carry a IFAK in my back pocket that has a TQ and homeostatic gauze. Exception is a medical condition or injury , then I change things up if needed.

I gotta laugh at your post. Neither of those pistols were made when I was a teen, or in my twenties, thirties, fourties, early fifties.

On the other hand, I didn’t start daily carrying until my 50’s.

 

[BC38]

I gotta laugh at your post. Neither of those pistols were made when I was a teen, or in my twenties, thirties, fourties, early fifties.

On the other hand, I didn’t start daily carrying until my 50’s.

FWIW, all I can make of your post is that you are one the more "mature" members of the CCW club - but you have actually only been carrying daily for less than 20 years?

The PX4 hit the market in 2004 - 20 years ago. So if it wasn't available when you started daily CCW "in your 50's" then the math says that you are now in your 70's and have been carrying daily for less than 20 years?

Am I reading you right? No issues with any of that - just trying to clarify exactly what you were trying to say...

 

[BB57]

I'm curious how you managed to carry in your non-work hours. When I lived in that area, getting a carry license required you to have high political connections or "a valid and substantial reason" and self defense was not considered "valid."

I lived across the river in Arlington. By law they have to issue a concealed carry permit in 45 days. I had to go in and call them on that point, but soon as I mentioned lawyering up they magically produced the permit.

 

[oink]

I thought this thread was pretty lame. But it's still going so...

I've carried daily for over 40 years. My original backup/off duty was a model 60. The 60 has always been around (still is) although I loaned it to my father for a good number of years.

Then a PPKS, Then 669 OD with an AMT Backup as backup. (the PPKS got traded for a DL450 setup) I stuck with the 669 many years but not the AMT.

I eventually supplemented the 669 with a P-32 for the pocket but replaced it with a P3AT when they came out. I then went to a G23 for OD. The 669 became my patrol car backup during this time.

I later supplemented with a PF9 for times when the fat 669 and G23 were inconvenient. The P3AT is just for walks now that I'm retired.

The PF9 was used extensively for motorcycle trips. It's so thin it fits very well in a jacket vest pocket. Mine has been very reliable.

Since then I've carried a Taurus G2 Millinium 9mm (It was too cheap after rebate) in place of the 669 and G23 at times. Mine has been very reliable. The PF9 was switched out with a S.A. XDs in 45 ACP. Also pretty thin. It shoots well but has limited capacity.

I also carried a Shield 9mm v1 for a fair time. It was also too cheap to pass on with rebate. It's a fair gun for what it is.

A couple of officers size 1911s have served well at times. I also have one in .40. Other than capacity I really like the officers model 1911s a lot. They seem hard to shoot badly. I find the recoil very tollerable.

My current most used is a Hellcat with RDS. I like it. The Hellcat is amazingly small and light for the capacity. It's plenty accurate. But I also carry a G19MOS w RDS at times.

Yes I carry every day. I don't carry inside the house but something isn't far. I still use a J frame for woods work with snake shot. If I'm going for a walk in minimal clothing a 380 goes along. Otherwise my minimal carry is 9mm and 90% of the time it's AISWB.
I even carry my 69 at times but thin semi-autos just carry easier and with easy flat reloads. That little Hellcat sure is easy to carry comfortably.

For me it's 9mm, .40 (44 on occasion) or .45 every day and with very few exceptions every time I'm out.

It might surprise you but if still on Road Patrol I'd still feel fine with my wheel gun. I would be using my 4X speedloader pouch. My 669 would still be my patrol car gun and a 380 would be in my pocket. I've been retired for about 12 years.

 

[John Patrick]

FWIW, all I can make of your post is that you are one the more "mature" members of the CCW club - but you have actually only been carrying daily for less than 20 years?

The PX4 hit the market in 2004 - 20 years ago. So if it wasn't available when you started daily CCW "in your 50's" then the math says that you are now in your 70's and have been carrying daily for less than 20 years?

Am I reading you right? No issues with any of that - just trying to clarify exactly what you were trying to say...

I missed the PX4 intro by about a decade. I’m 62 and live in MD near DC. MD, until Bruen, was all but a “will not issue” state.

Carried at my hunt clubs in MD for a long time before Bruen (which was and remains legal without a permit) and, got a VA concealed carry permit and concealed carried almost daily there, with the pita of having to arm/disarm halfway to/from work as I approached the American Legion Bridge over the Potomac River. It wasn’t until shortly after Bruen that I could get a MD permit and truly carry all day every day.

Fwiw, I usually conceal carry a P365X these days, though I open carry a variety of guns at work at a gun shop and range.

 

[nksmfamjp]

I’m proud of all of you that carry daily. When I was younger, I tried to carry a 5” 1911 daily, but irregular was the best I could manage.

Now, I’m much closer to daily with my s&w340 or CW380.

My advice is don’t buy guns smaller than you want to carry…..because small is what is likely to be picked out.

 

[Yaworski]

I started carrying in college which led to some interesting interactions with the campus police.

I moved away for twenty years to Virginia and Maryland where, at that time, you had to know a judge or the head of the state police to get a carry permit.

Now that I'm back in Pennsylvania, I carry daily with few exceptions. I don't carry when I'm just lounging about the house but I usually have a gun or six within a few steps.

 

[Colt191145lover]

I gotta laugh at your post. Neither of those pistols were made when I was a teen, or in my twenties, thirties, fourties, early fifties.

On the other hand, I didn’t start daily carrying until my 50’s.

Poor wording on my part, I carried a HK USP 45 on the our ranch when I was 12, later on switching to a 1911 and then a few others over the years. I have been carrying the PX4 Compact for the last 8 years. I was born in 86 if that matters

 

[gunslinger73]

Normally I carry a Keltec 380, or a NAA 22 mag. But, my wife and I had problems with dogs on our lease in Georgia. Just from my personal experience, I might want to start carrying bear spray everyday. Its super entertaining, from what I have seen.

 

[John Patrick]

Poor wording on my part, I carried a HK USP 45 on the our ranch when I was 12, later on switching to a 1911 and then a few others over the years. I have been carrying the PX4 Compact for the last 8 years. I was born in 86 if that matters

I turned 25 and graduated from college in 1986. I was a good year!

 

[Yaworski]

Poor wording on my part, I carried a HK USP 45 on the our ranch when I was 12

Shocking!!

 

[A10]

My choices have changed as I get older....used to carry my 6 inch 29 in a shoulder rig all the time when I wasn't at work. Nowadays its generally my Glockster 43 in a pocket, maybe my mousegun if the situation demands. I really like carrying my 3" Kimber 1911, and will carry it IWB if I'm wearing a jacket or overshirt. All depends on my mood. Spare mag goes in the watchpocket of my jeans (I shoot southpaw).

 

[eb07]

when younger I was a 1911 or BHP every day, then moved to lighter glock 17 and 26 now as I get older k frame, J frame, or Charter bulldog every day


I do not leave home without my knife, light and firearm.


have the charter bulldog on me right now with 200gr speer gold dots.

 

[BC38]

I turned 25 and graduated from college in 1986. I was a good year!

I turned 24 and got married in 1986.
In terms of the trajectory of the rest of my life that was the best year EVER!

 

[gjgalligan]

My thoughts are that my right to SD trumps signs that other people put up to override my rights.

Sorry but it is hard for me to accept that you think it is ok to disrespect peoples property rights.
If a place is posted then you also have the option to not go there in the vast majority of cases.
I would guess you have rules for your property that you expect visitors to honor. Why should they honor your rights if you don't honor other peoples property rights?