How many always carry the same gun?

[bubbajoe45]

As collectors, fans, and afficionados of firearms, many on this site, I gather from their posts, carry different guns at different times. Amongst gunwriters and trainer-types, past and present, two schools of thought seem to have emerged: 1) become utterly familiar and proficient with one gun, and 2) be able to pick up any handgun (or rifle) and know how to operate it and immediately put it to use saving your life. Another point for the latter case might be that of continual evaluation with each new 'toy' we acquire in order to find our 'Perfect Packin' Pistol' (as John Taffin puts it).

I never carry a gun until I've put at least a hundred rounds through it, and don't advocate that anyone else do so, but each time I get a new gun I want to tote it around a bit to see if it's 'the one'. Part of my curiosity is with collecting vs. carrying. Are these kept separate for everyone/anyone? I do love S&W revolvers and certainly they are a formidible tool and more than adequate to 95% of self-defense situations. But, I know in my heart and head that nothing can bring the firepower to bear that a 1911 can - reliably, accurately, and efficiently. It carries more comfortably, draws faster, and on the range I can engage more targets, more quickly with my SW1911PD than any of my revolvers (I've proved it to myself over and over). However, I'm sure that some of you buy and sell new (to you) guns all the time, but only carry one. Sure a 625 is the ultimate defensive revolver (alright arguably) and some folks can keep pace with the bottomfeeders, but there is only one Jerry M. I still carry revolvers and I can't stop buying themD), but at the end of the day I know my mind is already made up - the Commander-sized 1911 is the one (for me). I have been carrying for about a dozen years and even when I only owned 3 or 4 guns, I would carry a different one all the time. I am starting to worry that I might become one of those 'gadget' guys .

So, who has devoted themselves to carrying and training with just one gun? and for how long? (if it's less than 6 months, it doesn't count) I suspect that the soldiers and peace officers here will best understand the notion of knowing one gun well.

 

[flop-shank]

Well, I was a soldier FWIW.

I don't carry only one gun since I prefer to carry multiple guns, but I do try to carry the same guns in the same place if possible. As a belt gun I carry a 5" 629 IWB at 3:30 and will only carry an L frame .357, or .357 snubby (appendix carry for the snub) if I need a little deeper concealment. In my weakside front pocket I prefer a 2 1/4" Taurus .357, but will use a 360 PD, or P3AT if the pocket is too shallow for the bigger gun. In a nutshell, I don't carry different guns on a whim, I do it because circumstances require something smaller.

 

[TSQUARED]

I carry either a S&W 642 or a Kahr PM-9 in pocket holsters. I sually have something bigger in the car.

 

[bubbajoe45]

Thanks for the replies. Just to clarify, I'm not talking about 'one gun' vs. two guns (i.e., a BUG); rather, I mean is your primary gun always the same one? Certainly, flop-shank makes a good point - concealment level dictates the piece for him.

 

[yugolovr]

I only carry, and practice with one gun. It is my four inch model 15. I do believe that you should be proficient with other arms, but should practice the most with your primary.

 

[Marshal Tom]

I have been an LEO for 37 years. I started out carrying a K frame .357 in the early 70's and did so for a number of years with a mod. 60 as a back-up and off duty gun. I went to a 1911 in 1981 or 82 and carried on exclusively for the next 25 years. I still like them the best for a number of reasons but now carry revolvers most of the time with a .337 Ti being my always gun. I only have one semi now and it is a department issued Glock 22 that I carry when working because I have to.

Now that I am not the Chief any longer and only a reserve, I carry the Block that they gave me but I don't have to like it.

T

 

[cmort666]

I rotate a variety of semi-autos and revolvers including a 3" Model 65 and a couple of Glocks.

If I need to disarm frequently, I carry a Model 36 in a Desantis Nemesis.

 

[Knightrider03m]

I only have to guns, a Sigma and a Kel-Tec. Both guns get almost the same amount of play time with me with my Smith and Wesson being my cold carry and my Kel-Tec being my warm carry. Both guns I train with almost the same but due to the size and power of my Kel-Tec, I can't shoot it no were near as much as I would my bigger S/W.

 

[Wheelgunner840]

Interesting question. I carried a H&K USP Compact in .40S&W for at least 8 years. 3:30 IWB. I practiced drawing from concealment and firing until I was able to get a shot center mass on an IPSC target at 7 yards from concealment in under 2 seconds. The last of those 8 years, I started carrying it in a Texas crossdraw because I was spending a lot of my time driving.

When I bought a Springfield XD-45 "service", it immediately replaced the H&K. It rides in a Comp-Tec OWB holster, and this combination allows me to get on target much faster than I ever could with the USP set-up. This is my primary carry combination 90% of the time, and I practice with it on a regular basis.

It is a big gun, and when I am not working, I prefer to have my 640-1 in a Mika holster in my front pocket. It is a whole lot more comfortable, and I carry this way when I am not in high crime areas. I practice with it, but admittedly not as much as I should.

As mentioned above, the weather does play a part in the decision making. The short answer to your question is that I have made myself comfortable with two completely different systems, and I feel quite capable with both.

 

[sipowicz]

Only allowed 3 on my permit...usually it's my 442 or SP101...in cooler weather, my P7M8....

 

[TNDixieGirl]

I only carry one gun, everywhere I go, and it works for me no matter how I'm dressed.

 

[USAF385]

I generally go between three. I usually carry my 642. Depending on my attire, I'll carry my M&P40C.... In cold weather, I'll carry my 681 in a shoulder holster under my coat (BUT, I'll have the 642 as well).

 

[ladder13]

Usually a 442 with my Seecamp 380 in a pocket. With the cold weather on it's way, switching to either my 64 with 3 inch tube or maybe my 696, with the Seecamp again in the pocket.

 

[RLS1851]

G26 or S&W642

As stated in an above post I choose between my G26 or my S&W642. I am alot more accurate and faster with the G26 than with the S&W642, but could hold my own with the snubbie. I feel that I do better when I limit my self to these two systems as these are the only two I carry although my permit lists others.

 

[deralte]

About 90% of the time I will be carrying my S&W 40c. On a few occasions my S&W 340ct comes in handy - especially when going to the doctor. Neither has a safety - when you pull trigger they go bang.

 

[wford]

One gun system for me, glocks with the exception of s&w for home carry.

 

[Goldstar225]

I'll relate this to off-duty carry in which I'll carry either my 642 or 1911. What I have on my person is dictated by what I'm wearing at that time. If it's the 642 I'll have the 1911 in the truck.

 

[Rule 303]

Depends on where I'm going, what the weather is and how I'll be dressed. I usually carry something different when I go to the Texas Border Regions in the summer than what I carry in the dead of Winter in the Texas Panhandle.

Jungle Work

 

[Quick_Draw_McGraw]

i never carry a BUG, but 98% of the time i carry my Sigma .40 on my hip, the rest of the time is when im just running to the store and then i toss my .357mag snubbie in my pocket

 

[C.S.63]

Well my go to carry is a S&W 640 it is an earl issue 1990's .38spl +P+
I have multiple other options but the 640 is it, I tried carrying a Glock 19
for a while but came back to my tried and true 640. currently thinking of trying a S&W cs-9. Would love to find a S&W 940 to go with my 640. The 640 is either in a coat pocket or on my right hip, at times in my back pocket When I go to the range I always put a few cylinders full down range it has countless rounds through it and keeps on going. It is like an extension of my body . I like Keeping it simple

Carl