writerinmo
US Veteran
I carry two at a time and spare mag for each. Unless I need to go into East St Louis, then its two spare mags and more in the car.
How Many Defensive Guns You Carry?
- Thread starter fknipfer1
- Start date
flop-shank
US Veteran
The arguments as to why someone would carry more than one gun are inseperable from a thread about multi-gun carry. This, like many things, may have been discussed before, but we also have new people here all the time.
Good point. But sometimes seeing the same old arguement circulate gun forums gets old. Much could be accomplished by a simple search.
I guess the question I asked was missed or improperly submitted. What I meant in the thread was how many guns do you own that you think are capable of CCW. I have six guns and calibers which I think are capable of ccw. Some may not agree with my assessment but TMHO. If you are going to get into a real gunfight take a rifle.
I put my classes of CCW in the first post. I only carry one at a time and no way will carry more weight. Most times I just have something in the car.
fkniper1
I put my classes of CCW in the first post. I only carry one at a time and no way will carry more weight. Most times I just have something in the car.
fkniper1
USAF385
US Veteran
Seven:
S&W 642 (IWB)
S&W 457 (IWB or Shoulder Holster)
S&W M&P40C (IWB or Shoulder)
S&W 681 (Shoulder)
S&W 629 (Shoulder)
Glock 27 (IWB, Shoulder, Retention)
Ruger LCP (IWB, Pocket, OWB/under belt)
The 681 and 629 are cold weather only when I can have a jacket. The 642 and LCP are usually BUGs, but in the summer or when it's easier to carry small may be primary.
flop-shank
US Veteran
That's not always an option.
I have ~ eight guns that work and all see some use, but it's only four of them that are frequently carried.
First, I carry ONE gun at time. Most states issue concealed weapons permits. Generally those permits allow the carry of A (singular) concealed weapon. While I carry only one weapon, I will usually have a couple of others near by in my vehicle (I am seldom more than 50 feet from my vehicle when in questionable areas or have others with me that are armed).
Next, the legal system takes a hard look at those involved in a shooting. The number of weapons and the amount of ammo carried is going to be considered while thinking of what charges may be filed against the shooter. While the carry may be legal with the intent of the law, it may well be illegal with the letter of the law. Many District Attorneys will be of the opinion that a person carrying two weapons was looking for trouble and with 50 rounds of ammo carried, they were expecting to be shooting for a while.
It should be remembered that a successful defense is one where the good guy walks away and no innocents are harmed. The more bullets fired will increase the odds of injury to others.
it is far better to know one gun well and be able to handle it in total darkness than to have several and have to consider what needs to be done for the firearm of the moment to be used. Also it only takes one well placed bullet to end a critical situation.
I firmly believe in the right to carry, the right of self defense and the use of deadly force. The court does not always feel that justification for a shooting was present.
Either way, any shooting will be costly to the shooter in legal fees. I have found it best to be as legal as possible before a shooting happens.
That said, I carry a S&W .357 with only six rounds of ammo or else a Glock 22 with 15 rounds. In my 40+ years of carry, I have never needed more nor have I wished I carried more.
Next, the legal system takes a hard look at those involved in a shooting. The number of weapons and the amount of ammo carried is going to be considered while thinking of what charges may be filed against the shooter. While the carry may be legal with the intent of the law, it may well be illegal with the letter of the law. Many District Attorneys will be of the opinion that a person carrying two weapons was looking for trouble and with 50 rounds of ammo carried, they were expecting to be shooting for a while.
It should be remembered that a successful defense is one where the good guy walks away and no innocents are harmed. The more bullets fired will increase the odds of injury to others.
it is far better to know one gun well and be able to handle it in total darkness than to have several and have to consider what needs to be done for the firearm of the moment to be used. Also it only takes one well placed bullet to end a critical situation.
I firmly believe in the right to carry, the right of self defense and the use of deadly force. The court does not always feel that justification for a shooting was present.
Either way, any shooting will be costly to the shooter in legal fees. I have found it best to be as legal as possible before a shooting happens.
That said, I carry a S&W .357 with only six rounds of ammo or else a Glock 22 with 15 rounds. In my 40+ years of carry, I have never needed more nor have I wished I carried more.
oldman45.
Thank you for your good answers to the questions, lot of useful information in your post. One gun at a time makes sense to me and fifty rounds of ammunition would sure seem like you want to be there all day and maybe looking for trouble. I have been carrying a S&W 442 with one loader with an additional five rounds which is ten rounds. I sure wouldn't want to get on the bad side of the law by being aggressive.
This is my opinion only and no one elses, it seems that when you are licensed and carry if something happens you are automatically wrong because you had the weapon. If I was young enough I would just run and do my best to get out of there. But being 70yrs young I can't hardly run anymore, bad back, knee problems all I can do is just stand there.
I'm not sure it is worth it to have a ccw and carry because I sure couldn't afford the attorneys and court fees even if I was right.
This is a subject I need to mull over to really consider if I want to continue carrying. I can see keeping the weapons in your domicile because of the castle doctrines but outside the home you are looked at (almost) as a criminal.
fknipfer1
Thank you for your good answers to the questions, lot of useful information in your post. One gun at a time makes sense to me and fifty rounds of ammunition would sure seem like you want to be there all day and maybe looking for trouble. I have been carrying a S&W 442 with one loader with an additional five rounds which is ten rounds. I sure wouldn't want to get on the bad side of the law by being aggressive.
This is my opinion only and no one elses, it seems that when you are licensed and carry if something happens you are automatically wrong because you had the weapon. If I was young enough I would just run and do my best to get out of there. But being 70yrs young I can't hardly run anymore, bad back, knee problems all I can do is just stand there.
I'm not sure it is worth it to have a ccw and carry because I sure couldn't afford the attorneys and court fees even if I was right.
This is a subject I need to mull over to really consider if I want to continue carrying. I can see keeping the weapons in your domicile because of the castle doctrines but outside the home you are looked at (almost) as a criminal.
fknipfer1
Get a ccw
There are so many sayings about having a gun that I will not bring any up here.
The plain fact is the criminal will more likely prey upon the elderly, defenseless and weak than on the avg citizen. I am right up there with you and just a very few years behind you. My size being 6'3" and weight being 250 helps me from being jumped on by those I have to deal with. But I am too old for the fights now and too stupid to run.
I carry day and night. If I am wearing boots, I will also be wearing a gun on my side. None of us know when we may need a gun. Certainly we can reduce the odds of needing one by watching where we go, where we park and how we walk. Doing all we can will not assure us of not needing a gun. I could open my home door to find someone trying a home invasion and I live in an upper scale subdivision and we have a virtual zero crime rate in the town but I continue to go to my door armed.
Yes, any shooting is going to possibly be costly to the shooter but it can also be a lot cheaper than a funeral or hospital bill you suffer from not having a gun. The NRA has some lawyers that will help in the event of legal probems. Again, we bring a lot of grief upon ourselves by what we do. Walking around with a belt full of ammo is almost like looking for trouble. Carrying two guns is also a red flag to the police, prosecutors and judges. I have heard the arguments of trigger and mag springs breaking but that does not justify the additional arms. The odds of such happening at the time of need is more remote than being attacked in the first place.
But the CCW will allow you to carry in other states as well as your own area. A travelling person may not know the safe areas of a strange town or which motel is safer.
There are so many sayings about having a gun that I will not bring any up here.
The plain fact is the criminal will more likely prey upon the elderly, defenseless and weak than on the avg citizen. I am right up there with you and just a very few years behind you. My size being 6'3" and weight being 250 helps me from being jumped on by those I have to deal with. But I am too old for the fights now and too stupid to run.
I carry day and night. If I am wearing boots, I will also be wearing a gun on my side. None of us know when we may need a gun. Certainly we can reduce the odds of needing one by watching where we go, where we park and how we walk. Doing all we can will not assure us of not needing a gun. I could open my home door to find someone trying a home invasion and I live in an upper scale subdivision and we have a virtual zero crime rate in the town but I continue to go to my door armed.
Yes, any shooting is going to possibly be costly to the shooter but it can also be a lot cheaper than a funeral or hospital bill you suffer from not having a gun. The NRA has some lawyers that will help in the event of legal probems. Again, we bring a lot of grief upon ourselves by what we do. Walking around with a belt full of ammo is almost like looking for trouble. Carrying two guns is also a red flag to the police, prosecutors and judges. I have heard the arguments of trigger and mag springs breaking but that does not justify the additional arms. The odds of such happening at the time of need is more remote than being attacked in the first place.
But the CCW will allow you to carry in other states as well as your own area. A travelling person may not know the safe areas of a strange town or which motel is safer.
flop-shank
US Veteran
I don't find that I'm looked at as a criminal for being a carrier. I've dealt with law enforcement twice since I started and in both instances they were cool with it. To avoid looking unreasonable, don't go anywhere your mother wouldn't want you to go and avoid trouble, or escalating it so far as you are able. As to why I practice multi-gun carry, I could easily explain why in a court of law.
Jim Cirillo and Bill Allard once got in a shootout with a couple perps and Allard emptied an Ithaca 37, a S&W model 10 and a 1911 .45. Except for two shots from the Ithaca and three shots from the .38, all of the firepower was directed at (and connected with) the one perp. Bill Allard was a national level pistol competitor and one gun didn't cut it, nor would two have in that case.
Carry one or three, I'll repeat what I often say, "Thanks to all the good guys who carry".
In reality, we're all more likely to benefit from keeping house and car doors locked than needing gunfire to solve a problem.
Jim Cirillo and Bill Allard once got in a shootout with a couple perps and Allard emptied an Ithaca 37, a S&W model 10 and a 1911 .45. Except for two shots from the Ithaca and three shots from the .38, all of the firepower was directed at (and connected with) the one perp. Bill Allard was a national level pistol competitor and one gun didn't cut it, nor would two have in that case.
Carry one or three, I'll repeat what I often say, "Thanks to all the good guys who carry".
In reality, we're all more likely to benefit from keeping house and car doors locked than needing gunfire to solve a problem.
LEO will run into the more hardened criminal than will the CCW citizen. LEO has more in their cars than civilians.
But playing the devils advocate here and having been in about 788 court trials, I would love to hear what type reasoning you would give in court that would exhonorate you. Now remember, your atty fees will already be in excess of $20,000 and not many attorneys want their client on the stand. I have yet to hear a single accused give a reason that got them off the hook. I will also say that fortunately I have only been involved with three cases where the issue of multiple guns came up but all three of those lost the right to carry and spent time in the grey bar motel.
flop-shank
US Veteran
Of course, such "hardened criminals" only prey on cops. Us private citizens have nothing to fear from them.
Unless he's innocent and can articulate himself well. There are a myriad of reasons to carry more than one gun such as the ability to draw from a front pants pocket, yet not sacrifice the ability to carry a full size gun, have a second gun available should the primary run dry (New York reload), or be hit by gun fire and the ability to arm another friendly. I'm a revolver shooter. Some people are packing more ammo in one pistol than the sixteen (three guns) I had on earlier. I suppose I could waste my time calling them excessive also.
Generally when prosecuters charge someone they have an airtight case or have reached a plea bargain. That said, I'm sure more than one person ever accused of a crime has walked.
Then they probably were guilty. Each case is different. I'm not a criminal and religiously avoid trouble.
Just about any handgun will work well as long as you are proficient with it, know the features of the gun and can comfortably carry it on your person. I own a lot of handguns and there are maybe five that I feel would not make a good piece for ccw. But some guns are better than others.
Getting back on topic......
Mine include:
Sig 239 (.40) - This gets carried 98% of the time
Ruger SP-101 (.357) - Carry about 10% of the time
S&W M-60 (.38) - Carry about 20% of the time
As you can see, sometimes a 2nd gun accompanies the Sig 239. If i'm without the Sig, i'm with one of the wheel guns.
Mine include:
Sig 239 (.40) - This gets carried 98% of the time
Ruger SP-101 (.357) - Carry about 10% of the time
S&W M-60 (.38) - Carry about 20% of the time
As you can see, sometimes a 2nd gun accompanies the Sig 239. If i'm without the Sig, i'm with one of the wheel guns.
bnkrtstk
Member
With the exception of my 22A, and Heritage 22lr/22mag all my handguns can, and have been carried as defensive guns.
They range from a P3AT .380 to a 4" Model 629 .
The two that get carried the most are my Centennial Airweight 642, and my Glock 23.
They range from a P3AT .380 to a 4" Model 629 .
The two that get carried the most are my Centennial Airweight 642, and my Glock 23.
AZ Desertrat
Member
No more than 2.....gets too darn heavy.
Knightrider03m
Member
I've carried up to 3 guns at a time but that was when I was going to the range to shoot all 3.
My normal carry is my Sigma and/or my 85 or my M&Pc.
My normal carry is my Sigma and/or my 85 or my M&Pc.
chp
Member
Usually I only carry one gun. Away from home I carry a Glock 19 or occasionally a Glock 26. Sometimes I will add a J Frame in the pocket (337PD with bobbed hammer).
If I am dressed nicely with my shirted tucked in without a jacket, I only carry a J Frame or a P3AT .380 in a pocket - depending on the pants. I greatly prefer a J Frame to the P3AT .380.
Around the house, I carry a J Frame in a pocket or AIWB using the clip draw.
I always carry at least one folding knife as well.
I have many other handguns, but those 4 are the only ones currently on my carry "menu."
If I am dressed nicely with my shirted tucked in without a jacket, I only carry a J Frame or a P3AT .380 in a pocket - depending on the pants. I greatly prefer a J Frame to the P3AT .380.
Around the house, I carry a J Frame in a pocket or AIWB using the clip draw.
I always carry at least one folding knife as well.
I have many other handguns, but those 4 are the only ones currently on my carry "menu."
