Why Rotate?

[KLYDE]

Don't have a rotation per se, but when I want more ammo capacity I will go to the 9mm versus the .357. Naturally the 9mm ammo packs a lot smaller. Thus being said both revolvers are set up exactly the same.

 

[lrrifleman]

For me, this has become a very thought provoking thread. I have 4 handguns which I have designated for CC. Those being a: 1911 Commander, a Model 439, a S&W Model 36-6, and a Mauser HSC. What I would actually carry on any given day would be predicated on weather conditions, the selected attire for the day, and my gut feeling.

If I am traveling any distance, or away for a length of time, I will resort to my Model 439 in a Front Line IWB holster, or my Commander with a Browne and Pharr belt clip. Being a poster child for unforeseen accidents happening, the non-carried arm would be secured in the vehicle. If weather conditions don't allow easy concealability, I would resort to either the Model 36-6 or the Mauser. No matter what I will be carrying, my game plan is to carry at least 2 reloads.

I am not a fashionista, so I don't designate a specific gun for any particular day of the week. I am physically disabled, so my dress seems to lean towards casual and baggy, to accommodate my injuries and brace.

 

[badge]

Carry what you KNOW. If old Mr. Murphy introduces himself you will revert to your training. There must be no hesitation or wondering, " do I have my Sig or my Shield" ?. You just cannot do that in a high stress encounter

 

[KSDeputy]

I always carry the same pistol when I am off of my farm. I have been carrying a CS 45 for over 20 years. I think it is very important to carry and practice with the same firearm all the time. I shoot other pistols and revolvers on the farm, and at the range. For defensive purposes I always carry the same pistol year around, and recommend that others do so.

 

[regalsc]

For work 340pd on the weekends 325sc or 325pd 4". When I use a semi auto it either a kahr mk9 or mk40. The kahr trigger is close to a revolver DA pull but lighter with no safety.

 

[rock_castle]

Why do some people care so much about what other people do? I don't get it. Who cares!

 

[shotgun693]

I usually drive my F150 although on rare occasion I drive my Son's van. The controls are not identical but at times I've had to slam on the brakes or swerve and it did not seem to make much difference. I usually carry an old M19. If my Son and I are traveling together I carry a M59, we can use the same ammo. If I'm going to a fancy event I carry my Colt SAA. I've been in 6 gunfights at work and that I used one gun in 3 of them, and three different guns in the last three never seemed to matter.

 

[Donn]

I feel that those who rotate based on whim rather than a practical reason think of CCW as something "neat to do" rather than something to be taken seriously. And that's their right, of course. They may be more likely to have an accident though.

?????
That's like saying you're more likely to have an accident in a car/truck with a manual transmission you drive on weekends than with your daily driver that's an automatic. A whim? I take carrying lethal force every day very seriously. My usual EDC is either a snubby or a Shield. However. if I'm going on a road trip, or a dangerous area, I'll gun up. I wouldn't take anything, any day I wasn't proficient with. Anyone who thinks carrying a firearm is "neat to do" ought not be carrying at all.

 

[Protected One]

?????
That's like saying you're more likely to have an accident in a car/truck with a manual transmission you drive on weekends than with your daily driver that's an automatic.

Since a gun is something one uses to address a dangerous situation and a car is something that doesn't "generally" apply to, a more accurate comparison would be someone who carries only one car key on their ring vs someone who carries two or more different car keys: which do you think could get into their car quickest in a dangerous situation?

 

[HCH]

There is a lot of validity to weather/time of year factors, mode of dress, etc., but isn't it really to justify all the different guns we own?

 

[Watchdog]

The rotation thing never made sense to me.

Same here. There are enough things in my life at my age that don't make sense to me...not looking to add something else.

 

[Protected One]

...but isn't it really to justify all the different guns we own?

At the end of the day that is what it comes down to: we own it and want to carry it....and that is certainly our choice to make.
We can justify anything we want to - right or wrong. Like the security person I saw the other day, open carrying a Sig P228...no holster....no gun belt, AND...no round in the chamber! I asked him why, and he gave me all manner of reasons for all four. His life. His choice.

 

[Smoke]

Like the security person I saw the other day, open carrying a Sig P228...no holster....no gun belt, AND...no round in the chamber! I asked him why, and he gave me all manner of reasons for all four. His life. His choice.

When I read stuff like this it amazes me. My employer issues everything. We all have the same weapon (M&P 40) same belt, same holster (Safariland), same ammunition (Speer Gold Dot).

Everything has to be on the same spot on the belt unless you are left handed then everything has to be mirrored.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I have read a lot of threads where people mention having a gun in their carry "rotation".

I am having a hard time understanding having more than one carry gun. I have a few guns that are suitable for carry, but only carry one of them.

My thinking is that if I am in a high stress situation I don't want to have to think about what I need to do or what gun I have. I want to have my gun out and ready as quick as possible.

How many of you have a "rotation" of different carry guns and what is the reason behind this?

Thanks
Wingmaster

I change my carry guns constantly. I switch from revolver to semi-auto and back again depending on which way I farted in the morning. I never carry a reload, so that's not a consideration (My reload is the jump bag and the rifle in the truck. Your little gun is always to be used to fight your way to your big gun, if needed). I admire and appreciate the various features and function of all firearms, and I am fortunate to own enough different pistols to make this possible. Further, I am fully confident in my ability to run any handgun, so that doesn't enter the equation either.

I've carried a gun for pay for my entire adult life, and I've always been told how to do it on the clock. I've carried a gun off the clock for my entire adult life, and it's always been my discretion as to the manner. If I never changed things around, I'd only own one self defense pistol, and really, how boring would that be? (And if you don't think I'm serious about carrying a pistol, endanger me or mine . . . )

 

[Muss Muggins]

I feel that those who rotate based on whim rather than a practical reason think of CCW as something "neat to do" rather than something to be taken seriously. And that's their right, of course. They may be more likely to have an accident though.

Not true, but you are welcome to your opinion. You roll your way, I'll roll mine . . .

 

[Arik]

Winter/summer/spring/fall ....G19 iwb. Same holster, same location, same gun. I don't see how weather effects what gun to carry. The only time I carry something different, usually a small revolver, is when I cannot carry the G19

 

[Biggfoot44]

Way, way back I made a goal of achieving competency with as many operating systems as possible , with an eye to being able to teach as many flavors as possible.

I have my personal standards of competence ( as well as reliability of specific gun).

Primary carry is (strong) hip.
Otherwise identical K Frames in blue & stainless are interchangable.
likewise blue & stainless Ruger dash Sixes.
Two most frequent semi's are different brands, but both happen to be DA/SA .

 

[RussC]

I decided about 6 months ago to stop “rotating” carry guns and limit myself to either an M&P Shield or an M&P 9. (Since changed to an M&P 9C)

Hick’s Law postulates that the more variables you add to the decision making process the longer it takes you to make a decision and act on it. So if I add variables by carrying different guns in different locations in different types of holsters with varying levels of retention all I’m really doing is adding to the menu options I have to go through in my mind before acting in a self defense scenario. My brain has to answer a series of questions before I can even start to draw my firearm.

Eliminating variables makes anything a human does more consistent and reliable. By definition if I’m in a self defense situation I’m already behind the curve. Every step I have to take to prepare to and defend myself is an opportunity for something to go wrong. Every step or decision that I can eliminate increases the odds in my favor.

It's my belief that the more I practice with my carry gun the better I'm going to be with it under stress. The fewer variables in my equipment the faster I'm going to draw, the less chance of a mistake or hesitation, and the better my chances of survival. I have completely eliminated the variable of what I'm carrying, where, or how. It's always exactly the same. I'm better prepared to defend myself as a result.

That said, (IMO) Having different guns for different circumstances is not the same as “rotating” your carry guns. As I’ve stated before I switch off between one of two guns depending on circumstances and my concealment needs.

90% of the time based on my circumstance I can dress in a way that that accommodates a full sized gun so I carry the M&P9. When I have to dress differently or I’m sitting around the house and I don’t want to carry a full sized gun I carry the 9C but in either case I’m carrying two almost identical guns

To me “rotating” your carry guns is a mood thing. Like “I’m bored with my 1911 so today I’m going to carry my GLOCK” and for me mood has nothing to do with carrying a gun.

I also don’t switch based on any threat assessment. If things are so tense that I’m questioning if I have enough gun I don’t go. Of course the exception would be that I probably wouldn’t carry a 9mm if I were going into the mountains where I literally might encounter a bear.

Unless you encounter Yogi Bear a handgun in bear country is suicide.

A better choice would be bear spray or a shotgun loaded with slugs.

Russ

 

[retiredbadge8091]

For years I carried a full sized GLOCK and Baby GLOCK. First in 9MM and then later in .40 S&W. During my law enforcement career I didn't have much to do with the rest of my gun collection. That's how seriously I felt about muscle memory and weapons familiarity, and what it means to me. Now that I don't spend much if any time in, "The Heart of Darkness," I've begun to carry a S&W.40 Shield, which doesn't deviate much from the weapons system I relied on for 23 years. My mood or fashion has never dictated my weapons choice.

 

[snowman.45]

I'm now retired and required to qualify with each gun I carry (just like before, but now listed on an HR 218 card I have to carry with my retired ID). As a result, I've spent the last year and a half trying to decide how many guns I need to qualify with each year. Each card lists four guns and I like to keep it down to one card.

I've come away with two revolvers and two semi-autos I carry most often; a 340 M&P, a PC681+, a Glock 19 and a Shield 9mm. Most often, I carry the Shield or G19. These guns are very similar in their manual of arms and controls. Quite simply, I see no problem in mixing them. The revolvers are also the same in their manual of arms, although they do differ from the semi-autos. I prefer to have the 340 M&P when I can't get away with more than a pocket gun. The 681 is for the mountains or anywhere I might have a greater need for .357 as opposed to 9mm. Again, no problem in mixing them. I feel very confident in my ability to respond appropriately with the two different systems and four different guns.

As a range master and department firearm instructor for most of my career, I agree with the wisdom of maintaining proficiency with one gun carried in the same location. However, I also believe in carrying the most effective handgun you can reasonably conceal. Further, potential circumstances also comes into play. I know, I could carry a G20 in 10mm or a G32 in .357 Sig rather than the revolvers, and maintain the "same system" rule. Truth is, I choose not to and have no problem with it. I don't know, I might even decide to start carrying a 1911 again sometime in the future. However, if I do, I will be well-practiced and comfortable with the re-establishment of the muscle memory involved before I do.