3rd Gens
I do rotate my 3rd gen S&W semi-autos.
As they all operate the same way and because they all hit to the same point of aim the reason it is discouraged may not apply to me. But I have thought about this a lot and I would appreciate any correction or contradiction if you have any thoughts.
OK, so why don't people carry the same gun every day?
1. Lessons from our popular slogans:
-The first rule of gun fighting is "Have a gun!" (Therefore any gun will do.)
-"Carry the gun that you feel comfortable with." (Therefore any gun will do.)
-"If you can't solve the problem with 6, you are not gonna solve it with 30." (Therefore capacity does not apply, so any gun will do.)
-"Most gunfights are 3 shots in 3 seconds under three yards." (Therefore anything better than a Bond derringer will do.)
-"A micro-compact with you is better than a Desert Eagle at home in the safe." Therefore a mouse gun or a hand cannon, any gun will do.
- "A gunfight is more fight than gun." I really do believe that it is far more significant what you do with your gun, than what gun you do it with.
Truth is we use these various slogans in different contexts without thinking how their logic applies across the board.
2. They don't believe the reason for using only one gun is true. The reason given usually is that you are going to be mentally virtually incapacitated by the fight or flight response and will be unable to do anything other than what your uninstructed instincts dictate, unless you have practiced doing something enough that mindless habit, muscle memory, overtakes the impulse. They say you are not even going to be able to aim! But they also say that "Only hits count", and "You are responsible for every round that leaves the muzzle of your gun!" If I am completely under the spell of adrenaline and tunnel vision, how is the "feel" of the trigger going to affect my accuracy?? I can spray any caliber bullets equally poorly with a Glock or a 1911 or a Wilson Combat Beretta 92. Nobody really believes this about themselves. "I know that I, myself WILL be able to remember how to..." they think.
Truth is that the concept is vastly oversimplified. There are one or two in every ten who are drastically affected by stress, and there is one of every ten who does not feel it at all. That is how my Daddy was when he was fighting on Okinawa in 1945. I have reason to believe that I and other members of our family are the same as he was. My brother said it this way, "I can be very afraid, but I can still think!" I cannot be sure till it happens, (or doesn't). Most folks are somewhere in between the extremes and for most folks the effect changes during the course of a gunfight.
3. They don't know the real reason. The reason might be a fighting philosophy which precludes the use of certain firearms. Or it may be a level of expertise with a particular gun that makes you feel that is the one you want to have with you.
I went to the range every Friday and practiced with my model 28 Highway Patrolman loaded with Federal 125gr. SJHP. I got really good with it over a four year period. I also practiced with a Sig P230 drawing from concealment and putting 8 shots into a score of 8 or better in 3 seconds at 7 yards.
I don't have either of those guns today and I can't shoot that well at my age, but I have a really strong preference for one of my pistols, the model 457, and a few others that are just like it because I can still do quite well enough with them.
Pardon my rambling but I will thank you for any correction or contradiction
Regards,
BrianD
