Why rotate?

[RobertJ.]

I think the word "rotate" is somewhat misleading.

I have several guns I use for carry. I have certain guns for certain situations. The situations? In the city, in the woods, or around town. They all have the same feature, in that they're "point and shoot", whether revolver or auto. I don't throw my 1911 or my BHP in there, because those aren't what I practice with, and the last thing I need is to forget to swipe the safety off. I could carry one of those and be fine, but under stress, who knows? I'd rather not risk it, and just leave it to muscle memory.

 

[petepeterson]

Why do folks rotate carry guns? To me it makes more sense to carry the same gun all the time. No need to remember where to aim or how it operates if you use the same piece all the time? I can understand changing pieces due to changes in the weather (hard to conceal a M1911 in t-shirts and shorts). Just curious is all.

Guilty as charged, but my variety comes mostly around the homestead, and maybe weekends going to and from the range. I like all kinds!
During the week, it's the same gun, same place.
But I do like OC'ing a Nice BHP, Model 19, or Gold Cup on the weekends. If a black bear takes me down because I forgot to flip the safety off, I'm at peace with it. At least behind this keyboard, anyway.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

It depends on clothing and where I'll be that day/night. Switching from a 5 shot, .38 caliber J frame to a higher capacity 9mm makes total sense when you consider where you might be under certain circumstances.

I can argue for either as EDCs without rotating but that's not how I roll.....

 

[Brian Parrish]

Correction PLease?

AJ,

When I was a RO I taught, and lived, one gun, one location, one holster. 30 years later, I still believe that is the correct way. As some know, I prefer the 45 ACP cartridge fired from a 4" N frame. I even have a couple of them. I also have several holsters for it, all the same style, varying only in decoration. I wear the holster just behind my right hip and carry my revolver there. It just simplifies things. At least for me.

Those who can actually carry and use a 1911 today, a Python tomorrow, a Model 3913 next week, an Hi Standard double derringer last week, etc. have my admiration. But, I would not have choosen you as a partner 30 years ago.

But, the real reason for rotating may have been summed up thusly,



Kevin

I would appreciate your response to my comment #15, Thanks!
I was practicing what we then called "Shoot and Move" what is now called "Getting Off the X". For the first time, I was using a competition custom .45, one guaranteed 1.5" groups at 25 yards. I was used to shooting either S&W revolvers or Sig Sauer DA/SA pistols. My friend that day was using a 6906. He beat me (informally) on time and score (time penalty) because I got hung up on the reload.

Starting from the draw I pull and shoot the capacity of the gun and reload while running to the second position. That 1911 had a recoil buffer which prevented me from pulling the slide back far enough to release it. From then on, I always use the slide release lever on every pistol ever since. (I also removed that unnecessary recoil buffer BTW.)

Another time I missed the thumb safety. If it hadn't happened in practice, I wouldn't have known any better

At other times having fumbled the reload to the dirt, I learned to always carry two spare mags. Keep moving and grab the second spare, with plenty of time.

I have practiced so much with traditional double action guns, that I just don't want to spend any time getting good with a 1911 or a Glock. I will say this. Never once have I missed the first shot or the second shot because of the difference in feel of the double action and single action trigger. This is not the experience of other shooters and I don't know why. Same thing with a revolver. I don't hit any better if I cock the hammer at any distance. It's my eyes that do the missin' not my finger.

I can still get hung up on the S&W slide mounted safety. It is almost always kept off. I have a couple of holsters with a retention snap and I will still try to draw the gun without unsnapping sometimes. I always use an open top holster strong side outside the waistband.

My friend ended up giving his 6906 to his dad and now he only uses a stock 1911 government.

Thank you for your thoughts!
Kind regards,
BrianD

 

[glenwolde]

Concealed carry hobbyists is one reason.

"Concealed carry hobbyists" is a term I've not heard before. But I get it. "Concealed carry lifestyle" absolutely makes me cringe.

 

[S-W4EVER]

Kinda funny how a lot of guys go to a larger firearm when the weather cools. In my experience you're more likely to need a firearm when the weather is warmer, I guess the cold takes a lot of the fight out of most people.

 

[rockquarry]

"Concealed carry hobbyists" is a term I've not heard before. But I get it. "Concealed carry lifestyle" absolutely makes me cringe.

My term, but I've been using it for a while. I'd have to think about the term "concealed carry lifestyle", but a cursory glance indicates to me the two terms are closely related.

 

[rockquarry]

Kinda funny how a lot of guys go to a larger firearm when the weather cools. In my experience you're more likely to need a firearm when the weather is warmer, I guess the cold takes a lot of the fight out of most people.

Yes, makes little sense to me either, but I could be missing something here. However, it must have meaning to the rotators that practice such methods. Just my thought, and not meant in a disparaging way.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Kinda funny how a lot of guys go to a larger firearm when the weather cools. In my experience you're more likely to need a firearm when the weather is warmer, I guess the cold takes a lot of the fight out of most people.

Many of us grew up in a time where heavy winter clothing would plug the hollowpoints of the day turning them into ball. So be prepared to fire 3 or 4 rounds vs 1 or 2.

If you wanted more than 7 or 8rds in an auto; the Wonder-9s of the 80s were not small guns.

Many switch from .380 or 9mm to .45 for cold weather carry. Colt Officers models were smaller but "finicky"

"Small autos" back in the 70s and 80s, not counting .380s like the Walther PPK,, were Colt Commanders, Browning HPs or S&W model 39s; later we had the compact,in name only, Sig 228/229 or Beretta 92 "Compact"

1989/90 gave us the "first" small 9mm the 25oz 3913, a factory copy of the custom chopped 39/59s of the prior two decades. ASP,Trapper etc.

 

[rockquarry]

Many of us grew up in a time where heavy winter clothing would plug the hollowpoints of the day turning them into ball. So be prepared to fire 3 or 4 rounds vs 1 or 2.

If you wanted more than 7 or 8rds in an auto; the Wonder-9s of the 80s were not small guns.

Many switch from .380 or 9mm to .45 for cold weather carry. Colt Officers models were smaller but "finicky"

"Small autos" back in the 70s and 80s, not counting .380s like the Walther PPK,, were Colt Commanders, Browning HPs or S&W model 39s; later we had the compact,in name only, Sig 228/229 or Beretta 92 "Compact"

1989/90 gave us the "first" small 9mm the 25oz 3913, a factory copy of the custom chopped 39/59s of the prior two decades. ASP,Trapper etc.

I've heard of the "heavy clothing plugging up hollow points" reason, but is that factual information, something that allegedly happened once, or is it unproven conventional wisdom with no real basis that get's repeated often?

Not derisive comments in any way; I'd like to know if there's anything to this and I think others would, too.

 

[crstrode]

Absent EDC rotation, there would be no justification for BBQ guns.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

I've heard of the "heavy clothing plugging up hollow points" reason, but is that factual information, something that allegedly happened once, or is it unproven conventional wisdom with no real basis that get's repeated often?

Not derisive comments in any way; I'd like to know if there's anything to this and I think others would, too.

I believe it was unproven conventional wisdom…saw the statement in print many times. Considering the state of the art re hollow points of the time it's probably pretty reasonable. It may be why many advocated for semi-wad cutter rounds in revolver calibers

There were some who advocated Glaser Safety Slugs in warm weather and solid bullets in cold weather.

Bullet technology has come a long way but there still is no magic bullet.

 

[crstrode]

Kinda funny how a lot of guys go to a larger firearm when the weather cools. In my experience you're more likely to need a firearm when the weather is warmer, I guess the cold takes a lot of the fight out of most people.

A bigger gun is easier to tote with discretion when wearing lots of winter clothes.

A 6-inch 686 is tough to conceal in a silk aloha-shirt pocket.

 

[Rustyt1953]

While I don't rotate I know many folks who enjoy doing so.

Erbody happy.

 

[rockquarry]

A bigger gun is easier to tote with discretion when wearing lots of winter clothes.

A 6-inch 686 is tough to conceal in a silk aloha-shirt pocket.

It would seem an adequate handgun gun would always remain an adequate handgun despite the season and despite the clothing worn by the carrier. If it's not, it's an inadequate handgun.

Many of these reasons for rotating don't appear to be valid. Rather they are more of a personal justification for rotation, even if not well-founded, but let's not fool ourselves. This is getting back to the "concealed carrier hobbyist".

We carry what we wish, if we carry at all. These days, when I "carry", it's usually guns taken to the gun club and back home, except for the snubnose Chief in my car.

I still find some of this interesting as long as it doesn't crossover into the obsessive and I like to keep up with it. May we all enjoy our handguns and enjoy shooting often.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

"Beware of the man with one gun, he probably knows how to use it."

 

[Arm]

Then there was Josey Wales...yep.

 

[Well Armed]

It would seem an adequate handgun gun would always remain an adequate handgun despite the season and despite the clothing worn by the carrier. If it's not, it's an inadequate handgun.

Many of these reasons for rotating don't appear to be valid. Rather they are more of a personal justification for rotation, even if not well-founded, but let's not fool ourselves. This is getting back to the "concealed carrier hobbyist".

We carry what we wish, if we carry at all. These days, when I "carry", it's usually guns taken to the gun club and back home, except for the snubnose Chief in my car.

I still find some of this interesting as long as it doesn't crossover into the obsessive and I like to keep up with it. May we all enjoy our handguns and enjoy shooting often.

It's not up to others to say what's valid or not valid. Everyone has their own reasons for carrying what they carry and how they carry to fit their personal circumstances, lifestyle, style of dress, and personal preference. All that matters is that they have a firearm and are competent with it.

 

[Well Armed]

Kinda funny how a lot of guys go to a larger firearm when the weather cools. In my experience you're more likely to need a firearm when the weather is warmer, I guess the cold takes a lot of the fight out of most people.

It's because they can get away with concealing a larger gun in the winter vs what they can conceal in the summer. It's as simple as that. Either way they are armed and able to defend themselves.

 

[rockquarry]

It's not up to others to say what's valid or not valid. Everyone has their own reasons for carrying what they carry and how they carry to fit their personal circumstances, lifestyle, style of dress, and personal preference. All that matters is that they have a firearm and are competent with it.

I was pointing out what appeared to me to be flawed justifications; statements that made little sense or were contradictory. I wasn't making a judgement of anyone. I thought that was clear in my post, but perhaps I worded it poorly.