For those that carry: is capacity a major factor in what you carry?

I feel like this is an underappreciated point. In every firearms class I've been a member of, I've been told "You carry what you are most comfortable with."

I personally carry a Sig Sauer P365XL; it's literally the only firearm I've ever bought without test firing - it fit me that well. Strangely, my shot groups are tighter than they are with my Glock 19X.

 

I've also been told to always have spare mag while carrying. Not for capacity but for malfunction. Quickly addressing most common malfunctions will mean dropping a few rounds and/or inserting new mag. So if you dont carry spare mags, you could be stuck needing more time trying to fix it when you dont really have time.
You can stage malfunctions in practice using dummy rounds or other methods to help you through them when they happen for real. Not for beginner though without supervision of an instructor.

 

Since my post was not in line with our CoC....I'll rephrase.

I'll carry the max allowed...if they ever raise our limit, I will carry that much....no reason to carry less. I do have extra mags loaded and readily available to me as well. We've had bear sightings recently, so I def carry when working around the house or late at night in the garage.

 

I carry a different gun based on what I'm wearing and where I'm going. Sometimes it's a two shot Derringer 38, sometimes it's a fold up five shot 22 Mag, sometimes it's a 5-7 shot 45 XDS depending on which magazine I use, sometimes it's a snub nose 38, and sometimes if I have enough room and my clothes are loose enough like say in the fall or winter then I'll carry my 509 which has an RMR. I rarely ever have the same gun with me two days in a row. But I always have an extra in my truck which I'm almost always nearby while I'm at work. The only time I'm not near my truck is if I go into the grocery store or something. I don't like leaving a gun in my truck when I'm in a strange place and I will be a long ways from my truck. I have multiple holster options for each pistol also. Sometimes it's on my hip, sometimes it's iwb. I mainly stay aware of my surroundings if I'm at gas stations or wherever and that way depending on any potential situation I get put in, I have a little bit of time to adapt. I run into some situations all the time that if I had been a few minutes earlier or later, it could have put me in a situation where I needed to use it. People are getting crazy nowadays.

 

As an alternative, I've seen a guy few times here wearing dual swords on his back walking down sidewalk. Wonder what legality of that is...

 

Legality...depends if you live in a communist state that likes to make up rules as they go or not

 

Well its a superior gun compared to the Glock. It may not be as ubiquitous, just my opinion and you know what they say about opinions...

 

Reminds me of how I need to ditch my restrictive state.

 

CCs are 12+1 and 17+1 but would be more than confident with any number, not super relevant.

“Gun guys” who’ve spent more time on YouTube than in firefights or training shouldn’t be listened to.

There’s a million other factors in surviving and being smart and capable before round count.

 

Yes. I found avoiding the situation is my first defense.

 

2 inch shaved hammer 6 shooter for me. Im not assaulting a bunker, its for defense. I need it to work and thats it. Not get it stuck on clothes or someone or somethings skin/fur if they on top of me.

Most defensive shootings are 4 shots or less at 15 yards or less. The more shots you take, the less in control a prosecutor can make you look.

 

Spray and pray, huh???

For someone so meticulous, I'd expect better 'round accountability'

 

Wow, really got a good one started here.

I asked because for the first time, I've decided to carry a double stack. Walther PPQ in .45 ACP. Got a good deal and if I like it, I'll go for a holster.

A friend that carries an FNX .45 Tactical (15 + 1 of .45 ACP) made the joke "if we ever have to go shots out I'll be shooting, you'll reload, I'll be shooting, you'll reload, I'll be shooting...." I thought it was pretty funny because it's true. I've been carrying my Kahr CW .45 (6 + 1 rounds) plus reload since spring and for years before that carried a J-frame with one reload.

According to John Correia of Active Self Protection fame, there has been a trend of two or three man robbery teams acting in America. With more southern boys coming up every day, many of those in gangs, it's only going to get more trendy. 13 rounds of .45 on tap plus at least one reload.....I'll give it a whirl.

On the job I open carry.....if just hitting the town I usually conceal but not always.

I once ahem, had an encounter with what I (and local police) believe was a 3-man burglary team that arrived at my house just as I got in (2 AM). Nothing said or shown off, but I think I got the point across. That night I was carrying the J-frame, no reload. 5 shots for 3 guys isn't a good number. I started carrying a reload after that.

(I saw them scoping my house the week before, but I never saw them again after that. I assume they chose better pastures).

I'm actively considering having a plate cut for the PPQ and adding a red dot.

 

You had an attempted home invasion?

Can you give us any details?

 

Thought y’all just hit each other with sticks

 

I like to follow Teddy Roosevelt's advice to "speak softly and carry a big stck, at least a 45-70 Gov't, and you will go far".

I may be paraphrasing, but I think he'd approve.

 

I am blessed that I have a lot to choose from. For me it comes down to what I can conceal comfortably for me, what’s 100% reliable, what I shoot well and what I can get in multiple configurations so I can work on muscle memory. 99% of the time that comes down to a 642 (smith and Wesson Jframe) in my front pocket. Most of my house guns are revolvers, so the manual of arms is the same. Most of my reloads can be the same. It just works for me. - Mark, old school revolver guy to the core

 

Ah, let’s address meticulousness

@Tripleconpanna you have a knack for being a great conversation catalyst

so....

As the great linguist & pugilist, Michael Tyson, once said, "everyone has a plan till they get punched in the nose."

that's me. I have a plan. I practice. I am very fortunate to have a great range by my house.
https://www.pscshootingclub.com/

I am by no means, a marksman*; however, I can shoot 6 steel plates (12yds) in under 3 seconds. consistently.
but, that is under ideal conditions.
that was my practice drill for years. be able to shoot the 6 steel targets without missing. once I did that. I left the range.

I realize that if you lather me up, I'm not going to shoot as well.
However, my "plan" is to rely on muscle memory to get me close to the target. the other 15 shots are for me and my family's safety.

I learned to shoot "normal" loads with a Glock G19 (gen2)back in '86. I still have it. I still practice with it.
it's what my brain knows. I am reliably proficient with it.

I carry a G26 with the same grip as a G19....but the overall gun is smaller & I still have my 16 rounds.

now, for all you 1911 guys...God Bless you. I never practiced much with one**. I would carry one of I did.

I use a comp-tac infidel IWB holster. I know it.

for all you folks pondering a carry gun, as said many times, carry the one you KNOW.




*I am also not one of those kooks that dresses up like an operator to go to the range. I am usually the guy in warmup pants and a v-neck white t-shirt.

**I do have a Staccato P & C2. and they are magnificent.
just too big for me to carry & the physical mechanics are different than my Glock

 

As others have said: It depends on what I am wearing. If it is easy to conceal, I carry my Browning Hi Power. I shot it in competition for years and am very comfortable with it. If wearing a lighter or shorter shirt, I carry an M&P Shield 9. It fits my hand with the longer magazine and the thumb safety is in nearly the same location as the Browning's.

 

Is that a polite way of saying that I enjoy at times??

PS>>> Only w/those I love and respect...

PPS>>> Now see... I knew that deep down (in that IDGAF exterior shell) that you really weren't THAT guy, and that you are someone who HAS meticulously thought about, trained for, and planned for how things would play out in the unfortunate event that you were forced to confront the devil in your own defense or in the defense of others

PPPS>>> Also, just wanted to confirm... white socks w/your track suit???

 

Browning HP! I saw one used in an Action Pistol Match and was so impressed, I bought one (first Gunbroker purchase). I used it to good effect in the one IDPA match I shot. I now have a baker's dozen but none are (in my mind) "open box ready for carry." I would like to send one of my alloy models for some custom work and then carry it.

When I gave serious thought to becoming a police officer, at least at that time, in my state, the cadet had to supply his own pistol for academy. I was going to take my HP. It was probably a good thing I didn't go as when I was shooting it pretty heavy a few years ago, the front sight blade flew off! It was the sport model, all chrome with adjustable sights.

When I shot the IDPA match, range officer ordered "drop magazine and open and show clear." I did that. "Drop hammer." "DROP YOUR HAMMER SIR OR YOU ARE DIQUALIFIED!" I was probably the only guy he'd ever seen compete with a magazine safety still in the gun. LOL (Ear muffs and all, I had to show him pulling my trigger and the hammer not falling). I stayed in the match.

A revolver that can be thumb-cocked, single action only auto, or double action only auto are my handguns of choice. I used to carry a DA/SA on the job when I was paid to carry a gun but I later decided I didn't care for the two different types of pull. Probably a good thing I never bought that Beretta 92 Elite II.

 

Thats some sound advice...

Brings up a question for everyone regarding range ammo and carry ammo:

Do you shoot different loads at the range and carry something else?

If so, have you ran a decent amount of your carry ammo through your gun to ensure it still operates as expected?

• My .45 1911 gets nothing but good old 230g FMJ
• My 9mm 1911 gets a mix of ball at the range (mostly 115/124 FMJ) but for nightstand/EDC is loaded with Speer Gold Dot 124g +P
• My 9mm 1911 EDC gets fed only the 124g +P

 

Just ordered a threaded barrel for the Walther PPQ. I may (finally) get a suppressor.

 

I practice with what I carry. The one time I very nearly plugged a guy with a .38 he'd have received Speer Gold Dot 135 grain +P Short Barrel. Nothing but the best for the local meth billies.

My Kahr sports 230 grain Speer Gold Dot. No need for +P in a .45 though.

 

TJ,

Thanks for the link and directions. Sounds like your hearing got to last just a bit longer.

I agree, they were going to shoot your dog with a suppressed weapon.

I'd prefer them to get Saved and the Holy Spirit change them into good people but I'm totally fine if they've since met their end and are burning for eternity.