Duty/Full Size guns vs carry guns
- Thread starter DustyGmt
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DustyGmt
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I get it. I shoot and carry glocks for the most part exclusively save for a revolver and LCP from time to time. All I ever shoot or train with at the range is my 19/17/43/44 typically but I can pick up a strangers Sig M18/M17 or Ruger SR9 and shoot it better and more accurately than I could ever shoot my Glocks, but Glocks are what I am most comfortable with and can't see changing that now.
I like diversity. I carry a 1911 for work, and generally revolvers 95% of the time on my own time. I dress around my gun on my off work time, and don't generally care if anyone notices things like printing. I have a subcompact semi auto for travel purposes, as it is the most easily replaceable gun and it is a general purpose gun with enough capacity, ease of concealment, etc.
The guns I carry reflect what potential situation I may find myself: ie dealing with an armed individual at work or a dog, bear, angry moose or elk off work. I have an LCR for deep concealment, but rarely carry it solo, unless I am going to the gym.
The guns I carry reflect what potential situation I may find myself: ie dealing with an armed individual at work or a dog, bear, angry moose or elk off work. I have an LCR for deep concealment, but rarely carry it solo, unless I am going to the gym.
Bill_in_TR
Member
For SD I tend to prefer sticking to the same manual of arms. I also happen to like the fit of Sig DA/SA pistols. My house gun is either a P220 or P226. My carry gun is a P6. I have on occasion carried either the P220 or P226, usually during cooler weather. For some reason the contour of the Sig grips feels right in my hand even though there are noticeable differences in those three.
LocoGringo
Member
I am issued a Glock 17 at work and am quite proficient with it, but I AIWB carry a XDs in.45 ACP during warm weather and will carry a Dan Wesson Specialist Commander in 9mm at the 3:00 OWB position when I consistently wear a jacket. I shoot 3-gun competition with a STI Marauder and am quite proficient with it. When I shoot the Glock 17 at work for qualification, I never get confused what I am shooting just as I never get confused when I am shooting competition with the Marauder. I guess I've just developed a good set of "switches".
Corpral_Agarn
Member
shoobe01
Member
Oooh, I forgot my usual: I have carried a full size duty pistol with light and so on, on stage, in front of 500+ people, who did not know I was armed and would not have liked it. Have worn a full sized gun to work in an open office, with people who were things like former DIA agents, also carried and after a YEAR it came up they had no idea I was even into guns much less carried every day. In shorts and a t-shirt.
You can really conceal a big gun as long as you have a good holster, good belt, and the slightest modicum of care and attention.
Archie
Member
I carried a overt, belt holstered full size handgun for years. And a smaller, more discreet handgun for non-uniform time. I can see the advantages of using the same sort (action at least) of handgun for both. I can see why one would carry different handguns, as well.
(Here's where I get the hate mail.) Carrying the same type of handgun is probably better with the one who is NOT a hobbyist and hasn't had a lot of experience and practice with different arms. For a long time enthusiast with a lot of exposure to different handguns, this may not be as big a deal. Then again, the experienced and practiced sort may have decided 'this' type of handgun is best for both.
I'm retired, no longer carry an open belt gun. I do carry (concealed) for personal defense. And, as mentioned by the original poster, I do have a 'nightstand' handgun.
For most of my adult life, I've shot both semi-automatics and revolvers so I have not been too concerned about switching firearm types. I am considerably older now and notice some hesitancy about action types at times.
In the end, access yourself and make up your own mind. Being an adult includes taking credit for good judgement and accepting responsibility for bad judgement.
(Here's where I get the hate mail.) Carrying the same type of handgun is probably better with the one who is NOT a hobbyist and hasn't had a lot of experience and practice with different arms. For a long time enthusiast with a lot of exposure to different handguns, this may not be as big a deal. Then again, the experienced and practiced sort may have decided 'this' type of handgun is best for both.
I'm retired, no longer carry an open belt gun. I do carry (concealed) for personal defense. And, as mentioned by the original poster, I do have a 'nightstand' handgun.
For most of my adult life, I've shot both semi-automatics and revolvers so I have not been too concerned about switching firearm types. I am considerably older now and notice some hesitancy about action types at times.
In the end, access yourself and make up your own mind. Being an adult includes taking credit for good judgement and accepting responsibility for bad judgement.
I'm not a LEO, just a pudgy pencil-pusher. People with more training opportunities than I get may come to different conclusions than I do, but here's my take: I carry a Shield Plus, and it goes in my nightstand at the end of the day. When I switched to a Glock 19 years ago, I decided that I was just going to go "no thumb safety" on both belt and nightstand guns. I'm not concerned about having them be the same brand, but if I were using different guns for those (and I have done so in the past) I'd want them to work the same way. The odds of forgetting to swipe the safety off might be very low, but it's not zero. And if I have to pull my gun, it's my sincere hope that I've eliminated as many variables as possible beforehand.
I carry a Glock for work and for off duty I carry a smaller Glock. I strongly advocate for carrying similar types of firearms if at all possible. I also advocate for carrying in as similar a position as possible and the same for reloads.
You might be able to handle a variety of weapons just fine, but I guarantee that under the stress of the shot timer or a real life incident your muscle memory will kick in and you don't want to be reaching for things that aren't there.
You might be able to handle a variety of weapons just fine, but I guarantee that under the stress of the shot timer or a real life incident your muscle memory will kick in and you don't want to be reaching for things that aren't there.
Have you tried the Glock 48? I switched from a Shield to a Glock 48 and find it just about perfect for carry.
FL-NC
Member
I had considered that as well as the hellcat, but between the prices of everything and the fact that I am in the shield so cheap, plus I have 4 mags and 2 holsters that work really well with it, I decided to hit the pause button on anything new.
jar
Contributing Member
Push or pull to open the cylinder? Back and forth or push down? Cylinder release on the frame behind the cylinder, in front on the frame or pull the ejection rod? Cylinder turns deosil or widdershins?
After that semi-autos seem simple.
For the longest time a 4" pistol was a compact gun for me.
Carried a Sig P220 for quite a while then 229's
Got a 365 a few years ago, swapped out the grip for an XL one and have carried that since.
Not much of a learning curve IMO, just a different trigger that kinda put me off at first, felt odd after having DA/SA guns with nice triggers and a short reset.
I shoot enough DA that a striker trigger wasn't that big a deal though, just roll through it.
Carried a Sig P220 for quite a while then 229's
Got a 365 a few years ago, swapped out the grip for an XL one and have carried that since.
Not much of a learning curve IMO, just a different trigger that kinda put me off at first, felt odd after having DA/SA guns with nice triggers and a short reset.
I shoot enough DA that a striker trigger wasn't that big a deal though, just roll through it.
Buzznrose
Member
Night guns are Glocks.
Carry guns are Glocks unless I’m lazy and carry an LCPMax in a pocket.
I don’t carry SA, SA/DA, or revolvers
I did buy a 10MM XDm I may carry on wandering trips out into the boonies, but I consider it same-same as a Glock or other striker fire pistol.
Carry guns are Glocks unless I’m lazy and carry an LCPMax in a pocket.
I don’t carry SA, SA/DA, or revolvers
I did buy a 10MM XDm I may carry on wandering trips out into the boonies, but I consider it same-same as a Glock or other striker fire pistol.
Archie
Member
Since I only have Smith and Wesson revolvers, all those considerations are non-existent. The only thing i have to sort out is which one takes the little rounds and which one the big rounds. Since I don't have to do that when alarmed, it is not a major problem.
After that semi-autos seem simple.[/QUOTE]In fact, I think they are. A bit more treacherous at times, but manageable.
Mosin77
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I can see having similar guns. For example, some guns in the house include a 1911, a Taurus PT-99, and a Sig P238. They’re hardly identical, they come from different manufacturers, but they are similar in that they have a manual safety, a trigger in the usual position, etc.
I can see forgetting how to field strip a pistol, or maybe forgetting to take off the safety (if one doesn’t train for it) but in terms of basic operation a pistol is pretty simple.
I can see forgetting how to field strip a pistol, or maybe forgetting to take off the safety (if one doesn’t train for it) but in terms of basic operation a pistol is pretty simple.
wcwhitey
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I live in New York and due to the recent SCOTUS decision there is a bunch of interest in Concealed Carry. I cannot count the number of questions and advice requests I have received from family and friends. A few are shooters, a few zero experience, few have any experience correctly carrying a handgun. What I have been recommending is two guns. First seek out a full size service type 9mm (fill in the name brand) and then a compact version of the same. Trying to get them first will a level of home protection and then ease into concealed carry with a similar manual of arms. My first suggestion is a full sized copy of a service pistol in .22 as there are some good options out there. But when I tell you that is not well received I am not exaggerating. I am fortunate that I have a good selection of pistols to demonstrate and train them on. The smart ones will take advantage of this. A few will just buy what they “think” is needed. My point is that in any situation one should have a full sized duty pistol, mine are a Sig 226 and a 1911 for bad times and home defense. Along with that the Sig 226’s little brother the 239 was a carry gun for many years (big by todays standards but still viable) and a Kahr CM9. I started with revolvers which is a Model 15 and Model 10 2”. The Model 10 is my wife’s choice so that is hers and the Model 15 is now a range gun but one could do worse. A new Model 638 takes the place of my old off duty 640 Centennial as the little revolver is my most carried handgun. Manual or arms is important. Two guns that work the same, shoot the same ammo is really in my opinion the best way to become comfortable and efficient in home defense and concealed carry. It eliminates so many variables.
Choctaw
Member
Has your brain had to recognize which gun you are carrying during the heat of a gunfight? You would be amazed at how our bodies and brains react to such stress. Stress which cannot be duplicated by any amount of training at the range.
OP, I carry a Glock 19 on and off duty. It is my bedside gun as well and will be utilized if I can't get to my AR for HD.
shoobe01
Member
At least part of my job is human factors engineer. Write books on my domain sometimes. And for gunfighting, many years of my life have had more FOF than square range trigger presses.
But if you are approaching as "Stress which cannot be duplicated by any amount of training at the range" then I am not even sure where to start a discussion from so you continue to think as you will I guess.
But if you are approaching as "Stress which cannot be duplicated by any amount of training at the range" then I am not even sure where to start a discussion from so you continue to think as you will I guess.
fastbolt
Member
This subject can be like that group of blind men standing around all points of an elephant, trying to determine the nature of the elephant just based upon the little bit they can feel.
Gear choice involves not just aspects and features of the gear, but the knowledge, familiarity, training and experience with the gear, itself ... AND ... using the gear for the specific purpose, and under similar conditions to those anticipated for which the gear is being chosen. Lots of folks seem amenable to taking some shortcuts in considering and addressing the various aspects involved.
Work to learn to run what you like, and/or what you're required to use (for work).
Yep, when folks mostly devote their range time to full-size guns, adding smaller guns may introduce some variables that might not help them run the smaller guns as well as they may expect or wish. That can be considered and addressed as a training issue, if someone has access to training ... and is willing to apply themselves to sufficient practice time to ingrain the lessons learned in training.
If I'd not been able to become a firearm instructor over the years, or an armorer for some different brands/designs of firearms, no doubt my choices would've taken a different direction.
Ditto having carried issued weapons including full-size Magnum revolvers, as well as full-size and compact pistols (9's, .40's & .45's.
Time has caused me to prefer smaller and lighter choices than the full-size .357/.44MAG's, 1911's and other pistols of my youth. Choosing smaller and lighter carry/retirement weapons came with the requirement of using and working them at least as often, and often more, than the full-size guns. However, I've found that working to master the smaller guns can offer the benefit of making the full-size guns easier to run when I do use them. Ditto running the harder recoiling calibers making the lesser recoiling calibers easier to use. So ...
Flip a coin and choose which suits you, for the reasons that matter to you ... and then work to keep your skillset from becoming rusty and dusty from disuse.
Gear choice involves not just aspects and features of the gear, but the knowledge, familiarity, training and experience with the gear, itself ... AND ... using the gear for the specific purpose, and under similar conditions to those anticipated for which the gear is being chosen. Lots of folks seem amenable to taking some shortcuts in considering and addressing the various aspects involved.
Work to learn to run what you like, and/or what you're required to use (for work).
Yep, when folks mostly devote their range time to full-size guns, adding smaller guns may introduce some variables that might not help them run the smaller guns as well as they may expect or wish. That can be considered and addressed as a training issue, if someone has access to training ... and is willing to apply themselves to sufficient practice time to ingrain the lessons learned in training.
If I'd not been able to become a firearm instructor over the years, or an armorer for some different brands/designs of firearms, no doubt my choices would've taken a different direction.
Ditto having carried issued weapons including full-size Magnum revolvers, as well as full-size and compact pistols (9's, .40's & .45's.
Time has caused me to prefer smaller and lighter choices than the full-size .357/.44MAG's, 1911's and other pistols of my youth. Choosing smaller and lighter carry/retirement weapons came with the requirement of using and working them at least as often, and often more, than the full-size guns. However, I've found that working to master the smaller guns can offer the benefit of making the full-size guns easier to run when I do use them. Ditto running the harder recoiling calibers making the lesser recoiling calibers easier to use. So ...
Flip a coin and choose which suits you, for the reasons that matter to you ... and then work to keep your skillset from becoming rusty and dusty from disuse.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Right now I'm wearing a Kimber Custom Classis -- their basic 1911 around 30 years ago. I'm using a Simply Rugged pancake holster modified by adding "Reverse J" hooks of Kydex to transform it into a tuckable IWB. At the gym, I carry a Colt Detective Special in a similar arrangement -- although I made that holster myself. And I sometimes carry a Colt New Service in an El Passo pancake holster.
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