Have you ever chosen a gun that does not "compete" on paper?

[Jbabbler]

Have you ever chosen a gun that does not "compete" with your other choices on paper? What I mean to say is, do you have guns that, on paper, appear to be the logical choice for EDC yet you choose another firearm for some other reason?

I currently find myself in this predicament.

I bought my Glock 19 for use as my EDC gun. It has been great to carry and I shoot it well. The 19 has proven to be GLOCKRELIABLE as expected and is easy to carry in most situations. It's nothing special, just your standard run-of-the-mill G19 but it's mine and I will not part with it.

Here's the conundrum; I recently purchased a Sig Sauer P225. I bought it because I have always wanted a Sig and these have been discontinued after 30+ years of production and service. I have to be honest, I didn't expect to like it this much. The gun is roughly the same size as my G19 only thinner. The grip is the most comfortable grip I have ever shot on a handgun and I actually like that I can place my thumb on the hammer while holstering. It carries almost exactly like the G19 but I really like the way it shoots and the trigger is leagues above the feel of any of my Glocks. I have actually been carrying it all week. The drawback to the P225 over my G19 is capacity. While the gun isn't that big, it is a tad large for its capacity at 8+1, especially when my G19 can hold almost double the ammo. Each morning this week I looked at each, and walked out with the Sig. Maybe it's just the "newness" of the gun.... we shall see.

Anyone find themselves making a similar choice?

 

[tipoc]

You choose a gun that is better for you. It beat the Glock. Print your post out on paper and you will have proof, "on paper", that the P225 beats the Glock for your purposes.

tipoc

 

[gearhead]

Capacity isn’t everything. People have defended life and property for over 100 years with handguns that carry fewer rounds than your Sig, As long as it proves to be equally reliable (and there’s no reason to expect it won’t, Glock doesn’t have the patent on reliability) it seems it’s more comfortable and comforting to carry for you.

 

[rcmodel]

On paper, a SIG P-232 SL is too big for a little gun, and too little for a big gun.
And it only holds 7+1 rounds of .380 ACP.

Still, I bought one I didn't need a couple of weeks ago, for more then I should have paid for it.

I just fell in love with the fit, finish, excellent trigger, and night sights.

Surely, it must have been made in a hollow tree, by little German elves in the Black Forest!

rc

 

[speaksoftly]

Have you ever chosen a gun that does not "compete" on paper?

Yup...I have the strange tendency to think for myself instead of just running with the masses. Gets me in trouble at times but it's worth it.

 

[tipoc]

Yeah, well you could think some on the deliberate downsize in power. Aside from that, like I said, if the smaller gun better fits your needs that day. Go with it. The larger will work better some other time.

tipoc

 

[mcdonl]

Paper is the only deciding factor when I buy a gun... do I have enough paper to pay for it.

 

[Lucky Derby]

I personally would pick a P225 over a G19 any day of the week. A P225 just feels better in my hand.

 

[CDW4ME]

Here is how my pistols compete on paper:
I put a 6'' diameter circle on a target that's 6 yards (18 feet) away.
I have a timer and measure the speed of follow up shots; only shots where both hit that 6'' circle get the time counted.
I take (record) several qualifying runs and average the 2nd shot speed.
It's an interesting test.
I've got a Glock 19 that is the queen of this test, after 20 qualifying times the average was .29 sec.
I took my new OD 23 this morning and put it to the test. After nearly 20 qualifying times the average 2nd shot time was .27 sec.
However, I had to work harder to keep the sight on target and I had more misses (disqualifications) that did not hit the 6'' circle with the 23.
The 19 was easier IMO to keep the front sight on target and had fewer disqualifications.
The 19 remains my 1st choice.

I do make my pistols compete on paper, with a timer.

 

[yeti]

Alright, I'll play along without word games about paper and competition (those are the only promises you can hold me to... at least on paper)

At the time (1990 or there about) I pretty much only owned full sized .45 Autos, .357 Revolvers, and .38 snubbies. I found I had a need for a small gun that could completely disappear but still be relatively handy, and not cost all that much. A used .25 Beretta 21 Bobcat came pretty close to exactly what I needed at the time, and so I picked one up really cheap.

It was perfect for the entire time it was called on to go to work, so I can't say one bad word about the only mouse gun I have ever owned. I do admit that sometimes when I open the safe and hear the other bigger guns poking fun at the little shrimp I feel sorry for it, it should wear it's diminutive size with pride. It was a very comforting presence during some long nights in a decidedly uncomfortable environment.

 

[akadave]

Have you ever chosen a gun that does not "compete" with your other choices on paper? What I mean to say is, do you have guns that, on paper, appear to be the logical choice for EDC yet you choose another firearm for some other reason?

I currently find myself in this predicament.

I bought my Glock 19 for use as my EDC gun. It has been great to carry and I shoot it well. The 19 has proven to be GLOCKRELIABLE as expected and is easy to carry in most situations. It's nothing special, just your standard run-of-the-mill G19 but it's mine and I will not part with it.

Here's the conundrum; I recently purchased a Sig Sauer P225. I bought it because I have always wanted a Sig and these have been discontinued after 30+ years of production and service. I have to be honest, I didn't expect to like it this much. The gun is roughly the same size as my G19 only thinner. The grip is the most comfortable grip I have ever shot on a handgun and I actually like that I can place my thumb on the hammer while holstering. It carries almost exactly like the G19 but I really like the way it shoots and the trigger is leagues above the feel of any of my Glocks. I have actually been carrying it all week. The drawback to the P225 over my G19 is capacity. While the gun isn't that big, it is a tad large for its capacity at 8+1, especially when my G19 can hold almost double the ammo. Each morning this week I looked at each, and walked out with the Sig. Maybe it's just the "newness" of the gun.... we shall see.

Anyone find themselves making a similar choice?

nvermind

 

[fastbolt]

"Paper" perspectives and opinions are pretty much subjective.

While I've considered the attributes and characteristics of all of the various handguns I've selected for use as off-duty weapons over the years, I didn't "paper" them. I compared them on the range, on the belt and at the bench (as an armorer).

I've chosen a wide range of different makes, models, calibers and configurations which I felt served me well for my anticipated needs and desires. They certainly didn't always have the same 'characteristics' and features, either.

Capacity? Doesn't keep me up at night.

I carried an issued 6-shot revolver on & off-duty, as well as a 7+1 capacity Commander, for quite a number of years without feeling under-equipped or inadequately armed for my needs.

In later years I carried issued weapons with mag capacities of 14, 15, 12, 9, 8 & 7 rounds (in that order, BTW), and have personally-owned pistols with mag capacities of 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 12 rounds (in no particular order, just listed numerically). While I do appreciate that I can choose a small pistol with a 9 or 10-rd mag, I still choose to carry a couple of my 9's that only have 7 & 8 rounds mag capacities. No sleep lost. Now, I tend to shoot them a fair amount and can do so acceptably well under any and all of the various courses-of-fire used for training & qualification over the years. Whilew the bulk of my regular training & practice is done from 1-15 yds, I also work in practice from 25-35 yds often enough, and even out to 50+ yards (occasionally checking my maintenance of the "basics" when it comes to grip stability, sight alignment/picture, trigger control, breathing and follow-through). I've used them for 100 yard shots on pepper poppers without undue difficulty, shooting 2-handed unsupported. How much more accurate do they have to be to meet my needs? I'm the variable factor, not the guns.

I try to avoid making recommendations to other folks. I prefer to let them choose for themselves, although I will offer some observations about their overall abilities and skills using various makes/models/calibers when working with them on a range. They need to have justified confidence in their ability to use whatever it is they've chosen in a consistently safe & effective manner. (This can differ from an unjustified confidence, as with us all.)

If someone becomes suitably familiar with the safe handling, manipulation, maintenance and shooting of a pistol (or revolver) and decides to choose it for their lawful concealed carry/off-duty needs, I work with them to help them develop, refine and maximize their skills. I don't belittle or denigrate their choice ... although I'll sometimes point out any quality issues that might adversely affect the reliability & performance they may experience if they've chosen a make/model which isn't commonly considered to be among the better examples of modern manufacture and design for handguns intended for defensive roles.

Suit yourself, within your own level of knowledge, skills, abilities and experience.

 

[Jbabbler]

Just to clarify, I am completely comfortable with my choice. I do not feel undergunned with the P225. I just wondered if my decision is out of the ordinary or not. I know many people own hi-cap 9mms that are the same size or smaller than say an EMP or a Browning hi-power of similar caliber so maybe I'm in pretty good company.

 

[BADUNAME37]

I carry a 380 just about every single day in a Robert Mika Pocket Holster.

The other options are a Sig 45 Auto, a S&W 642 and a S&W 500 Mag (4" barrel).

 

[jackpinesavages]

I bought a couple of pistols that looked good "on paper." One of them was a Glock. Reliable, accurate, and fun. Just not for me as far as the inspiration department is concerned. I'd rather carry the S&W 1076 or FNP-45 or S&W 9ProSeries. I've found that what the mainstream media hypes is usually not what I prefer to carry or shoot. Coincidentally, I've been shopping the German Sig .45s. 220s, IIRC...don't tell the wife.

 

[mljdeckard]

I agree with tipoc. Logic and research won't always guarantee what works best for you. For your carry and practice, you have to go with the one that feels best and works best for YOU.

Hi-cap is nice, not critical. We don't live in MelGibsonland where you need to crank off 15 straight rounds without reloading. If you ARE in a situation where you DO have to do that, it is unlikely that a handgun can save you anyway.

 

[KodiakBeer]

Capacity would be pretty low on my list. In fact, it's barely on the list. A gun has to shoot well and be comfortable to carry. If capacity is an issue, carry an extra magazine.

 

[LiveLife]

Here is how my pistols compete on paper:
I put a 6'' diameter circle on a target that's 6 yards (18 feet) away.
I have a timer and measure the speed of follow up shots; only shots where both hit that 6'' circle get the time counted.
I take (record) several qualifying runs and average the 2nd shot speed.
It's an interesting test.

Hmmmm ... we've done similar tests, but using the actual USPSA stages running with different pistols with same ammunition.

Out of about 15 semi-auto pistols I have tested, I got the fastest times with smallest double tap groups with G22/G17. It's one of many reasons why I now compete with G22.

On paper, G22 did not figure out well compared to other pistols. I thought Sig 226 (my first semi-auto pistol) would outshoot the G17, but it didn't. I didn't want to believe it, so I ran the stages again, only to repeat the faster times with G17. I still love the Sig 226. I almost cried when my wife made me sell it to go all Glock armory at home. I have plans to replace the Sig and other "metal" pistols I sold towards our retirement.

 

[Jbabbler]

Ok, I highly recommend that everyone here go out and buy a Sig P225 and report back. That should settle it once and for all.