How do you choose?

[offroaddiver]

I have decided to go through the steps to get carry permit. I understand IF I ever draw it is a decision of life or death. I usually have left thoughts at just that, Now that I'm engaged and wanting a family to protect, I start thinking about what would happen in the aftermath following I successfully defend myself against an attacker. After soul searching the only final thought and question boils to this scenario:

I end up with a lawyer fighting both civil and criminal charges. Odds are the gun used would end up locked away for a decade or two as evidence. If lucky and i don't completely run out of money I know I would have to fight to ever get back the gun used.

The question is: Do I buy a gun that's cheap enough that I don't care if it gets trashed or confiscated, Or do i carry one that I have shot in competition and know is 100% reliable (plenty of time, emotional attachment, and money invested) or buy one that's specifically small enough to carry however?

My personal guns that are large enough of a caliber that I would consider carrying are 9mm Springfield XD and Sig 226 or regent 1911. Everything else I have is .22 or SA revolver. I am a bigger guy and almost all my clothes I could drop my 1911 into my pocket 3 mags and most people would never notice.

I guess it boils down to the ultimate debate of firepower vs. concealment.

 

[c919]

The likelihood of you using your gun is pretty small. I wouldn't worry about it getting confiscated.

Any day of the week, I'd rather loose a 2K Wilson Combat than be dead.

Get something you can carry comfortably and trust, and carry it.

For me that is a Ruger SP101, Walther PPS, S&W M&P45c. All in the medium price range, comfortable to carry, and as dependable as can be.

 

[JoeSlomo]

The question is: Do I buy a gun that's cheap enough that I don't care if it gets trashed or confiscated, Or do i carry one that I have shot in competition and know is 100% reliable

Yes.

"Cheap" is a relative term, however, I carry the lesser expensive reliable arm, rather than the most expensive.

The arms I do carry have been proven in competition and have thousands of stoppage free rounds under their belt. Both USPSA and IDPA have divisions for pretty much every defensive gun there is 9mm and up.