I want to be "that guy" with one CCW weapon...

[bdickens]

Some people have other things competing for their time and money.

 

[GEM]

I'd be interested in the OP's view of appropriate testing, training and competition experiences to determine which gun s more efficacious for reasonable self-defense. Square range, fixed targert videos - not the best criteria.

Stopping power, etc. - that's gun rag, energy dump BS with current >= 9 mm rounds.

I note my comments reflect typical carry in populated areas, not field and hunting. I can see different guns for that.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

Got just 2 have no need nor desire to add more.
CZ PCR
S&W Shield

 

[nettlle]

I learned at a young age to hunt with and practice with one shotgun. After many hundreds of rounds the safety, mounting, and the point/and swing just becomes better with time. Instinctive so to speak. Rifles and bows also.

I only have tried several CCW guns and the most important features for me are the size and weight. There is too small and too large for me. I don't like micros. A steel 1911 government is too heavy for me. A nice trigger. I like a single action trigger. And thin. Double stacks are thicker than I like to carry.

I carry a 1911 aluminum framed commander.

 

[LeftyRed]

Not really, after trying all the new great pistols that have been out the last five years I keep coming back to either a G43 or G26. Hate to think of the money I spent looking. Guess it could be worst, could be meth.

I think it’s ok to have more than one for different situations. Sometimes you need more bits than just a Phillips and flathead. Reloading and platform can narrow down the amount of different calibers and weapons also.

Good Luck, I would try them all if I was you!
Lefty

 

[Lennyjoe]

Variety is the spice of life….<satire>

 

[GEM]

Waiting on the OP to state what critieria he would use to determine the best gun with empirical results. Otherwise this is just a fanboy conservation, sorry to be snarky again.

 

[Kleanbore]

Waiting on the OP to state what critieria he would use to determine the best gun with empirical results. Otherwise this is just a fanboy conservation,

Yes.

In selecting any tool, we start by defining the requirements. The only thing mentioned in the OP was thickness.

 

[Trey Veston]

Waiting on the OP to state what critieria he would use to determine the best gun with empirical results. Otherwise this is just a fanboy conservation, sorry to be snarky again.

Yes.

In selecting any tool, we start by defining the requirements. The only thing mentioned in the OP was thickness.

I did not state the requirements of the weapon because the discussion was more of a theoretical discussion of the merits of carrying only one weapon for year-round CCW and becoming extremely competent and familiar with that weapon, rather than rotating half a dozen different pistols of various sizes, calibers, grip types, and fire controls.

What would work for me as the ultimate do-it-all weapon would not be suitable for most others, notably because of the need for defense against 4-legged predators when in the mountains.

My P365 is pretty much ideal for 90% of my needs, except for woods carry. It is the perfect size, capacity, and capability.

But, my G23 could be adequate with some custom hard-cast bullet loads loaded to the upper levels.

Or the Springfield XD-M Elite Compact OSP 10 mm could fill that role, potentially.

 

[GEM]

Still how you move beyond the theoretical discussion of merits. I fail to understand your question then. How do you know what would work with you as an ultimate do it all? Go back to my quote from Holschen.

In more professional fora (no offense to us), the professional level users have commented on decreases in performance with the smaller P365 as compared to Glock 19 and similar size guns. These folks run empirical performance accuracy and time tests. These are human factors tests and competition analyses.

 

[Kleanbore]

I did not state the requirements of the weapon because the discussion was more of a theoretical discussion of the merits of carrying only one weapon for year-round CCW....

There is no way to discuss that intelligently without first starting with the requirements.

 

[armydog]

Not really, after trying all the new great pistols that have been out the last five years I keep coming back to either a G43 or G26. Hate to think of the money I spent looking. Guess it could be worst, could be meth.

I justify my guns and reloading equipment costs because I don't drink, smoke, chew or go to bars. lol But I still know I spend too much.

As for my carry, it is glocks and revolvers and it depends on what I'm doing and what part of the country I'm in. My caliber is dependent on the threat, not convenience.

 

[sgt127]

I’ve carried a little bit of everything. Carried a 1911 as a duty gun for 20 years. Shot IPSC. Love a thumb safety.

But, really got my start shooting revolvers.

Today, one gun doesn’t meet all my needs.

But, I’ve standardized my carry to one basic action type.

I’ve got two Sig P239’s. One 9mm. One 357 SIG. both DAK triggers.
A Ruger SP101
A S&W 65 3”.
A Remington RM380
And, a Seecamp .32 and .25.

All basically DA. No safeties. No decockers. Auto or revolver, same basic trigger operation. I love appendix carry. They all carry hammer down. With exposed hammers I can put my thumb on when I reholster.

And, I can conceal from a suit. Jacket. Short and a T shirt to swim trunks if I need to.

I own more. For other purposes. But, this is working well for me.

 

[Terry G]

I stick pretty much to a CZ P-01 and a CZ 97b, but I think you can carry whatever as long as it operates the same way. If your carry gun is draw and squeeze the trigger I think your alright with whatever. If you carry an SA for example, and are used to hitting the safety during the draw carrying a DA/SA might cause problems or vice versa.

 

[Trey Veston]

This article is a perfect illustration of what I was wanting to discuss and pursue. It has nothing to do with the specific handgun chosen.

https://reflexhandgun.com/2018/03/29/beware-the-man/

Some pertinent excerpts...

As shooters we have an innate desire to screw around with a lot of gear. Guns are like Legos, let’s face it. We all like gear. The issue that I see again and again is that the vast majority of shooters would be far better served by minimizing how many weapons platforms they train with. Those who carry a different gun every day of the week will say “I shoot them all well, when my hand hits it I know what it is.” I have news for you, if you think this way then you are only shooting at a mediocre level. Seriously. Sorry if I offended anyone with the truth.

Give this some thought. I know it is tempting to experiment with a lot of different handguns but it makes good sense to rely on as few platforms as possible so that you can maximize familiarization. You realistically may need a full-size and a very small handgun to accommodate all of your needs, but there is no reason to be rotating between multiple guns in the same class just because you like playing around with a lot of different gear. While we all love toys it is important to prioritize your performance over gear, remember why we carry in the first place.

 

[nofendertom]

If a person were to select only one gun for SD, I would suggest getting another of the same gun to have a spare and to practice with.

 

[huntsman]

^Yeah that’s been on my mind, a two gun carry set with two more identical back ups.

Could get expensive and then what about matching guns in alternative calibers because one never knows when a caliber comes up short on the shelf.

 

[John_R]

I don’t see a need for extremes at either end. One Gun, or One Gun per Day. Both extremes are unnecessary and unrealistic, unless you really can’t buy other guns.

When being attacked, you need a tool you know like the back of your hand. You don’t need to put three rounds in one ragged hole, just enough rounds to find the off switch. I try not to overthink things, or I’ll never decide anything.

 

[golden]

I do not buy the one gun argument. It goes against logic. The best gun to carry is the one that best fits that particular need. I carry a gun on duty. Off duty, I want something that does not draw attention and cause problems with either police or people in the places I am going too. If I am driving home late at night, I want a mid size 9m.m. or .40 caliber on my hip. I have in this type of gun, something that is controllable, powerful and comfortable to carry and can be concealed to a degree.
If it is my day off and I am in casual clothes, I want something that is difficult to detect like my SIG 365 or even a GLOCK 42 to be less obvious or maybe even a BERETTA Tomcat. There are a lot of places that have the "NO GUNS ALLOWED" signs and I do not want to flash my credentials just to see if that makes it alright, because sometimes it does not.

Why would I compromise myself by carrying something that is a poor fit for my purpose?

Jim

 

[nofendertom]

delete

 

[Kleanbore]

I do not buy the one gun argument. It goes against logic. The best gun to carry is the one that best fits that particular need. I carry a gun on duty. Off duty, I want something that does not draw attention and cause problems with either police or people in the places I am going too. If I am driving home late at night, I want a mid size 9m.m. or .40 caliber on my hip. I have in this type of gun, something that is controllable, powerful and comfortable to carry and can be concealed to a degree.
If it is my day off and I am in casual clothes, I want something that is difficult to detect like my SIG 365 or even a GLOCK 42 to be less obvious or maybe even a BERETTA Tomcat. There are a lot of places that have the "NO GUNS ALLOWED" signs and I do not want to flash my credentials just to see if that makes it alright, because sometimes it does not.

Why would I compromise myself by carrying something that is a poor fit for my purpose?

Jim

Some of you may remember the ads, "when E.F Hutton speaks, people listen". Well, when Golden peaks, I listen. That applies also to some of our other members. I hope they know who they are.

Back to the topic: I do not carry on duty. I dress almost the same way every day. That does simplify things.

 

[Old Dog]

the professional level users have commented on decreases in performance with the smaller P365 as compared to Glock 19 and similar size guns. These folks run empirical performance accuracy and time tests. These are human factors tests and competition analyses.

Just who are these "professional level" shooters? Members of the firearms industry? Competition shooters? SWAT members? Active duty DEVGRU team guys? Of friggin' course there's gonna be decreases in performance with a smaller P365 as compared to a Glock 19 and similar size guns. No one in their right mind would suggest that micro-compacts can even equal the performance of full-size duty pistols (I consider the 19 a full-size gun, but some, I realize, do not). That said, I myself feel adequately armed if packing only a P365, as I'm not gonna be shooting for scores on paper targets or the fastest times against another competitor or type of handgun. I have actually trained with a micro-compact and am well aware of its capabilities and limitations.

The issue that I see again and again is that the vast majority of shooters would be far better served by minimizing how many weapons platforms they train with. Those who carry a different gun every day of the week

The first statement is really a false construct. There just aren't a lot of shooters who train with multiple handgun (not weapons) platforms. First, the serious shooters that do train regularly don't utilize multiple brands/models unless it's a duty gun/back-up gun session. Second, who can afford to train (speaking to those who train in conjunction with their jobs or on their own dime with commercial instructors) with multiple platforms?

There are many of us (myself included) who own and shoot a wide variety of handguns. But when it comes to training, I suspect "the vast majority of shooters" do in fact minimize how many "weapons platforms" they actually train with. And most do train only with one or two specific handguns that they carry routinely, either on/off duty or as private citizens. The statement made by the guy Trey quoted is another blogger who, like so many others, touts the Glock 19/Glock 26 combination for training. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Just that I see that a lot...

And that whole, "Beware of the man with only one gun..." thing? In my experience, the man with only one gun keeps it in the nightstand or his sock drawer, gathering lint and dust, to be taken out every other year or so with a cylinder or single magazine put through it.

 

[Hangingrock]

nd that whole, "Beware of the man with only one gun..." thing? In my experience, the man with only one gun keeps it in the nightstand or his sock drawer, gathering lint and dust, to be taken out every other year or so with a cylinder or single magazine put through it.

I have multiple handguns, but my EDC is a S&W Shield 9X19mm. Its never been in the nightstand or sock drawer. Generalities are what they are.

 

[Rexster]

I do not buy the one gun argument. It goes against logic. The best gun to carry is the one that best fits that particular need. I carry a gun on duty. Off duty, I want something that does not draw attention and cause problems with either police or people in the places I am going too. If I am driving home late at night, I want a mid size 9m.m. or .40 caliber on my hip. I have in this type of gun, something that is controllable, powerful and comfortable to carry and can be concealed to a degree.
If it is my day off and I am in casual clothes, I want something that is difficult to detect like my SIG 365 or even a GLOCK 42 to be less obvious or maybe even a BERETTA Tomcat. There are a lot of places that have the "NO GUNS ALLOWED" signs and I do not want to flash my credentials just to see if that makes it alright, because sometimes it does not.

Why would I compromise myself by carrying something that is a poor fit for my purpose?

Jim

Logical, and well-stated, sir.

 

[GEM]

But when it comes to training, I suspect "the vast majority of shooters" do in fact minimize how many "weapons platforms" they actually train with.

The vast majority of 'shooters' is an interesting term as compared to gun owners. We know that the vast majority of carriers don't have any significant training or engage in significant practice. Thus, unless the 'owner' engages in serious testing of the gun in realistic circumstances, I return to the discussion being somewhat besides the point of choosing the ultimate gun.

Thus, we just get lists of gun that someone thinks serves them well. If you want an everyday useful EDC selection, I return to a G19, G26 paradigm belt gun and a decent pocket gun of 9mm, 38, 380 - with a digression to the 32 HR revolvers. If a 7 shot 9mm works for you because of carry configuration, that's not unreasonable, have an extra mag though. Once I go to my belt, the 10 round (ban state) or more guns 'serve me' well.