Thoughts on CCW rotation.

[jrdolall]

From the time I was 21 until I was probably 40 I carried the same gun everywhere I went. .357 Colt Trooper. Once I got a little bit less "cash restrained" and started buying different handguns I began to rotate my carry gun based on weather, event, whims, etc. New gun? I will carry it for a while! I have carried just about every caliber at one time or another from a plethora of manufacturers.

About a year ago I decided to go back to a one gun carry routine with a single backup option "just in case". My thought process (granted it is sometimes flawed) is that I need to be 100% confident in and familiar with the weapon on my person. Changing from a revolver to a semi with no external safety to a semi with an external safety (or two) and then back is probably inviting a mistake if I ever need to actually use the gun for anything other than a target.

I now use a 9mm "pocket" gun as my carry weapon. There are instances where I carry it IWB but I always use the same gun. The backup is mechanically the same though a different manufacturer. No need to mention the maker since that will lead to flaming and I was only wanting an idea of how others feel about this.

 

[Jeff White]

When I was working my off duty gun was almost always a compact model of my duty weapon. One set of manipulations to learn. Today a SW Model 36 (same weapon that I carried on duty as a BUG) is what I carry most of the time. I carry it in the same place I carried it while on duty so it's natural to draw it having a lot of repetitions on the range.

I never subscribed to the "carry gun of the month club". I never looked at a firearm as a fashion accessory. It's a defensive tool.

I have on occasion carried a small .22 auto when that was the only weapon that was concealable in how I had to dress to fit in where I was going. I have a very old and worn Iver Johnson TP-22 which is a copy of the tiny Walther and I have found more reliable then the Walther pistol a friend bought on an LE letterhead when they weren't produced here and available. I also have used a Beretta .22 in that role. I considered them simply a last ditch weapon when it was impractical to carry anything else.

 

[Lord Teapot]

When I was working my off duty gun was almost always a compact model of my duty weapon. One set of manipulations to learn. Today a SW Model 36 (same weapon that I carried on duty as a BUG) is what I carry most of the time. I carry it in the same place I carried it while on duty so it's natural to draw it having a lot of repetitions on the range.

I never subscribed to the "carry gun of the month club". I never looked at a firearm as a fashion accessory. It's a defensive tool.

I have on occasion carried a small .22 auto when that was the only weapon that was concealable in how I had to dress to fit in where I was going. I have a very old and worn Iver Johnson TP-22 which is a copy of the tiny Walther and I have found more reliable then the Walther pistol a friend bought on an LE letterhead when they weren't produced here and available. I also have used a Beretta .22 in that role. I considered them simply a last ditch weapon when it was impractical to carry anything else.

i did carry of the month for awhile, but then i just picked my cheapest reliable gun, and decided to carry it almost all the time so i only wore down the finish on one of them.

 

[Blue Thunder]

I had lunch with a friend of mine (former Police chief of two cities and an Airplane manufacturer) and a few others a few months back and the subject of CCW came up. His response was "Get one Gun and Get very Good with it and only carry it CCW". He has carried the same gun CCW for the last 25 years. I used to be in the Gun of the Season, running from a 1911 with 230GR HP's to a Colt Python with 125GR Golden Sabers. I have now carried a Glock 19 for the last 10+ years all year long and used it in all of the Gunfighting Courses I have taken in the last 6+ years. I only carry the Colt Python when I wear my Tux in a shoulder holster and two Dade Speedloaders for refueling it in the case it is needed.

 

[moxie]

I occasionally carry others, but for a number of years now I almost always carry a .38+P in my pocket, in a holster of course. This is driven lately by the fact I wear shorts and a t-shirt most of the time and pocket carry just seems to work better, for me. When it gets colder I switch from shorts to jeans and the LCR fits in the jeans pocket just as well.

 

[spazzymcgee]

I agree with this mentality, even though I'm a total hypocrite and end up pocket carrying about once a month. I would hate to forget to flip a safety, or maybe even reach for my hip when my gun is in my pocket or something. That said, I've been trying a lot of new holsters lately. Next up is a cordovan TT reinforced IWB with shark trim.

 

[shafter]

The best way is to carry the same gun, and carry it in the same place every time. Muscle memory is your friend.

 

[guyfromohio]

I feel that I've settled to that mentality. I struggled to find that higher capacity weapon that was easy to carry. Although the PCR is about as close as I've come, I still can't get past the painless carry and shootability of the Walther PPS. Instead of worrying about capacity, I've decided it is simply my carry gun. I've got 8 in the gun and another 8 in the pocket. Shoots as well as my full-sized guns. Doesn't mean I can't shoot and enjoy a plethora of others.

 

[JellyJar]

I use a snap on OWB holster. The only "rotation" I ever do is that sometimes I kind of turn in circles when I am trying to snap on my holster under my shirt.

 

[Spats McGee]

I've got several carry guns, but I try to make sure that they all work the same: point and shoot. I don't think it makes much difference if one is a revolver and another is a semi-auto, but I do think that having to fiddle with different kinds of safeties (as between different carry guns) could get very problematic in very short order.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I decided about a year ago to stop “rotating” carry guns and limit myself to either an M&P Shield or an M&P 9.

Eliminating variables makes anything a human does more consistent and reliable. By definition if I’m in a self defense situation I’m already behind the curve. Every step I have to take to prepare to and defend myself is an opportunity for something to go wrong. Every step or decision that I can eliminate increases the odds in my favor.

It's my belief that the more I practice with my carry gun the better I'm going to be with it under stress. The fewer variables in my equipment the faster I'm going to draw, the less chance of a mistake or hesitation, and the better my chances of survival. I have completely eliminated the variable of what I'm carrying, where, or how. It's always exactly the same. I'm better prepared to defend myself as a result.

 

[hso]

With plenty of opportunities to pick among several options I only carry one of two handguns and they are nearly the same. I want the same handling characteristics and pointability. I want as few differences as possible if a moment makes the difference between survival and failure.

 

[orionengnr]

A number of years ago I rotated guns; in general, it was a seasonal thing.
I tried to convince myself that I could carry and conceal a larger, heavier gun during the winter.

All it got me was a sore(r) back...and considering I've had three spine surgeries in the last nine years, that was no bargain.

Finally gave that up. These days I carry something that I can conceal effectively and shoot well....hopefully, without causing my 58-year old body any further pain or future surgeries.

So I guess my days of carrying a 4" N-frame or a steel 1911 (as well as riding motocross bikes like a 21-year old) are done. I still enjoy them, still shoot them, but I have to face reality.

 

[lemaymiami]

Like many in law enforcement, over my career I carried a variety of weapons -first revolvers (always S&W) then semi-autos. As I became older and had years of experience behind me I only carried my duty weapon (on or off duty, which was a Sig 40 cal with night sights and steel frame). Down here in south Florida an inside the waistband carry is possible year 'round but when dressed up that same sidearm was on an ankle holster. Things in the late eighties and early nineties down here were such that if you needed a gun you'd better have more than some small convenient back-up type pea shooter... I figured that if I needed a weapon that my opponent should get the biggest surprise possible. Fortunately I never fired a handgun on the street -my one and only shooting was with a shotgun. I was pretty serious about carrying on or off duty and only quit that routine when I retired out. That one time you really need a weapon it had better be something substantial that you've lived with for some time. Nothing else will do for me.

Funny thing.... I haven't carried a sidearm once in the 20 years I've been retired. Not once, although I've always kept my permit active.

 

[MedWheeler]

I switch them up now and then, but they're always of similar design ("pull, point, press") to fire, and worn in one of only two manners: pocket if shirt tucked in (rare, except when in uniform traveling to and from work, or at my once-a-week pizza delivery gig), or OWB when shirt untucked.

The guns that make up 90 percent of carry duty together are both Kel-Tec pistols, a P32 and a PF9. Really, the only other one that gets any belt-time is my Makarov.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I carry the same piece.

The nightstand and competition guns all have the same manual of arms.

It just makes sense to me to get really proficient with the one.

 

[herrwalther]

I thinned down my carry firearms to one lately. Main reason is I didn't even like some of the ones I had. I didn't like my finger hung off this one or my thumb got a raw rubbed spot on that one. I still subscribe to multiple carry firearms for different weather, events, and activities. Multiple manual of arms isn't an issue with enough training and practice. Minus those, familiarity is a good thing. Carry a G22 on duty and G23 off? That works. But it won't be an issue if you carry an FNX-45 on duty and a Colt SAA off with enough practice.

 

[Mr.510]

I carry the same gun in the same holster in the same place loaded with the same rounds every single day. I've always been a believer in doing it this way as the less variables the less chance I'll make a mistake under stress. I have no doubt that I'm faster on target and more accurate because I focus on training with one carry weapon and it's always carried the same. I carried my Interarms PPK/S daily for the first 17 years I had a permit and have carried the XD45C that replaced it every day for the last 8 years. I have not worn a tuxedo since getting the XD45C but if I ever do that's the one time I'll carry my Walther instead of the XD.

 

[lemaymiami]

Read back through what I've already posted on this thread and realized I left out an important point (for me at any rate...). My decision to only carry the same substantial sidearm off duty that I also carried on duty happened when I figured out that any off duty weapon, if ever needed, was very likely to be in a situation where I was facing multiple opponents..... Things down here in south Florida made that type of situation much more likely than it might be in other places at the time. Over the years this area (between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale) has calmed down quite a bit and I'm staying out of areas where it still might exist.....

My strategy, then and now, if I'm ever unlucky enough to need a firearm again would be to use it to disengage if at all possible.... The "good guys" don't always win. In the 22 years I was a cop down here there were three badges a year killed on the job - every year, year after year -counting Dade and Broward counties as one entity (5 to 6 million folks in that area...). After a while you quit going to funerals....

 

[guyfromohio]

After reading through the direction that this thread has taken, I want to clarify as I have a slight level of disagreement with the rest. I've settled on a carry gun because of comfort and shootability. I really think that people are overthinking the scenarios by wanting to stick to a platform. I would agree that if you are used to not having to disengage a safety, I would not throw an engaged safety into the "rotation". However, if all of the guns in the "rotation" are point and shoot, I see no disadvantage in a true defensive situation to using different guns. Assess the situation, pull, point, shoot whether it is a Glock, Smith, Sig, decocker, striker, DA/SA, DA, etc..... Reloading is likely not going to occur, but I'm quite confident that I'll know where to find the mag release at any given time on any given gun. YMMV.

 

[Hangingrock]

From a Human Engineering perspective the principle of what I refer to as Continuity of Purpose when individuals are under stress and or extreme stress applies. During the duration of extreme stress KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) also applies thus continuity of purpose.

I would reason that as an example that a handgun such as an S&W MP9 and MP9c were either or, your EDC then there is not a transition of operating sequence/principle required as opposed to a DA/SA or SA with differing operating procedures.

 

[kayak-man]

The way I see it, as long as you're not changing anything important from gun to gun, it isn't too big of a deal to switch up your guns. I mean, it's not like there is one "perfect" gun, so sometimes, you HAVE to switch it up based on the requirements of the situation. A Ruger LCP is a great gun, especially if concealment is you're #1 priority, but it probably isn't your first pick for a side arm when you go bowhunting for something that can eat you. On the flip side, I'd imagine concealing a S&W 29 or a Glock 20/21 at the beach might be a little tricky.

For me, as long as there are no conflicts in operation, it's all good. All the handguns I started shooting when I got serious about shooting, the safety flipped down, like a 1911, so as long as my guns don't go against that, I consider it good.

For me, what I'm looking for in terms of manual of arms is pretty simple:
- thumb safety: flip down, or nonexistent. (I know, no Berreta 92 for me)

- magazine release: thumb pushes forward or in. Most revolvers and semi autos that I've handled fit that.
- sight picture: I'm a fan of the top edge of my front sight bisecting target.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I never subscribed to the "carry gun of the month club". I never looked at a firearm as a fashion accessory. It's a defensive tool.

I agree. I think in the heat of the moment, it's going to be best to rely on the skill set and muscle memory you've developed with one gun, carrying in the same consistent way.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Assuming the OP is juggling guns that have no safety, as so many pistols seem to be these days, I don't think there's really anything to be concerned about here, even if the main pistol is a semi-auto, and the back-up is something like an Airweight .38 revolver. You simply grab the handle, aim, and pull the trigger, nothing is substantively different between the two.
Yeah,sure,the trigger pull is going to be a little different, but big deal.
These scenarios often seem to be way over-thought. We all should keep in mind that the overwhelming majority of us are not cops or CIA operatives that may find ourselves creeping through a large,dim warehouse searching for an unknown number of criminals.
We carry these as personal defense weapons, meaning almost any realistic use of them will be at VERY short range, with a VERY limited amount of actual shooting. The odds of being in a lengthy,running gun battle with multiple,well-trained assailants, (as popular as this scenario seems to be), is actually so remote as to be virtually non-existant.
Heck, in my opinion, unless you're routinely in very high risk situations, even carrying two pistols is a bit paranoid and more trouble than it's worth. And before I get the predictable comments like "better to have it and not need it", then hey, why not carry THREE pistols, and make them Glock 17's with 33 rd magazines, and maybe wear a bullet proof vest every waking moment?
Trying to be smart and safe is one thing, but we also have to factor in the realistic odds, or run the risk of getting insanely carried away trying to be, "better safe than sorry".

 

[jrdolall]

I think most people are of the same opinion on this issue, or at least of the same mind set. My "mistake" was that I was carrying guns with totally different operating requirements. For instance, a S&W Bodyguard in the pocket and then a KT P3AT the next week. Maybe a full size 9mm OWB one day and then back to a smaller 9mm IWB the next week. While I had no problem drawing and shooting at a target during practice I just felt it added to the chance that, in the highly unlikely event that I actually needed to use my gun (53 YO and never have), I would be more likely to screw up. Waste time swiping the safety on a PF9 or forget to swipe the safety on the Bodyguard. ANyone that carries all the time knows that you almost forget you even have a gun on you so it might be easy to forget exactly WHICH gun you had on that particular day if you got into a stressful situation. By going to the single gun for CCW I just took out a lot of the variables that MIGHT cause me problems in a SD scenario.
By secondary gun I do not mean that I carry two guns at any one time ( I don't and never have) but that I own a backup gun that I will carry in the event of a problem with my main CCW. Say at a range session I notice I need a new spring and don't have one on hand then I have another gun that I practice with weekly and the switch can be seamless. I don't carry extra mags on my person either.

I still own many different platforms and many different calibers. I still shoot all of them as time permits. I merely focus my SD requirements on a single weapon and my "BUG" is basically the same system. Neither has an external safety. They are similar in size and trigger pull.