What's Your PRIMARY Selection Criteria For A CCW - Comfort OR Proficiency?

[coalman]

I've observed two fundamental sides of the CCW selection coin:
1) Comfort PRIMARY (proficiency secondary) - choose a smaller/lighter gun that's more comfortable to carry, but which you are less proficient with
2) Proficiency PRIMARY (comfort secondary) - choose a larger/heavier gun (relative to #1) which you are more proficient with, but is less comfortable to carry

There is not a "both" option for a reason. This is a "which do you pick over/before the other (NOT instead of the other)?" question. Only one criteria can be PRIMARY (i.e. the most important). Compromise is not getting the best of both as much as many folks seem to like to think so.

#1 seems to have gotten more traction with the trend of light and tiny reliable two-finger grip 9mm and .45acp guns like the LCP, PM9 and XDS. #2 are larger full grip guns.

This inquiry is not about caliber, capacity, carrying spare mags, etc. This inquiry is not about guns in a bug caliber. This inquiry is not about "proficiency = comforting = comfortable" or any other clever gun quip. "Comfort" = physical comfort and "Proficiency" = more (or less) capable of hits in dynamic rapid fire shooting given equal practice time with guns being compared.

This inquiry is about comparing the guns in each (#1 and #2) you shoot best, not comparing that one larger gun you shoot poorly (e.g. due to ergos, trigger system, etc.) with that one smaller gun you shoot well. This inquiry is about dynamic action/speed shooting, not static slow-fire "bullseye" target shooting.

Other key concepts here are "less" and "more" (e.g. not well vs. poor) comparing proficiency and comfort, and "larger/heavier" and "smaller/lighter" (not biggest/heaviest vs. smallest/lightest) comparing size. Anyone who thinks they shoot the best of the smaller #1 two-finger grip guns as well as the best of the larger #2 full grip guns in dynamic action/speed shooting/drills (with the same amount of practice) IMO is inexperienced or in denial. Likewise, anyone who says a 5" 1911 is as physically comfortable to carry as a Kahr PM9 IMO has no idea what they are talking about.

See poll.

 

[tarosean]

What about a larger gun that is comfortable to carry?

 

[Inebriated]

Proficiency.

That's why I am getting a 19 to replace my 26. I shoot it better.

 

[Apachedriver]

Proficiency.

It's all about positive target effect. If I'm not confident that I can put steel on target when needed, I certainly don't feel comfortable.

 

[Ehtereon11B]

Why not both? If your most proficient firearm is a Smith and Wesson 500, chances are you aren't going to be carrying it. But if your most proficient gun is a NAA .22LR mini, it would be a better backup.

But only picking one I would go with proficiency. Most of my firearms are comfortable anyway which is why I still have them. You can always rotate out several firearms for winter or summer carry. It is more beneficial to be proficient because you are responsible for every round that comes from the barrel.

 

[dickz]

I guess I'm in denial because I'm sure not inexperienced. At 7 yards I'm just as good with my G27 as my G22. At more then SD distances my G22 is more accurate. but then accuracy wasn't part of the question I think. Proficiency is defined in this question as dynamic action/speed. I think I'm going with comfortably proficient on this one.

 

[bannockburn]

Proficiency to me is more important that comfort but then I have to ask the question as to why I can't be as proficient with a smaller more comfortable gun as a larger less comfortable gun. As an example: I can handle and shoot my Colt New Agent just as readily as I can a Commander, Combat Commander, or Government Model.

Am I missing something here?

 

[BSA1]

I disagree with the O.P.'s assumption that a comfortable carry gun is less proficient for the user.

 

[bikerdoc]

Proficiency

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

Tarosean is right – it IS possible to have your cake and eat it to. I’m a bit of a lanky fellow (170 lbs. 6 feet tall), and I find my full size 1911 to be the ultimate in carry-comfort/carry-proficiency. I think it’s more about holster selection than it is gun choice. Of course, a L-Frame S&W is going to be harder to conceal than a Ruger LCR, but anything’s possible!

For most, there is a comfortable medium between the two. The MOST important thing is to practice with whatever gun you carry, feed it reliable ammunition, and don’t forget to PRACTICE WITH WHAT YOU CARRY!

 

[19-3Ben]

I disagree with the O.P.'s assumption that a comfortable carry gun is less proficient for the user.

Less, yes. But the two don't have to be mutually exclusive. I am just a shade of a degree less proficient with an M&P9c than I am with the full sized M&P9.

 

[pockets]

I disagree with the O.P.'s assumption that a comfortable carry gun is less proficient for the user.

I disagree as well.
.

 

[wally]

Comfort. It does no good if you don't have it!

In most self defense scenerios you'll be "point shooting" at close range anyways, so all your target range proficiency doesn't mean a whole lot.

About the only time I shoot paper targets is to practice my point shooting, or sight in a red dot or scope.

 

[bigfatdave]

I disagree with the O.P.'s assumption that a comfortable carry gun is less proficient for the user.

agreed

I'm quite proficient with my compact guns, because they get shot the most.

I've tested this at bowling pin matches and various timed shooting drills - the difference between a compact gun and the equivalent fullsize isn't much. That might change when you get down to the KT PF9/P3at/P32 size guns, or sacrifice action type for size (NAA Mini-Revolver) ... but there's nothing slowing me down or leeching accuracy at any reasonable defensive range with an Officer-size 1911, a subcompact XD, or my PPS. And for that matter, I shoot that ridiculous little P32 surprisingly well.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Whatever Q issues me.

 

[floydster]

Both, I carry an EMP

Smokeyloads

 

[xwingband]

Well, I was considering the XDS... now I'm thinking of the XDM 3.8 because it's only slightly less comfortable/concealable with a heck of a lot more lead to sling. Proficient also kind of assumes you are inherently less capable with it because of it's size. Some guns the trigger is harder for me to control regardless of size and I have shot worse on a larger gun.

 

[bowserb]

I can adjust to comfort issues easily enough. Proficiency, otoh, has more facets than just ability to shoot straight. Based on my best shooting (which is not that impressive!), the right gun for me to carry is a 1911 5", and that is what I carry. The Colt weighs in with 8+1 rounds of .45ACP, at 2lbs 14oz--nearly three pounds for 9 shots. For about 5 oz. less, I could carry my Springfield Armory XDM45 4.5" with 13+1 rounds--and when I find the right holster, I'll likely switch.

For both of those guns, however, I have not a comfort problem but a draw and present problem--especially the Colt. I have a touch of arthritis that makes pulling a three pound 5" gun out of an IWB holster a bit awkward and sometimes painful. The compact .45's I've looked at lack sufficient grip size and mag capacity. Indeed most companies' "compacts" are what Glock calls subcompact. Glocks "compacts" (G19,G23,G32,G38) make a lot of sense for concealed carry. Light weight, long enough grip, decent mag capacity, and still with a 4" barrel. Unfortunately, Glock's compact 45, the G38, is a .45GAP, and my local Walmart doesn't carry .45GAP. (Yes, I can get 45GAP online and gun shops, but Walmart is my barometer of what is mainstream enough to be readily available on the way out of town.)

So...what I'm looking at now is the sleeper round: the .357Sig. Look at the ballistics of this round--its muzzle energy beats the 9, the 40, and the 45. In fact, among commonly used handgun rounds, it is exceeded only by the 10mm. In this arena, only Glock, as far as I can determine, has a compact, or mid-size, handgun. The Glock 32 in .357Sig. 4" barrel, 21.5oz empty, enough grip for three fingers, 13-rd standard mag. And my Walmart stocks .357Sig. Glock 32...it's the new G19! Anyone agree?

 

[JohnBT]

It's all about comfort... or we'd be carrying shotguns and rifles.

Meanwhile, I've carried a Rohrbaugh everyday for over 5 years. I'm not saying I haven't carried something larger, just that I've always carried the R9.

I think of it as dressing in layers.

John

 

[gym]

How about a small gun that you shoot well. All of my gun are small guns, "under 4.25" barrel. It dosen't mean small must be innacurate. My Glock 26 I can hit bullseyes at 75 feet. I don't shoot any further than that with any handgun, so you need a new catagory.

 

[JoeMal]

Both

My G26 is comfortable and I shoot just as good (sometimes better) than I do with my G17

 

[MIL-DOT]

Get a reliable gun that is lightweight and comfortable enough that you're likely to nearly always have it with you, and THEN...get proficient with it.

 

[Lockheed]

I disagree with the premise of the thread. This doesn't need to be an and/or.

 

[Dnaltrop]

Neither option is remotely accurate in the poll for me.

Right now, I'm comfortably wearing both a full size M&P .40, and a 4 3/4" .45 Blackhawk, and I'm proficient with both.

Fee fie foe fum! One of the perks of being tall. Makes up for that terrible bread made from the ground bones of Englishmen.

In general though, if it's not comfortable, you won't carry it, regardless of how big any gun is.

 

[JustinJ]

Like most things in life it is about balance. Too much or too little in either category is not good. In fact, i have three guns purchased specifically for concealed carry with selection being dictated by attire. My preferred is my HK P2000sk. The great thing about it, and many sub and compacts, is that with the use of a longer mag and insert you can have a full grip. I usually carry with the nine round flush mag inserted and a spare 12 rounder with gap insert.

To be honest the gun i carry most on weekdays is my Ruger LC9. That is because i can't carry at work and the LC9 is incredibly easy to slip into my front pocket as soon as i get in the car.

My third option is my Ruger LCP. It is only for when clothes make it impractical to carry anything bigger, which is very rare.

I also have bigger pistols but they are all too big to carry comfortably without a jacket. The Glock 22 and SW MP 40 duty size are doable with an untucked shirt but not ideal.