Your carry progression?

[Floppy_D]

I've been carrying for less than 5 years. My first carry gun (and my first handgun) was a P229 in 40S&W, because I absolutely loved the way it shot, and I shot it well. That worked for a while, but it was heavy for it's size, and hard to carry. Also, I had limited play-money at the time, wanted to own a couple different guns, and felt the need to change.

I moved to a Gov't size 1911, and found it to be a dream to shoot. It was a little easier to carry, but seemed so big. I just couldn't get comfortable with it's size. I sprung for a good carry belt and a Crossbreed Supertuck (which helped immensely, that might be my favorite holster yet), but it still felt like I was carrying a Trapper Keeper in my pants.

I moved to a Taurus Model 85 Ultra-Lite, which I still carry frequently. I shoot it adequately out to 5 or 7 yds (as far as I intend to shoot in a defensive situation outside my home). I almost never moved beyond this point, and still love it. Truth is, it's not a whole lot of fun to shoot on regular range trips, and the only handgun I have much interest in at the range is whatever my primary carry is at the time. I wanted something that would be a bit more fun to shoot... which means more practice and ultimately would breed proficiency over time. Nonetheless, the 85 is a tool to get the job done, that can go with me no matter what.

Recently, I acquired my first polymer, an XD9 compact. It carries well (at less weight than any auto I've ever carried) and ergonomically, fits very well. It points well, and despite my initial adversity to plastic, it's the right tool I was looking for.
I don't think I'm completely done looking, as I like wheelguns and leather, but for now I'm content... between the Model 85 and the XD9.

The question: What's your carry progression? What did you start with, and why? Why did you change, if at all? I hope this to be a discussion on specific firearms; which gun and for what reason, rather than a caliber battle (unless, you chose your carry gun specifically to accomodate a particular caliber, which makes sense.) Where did you start and where did you end up... and why?

 

[General Geoff]

The first pistol I ever bought (about two weeks after I turned 21) was a Smith & Wesson SW99 in .40S&W, which is basically a Walther P99 clone. I bought it because it fit my hand very well, has fantastic ergonomics, and was cheap, $400 (law enforcement trade-in). I like it well enough, the single action trigger pull is a little clunky and the double action pull is terrible, but otherwise the gun is great. Very easy to field strip, lightweight, compact, etc.

I got a Blackhawk CQC leather thumb break holster for it, and carried that exclusively for about two and a half years.

Then I got a Smith & Wesson 610 revolver (N-frame with 6.5" barrel), and had to get a holster for that too. I got a Bianchi Cyclone holster for it, and carried that off & on for a few months, alternating between it and the SW99. I don't carry it often anymore since the end of the barrel tends to hit stuff repeatedly, such as chair bottoms, table corners, and counter tops. Then about 6 months ago I got a Para Ordnance S16-40 Limited, along with another Blackhawk CQC thumb break leather holster for it, and I've almost exclusively carried that since I took it to the range and ran it through its reliability trials. MUCH better trigger than the SW99, it's also heavier and larger in almost all dimensions, but that doesn't bother me since I generally open carry. Has less perceived recoil than the SW99 because of the extra weight. I have a 10mm Auto conversion barrel coming in for it, which will placate my desire for that little bit of extra power.

 

[Quentin]

Bought a Colt Series 70 1911 in 1976 and it's been at my side for nearly 35 years. Occasionally would carry my Hi-Power, S&W M19 - and lately a Taurus PT111 when I need a smaller gun. But for me it's the old Colt, I trust it with my life and there's nothing better.

 

[AZ_Rebel]

Here is a picture of me with my grandparents in 1958 carrying a Colt 1911 - I have progressed over the years and now I am carrying... a 1911.

 

[gbran]

I've owned guns all my life, but have only had a ccw permit fot about 8 years. For ccw, I went through a lot of iterations. Some too big, some too heavy, some not enough capacity, but I was on a mission to find the perfect ccw piece.

Started out with a Commander sized 1911, which isn't real small or real light and doesn't carry 10+1. I tried a superlight 357 snubbie that was too ammo sensitive. I tried many guns and have been with a Glock G26 and a Colt Series 80 as my main ccw guns. Still have many of the others.

 

[Floppy_D]

Dang, that's a cool picture, AZ Rebel!

 

[JWJacobVT]

I think my first carry was a S&W 28 4 inch, then a 1911, then a S&W 29 4 inch. Current off duty carry is either a S&W 1006 or 1066. Carried the S&W 15 for duty first then the M9 for several years during that duty and we willnot even get into what I have to carry at work NOW. Oh yes I have been carrying a few years.

 

[Shadan7]

Started with a Steyr S9 - small enough, light enough, but with a full 9mm +P behind it. Then added a Rohrbaugh R9. Super small, very light, and a real monster to shoot. Got a Steyr M357 - gosh, I do like that caliber! Now mostly carry a Para Carry 12 .45 acp (sweet!) and/or a S&W 642. But having the others for flexibility is sure nice.

Jim D.

 

[ohioshooter]

What I carry now (until I get my Kimber Crimson II) is a G19....fits well.

 

[crebralfix]

SIG P220 -> Ruger SP101 -> Browning Hi-Power 40 -> random other guns -> 1911 -> Glock and/or SIG P220

 

[frankinaug]

Started with a Taurus PT111 in 9mm and it worked well for a bit, but I hated the trigger pull. I went to a Sig 239 in 40cal and loved it, moved a little to a 229 in 40cal. Went through a phase of 1911 and loved it but ended up selling it later on. Went from a Keltec in 32 to a keltec in .380. Tried a Smith and Wesson 642 and HATED it. Went to an XD Sub in 9mm and loved it.

Now I have a matching pair of Xd's one in 3 and one in 4 inch in 9mm. Keltec pf9 is also on the way in 9mm. The thing I have realized over time is that while I love the feel and the way that I shoot Sig's that the size and weight really doesn't lend itself to every day carry. I have also come to realize that spending a little more on decent holsters and training both in classes and ammo can make a HUGE difference in skill.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Walther P22 ->Ruger P345 -> WaltherP99/Taurus PT140 (I carry both depending on my mood)

And my most recent purchase as of last week, a Ruger LCP. Though I only carry that when I can't carry the P99 or PT140

 

[earlthegoat2]

First handgun and carry gun was a Para Ordinance P13, then I open carried a Beretta M9 for a few years as it went good with my camo, after that I went to a Para Ordinance CCW, and have recently settled on the Smith Model 60. Might start on the P7 here pretty soon.

 

[EHL]

I started with a Sprinfield Government 1911, felt absolutely huge on me. I bought a Kimber Ultra Eclipse and I carried that for a good long while. I pocket carried that in my baggy jeans and cargo pants. (Nemesis Holster) I also used IWB Desantis Tuck THis Holster. Currently, I still carry this gun occasionaly with IWB Galco holster. I regularly use this gun with my Galco Miami Classic holster on Sundays and formal occasions when I use my suit or during the winter months when I can throw on a jacket.
The Kimber was still a little heavy as she is solid steel and so I ended up getting a Walther PPK/s. Still a little heavy, but I can wear this ALOT more than I can with any of my 1911's. I have mulitiple holsters for this gun as well and will use it depending on my outfit and my situation. I generally will pocket carry my PPK/s with a Nemesis holster. Sometimes, I will ankle carry using a Galco Ankle Glove if the pants I am wearing bulge too much. I will occasionally also use my Miami CLassic Galco Shoulder Holster for my PPK/s as well.

 

[dev_null]

What's your carry progression?

From Kimber fullsized 1911 in .45 to the same. Only change was when I would occasionally switch off, to S&W 1006 (fullsized 10mm) or occasionally P232 (smaller .380 but not a pocket pistol per se).

 

[Eightball]

Kimber fullsize 1911, then I picked up a S&W 638 for when the 1911 was simply not doable. Haven't looked back.

 

[usp9]

The question: What's your carry progression? What did you start with, and why? Why did you change, if at all?

First carried a Astra Constable in 1975. I liked that gun. A few years later a friend begged me for it so I sold it... now wish I had it back.

Went to a small frame five shot .38spcl Charter Arms revolver. I hated that gun, couldn't shoot it worth a darn. It lasted a couple years then I finally gave up on it when it started to loosen up.

Went to a Beretta 84 sometime in the '90s, a marvelous pistol. I also picked up a Seecamp. I still have both. I retired the Beretta from carry duty in 2006 for a HK P2000sk after a long search for the best available. I guess I just wanted a new gun.

The Seecamp went back to the factory for a overhaul about a year ago and still sees duty in my pocket. Nobody makes a better pocket gun.

For the most part I've only carried these four guns. Three are spectacular, one I really didn't like and replaced after only a few years. I have carried, or rather tested other pistols, but none made it to top billing. I do however on occation carry a Sig P232 in a shoulder holster when my back is bothering me. It is also a very good choice.


Some of the really outstanding also rans I studied for carry duty are;

Walther P99c ... if my HK ever broke, this is next best.
HK P7 ... not carried due to personal failing, not because of the gun. :banghead:
Kahr T9 ... reminds me of the P7
Kahr K9 ... very competent.

 

[Vonderek]

Desert Eagle>USP>1911>G26>442>NAA Mini

Just kidding

 

[weisse52]

Colt 70 series .45 ACP (started about 1978)
Colt 80 series .45 ACP (got in rotation in about 1998)
Glock 19 /17 / 21 (about 2005, rotated them for about 2 years, but also carried my Colt as well)
Colt 70 series .45 ACP (from 2007 till now)
Norinco 1911 .45
Colt Combat Commander .

Now, I have also carried a Smith "J" frame of some sort since about the early 80's. Also carried a NAA .22 mag off and on for a couple of years.

All dates are purely guessing from memory, which ain't too good

 

[Peakbagger46]

I started with a glock 27 as that was all my departement at the time let us carry off duty. Sold that and bought a Kimber Ultra 1911 that jammed like it was its job. Got rid of the Kimber and bought a Sig P239 .40, and a S&W M&P 340 .357 with laser grips.

Carry either the Sig or the .357 now, depending on the weather and the "threat level".

There was a Kahr PM40 in the mix at one point in time, but it jammed as well.

 

[searcher451]

I've carried one model of firearm in all the time that I've been carrying a concealed weapon: a Walther PPK/S. I've carried a German-made version, a French-made version, an Interarms/Ranger/USA-made version, and the current S&W-made version, but it's essentially the same gun. I recently added a Beretta Jetfire as a BUG but can think of no good reason as of yet to change from the PPK/S. The reason is simple: I can shoot this model better than I shoot with anything else of comparable size on the market.

 

[scurtis_34471]

My first carry gun was a Bersa Thunder 380 CC. I bought a pocket holster, a pancake holster and and IWB holster for it and carried it exclusively for several months. I wanted a better range gun and something with more power, so I bought an XD-40 with a nice Fist belt holster and a CrossBreed SuperTuck Deluxe IWB. I carried that a lot, but found that the grip tended to print. I bought an XD-40 Subcompact and starting carry the subby and using the Service for IDPA, pin shooting and general range use. Around that time, the seer broke on my Bersa. The finish was worn, the linkage was eating away at the allow frame and I was just not happy with it. I sent it in for repair, then sold it and bought a Kahr P9 Covert.

The Kahr P9 Covert proved to be such an accurate and reliable shooter and so effortless to carry that I hardly carry my XDs anymore. It is about the ultimate carry gun, as far as I'm concerned. It is small enough for pocket carry, thin enough for very comfortable IWB carry, light enough that you can almost forget you're carrying it and accurate enough for me to clear 5 bowling pins in 6 shots at 15 yards in good time. It has never malfunctioned when clean.

 

[herkyguy]

Started with a G23, but wouldn't carry on the hottest days, so I went with a Ruger LCP for the hot months with the Crossbreed microclip IWB. Practically disappears with that setup! Once the weather cools off, I go back to the G23 with either a Galco IWB or if it's cool enough, a Galco shoulder holster if I can wear a vest/jacket and not sweat to death.

kudos to those who can conceal a bigger gun in hot weather, but I'm just not up to that challenge. I am uncomfortable with a gun that size in only shorts and a t-shirt.

 

[sonier]

I cant think offhand but first was a .44 cap and ball, i still carry that thing around for scaring cougars and coyotes away from livestock. it makes a huge bang and 4 foot flame lol.

my normal carry is a CZ-52 in 7.62x25 coke bottle round. Its a fun little day carry gun.

Saving pennies about to put a blackhawk in 357 mag on lay away. its stainless steel and perty......

 

[almtiba]

The first one I carried was a Taurus .38 Snubbie, than, a Walter PP in 7,65mm... Than a CZ83 in .380 and for 9 years now, the Beretta 84F in .380.

Just to remember, in Brazil, .380 is the "largest" pistol caliber I can legally carry.

Regards,

Andre Tiba - Brazil