Reconsidering carry gun: why do you carry what you do?

[Ilikebuckets]

Hope this is the right section of the forum. I*ve been carrying a Rugermax .380 since February. The last 3 years before that was a Sig 365. I switched because the RugerMax is a great for pocket carry and have switched completely to pocket carry. I did love the Sig though. I figure that most self defense confrontations take place within a few yards. At 8 yards I am all over the center of the target with the RugerMax. I am comfortable with .380 for self defense at that distance. I couldn*t really envision the realistic need for self defense beyond that.

Until the Indiana shooting where Elisjsha Dicken took out the mall shooter at about 40 yards hitting 8 of 10 shots.
That shooting is changing my thinking and I have switched back to the Sig over the last week for both IWB and open carry. While I am good with the Ruger Max out to 8 yards it gets shaky at 15 yards and I am lucky to hit the target at 25 yards with it. I am still good with the Sig at 25 yards. I am going to start practicing at 50 yards, something I never really thought was necessary.

The gun Elisjsha Dicken used was a Glock 9mm but I don*t know what gun it was. I bet that if it is made public the sales for that model will go through the roof.

What do you carry and why? Would you feel confident making 8 out of 10 40 yard shots with your carry gun?

[Carson]

In the summer a Glock 43 in my pocket or on my hip with a plus 1.

In the winter a Glock 27 on my hip with a plus 1.

I don’t like going below 9mm. And if I venture into NJ, my mags are OK.

[ar15jules]

I can hit a human sized target with good accuracy at 50 yards plus with anything that I carry. I would be willing to bet that most of you could do the same if you gave it a try. Sight alignment and trigger control are key.

[STBear]

Sig 365 IWB and OWB. Easy to carry and decent capacity. 40 yards I'm running away.

[imashooter2]

I carry a S&W Model 38 Bodyguard Airweight using a Mika holster in my right front pants pocket. 5 shots, no reloads. Easy, no fuss, don*t have to adjust my dress, always the same gun in the same place summer or winter. If there appears to be a threat, placing my hand on the gun attracts no attention. I*m a revolver guy and I shoot a J frame well. At 15 yards or less I*ll put them where they need to be with decent, but not remarkable speed. I don*t have any illusions about taking 50 yard shots under pressure.

I know that this is PAFOA and 5 shots is heresy. I*m fine with that. I understand my needs and my skills and I*m comfortable with my choices.

[Qtrborecrazy]

I went from a sig 238 to a sig 365 for the extra capacity.He who runs out of ammo first loses.

[GeneCC]

I carry a S&W Model 38 Bodyguard Airweight using a Mika holster in my right front pants pocket. 5 shots, no reloads.

About the same here, except I have some speed loaders. I want to learn how to hide them better. I don't care for strip loaders.

Most gun fights are three rounds or less at least that's what I've been told. I don't know the modern stats.

[PAMedic=F|A=]

I can hit a human sized target with good accuracy at 50 yards plus with anything that I carry. I would be willing to bet that most of you could do the same if you gave it a try. Sight alignment and trigger control are key.

That is why I carry a 1911. I have a snub nosed .357, and no way I*m hitting things at 75 yards with it.

[GeneCC]

I can barely see 40 yards. I've got no business shooting at something that far away, without a scope or something.

I can hit a human sized target with good accuracy at 50 yards plus with anything that I carry. I would be willing to bet that most of you could do the same if you gave it a try. Sight alignment and trigger control are key.

What kind of self defense circumstance do you see at 50 yards? Maybe someone with a rifle, or a skilled handgun shooter? Fifty yards is half a football field.

Most self defense is going to be from them being able to touch you to about fifteen to twenty feet away.


I have simulated stress at the range. I will exercise to close to exhaustion, then twirl around a little bit. Grab the handgun and then fire. My groups grow about four times in span. I practice quite a bit.

[PAMedic=F|A=]

In the summer a Glock 43 in my pocket or on my hip with a plus 1.

In the winter a Glock 27 on my hip with a plus 1.

I don*t like going below 9mm. And if I venture into NJ, my mags are OK.

You really need to get away from an area where you can accidentally travel to the PRNJ. I can start sending you links to places for sale.