Why I will not buy a little, single stack handgun

[blue2golf]

I carry a single stack 9, and almost never carry a second clip.

I am good with that.

Me too. 7 rounds in the mag, one in the pipe of a hammer fired Ruger LC9, that's it and I don't feel unprotected.

 

[88E30M50]

I just bought the Glock OEM holster for my G27 and plan on carrying that during the summer from time to time. It's another option for carrying a G26/G27 concealed during the shorts and t-shirt season. I'm really happy with how well that little gun carries held nice and tight to my side. 9+1 of .40 S&W is a credible deterrent. It still will not get me gun unfriendly places that my P938 lets me go to though. It's good to have options.

 

[MCgrease08]

Me too. 7 rounds in the mag, one in the pipe of a hammer fired Ruger LC9, that's it and I don't feel unprotected.

For me an extra mag isn't just about capacity, it's about being able to stay in the fight in the event of a malfunction. A jam, or accidentally hitting the mag release can leave you FUBAR real quick.

 

[Defensive Shooting Concepts]

Own every kind. I do so much and go so many places that I need all types of guns in various sizes. I carry the gun that allows me to carry it concealed. If I can carry my 19 I do. Sometimes it has to be my 43. I understand everyone's thoughts so what I do is try to have a gun for every occasion. Basically I accessorize.

 

[NyleRN]

^Yep, whether I'm carrying my sheild 9 or a double stack holding 17+ I always carry an extra mag, sometimes 2 extra depending on where I'm traveling

 

[WestSider]

Always have a backup mag no matter what gun I am carrying... always.

 

[Defensive Shooting Concepts]

Follow up. Always carry an extra mag. Certain stoppages with a firearm are caused by a damaged Magazine. If the magazine is the cause of the stoppage you will continue to have the same issue each time you attempt to fix it. Isn't that the definition of insanity? In addition to the above the world is becoming a very evil place very quickly. If you have watched the most recent trend in the news concerning the violence around our country and world. You will notice that not only the number of violent crimes has risen drastically so has the number of attacks involving multiple attackers. From home invasions to bank robberies and active shooters they are attacking in numbers. Keep that in mind when you consider if you want to carry an extra mag today.

 

[STEEL CORE]

Your right Huskey, I mainly do carry a spare, a full size for my G-22/23/27, and walked last night with a G-43 around the neighborhood, and when I got home, I thought about it and said never again, I will always carry the cell phone and spare mag whenever, where ever I go.

 

[Smoker9000]

I see your point OP, however my theory is if you need 35 shots you are either A) a really bad marksman, or B) facing way more people than you could take out before they return fire.

roger that,

 

[Willdabeast77]

Wow, You all bring up some great points! I actually never thought about a second mag.

 

[cedartop]

I used to be tempted to buy small, concealable handguns, and certainly there are quite a few quality ones on the market in respectable calibers. The LC9s, the PPS, the XDs, the Shield, the GLOCK 43, and many others. They are compact, easily carried, unobtrusive, lightweight, and convenient.

However, the reason I will no longer even consider buying one is simple: because I might be tempted to carry it rather than a full-size, high capacity handgun. After all, the reason I carry a handgun is because I believe I might actually NEED it to defend my life or the lives of my family or friends. And I don't carry a particular weapon primarily because it is lightweight or concealable or convenient. I primarily carry a particular handgun because it can contribute significant firepower in my efforts to survive a hostile encounter. Small, single stack handguns and revolvers just don't offer the same amount of firepower as full-size, double stack handguns.

Me? I carry a Smith & Wesson M&P in 9mm with an APEX Flat Faced trigger and Trijicon HD night sights. It gives me 18 shots before I need to reload and 35 shots with one extra mag on my person. It is (relatively) lightweight, has a fantastic trigger pull, has wonderful contrasting night sights, and feels great in the hand. It is made to contribute significantly to my survival in a bad situation, and I cannot imagine ever finding a better pistol than the one I currently carry.

No more small guns for me. Just too many disadvantages.

Vanguard.45

I hear you. Beware the sirens call. For around the last 10 or so years I have carried nothing smaller than a G19. I get that I am lucky that I can carry at work and almost always can dress around the gun. Not everyone can do that. More don't want to than can't but that is beside the point. Last week I had to have hernia surgery. I really didn't want to stick that RMR G19 inside my waistband, or pull my belt tight enough to do it OWB. After much indecision I went with my G43. DON'T DO IT. It can be addicting, boy does this thing carry easy. You know what will keep me going back to the 19 or similar sized guns? Just a quick peak at my training journal.

 

[VERT]

I get that I am lucky that I can carry at work and almost always can dress around the gun. Not everyone can do that. More don't want to than can't but that is beside the point. .

Well big happenings at work yesterday. My company is going through a merger and management and new roles are beginning to be announced. My current employer has a no weapons policy. But....The CEO of the new company and my existing company are both pro concealed carry and have attended my into personal protection course with their wives, VP of operations has bought pistols at my urging and went through basic pistol with me, one of the new board of directors has been through intro personal protection with me, the new sales director is a marine who likes guns and having guns close at all times. I have been told my position will be less customer facing and more operational. So depending on the dress code my options for handguns might open up a bit this fall.

 

[Jtrain]

I've been carrying a glock 23 for the past couple yes and recently bought a shield, it's made a huge difference for me because now I can carry all day and it's comfortable. Now I carry even when I'm laying on my couch, so I guess I'm siding with its better for me personally to carry a gun that I enjoy carrying

 

[MohawkSlim]

The extra mag debate is awesome!

"You ALWAYS need an extra mag in case your mag malfunctions" yet I seldom hear people carrying a second gun in case their first one malfunctions. "Well, the chances of that happening are so slim it's unnecessary." I still chuckle when people tell me that. They've crunched the numbers, apparently.

As for carrying a small first aid kit, aren't you doing so already? You have a belt on, right? You have a t-shirt, right? Even if you're out in shorts and flip flops you have a drawstring on those shorts, no? "But slim, you can't use a string as a tourniquet." ORLY? Where are we, Fallujah? Are you going to have to stabilize the patient (or ourselves) for hours before medevac arrives on scene?

I wish I had a dollar for everyone who bought a med kit but has never taken a class on first aid or basic trauma. "Well, it's there in case we need it." Sounds a lot like, "I have a second mag in case my first one malfs of falls out or something."

To that end, I'm willing to give up on capacity for an improved caliber. But, the G30 kind of lets me have both. It gives me 10+1 rounds of .45 in a package that can be taken in 80% of the places I go.

This is why I carry a Para Warthawg.

Far too many people worry about things that are irrelevant when it comes to a carry gun. The only thing that matters when carrying is YOU FREAKING CARRY A GUN!!! We can debate which gun is best all day long but it's pretty unnecessary because the manufacturers, military, law enforcement, and the market have already figured it out for us. They make a gun for whatever situation we can possibly find ourselves in. It's simply up to us to debate how strict we're going to be about fitting into which demographic. "Let's see... today I'm wearing sweat pants. Should I put a belt on and supertuck my CZ under my sweats or should I just dump the ol' Keltec into my pocket?"

 

[Principal Skinr]

While more ammo is always good, if you worry too much about limitations of a particular class of firearms, then you'll ultimately be led to try and carry an AR15 with 120 rounds of ammo, right?

I don't have any fantasies about engaging a mass shooter with my carry gun. I view it as a tool either to immediately defend myself against a single attacker, or to help me get out of a bad situation. I consider the odds. Most defensive shootings occur in homes, so I've got plenty of firepower there, even though again, I believe in most situations, only a few shots are fired, if any. I believe the odds are overwhelming that I'll never need to use a firearm in self defense, but that in the vast majority of situations, a single stack has more than enough to get the job done, so comfort and convenience becomes an important part of the equation.

So, for me, I'll carry what is most comfortable and concealable for the situation and clothing I'm wearing. I'd say 80% of the time, it is my Glock 42, and probably 18% of the time, my Glock 19. I'll occasionally, probably 1 percent, carry my Glock 43 (I like the 42 better...slightly smaller and I'm more accurate with it) and when in bear or hog country, another 1 percent, my Glock 20, sometimes concealed, semi concealed, or open.

You can do a LOT of damage with a few or even one shot. Often, attackers can be dissuaded by just the sight of a defensive firearm. If it is a rushing attack, then it is folly to think you'd get more than a shot or two off, anyway. I don't recall reading too many situations where a concealed carry civillian dumped a large mag in a fight. Don't cite police shootings, because then the argument turns to carrying a full size weapon, which is what cops carry most of the time, plus back up. Again, to defend myself is not to enter a major engagement or firefight. That's so remote a possibility that it borders fantasy land, IMHO.

Just my 2 cents. I doubt I'll ever have to defend myself with a firearm. Heck, I've lived all my life in tornado country, and I've NEVER laid eyes on one. I think the odds of seeing a tornado in Indiana are better for me than the odds of using my firearm in self defense. Honestly, when I carry, I do it more because I enjoy firarms and like having one with me, than because I fear any attack. I just don't really feel fearful in life, except when I do something to upset my wife, and a firearm is worthless in that situation.

 

[Woobie]

Well big happenings at work yesterday. My company is going through a merger and management and new roles are beginning to be announced. My current employer has a no weapons policy. But....The CEO of the new company and my existing company are both pro concealed carry and have attended my into personal protection course with their wives, VP of operations has bought pistols at my urging and went through basic pistol with me, one of the new board of directors has been through intro personal protection with me, the new sales director is a marine who likes guns and having guns close at all times. I have been told my position will be less customer facing and more operational. So depending on the dress code my options for handguns might open up a bit this fall.

I hope it works out!

 

[VERT]

My comments in red. Just trying to add to the conversation.

While more ammo is always good, if you worry too much about limitations of a particular class of firearms, then you'll ultimately be led to try and carry an AR15 with 120 rounds of ammo, right?

I have been told that more ammo is always better. Realistically most gunfights stop when the attacker "stops" or the gun runs out of ammo, at which time the attacker usually "stops". Reloading almost always happens after the confrontation is complete. I don't want to speak in absolutes and I will still advocate having a reload available. But you will run out of time before you run out of ammo. Maybe

I don't have any fantasies about engaging a mass shooter with my carry gun. I view it as a tool either to immediately defend myself against a single attacker, or to help me get out of a bad situation. I consider the odds. Most defensive shootings occur in homes, so I've got plenty of firepower there, even though again, I believe in most situations, only a few shots are fired, if any. I believe the odds are overwhelming that I'll never need to use a firearm in self defense, but that in the vast majority of situations, a single stack has more than enough to get the job done, so comfort and convenience becomes an important part of the equation.

Truthfully you don't know what you will be faced with but the role of the civic minded person carrying a weapon is different then law enforcement or military. Be careful about comparing shootings in or around the home. Yes much of defensive firearm use happens around the home but most violent crime happens outside the home. So why the disparity? Simple answer is because people keep guns in the home and tend to view that as acceptable where as most people do not carry a gun. My guess is that the personal protection forum is full of people who discuss carrying a handgun but do not on a regular basis. This is relevant to this thread because the small 9mm more easily allows for a person to carry a gun even though it might not be the most effective or appropriate.

So, for me, I'll carry what is most comfortable and concealable for the situation and clothing I'm wearing. I'd say 80% of the time, it is my Glock 42, and probably 18% of the time, my Glock 19. I'll occasionally, probably 1 percent, carry my Glock 43 (I like the 42 better...slightly smaller and I'm more accurate with it) and when in bear or hog country, another 1 percent, my Glock 20, sometimes concealed, semi concealed, or open.

Choose the most appropriate guns for your situation.

You can do a LOT of damage with a few or even one shot. Often, attackers can be dissuaded by just the sight of a defensive firearm. If it is a rushing attack, then it is folly to think you'd get more than a shot or two off, anyway. I don't recall reading too many situations where a concealed carry civillian dumped a large mag in a fight. Don't cite police shootings, because then the argument turns to carrying a full size weapon, which is what cops carry most of the time, plus back up. Again, to defend myself is not to enter a major engagement or firefight. That's so remote a possibility that it borders fantasy land, IMO.

Just my 2 cents. I doubt I'll ever have to defend myself with a firearm. Heck, I've lived all my life in tornado country, and I've NEVER laid eyes on one. I think the odds of seeing a tornado in Indiana are better for me than the odds of using my firearm in self defense. Honestly, when I carry, I do it more because I enjoy firarms and like having one with me, than because I fear any attack. I just don't really feel fearful in life, except when I do something to upset my wife, and a firearm is worthless in that situation.

Careful my friend! You simply do not know what your fight will look like. I think that is the OPs point. Carry the most effective firearm that you can and try not to fall victim to convenience. To quote a tired old saying "It is not the odds it is the stakes". Now what are the chances for a person in Indiana to be involved in a violent crime? I will tell you it is not remote, it also depends on your lifestyle and extracurricular activities. But in everytown USA Seymour, IN home of John Cougar and Katie Stam Miss America it was something like 1 in 232 in 2012. A gun is not a talisman and just because you point one at the bad guy does not mean they will be intimidated. Might not even be the first time someone has pointed a gun at them.

 

[foszoe]

My firearm is for preventing or terminating the unlawful entry into my occupied motor vehicle or home.

In these two locations there are spare loaded magazines .

My firearm is for preventing or terminating the commission of a forcible felony against myself and my family wherever we happen to be.

Outside my curtilage, but on my property, this means pistol almost always, spare magazine on person usually not. When out and about in my rural area, usually just pistol (spare mags still in car of course). When going to the big city ( Indy or county seat)....spare magazine is carried on person. Of course having the spare in the car means I can change my mind and carry one anywhere I am out, but I haven't routinely practiced that (yet).

I think (indication of an opinion that is malleable) that the gun should fit the hand. If a double stack fits, carry it, if the grip suffers, carry a single and a spare mag or 3.

 

[1775usmarine]

You all need to learn to live on the edge with a LCR 38. 5 rounds of fear at your disposal.

 

[cedartop]

.
As for carrying a small first aid kit, aren't you doing so already? You have a belt on, right? You have a t-shirt, right? Even if you're out in shorts and flip flops you have a drawstring on those shorts, no? "But slim, you can't use a string as a tourniquet." ORLY? Where are we, Fallujah? Are you going to have to stabilize the patient (or ourselves) for hours before medevac arrives on scene?

."

Have you used a belt as a TQ before? Maybe you have, I haven't. I can tell you that I have been to a number of trauma medicine classes before and all recommended against it. Especially wide stiff gunbelts.