An observation on CCW or Open Carry.

[contender]

I often see comments in many various posts about a particular model of gun being "too heavy" to carry. Especially CCW or just open carry on a daily basis.

Now,, I've carried a full sized 1911, a 4" Security-Six, a GP-100 MC, a Blackhawk, or occasionally other larger handguns. I've never felt they were too heavy, or whatever. I've always been of the mind; "If my life were to depend upon a gun, what will I prefer to use?"

Now,, I understand everybody is different in their own opinions, comfort, preferences, and I STRONGLY support that attitude. Especially when I teach a class or clinic. A smaller individual, or a lady or someone who has some form of medical or physical issue that makes it harder to carry a larger or heavier handgun, is well understood.

But the often heard comment about many very good guns,, being "too heavy" by many men who enjoy shooting a lot (or at least they claim to be active shooters,) kinda baffles me.
Go to a range & shoot a full sized, heavier gun, then daily carry a small, lightweight gun & complain about the excessive weight of the very gun they enjoy at a range. It seems very conflicting to me.

Back in 1998, when I started shooting USPSA,, I chose a full sized 1911, and added a few features to make it better for competition. This included a magwell funnel. But I also decided to follow a mantra; "Shoot what I carry & carry what I shoot."
So, I carried the same gun daily. Yes, it was a bit bigger,,, but I carried it CCW w/o issues. Now,,,, I shoot a Ruger Super GP-100 revolver. I also carry either a Security-Six or a GP-100 4". but more often, I still carry a 1911. In fact,, I do carry a 1911 the most. Why? If I do get involved in a armed conflict, I don't want one of my Rugers to sit in an evidence locker for gosh knows how long, abused & neglected. Or worse,, destroyed due to a stupid court order. (That's a different discussion.)

But the "too heavy" issue, seems to baffle me.

Comments?

 

[375hh1973]

Totally agree

Weight never an issue, sometimes the length of the barrel just for concealment purposes

Have CCWd either a Sig P226 or a Smith M&P .45 every day

 

[GunnyGene]

I see it's time for this short instructional video again.

 

[Far North Collector]

I'd never carry open...ever! never let the scum bag know your carrying. or you'll be first guy shot. loosing your gun to a court order means nothing if your dead...

 

[Mobuck]

Contender, I don't disagree with your comments. On the other hand, folks such as myself who are basically required to be very discreet about our CCW at times must temper the solid logic of a larger handgun with discretion. At times I've carried a variety of handguns ranging from a small 22 in an ankle holster to a Browning HP or Ruger KP95DC in a horizontal shoulder holster or strong side OWB. I had to downsize a few years back to the SP101 and now a Taurus G2C due to being so skinny it's become difficult to conceal anything bigger in a way that still allows me ready access to the gun.
I feel many folks are unnecessarily handicapping themselves by carrying a tiny, under powered, difficult to shoot gun when they could carry a more adequate gun w/o inconvenience--just as you've said.

 

[kmoore]

I suppose if the only reason a person buys a handgun is for CCW. Then lighter and smaller might make sense.
Speaking for myself, I own many handguns. From pocket guns to full size, they all have useful purposes for me.
The larger ones I CCW'ed have been a full size 1911, 4 inch S&W 19, Glock 22 and 17.
When I transferred to detectives, I worked in plain clothes and undercover for almost 6 years. I tried ditching the full-size Glock 22 (.40 cal.) for the sub-compact 27 (.40 cal.). Yes it offered more options where and how I carried it. But, it was hard to shoot without an extended mag. I was shooting 98s to 100% with the full size and was lucky to shoot an 80 to 90% with the sub-compact. I tried the Glock 26 another sub-compact in 9mm. I was not much better.
In my position while working I pulled my side arm many times and my thought was, I had better have the gun I can shoot the best and adapt the method of carry. What worked was an outside waistband holster. I purchased larger shirts and coats to hide it. That worked great for about 9 months a year. When I had to wear shorts and tee shirts I went with a pocket gun. Those times it meant I had to meet crooks in a bar or their home. Even then sometimes it was no gun for fear of being searched.
Now being retired, I carry CCW in a pocket or mostly in the same style holster as years ago. I will admit, I will carry the Glock 48 more often than the 17 or the S&W 60 3 inch more than the 19 4 inch.

 

[bobski]

big gun small gun...was time when ANY GUN was enough to make a thief think twice. problem is, now they carry and THEY dont mind carrying bigger ones.

 

[Paul B]

For more years than I care to say, I carried a strictly GI 1911A1 made by Ithaca. That was in good old California and mostly in San Francisco where you just about had to be a second cousin to God All mighty to even think about getting a permit. Luckily, I never got caught. For while I also carried an S&W M28 four inch although it was a pre-number model called the Highway Patrolman. Back then I was skinny as a rail and it was difficult to keep from having a gun printing.
These days I'm legal and my carry pieces are a Colt Combat Commander with two 10 round Wilson magazine as back up reloads plus the 8+1 Wilson magazine in the gun. Back up gun is an S&W M60 .38 Spl. I never leave home without them.
Paul B.

 

[Kevin]

Often it isn’t the barrel length that limits concealment, it’s the grip size and length. It would stick out the most under a shirt or light weight jacket. So I can’t imagine carrying a 1911 with a mag well. But to each their own.

I don’t sell many guns, but one of the last guns I sold a few years ago was just too big. It was a CZ. It was too big and heavy. But as you always say, it didn’t fit my hand. I think that was the case over the weight.

Some of my favorite guns at the rage are a New Vaquero and a Blackhawk 357/9 (convertible) on the medium sized frame. (Sorry, not sure what it’s called, but the one that has the thinner grip frame.)

I guess I gravitate towards smaller guns in general.

 

[Mike J]

What I consider the problem with large firearms is not their weight but their size. I value concealment. I suspect we all make different choices according to our own circumstances. The last few years I have been carrying a M&P 2.0 40 Compact. It is basically the same size as a Glock 19 or 23. I find myself wanting one of the newer double stack micro 9's so I can have something easier to conceal. Concealment can be very important.

Here is a link to something that happened recently in DeKalb County, GA. I was surprised to learn a few days ago that the victim was related to someone we are slightly acquainted with.

Georgia teen steals gun from Dunkin’ customer, shoots him to death in the parking lot: reports

a 17-year-old male was arrested Friday and charged with murder for allegedly stealing a gun from a Dunkin' customer and Decatur, Georgia before shooting and killing him.

www.foxnews.com

 

[redhawker]

Other than some of the large (or maybe better huge, long-barrelled) revolvers I think weight is more or less if you have the proper belt to support the weight. If you have a thin, flimsy belt you'd probably want a lite gun, if you have a good stout, thick leather or nylon belt that can support the weight without wanting to flop over then the weight of the gun doesn't matter that much.

 

[wolfsong]

Kimber Pro Carry II .45 or Smith & Wesson Airweight. 38. One extra magazine for the .45 or 2 speed loaders for the .38. Both are relatively easy to conceal year round.

 

[Bob Wright]

I started carrying this 44 Special Three Screw around 2006 or so in this Bob Mernickle holster:



Age sort of caught up with me and I could no longer lift the gun high enough for a certain grasp/draw. I had Doc Barranti make me his No.1 Shuck, but use the band, or cuff as from his Ethan Edwards holster. I liked that so well I had him make me another but basket stamped. This holster was made for a 2 1/2" gun belt, but I modified it for my 1 1/2" trousers belt:



This has been my favorite holster for over a year now. I usually wear it with a sport coat, jacket, or vest. And, yes, I'm very confident with a Single Action .45 Colt.

Bob Wright

 

[contender]

Now,, see,, many here seem to prefer a (heavier) larger handgun for their carry purposes.

Yet,, in several posts over the years,, and even some current ones here,, I see comments about the size/weight of various handguns as being too big/heavy.

I do understand the warmer seasons causing us to wear less clothing,, and as such, making it harder to conceal a handgun. And I even have to do it occasionally due to the type of clothing I'm wearing to match the place(s) I'm going. Then there is the fact that some states demand a CCW not "print" also comes into play sometimes.

But kmoore makes a valid point. Most often, many of us shoot a larger/heavier handgun better than a compact one.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who prefers a "regular" sized gun for my carry purposes.

 

[vito]

Whether one admits it to themselves or not, we all make risk vs benefit decisions all the time, and this includes our choices for what gun we carry, or even if we carry. I know that the risk that I will be attacked or be where someone important to me is attacked is very slim, but not zero. To prepare for that small but potentially life altering risk I always carry a gun when I leave my home. But I only carry concealed (open carry is not legal in this state) and often I'm wearing just a t-shirt and shorts or jeans. So often I pocket carry and that requires a smaller, lighter handgun. Most of the time it is my LC9s in a Desantis pocket holster. There could be occasions where 8 rounds of 9mm will not be enough, but I believe that for the most part I am OK with that gun, or even with my S&W 642 with only 5 rounds of 38+p. If I am wearing a button shirt, not tucked in my pants, then I can comfortably conceal a heavier pistol with an OWB holster, but still want something that will not feel like a heavy burden as I go about my normal activities, so the most likely gun that I will carry is my Glock 26 with 11 rounds of 9mm.

As many others have said in numerous threads, if I feel that there is a good chance that I will need my gun when going to some specific place I will do my best to avoid going there at all. But each to their own, including those who choose to go out every day ready for the apocalypse with several guns, knives, extra mags, bear spray and a trauma kit.

 

[RJM52]

It's all one's mindset...

Have been teaching CC courses since 1992 and have carried just about daily since 1970... Some people, both men and women, "dress to the gun", and others wouldn't even consider changing the way they dress to carry even a KelTec .32...

Same with LEOs...95% don't carry off-duty let alone once they retire...

Everything in life is attitude...and a lot of people don't have it...

Bob

 

[blume357]

I totally agree about "carry what you shoot".... the ironic thing is I carry what SIG SAUER in 1996 came up with for LEO's to carry concealed while off duty and now it is considered by many to be way too heavy and big for concealed carry.... of course it is also chambered in the round they came up with after the Miami FBI fiasco.... P239 in 357 Sig. And worst of all it only holds 8 rounds with one in the chamber!

 

[black1970]

Bob’s ready for the Memphis thugs!

 

[BarryinIN]

The gun’s shape, especially the width, always made more difference than a little bit of weight to me. Particularly the slide shape. A Glock may be lighter than a 1911, but its width and squared and blocky shape makes it more difficult for me to carry. The Browning HiPower is the easiest full-size gun for me to carry even though it is heavier than most polymer frames guns.

Concealing a larger gun comes down to what I wear. I might prefer to not wear untucked shirts, but I greatly prefer carrying a gun I shoot better. I will wear looser clothes to get that, and not think twice about it.

 

[Durango Dave]

I've never felt they were too heavy, or whatever. I've always been of the mind; "If my life were to depend upon a gun, what will I prefer to use?"

What are the odds you'll need to use your gun? That should also come into play.
If someone told me that within the next month someone will threaten to take my life or do great bodily harm to me. Then I would carry an AR with me everywhere. Open carry of long guns is legal in all the green states. Light green has restrictions such as age.

but in reality it's unlikely but possible that I would have to defend my life sometime in my lifetime. Considering the odds I want a handgun that's small and light. My opinion is a 9mm with a larger capacity such as 15 rounds. Keeping more in the gun is more important than bringing separate magazines.