I ask myself many times in the past “Why I carry a gun” and I'm glad to know that I'm capable of protecting myself and the people around me by exercising my right.
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In this article:
- Good Reasons to Carry a Gun
- Guns I Carry
- Smith & Wesson Shield in 9mm
- Glock 19, 9mm
- Glock 42, 380 Auto
- Ruger LCR, 38 Special
Why I Carry a Gun | A Necessity for Protection
Good Reasons to Carry a Gun
It’s very simple folks, the police can’t save you. Don’t get me wrong, I have been a law enforcement officer for many years and we want to save you.
The sad truth is that the majority of the time the situation is already over with by the time police arrive.
So, in essence, I carry a gun because I believe in my right, and your right to protect yourself and those around you. Having said that, do not take your decision to carry lightly.
Once you have made this decision, be well prepared and comfortable with your firearm and carry system.
A fellow instructor once told me, “It has to become a lifestyle,” when it comes to your personal defense and by necessity your own well-being and preparedness despite the many talks about gun control. I couldn’t agree more.
Guns I Carry
So what do I carry? It depends on many factors. When I teach concealed carry I talk to students about trade-offs when they start carrying a concealed firearm.
Considerations include concealability of your handgun, single vs. double-stack magazine models, caliber, ease of operation, dependability, comfort, and of course there are many others.
I assure you that if your carry handgun and carry system are not comfortable, you will not carry for long. Which brings to mind the quote, “the gun you have on you, is better than the one left at home”.
My selection for carrying on any particular day is driven by such factors as weather, activities, and location planned for the day, and attire.
The following comprise my concealed carry selection 95% of the time–
Smith Wesson Shield in 9mm
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I like the feel of this pistol; it’s streamlined and easily concealable. I shoot it well and have found it to be very reliable.
It comes with eight and seven-round magazines, plus one in the chamber, and is a reasonable carry gun. I most often carry this pistol in an appendix position.
I like the Guardian Angel holster system that provides a leather or softback with a firm Kydex outer portion.
RELATED: Owning A Gun Safely At Home
Glock 19, 9mm
Likely one of the most common handguns for concealed carry. Very reliable with good accuracy and a great mid-size carry gun with a magazine capacity of 15.
What is Kydex? A very comfortable material used for making holsters and knife sheaths.
I will carry in a Guardian Angel or SpetzGear appendix or belt-mounted Kydex, pancake-style holster.
Glock 42, 380 Auto
When I need to go small with a high degree of concealability, this is my choice. I carry in the appendix or pocket position via a BladeTech or Sticky holster.
The Glock 42 is very reliable and suitable for those attire-limiting occasions.
Ruger LCR, 38 Special
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Very concealable and problem-free from an operational standpoint. The 38 Special cartridges have taken care of its share of “bad guys” over the years and there is a wide variety of ammo available for this caliber.
I often carry in the appendix position in a soft-sided Sticky Holster.
Other EDC (Every Day Carry) items I am seldom without include; a spare magazine or ammo source for my carry gun du jour, a flashlight (most often a Steamlight ProTac- 2L), a good blade (or two) and a tourniquet (CAT, SWAT or comparable).
Watch this video of the Smith & Wesson 9mm Shield by mixup98:
Understand, I have no opposition to larger caliber handguns, such as the 40S&W or the 45ACP. I have and will carry these caliber guns on occasion.
It all boils down to your comfort and ability to shoot and handle the gun well. If you’re a person that has a high degree of concern over the caliber issue, perhaps keep in mind the following: carry the largest caliber handgun you can shoot well and will commit to carrying every day.
And then train well; train often.
Tell us about the guns you carry and why you carry them. Please share in the comments section below!
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on June 16, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.