CARRY PISTOL

[papa61]

We have had some good discussions on add ons to EDC pistols so I thought we could discuss some of the basics. I have my basic points on what is a good carry piece, I'm sure it won't be a complete checklist and to cover all of the details of every point would be too long. But I'm sure we'll cover it along the way. I'm sure there will be some behind the scenes gaffawing and that's ok.

What I need to consider a pistol acceptable for personal defense.

Fit - it must fit well. in the hand, in your wardrobe, in your lifestyle. but to me how it fits in the hand. When I grip a pistol it should naturally fall into the straight line between the elbow and the end of my pointed trigger finger.

Balance - It should sit in my hand in firing position with a loose grip. This has fallen off of most shooters radar as we moved from revolver to auto loader but is still relevant in my opinion.

Weight - I prefer the heaviest pistol that I can comfortably carry. Weight helps tremendously with follow up shots. I have of late been going back to a full/mid sized piece since my EDC for quite a while has been a KelTec P32. This is due to wardrobe lifestyle issues.

Reliability - If it malfunctions once in 100 rounds and cannot be remedied, I won't carry it. 100% is what I bet my life on.

Comfort - Am I comfortable with caliber, round count, aforementioned weight. Is it concealable. 

Accuracy - Let's be real here. Stats say defensive encounters are about 7 yards, I could put a case of rounds in an FBI Q at 7 yards with the worst pistol I've ever shot.

Practice - Practice, Practice, MORE PRACTICE. nothing beats more rounds down range.

these all overlap and I couldn't pick any as most important. everything is a trade off, if we knew we for certain we needed a gun we'd take a rifle or stay home. That is a generalization as one might choose a handgun for maneuverability or concealment) 

[deerslayer]

1.  It must run

2.  It must run dirty

3.  Small enough to carry, big enough to shoot - I despise pocket guns except for the rarest of occasions and even a non-XMacro 365 is too small for my tastes (I can hear the rocks coming at me).  I would like to be able to take it to the local IDPA match and be competitive with it (in a non-BUG/pocket gun division).  

4.  Has to be easy to shoot accurately.  Yes, the average gunfight is two shots at six feet or whatever, but average means there must have been higher round count gunfights and longer distance gunfights (see Eli Dicken).  The guy who gets hit by lightning doesn’t want to hear about stats and odds. 

5.  Has to use a legitimate defensive round (at least .38 or 9mm).  More rocks coming my way, but I have no need for a .380.  Yes, I’m sure somebody’s grandfather once decked a cape buffalo with an 85 grain Silvertip, but that doesn’t make it prudent to buffalo hunt with one.  Over and over again, I’ve seen .380s do things that left me unimpressed.  I can hide a Glock 43 or a J-frame pocket gun about as well as I can hide a .380 and if it’s my ideal small enough to carry/big enough to shoot gun I described above, a .380 makes absolutely no sense.  Don’t even get me started on the .32s. 
 

6.   Call me a pansy or a poof, but I see no need for an unnecessarily loud carry gun.  No comp or full-house .357 for me.  I’m hoping to keeps my wits in a would-be gunfight and I doubt eating a flash-bang will help.  
 

These features are what guide my carry gun choices.  My carry gun over the past few years has been either a Glock 48 or a Springfield EMP4 in an IWB holster, but I’m about to start carrying one of the smaller Staccatos with (gasp!) a red dot.  

Edited 9 minutes ago by deerslayer