September 13th, 2020
4minute read
Change.
Were in the middle of it.
Millions of people have purchased their first guns over the last few months.
You are your own first responder.
Trainers across the country are being flooded with calls asking for private lessons.
Specifically, it means you have to change your handgun as conditions change.
Ive been carrying a pistol since about 1976.
Why so many types?
There is no one handgun that works for every situation.
Tennis shoes, dress shoes, casual shoes, hunting boots, rubber boots, slippers, etc.
Once you get into carrying, you quickly realize the need for various sizes of handguns.
One-Stop Shopping
Let me give examples of what I have carried, using just one gun manufacturer.
I have carried Springfield Armory pistols for many years.
I recently bought the XD-M 4.5 barrel model in 10mm.
Because sometimes Im in the woods where bears, mountain lions, and wolves live.
Its a full-size pistol, and it is not light weight when fully loaded.
Thats okay because I use a good gun belt and a good holster to handle the weight.
But thats not what I would carry in most concealed carry situations.
For that, I often have opted for two Springfields.
The XD-S single stack is a dream.
Slim, great trigger, and you could get a 10-round mag.
Honestly, its just hard to go wrong there.
I can conceal it when wearing almost anything, especially when I use a tuckable holster.
Its incredibly small and easy to carry.
When Im going to spend several days at a shooting school, Ill opt for a full-size 9mm.
Ammo is fairly inexpensive.
I would go for the XD-M Elite 4.5 and a bag full of magazines.
The Right Choice
You match the gun to the situation.
Where are you carrying?
What kind of clothes?
Open carry or concealed carry?
Just a cover garment or deep concealment?
Whats your body pop in?
Experienced gun folks know we must change guns from time to time.
This example was just using one brand.
you’re free to mix and match, of course.
You might want to have a revolver in the mix.
Just dont get locked into the idea that now you have the gun you need.
Oh, and put serious time and money (!)
into the best training you could afford.
A shiny new gun will never replace the vital skills you get from serious instruction.
