Gun A would not even be a consideration.

 

Even if we are talking only slight improvement in drills under 15 yards? Let’s say under half a second faster in drill completion.

 

I mean, assuming they carry truly do carry the same, then yeah, Gun B all the time in your scenario.

I'm assuming the only reason you would carry Gun A would be for looks or aesthetics or you "just like it", in which case no dice.

Imagine you and your wife are bleeding out in some gutter somewhere from where a crack head emptied the contents of a Taurus G2c into both of you, and you look down at Gun A and go 'Damm....guns got great vibes though..."

I mean yeah, as long as it meets your minimum standards, the gun probably isn't going to be the reason you win or die...but why not give yourself every advantage?

NOW, corollary to that: Something I've noticed is if you truly like a gun, you'll shoot it and practice more. So, if I really like Gun A, cause it's a fancy 1911 I had worked on to my specs, then I'll shoot it and dry fire a lot, eventually Gun A turns into Gun B.

There are a million standards for this stuff, but for me, guns got to be able to do a Bill Drill in 4 seconds under any circumstances. That sounds glacially slow- and it is! - but that same standard applies to a snubby from the pocket or a G48 at 3 o clock as it does a 2011. A 4 second bill drill is a 2 second draw with .4 splits. That shows adequate draw speed and recoil control, to me.

(Before somebody leaps down my throat for shooting, I can generally pull off clean 2.5 second bill drills, from 3 o clock IWB, with a plain G45/dot. Still not great but decent.)

 

Yes, there seems to be a lot of nuance with this topic. Maybe a follow-up question is: SHOULD you put your time into an “aesthetically pleasing” gun to make it perform “just as good” as one that you are naturally good with?

 

I carry a defensive handgun for "the mission"

J frame: when I absolutely CANNOT get outed for carrying, or for wearing shorts or sweats to the mailbox, etc.. or for a formal event where I am going to get hugged and patted constantly.

K frame: For day time carry, in my relatively safe environment in Vermont, and for woods walks (for animal scenarios)

1911 Govt model: for night time carry, and nightstand/home defense

Regardless of the specific gun/accessories, the above listed "missions" dictate what I normally carry for defensive handgun

 

I carry quite similarly, though two semis and one wheel in the middle - camping and such.

Not thrilled with the urban choices I need to make, but I just stay away from people and from shady areas.

Anything I carry will be comfortable and I will be competent.

 

Sometimes capacity is not the issue.
I pocket carry my Shield.
I IWB carry my CZ P07.
The capacity difference is trivial (2 rounds). The Shield shoots great for a subcompact, but I shoot the P07 like a full size pistol. I am faster and more accurate with it. Great DA/SA trigger.
It really comes down to the environment I find myself in.

 

See, what I can’t get around is the “I’m faster and more accurate with it.” For me, I don’t ever need to carry something smaller than a full size. I too have a Shield, but it’s like…why do I even own it if I don’t ever have a need for it?

 

Performance is King in most situations, at least for me. I hike early in the morning with my GSD and instead of carrying one of my 1911s which is what I carry 98% of the time and shoot the best I carry my Glock 30S as a hiking/trail gun. As I have said before in a similar thread. The G30S can be replaced if something befalls it during our hike. I would be pissed if it fell into a "crik", river, mud pit or off a cliff into a river but it wouldn't anger me like losing one of my 1911s. Therefore, a gun that I shoot well but not as well as my 1911s gets the call for "mission sake" and simply money value. Plus, we hike so early in the morning I rarely see more than a couple people at that hour so most of my defense concerns would be more of the critter variety!

 

The lack of people point really brings up an interesting question for those of us that live rural. I always carry like I’m going into downtown Chicago; but my lifestyle has me seeing like 3 people max in isolated scenarios. Hell, I use grocery pick-up and almost never set foot in a shopping store. The only large group of people/higher threat scenario I spend time in is church haha.

 

I perform best with a slicked K or L Frame, next with a 1911. I generally carry a 15 round (IL commie limit) 9mm because multiple attackers are common in Crook County. If I have to go into Crapcago itself, I try to carry a second gun, as well.

 

Interesting, so you carry capacity over performance? Or am I misunderstanding.

 

I would not own/carry a pistol I was not competent with or confident in using.

 

I agree, but what I’m asking is MORE confident and comfortable; can you ever justify carrying something that you are competent with, knowing that you are MORE competent/capable with something else?

 

Practice to the point where you are at least above average proficiency with each handgun you carry. It takes work but isn’t hard to do.

 

What is “above average” though? In terms of a metric.

 

double post

 

Those are the legitimate questions. Draw to first shot is a byproduct of distance of target, so it isn’t the be all end all of metrics. For 7yd I think 1.5s is reasonable though.

I will also say I still subscribe to the having a gun > not having a gun theory, as the chances of needing one are fairly low to begin with and id rather someone carry than not just because they can’t meet a performance standard (does not apply to mil or LE, obviously).

Generally I prefer full sized guns for carry because it maximizes the performance I get out of the gun. I loathe pocket carry but will do it when mowing or something like that. Ultimately, practice with your stuff. Even a little practice goes a long way.

The threads about OMG a double action revolver is unshootable or the first DA pull you just throw away, or “what if I forget my safety is on” is only relevant when you haven’t spent enough time on the gun. Once you’ve spent enough time to build legitimate skills, it matters way less.

 

So perhaps platform doesn’t matter, choose what you like and get good with it?

 

Interesting angle... i carry for the Mission, Mood sometimes and seasonal. All are vetted to my satisfaction for function, load, and accuracy. What carries best is primary basic. If it isn't comfortable it gets carried less. Holsters are part of the equation. All of mine are similar in configuration on Trigger, Slide Stop, Mag Release, and Thumb safety. Each has subtle nuances of difference. Sights can be night sights or Gold Beads. Note so far, I haven't mentioned capacity. I figure that the only time the gun gets drawn for defense, The situation will be over and done in 2-3 shots. I don't believe a prolonged defense will occur. If so I don't need a pistol but a Rifle. If a reload is required, I've miscalculated or Murphy showed up requiring a reload or failure drill. Now Calibers...Sigh. If you believe you shoot best with one over the other, Wouldn't it be prudent to carry it? An exercise would be to compare equally at range sessions. This is with fully vetted mags, ammo, and knowing each firearm. This takes time and rounds down range. Get to work.

 

I was trying not to bring caliber into the equation, because in terms of pure physics the 9mm is always going to outrun the .45 - simply less recoil means faster splits.

I personally have done exactly what you are saying, and Gun A for me is always a tad bit slower for me completing any drill with a distance greater than 10 yards. Is it the red dot? The trigger? The light that allows enhanced weight on the muzzle for Gun B? Who knows.

 

My EDC is a 45 ACP Les Baer commander. I shoot the Baer reasonably well (better than most shooters at my range), especially if we're talking less than 10 yards. I can run the Bill Drill up to about 10 yards. That said, I am much better w/ one of my 9mm Nighthawks, but do I need that much better accuracy, when most will state the average shooting is 5-7 feet.

On the plus side, the Baer has much more stopping power when I use 45 ACP Hornady self defense ammo in the Baer. For now, I'll keep the Baer as my EDC, but one day, one day...

 

See, this is the question. How much performance increase do you need before it doesn’t matter?

 

I wouldn't rely on Hornady to expand through clothing in a commander length barrel. HSTs are even iffy in 45's under 5" barrels. I go with whatever variant of 185 grain Barnes all copper when I carry a commander, or else Underwood +Ps.

 

Another reason to only carry Government .45s😁

 

Wait everyone isn’t a master on every single weapon system???

My brain leans primarily towards A…

In reality I pretty much practice C…

Have about 10 guns I carry here or there with 3 mains. I like them all lol.

Most often H&K P2000SK in .40 S&W or S&W Bodyguard 2.0. I shoot the P2000SK better than the BG 2.0. Now the CC9 is getting most carry time since I’ve gotten comfortable with its ability and reliability plus slightly more capacity than the P2000SK. But I have recently also started carrying my DW Valkyrie which is the gun I pretty much shoot the best. CC9 has a red dot Valkyrie has irons. Will carry it more this winter now that I found an Appendix holster that works with it.

Here is a picture of both and a former Home defense option.

 

So you carry based on mission over performance per se.

 

At the moment, I'm carrying the firearm provided by the low bidder (Glock 47 w ACRO P2). In the spring I will become a rocking chair pilot, and will be able to carry what I want. I have a number of choices, but I'm getting used to the Glock/ACRO quickly, and it definitely makes things easier for those of us whose arms are no longer long enough to read the small print. I shoot everything the office gives me, which is about 1400 rounds since April, plus a few of my own ( a case) for 2400 rounds +/-.

 

Maybe an even more contentious question is: Is there such a thing as objectively better guns, or is everything relative to situation and preference? I ask since most folks voted they carry based on mission or task.

 

It does help to rotate the pistols you might use at any time to stay proficient with them

 

My answer is absolutely yes. Carry what you are best with. If you don't make it home it's all a moot point. I've been in more than a couple of gunfights/firefights. I never found myself wishing I'd had something less...

 

Definitely appreciate your wisdom on this. So basically always carry something with a light and red dot, because it always gives you the most capability and advantage in any situation.

 

I try to carry the biggest/best gun I can get away with. I can get away with an sig macro in a golf shirt - not so much a full size.

 

I decided long ago to dress around the gun, so it’s full size only for me

 

Depends on the tactical situation. Daily, nearly always? !911 45 LW commander. A bear seen near the house, something more. Maximum concealment, most often a J frame. Common sense and survivability!

 

Wouldn’t you say that selecting the J-frame is selecting a “good enough” option and not the highest performance option?

 

In a perfect world, yes, you should carry what you shoot best. However, what I shoot best doesn't always fit the attire of the moment or the place I'm going. Because of that I have a variety of guns I carry but I am proficient with all of them.

 

Seema like most folks let the mission dictate your carry choice. I’ve traditionally taken that approach, but I can carry anything I want now so I thought it would be a good discussion.

 

At the end of the day it’s all relative. I would probably be most effective with an 11” ar - can’t (won’t) tote that everywhere. This is why I think choose based on mission.

 

You don’t appendix carry your AR???

 

I work in a non-permissive environment, so I carry what I can conceal when I can. That's usually a S&W 642 with a speed strip reload and some pepper spray. I don't "gear up" to go to bad neighborhoods, if an area is bad enough that I feel a need to up my carry game I'll probably just stay home.

I like the 1911 platform, but it's really not practical to carry it in my day to day life.

 

Boo this man! Boo!

in all seriousness, you gotta do what you can.

 

Thanks everyone for engaging, great discussion.