Do you shoot your carry gun?

[1911Fanatic]

Yes, when I can.

 

[orygun]

Do I shoot my carry gun?

Yes, even if it is a J-Frame 357. I actually like shooting that gun a lot.
The other carry gun is a 1911. I've been shooting 1911s for a long time.

 

[deadeye]

Do you shoot your carry gun?

Yes I do, whenever the wife lets me get a lil practice in. Shooting blanks lets you stay safe while practicing trigger control too..........

As to shooting the pistols and revolvers I carry, yes I do. If I feel the need I just go outside and empty whatever it may be as I have a few different ones that I carry depending on weather or destination, sometimes two go with me.

 

[titsonritz]

I have (3) Gen 3 G19s , one for training, one for carrying and one spare. The spare has only few rounds through it to confirm function and resides in the safe, I shoot my carry gun here and there, but I mostly shoot my training gun which has been through multiple classes. I'll run my carry gun in classes where I'm working from concealment.

 

[No_Regerts]

I carry whatever I am issued. Sometimes it's not my favorite thing in the world, but If I'm putting a couple thousand rounds through it a year, I might as well stick to it.

 

[titsonritz]

I carry whatever I am issued. Sometimes it's not my favorite thing in the world, but If I'm putting a couple thousand rounds through it a year, I might as well stick to it.

What are you currently issued? Do you have more than a single option?

 

[No_Regerts]

What are you currently issued? Do you have more than a single option?

Been carrying an M&P full size of some kind since 2014. Started with a 40, now we are using 9mm. I still have the 40 and I prefer it, but free bullets is free bullets.

 

[whiskeybill]

In no way I am saying there should be a "Standard" or some qualification to carry. I stand firm against that. I'm just curious as to how much time people spend behind their carry gun. I just recently got in with Tri-County and you have to qualify with a Glock 44 (.22LR) and a .22LR rifle as well at about 50ish feet on a 8x11 piece of paper. While sitting in the class before going in and shooting I overheard a group of guys discussing what guns they carry and what's the best Blah, Blah, etc. and how easy the qualification would be. I'd say it was a group of about 5 and out of those 3 of them failed the qual and had to stay back for remediation. Maybe they were all talk and had never shot or didn't really carry. I have no way of knowing.

I am not engaging in "Guy Bashing" here, but as an instructor, I have noticed that men (inexperienced shooters) generally have a know it all "I got this" attitude. First time at bat, they strike out. They watch the youtube videos and read the rags. When you get more than one of these types together, they reinforce each others shortcomings. Women take to instruction and coaching much better than men. They pay attention in class and are more receptive to coaching on the firing line. Now, not all men are in such disarray. Many have been taught and coached at an early age by Dads, Granddads and Uncles. Probably even the military.

The scenario you describe sounds more like a safety qualification for being able to shoot at that range. Nothing to do with concealed carry sounds like. BUT, no matter what kind of shooting discipline one engages in, it's a good idea to shoot as much as is practical, and to engage in meaningful training. For a concealed carry handgun, it's also a good idea to have an intimate relationship with said handgun. That is your "Battle Buddy", and your life may very well depend on how well you function with it.

 

[WillametteWill]

@L84Cabo and @Nosferatu you guys are killing me. I thought I was the only one who did duplicates of regularly carried handguns. Of the three I would most commonly carry, each has an identical twin for all the reasons you both have stated…

I have (3) Gen 3 G19s , one for training, one for carrying and one spare. The spare has only few rounds through it to confirm function and resides in the safe, I shoot my carry gun here and there, but I mostly shoot my training gun which has been through multiple classes. I'll run my carry gun in classes where I'm working from concealment.

The room is growing for the duplicate gun crowd. I have identical M&P compacts, one with an optic, for carry that are shot on occasion. Their similar M&P cousins get the range time. I have shot my carry guns in classes and competitions as well.

I won't get (too) preachy, as folks should be able to do what they want in this respect. (Malo periculosam, libertatem quam quietam servitutem) Jefferson's original quote translated to, "I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery...which is the 1700s version of you do you, I'll do me).

But to the OP's point, I suspect few who carry get much actual range time with their carry guns or similar versions. (Not pointing any fingers here...we are a gun forum of shooters after all!) But I suspect we all know lots of folks who fall into this category. Some do get out with their carry guns. I ran a workshop yesterday, and I know some of the folks were using their carry guns. A few women's groups I help with shoot monthly with their defensive (home or carry) guns.

 

[1911Fanatic]

I am not engaging in "Guy Bashing" here, but as an instructor, I have noticed that men (inexperienced shooters) generally have a know it all "I got this" attitude. First time at bat, they strike out. They watch the youtube videos and read the rags. When you get more than one of these types together, they reinforce each others shortcomings. Women take to instruction and coaching much better than men. They pay attention in class and are more receptive to coaching on the firing line. Now, not all men are in such disarray. Many have been taught and coached at an early age by Dads, Granddads and Uncles. Probably even the military.

The scenario you describe sounds more like a safety qualification for being able to shoot at that range. Nothing to do with concealed carry sounds like. BUT, no matter what kind of shooting discipline one engages in, it's a good idea to shoot as much as is practical, and to engage in meaningful training. For a concealed carry handgun, it's also a good idea to have an intimate relationship with said handgun. That is your "Battle Buddy", and your life may very well depend on how well you function with it.

This is the reason why the only rifle I'm any good with is an AR platform. That was my weapon when I was in the military, and the only rifle I ever trained with and shot a lot.

As far as handguns, it's 1911's and Berettas. Again, thank you Uncle Sam.

 

[oremike]

I don't have duplicate guns as in more than one exactly the same, I have similar guns as in a couple of Glocks but in different calibers, a few 1911's but no 2 exactly the same, Ruger Blackhawks in different calibers that kind of a thing. If I needed to I could mix & match parts to keep some guns running at the EOWAWKI.

 

[WillametteWill]

I am not engaging in "Guy Bashing" here, but as an instructor, I have noticed that men (inexperienced shooters) generally have a know it all "I got this" attitude. First time at bat, they strike out. They watch the youtube videos and read the rags. When you get more than one of these types together, they reinforce each others shortcomings. Women take to instruction and coaching much better than men. They pay attention in class and are more receptive to coaching on the firing line. Now, not all men are in such disarray. Many have been taught and coached at an early age by Dads, Granddads and Uncles. Probably even the military.

I have found the attitude and testosterone issues far more likely with the male, "I've been shooting since I was four year old," crowd than with new male shooters. We see this occasionally with new shooters (of both genders) but not very often where we are at. With more established shooters (which statistically will be male), they are more likely to be unwilling to even try something different from their norm. This is especially noticeable when they attend with a spouse to 'support' them in a class. Ego gets in the way.

Overall, we have been pretty fortunate in that if someone is willing to spend time and money to attend a session, they listen and try out what we suggest. But I'm also clear that it may not work for them the way it works for me or others.

Agree with you that, in general terms, women are easier to work with, possibly because fewer are stuck with bad habits. The groups I'm fortunate enough to work with are a pleasure.

IMHO, to get the most out of training, and what works for me, is to leave ego at home, take a humility pill, and be a sponge. Try new things. Train ugly (make mistakes, safely), and see what works and doesn't work. Then spend the next few months refining what you learned in the class. I don't pay good money to attend a class to show them how I shoot. On rare occasions, I might leave the class and not have many takeaways, but I might have picked some up from other students. [These] are almost always classes taught by instructors with the, "My way is the only way," approach.

Edit typo [ ]

 

[orygun]

Dad taught me to shoot when i was a little kid, way back in the 60's. As all kids do, I complained a bit about some things, but Dad wasn't having any of it. He did a good job teaching me, and taught me to learn. The only other training I have done was an Appleseed event. Of course I listened to the instructors. I was tryin to learn something. I did everything they told me except change magazines. (I was shooting my hunting rifle with an internal mag) At the end of that weekend I was shooting prone with only a sling and hitting targets at 400 quite respectably.
If you're gonna spend your money and go to a "school", why wouldn't you listen?

 

[300shooter]

Sorry if my comments are just echoing the sentiments of others. I carry the same pistol daily (like putting on my seat-belt) - a small frame semi auto that I can easily conceal; quickly, reliably and discretely draw; and accurately shoot at the necessary distance (FBI stats say that the average gun fight involves three rounds fired in three seconds from a distance of three yards). As folks here know, purposeful practicing will help grove the muscle memory required in a crisis.

 

[nammac]

Sorry if my comments are just echoing the sentiments of others. I carry the same pistol daily (like putting on my seat-belt) - a small frame semi auto that I can easily conceal; quickly, reliably and discretely draw; and accurately shoot at the necessary distance (FBI stats say that the average gun fight involves three rounds fired in three seconds from a distance of three yards). As folks here know, purposeful practicing will help grove the muscle memory required in a crisis.

3 rounds, 3 seconds, 9 feet…

Sounds like a point shooting session with the 642…

 

[Spyknar]

How often do you shoot and train with the gun you regularly carry? That is if you truly carry every day.

I see a lot of guns in the classifieds that will have a description along the lines of, "Carried for X amount of time but has seen very little rounds." Shouldn't it be the gun you have the most rounds through? Or am I the odd ball out on this one.....

I like to regularly shoot my carry gun in IDPA matches from an AIWB holster. I will admit it would be really expensive to shoot my preferred self defense ammo in competition so I use different ammo when shooting competitions. I am standardizing on Canik for my competition and carry handguns. I equip them with the same trigger shoe from Freedom Smith so I have minimal adjustment when shooting the different platforms. So I try to shoot my carry gun at least twice a month and shooting it in competition really builds a good familiarity and confidence in case I should ever have to use it in a defensive situation.

Cheers,

Sean

 

[300shooter]

3 rounds, 3 seconds, 9 feet…

Sounds like a point shooting session with the 642…

Yes, that's a great option! I am an instructor and when I am asked by newer shooters about a CCW or a home self-defense pistol, that's what I recommend.

 

[Xmark1]

Bullets. Lots of bullets!

I used to EDC a Sig 232 (7 + 1). Was very comfy!

I ran into three heavily armed bad guys in the forest.

Lesson learned - Now I never EDC less than 15 rounds in my weapon. And when I'm in the woods I wear a jackass rig with two extra mags, for defense against two legged predators (45 to 51 rounds).

 

[theRikster]

How often do you shoot and train with the gun you regularly carry? That is if you truly carry every day.

I see a lot of guns in the classifieds that will have a description along the lines of, "Carried for X amount of time but has seen very little rounds." Shouldn't it be the gun you have the most rounds through? Or am I the odd ball out on this one.....

I try to also empty it at home and practice drawing, I usually forget and now I am regretting that.

 

[drakeslayer]

I shoot the 2 that I alternate carry at least once a month at the range if not more.
My main carry gun is also my favorite gun to shoot.