Carry rotations--how many is too many?

[Blue Duck]

I don't really have carry rotations, as such. My primary carry gun is Colt Lightweight Commander in a Milt Sparks strong side, IWB holster, but sometimes due to clothing choice, weather, etc. I will carry a variety of other weapons. I feel most confident with the lightweight Commander, but will pare down to a Smith and Wesson Shield when I don't want to carry as much weight, etc. and I know I can shoot the shield just fine, however, I do believe I am giving up a little, with that choice vs the .45 Commander. Sometimes I carry even smaller guns, but compromises sometimes need to be made.

One should be competent with a variety of weapons, but also do not lie to yourself and think that you are as well armed with a smaller gun, because you are not; its a judgement call, based on what is going on in your life on any given day.

 

[peacefulgary]

I prefer all of my handguns to have a similar manual-of-arms:
No manual safety, no levers to engage or disengage before firing, no magazine disconnect safety to disable my handgun, just a simple "draw, point, shoot" handgun.

 

[7.62 man]

I own a few handguns but only will carry two.
My normal carry is a Sig 938 it's easy to carry & conceal.
My other carry gun is for when I'm in the woods or bow hunting it's a Glock 23 gen 4.
It's a short range heavy hitter just in case, I don't hunt with it.
I normally carry it open or lay my coat over it if I go into any place.

 

[Nick_C_S]

Here in California, the issue is half-settled by law (or regulation, whatever) because you can only have three weapons listed on your carry permit.

I have three weapons on my permit. One (Kahr CW9) I carry most of the time because I'm in a warm climate and concealability factors in with light clothing. My second gun (Smith 686+) is burly and can only be carried in the coolest months when I can layer up. It is my preferred carry piece as I am a revolver guy. My third gun - a Glock 29 10mm - I rarely carry. I use it mostly for road trips (rare).

As for "rotation," I don't really have one. I do shoot a lot and I am adept with any gun I own and don't really consider how "used to" I am with whatever gun I'm carrying.

 

[CDW4ME]

I may carry either a Glock 23/22/35 - all work the same way.
Would not occasionally carry a 1911 then Glock; its either Glock or 1911.

 

[Sharkbite]

I try to carry the same gun in the same place always. If i do have to carry something different, i stay with a gun of similar operation.

My EDC is a S&W M&P compact (4”). I will slide on a G43 in super hot...tank top kinda weather.

Same manual of arms, no external safeties or de-cockers to worry about. Similar striker fired trigger, similar resets. Identical sights. Etc.

 

[peacefulgary]

I'm NOT even knocking what anyone else carries. I'm keeping this real specific, as in what I DO NOT CARRY. Simply because I'm not trained in handling that configuration. It would NOT BE SAFE for me to even attempt to carry a firearm like a Glock.

You would do just fine with a Glock...unless you're kind of shooter who fingers the trigger before you have the target in your sights.

But if you're the kind of safe shooter who does not touch the trigger until the target is in your sights, then you would do just fine with a Glock or similar handgun.

 

[Ed4032]

I did not know that there was any limit. Just saying...

 

[YankeeIronSights]

Limit of three firearms on your permit? Bro you need to leave California! That is just absurd!


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[tomrkba]

Can someone explain why a person would benefit from more than two different carry weapons?

You're not thinking past your preferences.

Consider these action types:

1) Striker fired
2) DA/SA
3) DA/SA Revolver
4) DAO
5) Single action semiauto
6) Single action revolver

All six action types have something to teach the shooter. Knowing them all is important and makes one a better shooter.

As for carry, I break guns down into size categories:

1) Full size such as the 1911, Beretta 92, Colt SAA, Glock 21, S&W L and N Frame
2) Midsize belt gun including the "Glock 19" class of handguns, 1911 CCO, 3" K-Frames, etc
3) Compact such as the Kahr K9, Glock 26, SIG P365, etc.
4) Pocket such as the Glock 42, mini-380's, etc.

Additionally, I add a double action hunting/bear gun to the mix. That's five guns right there. The gun that works in each size category may differ by action.

Fortunately, the market has expanded such that you can stick with one action category. You could certainly choose Glock: Glock 20, Glock 17, Glock 19/48, Glock 26/43 and Glock 42. You get all five categories for carry. But, most people don't do that because they have some guns already when they get serious, they just like variety, or purposefully choose certain calibers. I prefer 44 Magnum to 10mm, for example, because it has a much wider power level with a higher upper level. This adds DA/SA revolvers into the mix unless I choose the ridiculous Desert Eagle. I like 9x19mm not because it's a great caliber, but because it allows a very large variance in frame size. As you can see, if each gun has a purpose within a category, then adding them to the pool will not be a problem.

 

[tomrkba]

Limit of three firearms on your permit? Bro you need to leave California! That is just absurd!

It depends upon the county. El Dorado County allows something like 15, but that's what fits on the form. Even a fifteen gun limit would be difficult for me

 

[Mannlicher]

Sometimes we tend to just over think things, and in particular, over think what someone else is doing. Just saying.....

 

[TBM900]

You're not thinking past your preferences.

You failed to answer the simple question

 

[Shadow9mm]

as long as you are proficient with the weapon you are carrying on any given day, there is no such thing as too big of a carry rotation.

 

[Nanuk]

I disagree with the whole carry rotation philosophy. I carry a Glock (fullsize) or a S&W J/K/L frame magnum revolver depending on the circumstances.

 

[MisterCrabby]

I’m a monogamist. Not judging those who like to play around. I have a lot going on and don’t want to dedicate addl time to get that unconscious competence mentioned. I do rotate my carry gun into my Idpa matches about 25% of the time but carry it 100%. I also don’t fiddle with internal upgrades to keep the theoretical DA happy. If I think about night sights for multiple guns and all the extra SD ammo I’d need, my bank account says thank you.

 

[P5 Guy]

No rotation for me, once I found the perfect CCP I stick with it.

 

[armoredman]

I have two versions of the same firearm, normal concealment and deeper concealment, the CZ P-10C and the CZ P-10S. They use the same caliber, and the C mags will work in the S. Years ago I would change it up daily because, quite frankly, when i was younger ans single I had many more handguns than I do now and I loved being different every day. Now I realize if I ever actually do get in a serious gunfight, I will want the firearm I am most comfortable and accurate with, that has demonstrated the most reliability and consistency I can get. So no more Smith Model 10 38 on Monday, SIG P220 on Tuesday, etc. It's CZ P-10 series all the way, every day.