Would You Carry a Gun You Have Never Practiced With?

[McPatrickClan]

This is a semi-real scenario for the new gun owners that are joining our ranks. Many people are buying concealable handguns but cannot find ammo to practice with. So let's have your opinion. Which would you do?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Ram Rod]

Which would you do?

Which what would I do?
Carry a gun I haven't practiced with? Short answer....nope.
Is dry firing practice? Maybe, and it's good to do once in a while. If you can afford a gun, then you can find ammo, or a friend that reloads. I don't think there can be many excuses here. Not meaning to sound too harsh.

[kpw]

If the choice is carry it or nothing at all, gimme the gun.

[BamaSteve]

I agree with RamRod that you can find ammo if you really really need to...but, if for some reason there really is absolutely no way to get my hands on more than one mag of ammo, I'd have to carry and deal with it.

But I agree that there has got to be some options somehow...

[bbqgrill]

Hope I never have to decide for real.

[jfl]

If I carry it, I have time to check how it works; when you have studied many different guns, you know most of the systems.

Now, if in the middle of a bad situation, I am unarmed (unlikely) and I can put my hands on a gun, any gun, you bet I'll take it.

[GunnyBunny]

Carry something I haven't personally seen go "BANG"? I think not.

[goldshellback]

not too much of a choice here.

[MP45Man]

I was visiting a vendor today and stopped in a gun shop for which I have not yet visited. They had a remarkable selection of pistols and a decent amount of ammo. Actually more ammo than I've seen at the other places I usually get it. I bought a 100 rounds of Federal JHPs.

[McPatrickClan]

Good responses. Around here, I honestly do not know a place where you can buy .40 S&W or 9mm ammo. Eventually it will come to be available but for now, it is totally scarce.

[SonofASniper]

Carrying a gun that I have not personally verified will go bang without any malfunctions is not my first choice, but if stuck with no other options than yes I would.

That being said, I was fortunate to gain a more than average education on firearm function and techniques at a very early age. It is not something that I would neccessarily recommend for everyone. I just know that for myself personally, I can be comfortable with the pros and cons to making that decision.

However, if you are new to purchasing a firearm, make sure you can afford/find the ammo to go with your choice. Otherwise, you should look at a different firearm that you can meet the ammo needs.

[nedrgr21]

I'm pretty confident in my ability to shoot. I'd familiarize myself with the pistol, take it to the range use a few shots to check the zero, then into the holster it goes.

[Ram Rod]

I don't usually follow up one of my posts with another post, but I see now that you've posted a poll, and I voted. If you want to guess my vote, here's what I have to say and in my opinion about this choice:

It's better to be armed with an unfamiliar weapon than to be defenseless, give me the gun.

Don't kid yourself, and I think it's an unfair choice simply because it may be chosen in haste. Sounds good, but I'd say you would be more likely to be killed in a defensive scenario with that gun you're unfamiliar with and strapping it on right out of the box. I'd rather take my chances in CQB hand to hand as a newbie. I'm familiar with quite a few variations of pistols and may be able to operate most blind folded, and just by feel. Your basic novice would be better off assessing situations and getting used to having a sixth sense before going in with a pin in one hand and a grenade without in the other IMO.
Besides...if you can't find practice ammo, where are you gonna find carry ammo?

[GunnyBunny]

I don't usually follow up one of my posts with another post, but I see now that you've posted a poll, and I voted. If you want to guess my vote, here;s what I have to say and in my opinion about this choice:
Don't kid yourself, and I think it's an unfair choice simply because it may be chosen in haste. Sounds good, but I'd say you would be more likely to be killed in a defensive scenario with that gun you're unfamiliar with and strapping it on right out of the box. I'd rather take my chances in CQB hand to hand as a newbie. I'm familiar with quite a few variations of pistols and may be able to operate most blind folded, and just by feel. Your basic novice would be better off assessing situations and getting used to having a sixth sense before going in with a pin in one hand and a grenade without in the other IMO.

Well put!!

I'd like to add, if it's a semi you have the feeding issue to deal with as well. If you don't know the gun, you probably don't know the ammo either.

[Dakota97]

Personally I have never carried a firearm that I have not fired around 500 rounds through. When you need it most is not the time to find out something is wrong!!!!

Several years ago I went to the range with a friend and his brand new Stag model 1 AR. When he attemped to fire, nothing happenend.
When he went back to the gun shop, they found the firing pin under the rack where the rifle was displayed. They think some idiot either took the gun apart by mistake or possibly even deliberately. Don't trust your life to an unproven firearm.