Recently, I ran a short survey asking about Defensivecarry.com members' PRIMARY CARRY choice. This was a short, limited survey to gather that information, and some other basic information about their selection.
I was amazed at the number of responses and appreciate all the feedback for the small project.
Summaries of data are available here:
Raw data (.csv)
Survey tool's summary (.pdf)
Disclaimers:
Sorry it's long, but there were a few complaints about the validity of the survey itself.
There were some errors in the first version, and I manually corrected some of the data (just another sign that this is NOT an official scientific study or anything, more for the general information of anyone interested). For example, initially it was possible to select 'semi-automatic' as a carry choice, then to select a revolver size. I removed any conflicting instances of this. Also, as members posted that they had chosen 'other' since their choice wasn't available, I often went in and added their choice (e.g. 9x18 caliber) and adjusted what I was guessing was their response based on the timing of the response.
Also, the responses are simply a snapshot in time (near the end of August 2009). With a large enough sample size, the variations of any individual (e.g. "I switched from a 9mm to a .45 the day after the survey") shouldn't have TOO much of an impact.
Secondary, backup, or other carry options were not considered for this survey. To simplify the survey, in the case where multiple choices were equally common, respondees were asked to select only one.
Responses were NOT filtered for reality or accuracy (e.g. if someone completed the survey indicating they carry a sub-compact semi-automatic .44 magnum, that's what the data says), so recall that there is some error present in the experimental design.
Reponses were all from Defensivecarry.com. This was extremely limited to keep it short, and was a proof-of-concept for testing the survey tool.
Finally, the results:
140 surveys were completed for this information
BASIC SUMMARY (percentages are rounded, so may not add up exactly to 100%)
-- Which type of handgun do you carry most often? --
Semi-automatic: 125 (89%)
Revolver: 15 (11%)
-- Top 5 most popular caliber choices --
9mm: 49 (35%)
.45: 40 (29%)
.40 S&W: 22 (16%)
.38 Special: 12 (9%)
.380 ACP: 9 (6%)
-- Most common size of revolvers --
Snub nose (e.g. J-frame): 13 (87% of revolver carriers)
Full size (3-4" barrel): 2 (13% of revolver carriers)
-- Most common size of semi-automatics --
This question is a little vague (e.g. is a Kel-Tec P3AT a sub-compact, or even smaller?)
Also, only received 124 responses for this, despite a 125 having selected 'semi-auto'
Compact: 50 (40%)
Subcompact: 44 (35%)
Full size (assume a 1911-size): 29 (23%)
Over size (OAL greather than a 1911): 1 (1%)
-- How do you carry most often, concealed or open? --
100% indicated concealed
-- Top 5 holster types used --
(only 138 responses received)
IWB: 80 (58%)
OWB: 28 (20%)
Pocket: 20 (14%)
Other on-body/Ankle/Smartcarry-style/Belly band - 4 way tie, 2 each (1% each)
Off-body/Other - 2 way tie, 1 each (1% each)
-- Type of sites used --
(Allowed multiple selections. Slightly skewed since I allowed a response of 'iron' and 'night'. This was also not a required field, so pistols with no sights simply weren't recorded. Feel free to pick through the data for a clearer picture)
Iron sights: 87
Night sights: 57
Laser: 20
Red dot/optical/other: 1
OTHER RANDOM SLICING AND DICING
-- Who is using lasers, and on what? --
5 on revolvers, all J-frame sized. 4 on .38, 1 on .357. This is a full 33% of revolver responses.
On semi-automatics, 11 of 15 are on compact/subcompact (not surprising since 75% of semi's were in these categories). Usage spans most common calibers (.380, 9mm, .40, and .45)
50% of laser users indicate also having night sights.
IF THERE ARE OTHER IDEAS FOR SURVEYS
I'd be happy to help if someone else would like to work on a more meaningful, in-depth survey in the future as some comments seemed to indicate might be preferred.
I was amazed at the number of responses and appreciate all the feedback for the small project.
Summaries of data are available here:
Raw data (.csv)
Survey tool's summary (.pdf)
Disclaimers:
Sorry it's long, but there were a few complaints about the validity of the survey itself.
There were some errors in the first version, and I manually corrected some of the data (just another sign that this is NOT an official scientific study or anything, more for the general information of anyone interested). For example, initially it was possible to select 'semi-automatic' as a carry choice, then to select a revolver size. I removed any conflicting instances of this. Also, as members posted that they had chosen 'other' since their choice wasn't available, I often went in and added their choice (e.g. 9x18 caliber) and adjusted what I was guessing was their response based on the timing of the response.
Also, the responses are simply a snapshot in time (near the end of August 2009). With a large enough sample size, the variations of any individual (e.g. "I switched from a 9mm to a .45 the day after the survey") shouldn't have TOO much of an impact.
Secondary, backup, or other carry options were not considered for this survey. To simplify the survey, in the case where multiple choices were equally common, respondees were asked to select only one.
Responses were NOT filtered for reality or accuracy (e.g. if someone completed the survey indicating they carry a sub-compact semi-automatic .44 magnum, that's what the data says), so recall that there is some error present in the experimental design.
Reponses were all from Defensivecarry.com. This was extremely limited to keep it short, and was a proof-of-concept for testing the survey tool.
Finally, the results:
140 surveys were completed for this information
BASIC SUMMARY (percentages are rounded, so may not add up exactly to 100%)
-- Which type of handgun do you carry most often? --
Semi-automatic: 125 (89%)
Revolver: 15 (11%)
-- Top 5 most popular caliber choices --
9mm: 49 (35%)
.45: 40 (29%)
.40 S&W: 22 (16%)
.38 Special: 12 (9%)
.380 ACP: 9 (6%)
-- Most common size of revolvers --
Snub nose (e.g. J-frame): 13 (87% of revolver carriers)
Full size (3-4" barrel): 2 (13% of revolver carriers)
-- Most common size of semi-automatics --
This question is a little vague (e.g. is a Kel-Tec P3AT a sub-compact, or even smaller?)
Also, only received 124 responses for this, despite a 125 having selected 'semi-auto'
Compact: 50 (40%)
Subcompact: 44 (35%)
Full size (assume a 1911-size): 29 (23%)
Over size (OAL greather than a 1911): 1 (1%)
-- How do you carry most often, concealed or open? --
100% indicated concealed
-- Top 5 holster types used --
(only 138 responses received)
IWB: 80 (58%)
OWB: 28 (20%)
Pocket: 20 (14%)
Other on-body/Ankle/Smartcarry-style/Belly band - 4 way tie, 2 each (1% each)
Off-body/Other - 2 way tie, 1 each (1% each)
-- Type of sites used --
(Allowed multiple selections. Slightly skewed since I allowed a response of 'iron' and 'night'. This was also not a required field, so pistols with no sights simply weren't recorded. Feel free to pick through the data for a clearer picture)
Iron sights: 87
Night sights: 57
Laser: 20
Red dot/optical/other: 1
OTHER RANDOM SLICING AND DICING
-- Who is using lasers, and on what? --
5 on revolvers, all J-frame sized. 4 on .38, 1 on .357. This is a full 33% of revolver responses.
On semi-automatics, 11 of 15 are on compact/subcompact (not surprising since 75% of semi's were in these categories). Usage spans most common calibers (.380, 9mm, .40, and .45)
50% of laser users indicate also having night sights.
IF THERE ARE OTHER IDEAS FOR SURVEYS
I'd be happy to help if someone else would like to work on a more meaningful, in-depth survey in the future as some comments seemed to indicate might be preferred.