DefensiveCarry Concealed Carry Forum - View Single Post - Newer shooters

torontogunguy · September 9th, 2007, 05:19 PM

Re: Rule #1 and 2:
Just back from the range (both Sat and Sun this weekend). I have made a conscious decision in regards to my concealed carry. First, I have decided to always carry with one in the chamber for speed to action which is critical in a defensive situation (action beats reaction). Secondly, I will only carry a handgun in a concealed manner that tends to point at ANYTHING I do not wish to destroy, that has at least a grip safety of some kind and preferable a grip safety and a thumb safety. This means that carrying Glocks concealed is pretty much out for me as they are, with one in the chamber, ready to go at all times, being cocked in order to load the chamber. So, the choice is narrowed considerably: H&K P7 series "squeeze cockers", 1911 series and variants with grip safeties, etc. And last but not least, Glocks that have had either a grip safety or a thumb safety aftermarket installed by a gunsmith. I have a huge problem carrying a Glock or anything else without an ACTIVE safety mechanism that has ANY CHANCE of pointing towards something that I do not wish to kill or maim, including myself. Having carried Glocks concealed over the past couple of months I just am not comfy with the idea, despite the high quality of the holsters being used. All it takes is a piece of clothing getting caught in the trigger while tucking in, sitting down or whatever to have the gun discharge at either my rear end (a large target I am told) or at my femoral artery and family jewels, neither of which I am prepared to spend time having repaired. So, personally, I have chosen the H&K P7M8 squeeze cocker for personal concealed carry, with an alternate concealed carry of any 1911 variant that offers a grip safety at least and double action (I dislike carrying cocked and locked). Safety MUST always be first. But one must always be mindful that you are likely to be REACTING to a given action in drawing and using you handgun... therefore speed to first shot and subsequent shots is essential. Hence my choice of the HK P7M8 squeeze cocker. In fact, since they are being 'discontinued' we have picked up TWO of them to ensure that we have parts and an operating handgun at all times. In those situations where we are able to carry concealed a larger, heavier handgun, we have chosen reliable 1911's in 'commander' size where possible, although even full size is fine for us with the proper cover garments. The HK P7M8 or P7M13 is dead accurate, reliable and easily concealed, even in a pocket holster. The Kimber Custom II and TLEII/RLII are our alternatives as we also use them for home protection and for IPSC/IDPA/PPC, etc.. competitively. For fun.

REMEMBER - safety first.
REMEMBER - action beats reaction

And last but not least, we have made a conscious decision to get as much training under our belts as possible in order to avoid situations where we will need to use lethal force; but should we need to use lethal force we are well trained and well praticed for same. THIS is as important as the rules above. Be prepared. And know what you are doing. Someone once said to me that carrying a handgun no more prepares one for self defence than carrying a garden hose prepares one to be a firefighter. YOU NEED TRAINING and PRACTICE.

Sorry to babble on and chew up bandwidth but I am very adimant in my demands on myself and believe that all defensivecarry folk should demand the same of themselves. I am prepared to use lethal force in defense of my life or the lives of loved ones; but I am also prepared and practiced in avoiding such situations where possible.

Thank you for the opportunity to express my feelings on this matter and thanks for reminding us of the essentials.

September 9th, 2007, 05:19 PM	#31
torontogunguy Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Toronto Ontario and Buffalo New York Posts: 50	Re: Rule #1 and 2: Just back from the range (both Sat and Sun this weekend). I have made a conscious decision in regards to my concealed carry. First, I have decided to always carry with one in the chamber for speed to action which is critical in a defensive situation (action beats reaction). Secondly, I will only carry a handgun in a concealed manner that tends to point at ANYTHING I do not wish to destroy, that has at least a grip safety of some kind and preferable a grip safety and a thumb safety. This means that carrying Glocks concealed is pretty much out for me as they are, with one in the chamber, ready to go at all times, being cocked in order to load the chamber. So, the choice is narrowed considerably: H&K P7 series "squeeze cockers", 1911 series and variants with grip safeties, etc. And last but not least, Glocks that have had either a grip safety or a thumb safety aftermarket installed by a gunsmith. I have a huge problem carrying a Glock or anything else without an ACTIVE safety mechanism that has ANY CHANCE of pointing towards something that I do not wish to kill or maim, including myself. Having carried Glocks concealed over the past couple of months I just am not comfy with the idea, despite the high quality of the holsters being used. All it takes is a piece of clothing getting caught in the trigger while tucking in, sitting down or whatever to have the gun discharge at either my rear end (a large target I am told) or at my femoral artery and family jewels, neither of which I am prepared to spend time having repaired. So, personally, I have chosen the H&K P7M8 squeeze cocker for personal concealed carry, with an alternate concealed carry of any 1911 variant that offers a grip safety at least and double action (I dislike carrying cocked and locked). Safety MUST always be first. But one must always be mindful that you are likely to be REACTING to a given action in drawing and using you handgun... therefore speed to first shot and subsequent shots is essential. Hence my choice of the HK P7M8 squeeze cocker. In fact, since they are being 'discontinued' we have picked up TWO of them to ensure that we have parts and an operating handgun at all times. In those situations where we are able to carry concealed a larger, heavier handgun, we have chosen reliable 1911's in 'commander' size where possible, although even full size is fine for us with the proper cover garments. The HK P7M8 or P7M13 is dead accurate, reliable and easily concealed, even in a pocket holster. The Kimber Custom II and TLEII/RLII are our alternatives as we also use them for home protection and for IPSC/IDPA/PPC, etc.. competitively. For fun. REMEMBER - safety first. REMEMBER - action beats reaction And last but not least, we have made a conscious decision to get as much training under our belts as possible in order to avoid situations where we will need to use lethal force; but should we need to use lethal force we are well trained and well praticed for same. THIS is as important as the rules above. Be prepared. And know what you are doing. Someone once said to me that carrying a handgun no more prepares one for self defence than carrying a garden hose prepares one to be a firefighter. YOU NEED TRAINING and PRACTICE. Sorry to babble on and chew up bandwidth but I am very adimant in my demands on myself and believe that all defensivecarry folk should demand the same of themselves. I am prepared to use lethal force in defense of my life or the lives of loved ones; but I am also prepared and practiced in avoiding such situations where possible. Thank you for the opportunity to express my feelings on this matter and thanks for reminding us of the essentials.