Describe your carry gun evolution

[TW]

>>Lets see...**think, think, think**...

For Winter carry I started carrying five years ago with a .357 S&W 649-3 Bodyguard with CT Laser Grips.  For warm month carry I used a .38 S&W Model #38-2 Airweight with CT Grips.  These guns are similar in physical design being 5 shot snub-nosed revos with bobbed hammers only one is stainless, the other alloy.  I usually carry in a belly bag or pocket.

In recent years I may switch in Winter to either my Ruger SP 101 in .9mm, or a Glock-30 (.45) or G-26 (9mm) for more rounds and depending on dress.  Warm month carry may see the G-26 some more or prehaps one of my .380s...Colt Mustang or Government models, or maybe a Sig Model #232-SL or Walther PPKS.

Then there is the R9 which I tend to carry year round as either primary or BUG to one of the others.  Right now I am trying to work a deal for a 9mm Colt Pocket Nine which had a complete makeover by Cylinder & Slide.  I can see this fine gun alternating with the R9 or maybe just coming out for special occasions...TW<<      

[theirishguard]

I started with 1911 government model, then a commander, then a officers model, PPK, Seecamp .32 and on to the R9s.
The R9s is always with me and a Colt Defender in .45acp for more dangerous areas.
Tom

[typo623]

I have been carrying 10 years and have been up and down, depending on the season and where I was going.  I evolved as follow:

Sig 230  
Sig 229  
HK USP Compact similiar to the 229
Kimber 1911 Compact
Glock 27 & 30
Keltec P32  
R9S

At the beginning I was looking for more power, then realized I needed light and smaller size without giving up to much..

I still rotate between the 27 and the R9, depending on how I am dressed and where I am going.    

[BlueGrips]

Well, let's start from the beginning!

The 1st gun that I purchased with the little money I had was a cheap Taurus 38sp, during college days, over 23 years ago. Today, I still have it hidden in the wife's closet! I went through the experimental period with different ammo types and guns over the years. And now, I seem to narrow 'em down to just 45ACP and 9mm guns. I seem to like German guns and, of late, got into 1911s. This thing is still evolving and here it is in current form:



Cheers!

[Richard S]

Now that is what I would call a top-of-the-line survival kit!  

[MurrayNevada]

All years approximate.  

1973-1993  S&W Model 37
1993-2000  Walther PPK/S
2000-2002  Kel-Tec P32
2002-2005  Kel-Tec P3AT
2005-Present  Rohrbaugh R9S or Seecamp LWS .32

Note:
If circumstances dictate, I will carry my Ed Brown Kobra Carry or my Glock 36.

[sharp]

I've been carrying since around 1990 and my list goes something like this in a somewhat chronological order:
Ruger P89
Glock 19
SIG P228
Colt Officer Model
Glock 26
Glock 22
Glock 27
HK P7M8
Kimber .45
Glock 30
Glock 36
Some plastic Beretta 9 or 40
Kimber Ultra RCP II
Rohrbaugh R9S
Wilson CQB - C
Ed Brown Kobra Carry
HK P2000 SK .40 s&w
Glock 38 .45gap
XD-40 sub compact

I'm probably leaving a few out.  I don't still have all of these.  Many are gone (regretably).  Currently for carry it's the R9S, XD40, G38, P2000 SK, whatever the situation dictates or that I'm in the mood for .

[Aglifter]

What do you think of the XD?  I've been thinking of one in 357 Sig -- I've also been thinking of a p226 in 357 sig...

[sharp]

Aglifter, I like the XD alot.  Feels more natural in the hand compared to a Glock.......and I think I may like the trigger better as well....
In fact I like it so much that I just picked up the new XD 45 ACP.  Can't wait to shoot it!

[Aglifter]

I was at the gunshop when the smith's XD 45 sample showed up -- he's not sharing, so I have to wait -- what I really want is the XD 45's frame, but in 357 sig -- just can't bring myself to put a 45 ACP in anything other than my 1911...although I might be convinced -- for some reason the XD 45 is just a small amount bigger, which makes all the difference for me.

[rtohio]

My first post to the forum. Glad to be here and read all the good ideas and comments. My first carry was a Colt Officer's Lightweight which was too heavy for all situations. I had a PPK Walther knockoff in 9mm Mak and then went to a Keltec P3AT. All the shooters in my club had FTE problems with the Keltecs. I was sent a new extractor and continued to have problems. I finally solved the problem but was never comfortable with a 380. Got a kahr P40 and loved it but it was a little large. I bought a scandium 357 J frame from S&W and put CT grips on it. It is my primary carry gun to this date, but I call it my hand grenade. Three shots with full power loads and my whole arm is numb. Still it is powerful and very accurate and people tell me that I would never notice recoil in a real battle. Hope I never have to find out. Then I bought a Kahr PM40 and it is all I hoped it would be. Several weeks ago I saw a R9S at the local gun show and drooled. The dealer wanted to deal and asked what I had to trade. I, effectively, traded the P40 and the Keltec P3AT and some boot. My buddy bought my P3AT since he wanted a reliable one after selling two of them. Loaded with ammo, the R9S is about the same as the PM40 in weight, and has better concealability. Both are slightly heavier than the loaded Scandium and do not have CT grips. My R9S fed the first 100 rounds with no hiccups and is my main alternate CCW gun.
Sorry for the length and rambling. I just love to talk guns.

RTOhio

[Michigunner]

rtohio,

Congratulations on getting your R9S and welcome aboard.

Please come back often and enjoy the good friends here.

Bill

[MountainMan]

rtohio

I enjoyed reading your first post - welcome to the forum and visit often.
Dave

[Richard S]

rtohio:

Welcome aboard!  Enjoyed your post.  Around here, most of us like to talk guns (not to mention a lot of other things as well).    

[theirishguard]

rtohio, welcome to the forum. Please enjoy and have fun with your posts. I enjoyed reading it.
Tom