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Picking an EDC Pistol
#7550605
07/07/19 08:22 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,424
jeffbird
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As an instructor for average ordinary people choosing to carry, I see folks show up with a diverse array of pistols and often by the end of the first few drills realizing they need to change. The change I see most often is from a Glock 43 to either a Glock 19 or M&P9 Compact 2.0.
The short cut question to really think about is: if a life or death confrontation unfolded and you could hit the pause button and grab any pistol to put in your hand at that moment, what would you pick? That should be a pretty good starting point for a decision subject to some other considerations.
1. Is it comfortable enough that it will be carried all day, everyday? Jeff Cooper used to say a carry pistol should be comforting, not necessarily comfortable. High quality holsters and belts are critical to comfortable and safe carry. Plan to try several. ebay is a good place to sell the ones that do not work out.
2. Will it conceal well enough to not draw attention in a person’s usual daily life?
3. ABSOLUTELY 100% RELIABLE. RELIABILITY IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT PERFORMANCE FACTOR. A pistol should go at least 500 rounds absolutely perfectly with the actual carry ammo. Yes, carry ammo is expensive for testing, but cheaper than a funeral.
4. Accuracy - most engagements for citizens, not LEO’s, are 3 - 7 yards, but can go back even to 25 yards. Beyond 25 yards is rare, but not unheard of.
5. Drawing - an EDC pistol only works if it can be drawn and deployed quickly - about 1.5 seconds or less is the goal.
Practice - whatever is carried needs to be used in practice, more often is better than less often.
Maintenance - treat your pistol like your life depends on it, someday it may.
Last, carry all the time, every where legally permitted. SHTF can happen anytime, anywhere. I went through some rigorous training 15 years ago because of a very specific credible work related threat. Nothing ultimately happened. When did I have to actually draw on someone? Years later, a man and woman team tried to car jack me in the middle of the day at a drive up window of a taco place in Refugio. The unfortunate reality is bad things can happen anywhere at any time in very unexpected places to people minding their own business.
Hopefully this will help someone.
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: jeffbird]
#7550619
07/07/19 08:45 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,515
kmon11
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
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Great info Jeff, Thanks for posting
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: jeffbird]
#7550628
07/07/19 09:14 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,907
luv2brode
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So curious why are they switching I been carrying my 43x and like it wife is carrying her 43 I went thru a course last month and used my 26 but only because I needed 3 mags and wasn't able to find a third for the 43x in time
i am cancelling my subscription, i am tired of your issues!
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: jeffbird]
#7550636
07/07/19 09:21 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,179
Tactical Cowboy
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I’m thinking open carry of an AR 10. You really gonna mess with a guy with an AR10 strapped across his chest?
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: jeffbird]
#7550644
07/07/19 09:29 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,424
jeffbird
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l2b, reliable accuracy under pressure is the biggest issue, recoil management is the root problem. Even highly proficient shooters’ accuracy improves with a mid-size pistol. If you shot the same course of fire with a G43 and again with a G19, your score almost certainly will increase, or at a minimum you will find the 19 easier to control the follow up shots. Most of the people I help are entry level with no prior real instruction. The difference for them usually is stark. kmon1, you’re welcome. TC, would be effective, not too sure about not drawing attention though.
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: jeffbird]
#7550658
07/07/19 09:59 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 7,939
bigjoe8565
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After years of trying different pistols I settled on a Glock 19. The Glock 19 hits all of your points for me personally.
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: jeffbird]
#7550659
07/07/19 10:01 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,539
okstatefan
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I have carried a CZ Rami, P320c, p938, and now a P365. Having gotten back into good conditioning, I'm now appendix carrying the P365 in a Vedder LightTuk. This is easily my favorite carry system.
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: bigjoe8565]
#7550666
07/07/19 10:19 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,179
Tactical Cowboy
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After years of trying different pistols I settled on a Glock 19. The Glock 19 hits all of your points for me personally. Me too
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: jeffbird]
#7550679
07/07/19 10:33 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,988
Buzzsaw
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I have NO Faith in a semi auto to save my life lets go revo. a stove piped semi will get you killed whats the argument??? More rounds?? forget it, grease that bad girl up till it stains your boxers, still JAM city betting your life on it????? 8 cant do chit if the fist one FTF's sorry
SPACE FOR RENT
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#7550683
07/07/19 10:39 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,179
Tactical Cowboy
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I have NO Faith in a semi auto to save my life lets go revo. a stove piped semi will get you killed whats the argument??? More rounds?? forget it, grease that bad girl up till it stains your boxers, still JAM city betting your life on it????? 8 cant do chit if the fist one FTF's sorry Cause no revolver has ever failed...
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#7550684
07/07/19 10:39 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,131
Brother in-law
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I have NO Faith in a semi auto to save my life lets go revo. a stove piped semi will get you killed whats the argument??? More rounds?? forget it, grease that bad girl up till it stains your boxers, still JAM city betting your life on it????? 8 cant do chit if the fist one FTF's sorry You do buy Jamo matics
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#7550689
07/07/19 10:45 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,637
MacDaddy21
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I have NO Faith in a semi auto to save my life lets go revo. a stove piped semi will get you killed whats the argument??? More rounds?? forget it, grease that bad girl up till it stains your boxers, still JAM city betting your life on it????? 8 cant do chit if the fist one FTF's sorry Says the guy who doesn't clean his guns adequately and blames failures to fire on Barnes ammo and not his dirty pistol....
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: jeffbird]
#7550790
07/08/19 01:22 AM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,747
10 Gauge
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I can tell you from personal experience, you want all the ammo you can carry when it happens. Two people exchanging fire from cover, the last one to run out of ammo is gonna win.
Malfunctions? Train to correct malfunctions and take good care of your weapon.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-14
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#7550813
07/08/19 01:56 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 11,658
GusWayne
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I have NO Faith in a semi auto to save my life lets go revo. a stove piped semi will get you killed whats the argument??? More rounds?? forget it, grease that bad girl up till it stains your boxers, still JAM city betting your life on it????? 8 cant do chit if the fist one FTF's sorry Buzz, you bought a Taurus lemme guess I haven’t cleaned my HK in 10 years, at least 5k rounds never a failure most likely 10k rounds
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: jeffbird]
#7550854
07/08/19 02:37 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,222
wp75169
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I’m thinking he most recently bought a Dan Wesson. Buzz any negative feedback on the Dan?
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: jeffbird]
#7550856
07/08/19 02:41 AM
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,747
10 Gauge
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... then again if ots all you got it beats nothing.
Also coming from a standpoint of personal preference and style, lever gun and revolver.
And at least you don't need to stinking magazines!
But for a weapon purely for defense, more capacity, less reloads, and all you gotta do is pull the trigger wins.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-14
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: wp75169]
#7550868
07/08/19 02:50 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 26,199
KRoyal
Texoma Legend
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Texoma Legend
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I’m thinking he most recently bought a Dan Wesson. Buzz any negative feedback on the Dan? Lol that DW is a safe queen, he probably hasn’t even shot it yet.
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: MacDaddy21]
#7550872
07/08/19 02:56 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,131
Brother in-law
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I have NO Faith in a semi auto to save my life lets go revo. a stove piped semi will get you killed whats the argument??? More rounds?? forget it, grease that bad girl up till it stains your boxers, still JAM city betting your life on it????? 8 cant do chit if the fist one FTF's sorry Says the guy who doesn't clean his guns adequately and blames failures to fire on Barnes ammo and not his dirty pistol.... Nah buzz’s guns are clean as they get, not because they are dirty
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: Brother in-law]
#7550909
07/08/19 03:51 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,637
MacDaddy21
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I have NO Faith in a semi auto to save my life lets go revo. a stove piped semi will get you killed whats the argument??? More rounds?? forget it, grease that bad girl up till it stains your boxers, still JAM city betting your life on it????? 8 cant do chit if the fist one FTF's sorry Says the guy who doesn't clean his guns adequately and blames failures to fire on Barnes ammo and not his dirty pistol.... Nah buzz’s guns are clean as they get, not because they are dirty Well when he bashed Barnes ammo and told everyone it would get them killed because it doesn't work, the issue was a dirty pistol that was getting light primer strikes.
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: jeffbird]
#7550920
07/08/19 04:03 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,179
Tactical Cowboy
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^a revolver wouldn’t do that
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: Tactical Cowboy]
#7551079
07/08/19 01:35 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,637
MacDaddy21
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^a revolver wouldn’t do that Yes they do. I could post tons of links to other forums or YouTube vids about light primer strikes with revolvers but I'm sure you can Google it yourself.
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: jeffbird]
#7551126
07/08/19 03:04 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,755
ccoker
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good info and get some real training too... I was definitely one of those "I don't need training, I have been shooting my whole life since I was 5" Even did some IDPA and IPSC competition before I took my first real training class(es)
It was an eye opener and a bit humbling
If I could only own one pistol it would be my Gen 3 G19 that has had a tad bit of work to it..
I get asked by friends and people I meet all the time about which handgun they should buy, I generally tell them a G19 as it's the optimum balance of conceal-ability and shoot-ability
I haven't carried mine since I got the Sig P365 though as my range time shows me it is both 100% reliable (with my carry ammo AND practice ammo) and I am very accurate on the draw fast.
I do agree also with doing training with a shot timer and also MOVING...
As my buddy who works at KRTraining said the most important thing to do in a gun fight is not get shot. He had the unfortunate incident of having to kill someone who kicked down his front door at day break and continued advancing when confronted with his wife and children behind him.
Last edited by ccoker; 07/08/19 03:06 PM.
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: MacDaddy21]
#7551128
07/08/19 03:07 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,179
Tactical Cowboy
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^a revolver wouldn’t do that Yes they do. I could post tons of links to other forums or YouTube vids about light primer strikes with revolvers but I'm sure you can Google it yourself. The sarcasm was missed.
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: jeffbird]
#7551216
07/08/19 05:01 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18,954
ChadTRG42
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90% of the time my carry pistol is a Glock 23 (mid size, and same size as a G19). I think it is the best size for a CCW and shootability. I don't own any 9mm pistols. Everything is 40 cal and 10mm for me.
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Re: Picking an EDC Pistol
[Re: ChadTRG42]
#7551273
07/08/19 06:01 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,179
Tactical Cowboy
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90% of the time my carry pistol is a Glock 23 (mid size, and same size as a G19). I think it is the best size for a CCW and shootability. I don't own any 9mm pistols. Everything is 40 cal and 10mm for me. But we all know the 9mm is better for defense than all the other calibers combined
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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