Pistol dilemma

[KHickam]

I currently carry and shoot a M&P45 - I really like it. But, thinking of getting another gun - pistol because everyone should have two pistols I think - pretty much decided on a Sig P320 Carry in 9mm but still wondering whether I should actually get one or just keep shooting the 45 - IE spending the money on ammo not guns - because I can and do shoot the 45 extremely well -

Do you think one gun is enough? Pistol wise I favor larger pistols - because I truly believe if you have to use it the larger more capacity pistols are better - IE most compact 45s carry 7 rounds my M&P45 carries 10 rds with a magazine capable of going to 14 rounds.

Also politically speaking if the election goes (like it looks to the democrats) I see multiple challenges in the Supreme Court going against gun owners and at the very least I see magazine capacity limits - so 10 rds of 9mm (as opposed to 15 and 17 in the various models of P320 I am looking at) makes little sense to me. My philosophy is more bullets is better - but if limited to 10 rds - bigger bullets are better.

[Pawpaw]

One gun is never enough!

If nothing else, you need another because you will lose the one you're carrying if, God forbid, you ever have to fire it in self-defense. You will probably get it back later, but you are left without that one during a time when you are a target for any of the perp's friends/family that have an axe to grind with you.

[RogueUSMC]

Hits with any bullets are best...lol. I get where you are coming from though.

[Scott B.]

The 320 Carry is a nice package. Another option, in the Compact or Sub Compact, if you want to use full size 17 rd mags X-Grip makes a magazine sleeve for both.

If there's another Democrat in the White House, I suspect we'll see an expansion of gun rights (at the state level) rather than a contraction, despite what the evil queen will try. She'd have to gain control of both chambers to do anything other than administratively.

[Jusme]

The 320 Carry is a nice package. Another option, in the Compact or Sub Compact, if you want to use full size 17 rd mags X-Grip makes a magazine sleeve for both.

If there's another Democrat in the White House, I suspect we'll see an expansion of gun rights (at the state level) rather than a contraction, despite what the evil queen will try. She'd have to gain control of both chambers to do anything other than administratively.

You could be correct, however, I believe demand for guns will skyrocket, which in turn will lead to higher prices. If the OP wants to buy more guns, there won't be a much better time. JMHO

[twomillenium]

Many choices out there, get the one you like best and then another and another and another. Seriously, the minimum should be two carry pistols that you shoot well, even if you almost always carry just one.

[Middle Age Russ]

Beware the man with one (worn looking) gun... He probably knows how to use it.

Training and more ammo are always good ideas. That said, if you think another gun fits into a certain slot in your collection/usage, why not get it?

[LSUTiger]

My primary CC gun has evolved from a full size 1911 to an XD compact 45 to a Glock 19 to a Glock 26 w Gap finger rest + G19 spare mag w XGrip. I also have a Ruger LCP for backup or for when I just need to have something better than nothing. I have more than one gun and use them as the occasion calls for.

It has taken lots of trial and error to determine which "system" works best for me.

[Deitz83]

I thought that I only needed one; that didn't last long. I went from 1 to 5, in 12 months. I have 2 more on my list and I trying hard to say that I done. I am just glad they're not cars. Good luck with your decision..

[Scott B.]

The 320 Carry is a nice package. Another option, in the Compact or Sub Compact, if you want to use full size 17 rd mags X-Grip makes a magazine sleeve for both.

If there's another Democrat in the White House, I suspect we'll see an expansion of gun rights (at the state level) rather than a contraction, despite what the evil queen will try. She'd have to gain control of both chambers to do anything other than administratively.

You could be correct, however, I believe demand for guns will skyrocket, which in turn will lead to higher prices. If the OP wants to buy more guns, there won't be a much better time. JMHO

Oh, I agree that demand will go crazy, even though it's been steadily up for the last several years. The last 12 months in particular have been nuts. Unless there's an attempt at a ban (no matter how unsuccessful) on particular platforms, I don't see prices going too crazy unless production can't keep up.


But back to the Sig 320 platform. I think it's a terrific choice no matter what caliber you go with. The trigger is phenomenal.

[rotor]

You can never have too many guns (or ammo).

[Vol Texan]

I'm in full agreement with the others. One is enough, but two is better, in case you need to be without for a while. This can be due to repairs, seizure by authorities after a shoot, theft, etc.

So yes, two is a minimum in my mind. But which two? For me, an important consideration is the manual of arms for each pistol that I carry should be the same (or very similar).

For instance, I carry a Sig SP2022 as my primary. It has SA/DA, hammer fired, and no safety. In a pinch, I know exactly the motions I need to do to fire in a hurry. I know my first shot has a lot of trigger pull to make up for the lack of a safety, but I've worked that into my routine.

But if I add a 1911 to my mix, then I now have a SAO, hammer fired, with a safety. The motions now need to include removing the safety before firing. Also, my first shot has a lot less trigger pull than does the first shot on my Sig. Those two differences are not trivial in an emergency situation. I might pull the trigger and not fire (if I forget the safety), or I might remember the safety and have a premature first shot (because the trigger pull on my first shot is much less).

(Before the lectures start) Yes, I know, keep the booger hook off the bang switch until I have a sight picture, but I'm talking about the impact of muscle memory in an emergency situation. Bad things happen, and keeping the same functionality of my primary carry guns is a mitigation step that I'm happy to employ.

For me, my carry is as I stated above: DA/SA, hammer fired, no safety. My secondary (smaller) carry gun is very similar: DAO, hammer fired, no safety. The shift from DA/SA to DAO does not present additional safety risks, but it does make me work harder for the second through final shots that I put downrange - more so than does my primary carry gun.

Bottom line...consider the manual of arms for your primary carry gun before buying a second one.

Then, buy more.

[KLB]

I have a .45 XDs. It doesn't hold many rounds, but it is easily concealable, and I wanted it to shoot the same ammo as my .45 XDm. I am happy with both guns, but life is full of tradeoffs.

[Nano]

I pocket carry the XDs45 and highly recommend it. A 9mm goes in the night stand and of course an LCP for the wife who also has an LTC.

[FastCarry]

I believe you should have multiple firearms for many reasons. Some fill some roles better than others, and you will need a backup in the event yours needs repair.

I also believe in having ammo at the ready in magazines as well. Im opting for the same platform to keep the diff mag types to a minimum. I keep mags in my car, mags in a belt carrier, mags in the range bag and the gun case - all for 1911's. No matter which 1911 i grab, whether its the decked out night stand/a problem arises gun, carry gun, or range plinker, the mags in various locations will work in it. This mindset may be due to the capacity limitations of the 1911, but you get the idea.

I would get at least one back up.