Carry rotation often comes up as a subject and may be discussed by professionals and novice shooters alike. An artist at anything has hands guided by God while a craftsman learns from mistakes. Count me a craftsman in most everything. The learning curve was steep, but I am over the cusp.<\/p>\n
Carry rotation is simply carrying different handguns depending on the situation and climate. A true four-season climate demands changes in the wardrobe and carry mode. With the certainty of bloodshed in America, we must take steps to avoid that bloodshed and be prepared for self-defense.<\/p>\n
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Balancing Act<\/h2>\n
The balance of size, weight, and concealability must be carefully considered. The big guns<\/a> shoot best and are most formidable \u2014 no question there. However, there are several very efficient smaller guns that make carrying a lighter gun more attractive. Let\u2019s look at the carry rotation, what it means, and how it should be addressed.<\/p>\n While handgun<\/a> choice is important, learning to present the handgun from concealed carry, move into the firing stance, and fire accurately is more important along with a reliable and effective handgun. The fundamentals must be mastered. Some handguns are not very easy to use well, regardless of the practice put in.<\/p>\n An unreliable handgun is truly a negative investment. You will spend more money on training and ammunition in the long run, so don\u2019t go cheap on the carry gun. And don\u2019t go cheap on training<\/a> or education.<\/p>\n There is a considerable argument for avoiding carry rotation. Master one gun and carry it constantly. Perhaps you only need a big gun and a small gun. These are valid arguments. But many of us regard carry rotation as desirable and something that makes us more effective in personal defense.<\/p>\n Working against you in carrying a range of handguns is something called muscle memory. Muscle memory comes with training and repetition. If you don\u2019t develop this unconscious competence, you will not be effective with any handgun. Don\u2019t be in the unfortunate situation of being armed with a deadly weapon and unable to defend yourself well.<\/p>\n The problem is you will not be as competent with several firearms as you may be with a single handgun that you have mastered. Just the same, sometimes we need a big gun and a small gun. Perhaps a big gun, a happy medium, and a lightweight gun.<\/p>\n It isn\u2019t a great challenge to give yourself 15 to 20 minutes a day to practice the presentation<\/a> from concealed carry and engaging in dry fire. The minimum I suggest builds muscle memory quickly. Sadly, most shooters give a minimum (at best).<\/p>\n The high-level shooter immerses himself in training. There seems to be no in-between. A failure to train is like keeping a Harley Davidson you have never ridden just in case you need to get somewhere quickly. Training isn\u2019t that complex a process.<\/p>\n Detailed patience when training pays huge dividends in proficiency and self-respect. Just the same, even for those who have training there are always uncertainties involved in any defensive situation. That is the bottom line \u2014 maintain proficiency. That said, let\u2019s look at carry rotation.<\/p>\n The most important part of personal defense is to be constantly armed. I am amazed at the number of correspondents who engage in occasional or situational carry. They carry when going to a bad neighborhood, carrying an unusually large amount of money, or they have a \u2018feeling.<\/em>\u2019 (I have had bad feelings and instincts as well. They never were true. I have been shot on one of my best days. The gut is for digestion not discretion.)<\/p>\n You must be always armed to be prepared for personal defense. A carry rotation is needed to ensure you are always armed \u2014 in all situations. No matter whether you are wearing formal clothing, or a pulled-out sport shirt, you should be armed. So, a carry rotation is viable if properly done.<\/p>\n You will engage in many activities throughout the week and travel to different areas. One thing you should be able to keep constant is that you carry the handgun in the same position no matter which handgun you carry. The great majority of the time I carry a handgun in a holster<\/a> behind the hip on the strong side. A pancake, scabbard, or inside the waistband holster is carried in the same carry position.<\/p>\n I have yet to carry a firearm and holster combination that allowed me to forget I was carrying. I doubt the pundit who expressed that belief has carried a handgun for any length of time. You are always aware of the handgun and the carry position. I occasionally carry the handgun in cross-draw when hiking, trekking, or driving. It simply makes sense.<\/p>\n Even if using the same handgun that you usually carry, moving the position is a type of carry rotation. There are also those of us who by profession or preference carry two guns. This complicates the carry rotation and carry positions<\/a>. As an example, I would never carry a handgun in an ankle holster as a primary carry.<\/p>\n For backup carry, an ankle holster makes sense. If seated or driving, ankle draw isn\u2019t difficult. As a primary carry, the ankle carry is so slow it may be called the Dead Man\u2019s Draw. But in some situations, it is the best choice for backup carry.<\/p>\n When wearing a suitcoat or jacket it isn\u2019t difficult to conceal a full-size handgun such as a SIG<\/a> P210 or Government Model 1911. With the proper holster \u2014 a well-designed sturdy holster with good stitching and a good draw angle \u2014 concealed carry and rapid presentation from concealed carry is possible. For Heaven\u2019s sake, don\u2019t adopt a cheap, floppy, formless holster or a bargain basement scabbard!<\/p>\n For those who prefer a revolver, a 2.5- to 4-inch barrel .38 or .357 is a fine choice. The holster makes or breaks this type of carry. Don\u2019t go cheap. The advantages of a long sight radius, good accuracy, and easy-to-handle recoil make concealing a full-size handgun worthwhile.<\/p>\n The next step is a handgun that is lighter and more compact than a service-grade gun but very capable. The Glock<\/a> 19 9mm SIG P320 and Springfield<\/a> XD are among the best compromises of size and performance. These pistols offer reliability and good control. They are little in the manner of compromise when compared to a service-size handgun.<\/p>\n The folks who strive to carry only one handgun in all situations are well served with a pistol the size of a Glock 19. The Commander size 1911 is another reasonable choice given a quality handgun. I don\u2019t regard a handgun as a perquisite of status but there are high-end handguns that shoot out of proportion to their size. The middle-sized handgun is the handgun most of us carry, most of the time, during the carry rotation.<\/p>\n The next step down isn\u2019t as big a step as it once was. Let me make the statement clearer. Previously, moving below the Glock 19 size limited capacity and the ability to shoot the handgun well. Today, we have the SIG P365XL TACOPS, FN<\/a> 590C, and similar-sized handguns. Capacity is generous and the improved grips make for easy shooting. The sights are likewise excellent.<\/p>\n The lightweight Shadow Systems<\/a> MR920 is nearly as compact and nearly as light. The Masada Slim is among the most reliable handguns that I have tested and fired extensively. The new FN Reflex is another small gun that shoots like a big gun. I don\u2019t use the phrase lightly. While the Reflex doesn\u2019t shoot as well as a Glock 19, it doesn\u2019t exhibit difficult recoil. Neither is the Reflex difficult to shoot well.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t carry a handgun cartridge lighter than 9mm or .38 Special. These are light enough when fired in a short-barrel pistol. An enduring and useful part of my carry rotation is the snub nose .38 Special. These should be hammerless for concealed carry \u2014 when used in the backup role. There really isn\u2019t anything as useful in the backup niche.<\/p>\n Another thought, it isn\u2019t always size and weight that makes for a reason to change out to another carry gun. Sometimes a handgun may not be larger at all, perhaps the same size as the day-to-day carry gun. But you may opt for a hard-hitting 10mm if you have a perceived need for vehicle penetration or for defense against animals.<\/p>\n The carry rotation isn\u2019t always easily addressed but should be carefully considered. Almost all of us gravitate toward a big gun and smaller gun \u2014 service size and subcompact \u2014 and perhaps a .38 revolver<\/a> backup. Be certain it is competence not fashion you place first. Your physical type and proficiency may have a bearing on your choice. Think it through before spending hard-earned money.<\/p>\n \n\t<\/div>\n![\"Two](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Carry-Rotation-2.jpg?resize=588%2C576&ssl=1\")
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Having Choices<\/h2>\n
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A Happy Medium<\/h2>\n
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Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n
Do you rotate your carry gun? Why? Which models do you prefer for carry? Share your answers, advice, and tips in the Comment section.<\/strong><\/h4>\n