For those law abiding citizens that do carry (WA CPL)...

I know there has been a lot of talk about LEO's needing to carry off duty.

I also know that folks that do carry are considering to increase or upsize their carry firearm. Either for more capacity and/or larger caliber.

If you carry and have been carrying for some time... I would say consider just carrying what you have been. Continue on!

Changing to another larger framed firearm for capacity/caliber may be a mistake. I mean if you have been used to carrying one firearm for some time (years).
Then getting used to a new larger bulk firearm may defeat why you conceal carry (too heavy, feeling awkward, bulky).

I mean if you have been carrying for years.... it took all those years to finally get used and comfortable with that firearm (holster, placement, etc).
You may also feel confident carrying and deploying it.


Now granted... if you are new or wanting to change - then that's a totally different reason. Also if you are used to carrying different firearms... then that's just everyday for you.

What I would recommend or consider is carry another mag...



If you don't carry and have your WA CPL (concealed pistol license)... Please do consider getting started. It may be a slow process but we all started somewhere/sometime.

If you don't have a WA CPL... it's easy! $36 plus fingerprinting fee
http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/firearms/fafees.html

I wish I could find a good mag pouch. I have yet to find one that works for me, and I don't like carrying my spar mag in my pocket, but better to have and harder to get to, than no spare mag at all.

IMO, this is partly true (obviously I'm not as credentialed as oldkim, so take that with a grain of salt). If someone say carries a G26 and wants to up to a G19 (or 19 to 17) I think that is fine. Same thing with their XD or M&P brothers. Same caliber, same manual of arms, likely the same holster setup may work.

IMO, double stack should always be the default carry, unless dress or circumstance require (or make it prefereable) to only carry single stack. Of course if someone will leave the home without a double stack, but take a single stack, then carry the single.

+1 on the extra mag. I'm 5'9" with an athletic build. I wear clothes that fit my build, and that makes concealing a double-stack somewhat difficult. I can do it, but it's not ideal. That's why I carry a Shield 9mm (IWB) with a spare mag in my coat or pants pocket. I can conceal both in almost any attire. And I shoot the Shield well, which is a plus. I figure that if I need more than 16 rounds, I'm probably screwed anyway.

I had the same problem as you until I discovered the Galco Pocket Mag Carrier. https://www.galcogunleather.com/pmc-poc ... _1237.html I carry a 17rnd mag for my G26 (or weather/scenario permitting a G34) with this guy. Works with just about anything except suits with really loose front pockets. Keeps lint out of the magazine too.

This recent flare-up is getting my wife to actually carry more. She used to just carry when going out on CL buys/sells (she runs her own craft business) but now it's going to be more of an EDC deal. If it gets others to do the same, great. If it gets guys to move from a subcompact to a compact, great. If it makes people think they need to CC a Deagle or AR pistol...maybe not so great.

Wait, what? Did you just say that my Ruger Alaskan in 454 Casull is not a good idea?

I'd actually prefer something on the belt. Just need a J typle clip instead of the ones I have to loop the belt through. I need easy on/off. I liked the SHTF gear horizontal ones, but they poked my muffin top when I sat.

Although I don't open carry often these days (can't carry at work and don't go out much these days with my huge workload), I'd like to point out that open carry is "law abiding" and does not require a permission slip from or payment to Jay Inslee.

Yes, a CPL can be "convenient" so you don't have to unload when getting into vehicles but open carry is also very convenient for carrying large platforms/calibers.

Another nice feature of open carry is you can't be arrested/fined/ticketed/threatened for printing. I actually saw this happen once in downtown Seattle and the resolution was the citizen agreeing to take off their gun and store it in their car...
Concerns about printing as well as concealed comfort are why people often choose lighter and more ineffectual calibers.

You can also legally "sterile carry" and you are not required to present ID or show the CPL on demand.


I have a CPL but I resent having to get it, I wish WA would go Constitutional Carry. The data shows there is no significant crime surge accompanying Constitutional Carry.

I have nothing against concealed carry, the fee and registering myself with the state is what drives me nuts, along with anti-gun jurisdictions going the max 30 days even when they don't need to or even going over it with no penalty. Just imagine a NJ-style "may issue" system. KCSO and SPD would never apply any permit, ever!

How long until WA libs start using the CPL list and WA handgun registry to do confiscations like Buffalo, NY police are now doing?
http://www.wgrz.com/story/news/local/do ... /18741131/

We have yet to see the fallout from this section of 594 as police start linking obituary databases with the CPL database:

I hope not! I've been carrying my Raging Bull 454 for the last month! Although I do have to admit the S&W 638 w/IWB was much more comfortable today then the chest rig I've been wearing all hunting season

Take your pick.
I have been a fly on the wall to conversations with medical examiners, ER nurses, funeral directors, and police officers who have all agreed that the size of the hole is not important.
They all admitted they cannot tell the difference in the entrance wound from a .32ACP and a .44 magnum without "digging" into the wound.
It is shot placement.
Having a huge caliber is great.
Having a lot of bullets is great.
But, it will not matter if you cannot put a round on target to get the attacker to stop attacking.
Below is what I gravitate toward for carry.
Seven rounds of .45 that I know I can put into the box.
Five rounds of .38 that I know I can put into the box.
Low capacity, but that is what the extra magazine and speed strip are for.
I do not believe I will be in a prolonged firefight.
That is simply the reality as a non-LEO or non-combatant.
As such, I do not have the duty to continue the fight.
I have the ability to extricate myself from the situation.
That is really all I require for myself.

Excellent post, well thought out.

+1 for a pocket mag holster. I use the DeSantis:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/793183 ... Auz28P8HAQ

Sticky brand makes a soft mag holder too. I like their neoprene holsters; at least for my j-frame. It can go in a front pocket or in the belt...no metal clip on the holster.

If you are looking for an on the belt, clip on mag carrier, and dont care for SHTF, try the MagHolder horizontal style. I have one for evey pistol I carry. I typically wear the mag in the strong-side appendix position and draw with my support hand, but I can and do wear them on the left opposite my pistol with ease

http://www.magholder.com/

I like the Drew plan. Carry more guns. plural.

I also agree with Drew. I carry either my 1911 or T9, both single stacks, with a spare mag on my belt (and sometimes another in my coat pocket just for options), but I am not looking to engage anyone that I do not need to. My objective is to remove myself from the situation, and the weapon is to defend myself as required while doing so. Period.
If you are running into a fight with only a pistol, you are in trouble to begin with. There is a reason militaries fight with rifles after all!