Range Gun & Carry Gun....Why?

Celt · Nov 20, 2025

One I would say it's just an excuse to have extra guns, but guns are also like any tool. Take an axe, you can have splitting malls, chopping axes, hatchets, Etc.. they're all basically axes, but do things a little differently. some are better for certain jobs.

for me personally, my semi Autos are glock, because there is direct translation and muscle memory regardless if one is bigger than the other. Most important thing is to train with whatever you are going to carry.

Darth · Nov 20, 2025

I own like 13 of the exact same model.

spat · Nov 20, 2025

TopShot said:
Most, but not all people have 2 main guns they use, one for the range and one for carry.
The range gun is bigger, easier to shoot and has a more manageable recoil.
The carry gun is smaller and easier to conceal.
Why not pick one gun that is big enough to shoot well and also small enough to conceal.
I realize that some of the training with the range gun can be applied to the carry gun as well.
But because of the grip size, the trigger length and the speed of which the sights come back on target, the training is different.
I know most of you guys have multiple firearms.
You may not want to use one gun all the time because of wear and tear, so buy 2 of the same.
Beware Of The Man With One Gun, He Knows How To Use It !!!
C.B.

2 ? I have like 20.

My carry gun is optimized for ease of carry. But I don't just own guns for defense. I own them for fun too.

Just like I have 4 registered vehicles with only 2 drivers in the house. I don't want to drive the Deuce to Tucson for dinner, and I don't want to try to haul gravel in the Tesla, and the YJ is purely for fun.

Rocpo · Nov 20, 2025

I use my issued firearm at the range more than my off duty. Why? Because I carry the duty gun more. However, my off duty is simply the compact version of the duty gun.

I also have several others just because. HKs and Glocks mostly, although 3 are previous off duty guns, and 1 is a previous duty gun that was retired.

dsdmmat · Nov 20, 2025

TopShot said:
…..Beware Of The Man With One Gun, He Knows How To Use It !!!
C.B.

I believe Clint Smith’s actual quote is: "Beware the man who only has one gun. He probably knows how to use it!"

In the modern era with the price of ammo and the number of states with restrictions on handguns it is doubtful the guy with one gun even knows which end the bullet comes out of.

on carry vs range guns- I have concealed carried every thing from a Colt Mustang 380 to a 6” DanWesson 357 Magnum. Most times these days I have a Kimber Micro nine in my pocket unless I think things are going to get sporty then I have a full sized 1911 in 45 ACP on my hip with a few spare mags for comfort.

My range guns fall into 3 groups 1) night stand guns, fun guns, or competition guns.

Even COL Jeff Cooper, the 1911 Guru, who was credited for saying all 1911s should be 5”, was a fan of the Colt lightweight commander and is credited for saying something to the effect of “the Light weight commander should be carried often and shot sparingly.”

If you have one gun you either carry it or you don’t carry one at all. I know people who have a handgun for “protection” but couldn’t tell me the last time they saw it let alone shot it.

A person with multiple guns usually has one (if not more)carry gun that is carried often and shot sparingly.

My carry guns tend to get shot once or twice a year, where my range guns will be shot at least monthly if not weekly when they are in the rotation. However, I do have some range guns that have not been shot in a decade or longer.

So owning one gun or many doesn’t guarantee the person knows how to load it let alone knows how to employ it when needed.

Xae289 · Nov 20, 2025

I tend to recommend people practice regularly with their carry gun, but if someone is going to really run that round count high, to buy another one of the same model.

For beginners I usually recommend a larger gun so that they can get competent at the fundamentals of handgun marksmanship before they go for a smaller one that's harder to shoot, but easier to carry. If the first, larger gun was used for carry and the person wants to replace it as the carry gun, throwing a flashlight on the larger one goes a long way to making it a good nightstand gun.

Nebowictz · Nov 20, 2025

Numerous reasons. But generally, guns that are easy to carry are not as pleasant to shoot even if they can be shot well.

Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t practice with your carry gun and doesn’t mean you can’t shoot them well. But extended range session with a smaller, snappier carry gun is less pleasant than a full size gun.

spat · Nov 21, 2025

Nebowictz said:
Numerous reasons. But generally, guns that are easy to carry are not as pleasant to shoot even if they can be shot well.

Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t practice with your carry gun and doesn’t mean you can’t shoot them well. But extended range session with a smaller, snappier carry gun is less pleasant than a full size gun.

I fire my carry gun often enough that I feel reasonably proficient with it.

But I would not shoot it anywhere near as much as some of my other guns. So the shooting I do with the other guns also raises my proficiency with the LCP.

You are way better off shooting 30 rounds with the LCP and 500 with a Glock and another 500 with a .22 than you are just 50 or 100 with the LCP alone.

Sure, you're better off shooting 1000 rounds with the carry gun, but you might not do that with a gun that's not as enjoyable to shoot.

Just like I'd be better off carrying the Glock, but it isn't as easy, and I'd be more likely to not have it.

That_FNG · Nov 21, 2025

I carry the big gun and I shoot the big gun.

Drinkthekoolaid · Nov 21, 2025

Glock 19

MikeM · Nov 21, 2025

I run a few mags through my carry gun every range trip. You carry, you practice. However, A carry self defense gun is for shorter distance, 15 yards tops. Here in New Yorkistan you would have a tough time in court if you shot someone further away. Larger guns are for skill training at greater distances and easier on the hands and shoulders.

togmaster · Nov 21, 2025

Hey C.B. hope you are doing well. I own a decent variety but really only train/compete and carry one platform, the CZ P10. I compete with the F and carry the C. I have back-ups for both.

Brawny71 · Nov 21, 2025

Two guns you say….. lol

I rotate my EDC often. First to allow springs to relax. Second to maintain proficiency in carrying all of them. In my area 5/6 shot wheel guns get their turn. I don’t discriminate. Each one has its forte and purpose.

Range gun; used to be the same till I started to be challenged by my son; whose eyes are also young. I had to step up my game. My accuracy gun also have more $ in them. So I prefer to keep them from the daily thump and potential grinds of EDC; to include possible kept as evidence. Personal choice much like WHAT I carry WHEN or WHERE. Right tool for the right job or area or risks. What I carry when traveling to cities and especially certain cities is different then EDC in my area for instance. Threat < Protection= Live to Tell. My range guns also allow me to diversify and try a lot of other things; Proof of Concept. Which can then be applied to EDC.

Brawny71 · Nov 21, 2025

spat said:
I fire my carry gun often enough that I feel reasonably proficient with it.

But I would not shoot it anywhere near as much as some of my other guns. So the shooting I do with the other guns also raises my proficiency with the LCP.

You are way better off shooting 30 rounds with the LCP and 500 with a Glock and another 500 with a .22 than you are just 50 or 100 with the LCP alone.

Sure, you're better off shooting 1000 rounds with the carry gun, but you might not do that with a gun that's not as enjoyable to shoot.

Just like I'd be better off carrying the Glock, but it isn't as easy, and I'd be more likely to not have it.

Exactly. A S+W 642 Airweight is a great deep carry gun for EDC. Take it to the range and put 100 rounds through it and get back to me. Practice and proficiency for the use/ task is necessary. Enjoyment for the day at the range……. 2” barrel on a light gun makes it easy and convenient to carry. For the Range, if you want to go long and enjoy the day; not so much. Same reason with my older 357’s, I may start with 38spl (a little cheaper and less snap) and finish up with the 357 loads. Form grip and the rest gets the practice, then the added recoil as a reminder at the end.

VietnamEraVet · Nov 21, 2025

I don’t own any guns that are strictly “range guns”. I own a bunch of guns in different calibers and setups, and I rotate them thru EDC service, and take them to the range to be proficient with them. Some I have for different situations,- what I carry to a wedding will be different that what ai carry to work and so on.

Sort of like shoes. Docksider’s day in day out. Steel toes around heavy machinery. Gym shoes as needed. All weather boots in mud and snow situations.

repete · Nov 21, 2025

Darth said:
I own like 13 of the exact same model.

View attachment 275679

So, Are you stuck in a rut or trying to compensate for something. Ah, never mind,

not sure I want to know!

Beerman · Nov 21, 2025

Doth a chef have but one spoon, one pot? Hath an artist only a single brush?

Bustedknees · Nov 24, 2025

I wouldn't carry 90% of my handguns, I'd look like all those gangbangers with my pants down to my knees.

GOPerfect · Nov 24, 2025

Handguns, I have dozens of them. Probably 4 dozen.

Some of them, I have never carried.

I have maybe a dozen guns for EDC, depends on what I am wearing that day.

I am quite proficient in all of them.

Podmonkey · Thursday at 9:23 AM

My 1911 is now my favorite gun to shoot but I don't think I'll ever carry it. Too much size and weight for so little capacity. In the same vein I don't shoot my Shield much besides a couple mags every other week for training and the evil little 340PD even less but they get carried frequently.
My M&P compact splits the difference perfectly, it carries and shoots equally well.

Defilade · Thursday at 1:35 PM

Darth said:
I own like 13 of the exact same model.

View attachment 275679

According to your watches it is time to buy more!

spat · Thursday at 5:28 PM

How come nobody ever asks a golfer why he has so many clubs ?

I figure it's like that with guns too.

FP1201 · Monday at 8:59 AM

spat said:
View attachment 275987

How come nobody ever asks a golfer why he has so many clubs ?

I figure it's like that with guns too.

Gun ownership should be like a Chinese Buffet: wide assortment and you should at least sample everything...I've guns that I've never shot and ones I've shot the dog shit out of...hardest decision is which ones to take out next...here of late, I just pick a caliber and bring multiples that shoot it.
Nobody asked me "why so many guns?" I suppose the simple answer is "because I can."`

FP1201 · Monday at 9:04 AM

I have to admit to not shooting "carry guns" as much as others, and that said, I'm less likely to ever have to use the carry gun as will use the Range Gun....yearly qualification at a minimum isn't bad, or really enough if you're really serious...it's all really subjective.

Range Gun & Carry Gun....Why?

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Bunny In Chief

.45 acp

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.44 mag

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.223 Rem

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.357 mag

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.308 Win

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6.5 Creedmoor

.308 Win

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.577 Tyrannosaur.

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.338 Win Mag

.338 Win Mag