Thanks for the reminders.

[hbliam]

I found this site looking for a couple answers regarding the proper use of my CCW when I wanted to carry. Instead I found a ton of great information on why I should want to carry all the time. I had the option available and rarely carried other then when going to and fro to work as a Reserve.

After reading alot of the insight here and also having a Sqt. in squad meeting give us a talk on how we should be carrying I think I've changed my mindset. His point was we may not be able to engage like we would/could on duty with the lack of body armor, radio, larger weapon, etc., but we could slow a shooter down with even just a 5 shot revolver. Slow them down enough to let the calvary arrive and take care of business.

So I'm up from 10%/90% carry/not carry to 90%/10%. Though I am still not walking around my house with a gun in my pants like some of you guys.

Anyway. Great site. Bunch of good guys here.

[TaxMan]

For the record, I for one, don't walk around the house with a gun in my pants. It's so much easier to have them placed strategically throughout the house. More comfortable at least.

[BonoVox]

Good for you! This is what I look liike at home

But you are right. You never know when trouble is going to find you. I find the increased situation awareness I have while carrying might keep me of trouble to begin with. Ironic huh?

[roger92653]

Generally speaking, I disarm when I go to bed. Other than that, I prolly got something on me.

[THaves]

This is an interesting post. I thought that it would be easier for us to engage as a CCW than for you as LEO. All that extra gear must get in the way and make you a bigger target ( note 45 ACP is a biggest target I know but the jury is still out on that one)

I would be interested to know your draw time coming out of your holster which I assume has a button that has to be disengaged. Big weapons are also more difficult to draw and aim etc etc as they are heavy.

I too disarm at home, however I am never more than a few steps away from a 45. They are all hidden around the house like Mr & Mrs Smith, the press of a button the door drops and my glock is lit up by an interior wall light.

[hbliam]

Originally Posted by THaves

This is an interesting post. I thought that it would be easier for us to engage as a CCW than for you as LEO. All that extra gear must get in the way and make you a bigger target ( note 45 ACP is a biggest target I know but the jury is still out on that one)

I would be interested to know your draw time coming out of your holster which I assume has a button that has to be disengaged. Big weapons are also more difficult to draw and aim etc etc as they are heavy.

Usually on duty you at least have an idea of what you are getting into. Maybe not nearly enough but at least a clue or two. Like last week when a "man with a gun" call when out. I was pretty sure there was going to be a man with gun on the call.

We also have a helicopter at our disposal, many other Officers for backup, body armor (which no doesn't make you invincible but at least you got a chance), a radio, maybe a dog, etc.,etc. Not to mention the b/w car with the sirens and lights, blue suit with the badge, and the authority that goes with (or should go with ) it. We roll up and there is a fairly good chance that the guy may do what we tell him to. As opposed to someone in a t-shirt and jeans yelling at them. That's kinda of what I meant by engage. Oh and the fact that off duty I have 5-7 rounds and on duty I have 46 rounds.

As far as draw times...going back to the first senario. Draw time wasn't an issue. Our guns were out before we exited the unit. I don't think drawing my 1911 is any slower then drawing a CW from my front pocket probably slower on the CW to tell you the truth.

We did do a "drill" a couple months ago during training where we had to draw our holstered weapon and put two rounds into a small pie plate attached to the target from 7 yards. I did it in 3.2 sec or so. Miss the pie plate and your out. Kept going until we had one man left. I have nothing to go on to quantify how slow I'm sure I was other then the fact that I "won" against the other 10 guys there.

[IAmASensFan]

Originally Posted by TaxMan

For the record, I for one, don't walk around the house with a gun in my pants. It's so much easier to have them placed strategically throughout the house. More comfortable at least.

And it's SO tough to get my 870 out of my pants, what with the Surefire front end!

[More Cowbell]

I carry maybe 50% of the time I'm at home. My view is it's safest when my weapon is on my person.

[CCWInstructor]

I'm always armed until I go to bed. It is safe on me at all times.

[THaves]

Just so you know my best time to draw and double tap two bad guys in the chest is 1.5 seconds (Four shots). Trust me I am slow, I have seen much quicker. In your time of 3.6 seconds I could finish off three BG's (take a drag on my cigar) and be ready for a fourth depending on where he/she is, if they are close together your counting on a transition time bewteen targets of 0.25 secs. I good shooter could take all four BG's in 3.6 seconds easily.

I hope this helps, I am not trying to be a smart arse.

[hbliam]

Originally Posted by THaves

Just so you know my best time to draw and double tap two bad guys in the chest is 1.5 seconds (Four shots). Trust me I am slow, I have seen much quicker. In your time of 3.6 seconds I could finish off three BG's (take a drag on my cigar) and be ready for a fourth depending on where he/she is, if they are close together your counting on a transition time bewteen targets of 0.25 secs. I good shooter could take all four BG's in 3.6 seconds easily.

I hope this helps, I am not trying to be a smart arse.

Your not being a smart arse. I think the method of timing and setup of our course of fire mainly has to do with the times we got. I doubt that we would be twice as long on the same event if you and I were shooting back to back. I'd like to try one of those times events you guys do and see where I stand.

[OCRancher]

Thaves, it's those real long arms of yours that makes your draw so quick. The gun is halfway to the target by the time you draw!

[1buba]

I carry EVERY day, until bed. There is one exception... If i am doing strenuous work, like on the roof, on the ladder, etc, then i will TEMPORARILY disarm... Otherwise, the sidearm stays with me until i climb in bed, and then, it is in reach on the night stand.

(I will admit after some trailer training this weekend, i'm re-thinking the handgun on the nightstand. I may switch to the shoty)

[THaves]

Originally Posted by OCRancher

Thaves, it's those real long arms of yours that makes your draw so quick. The gun is halfway to the target by the time you draw!

You not kidding, they actually make it more difficult. If I had stubby arms like 45 ACP I would be a qucker draw

[gmcem50]

Originally Posted by 1buba

...If i am doing strenuous work, like on the roof, on the ladder...

I even carry then. Last August I re-roofed my mother's house and I had my carry gun on me 100% of the time; up on the roof, climbing up and down the ladder; shlepping tools & materials, etc... 100% of the time. It fit nicely underneath my tool belt.