I’m all about training as you mean to fight. I’m completely on board with the “beware of the man with one gun” philosophy. I’m as dumb as you wanna be when it comes to the Keep It Simple Stupid. So I train with my GLOCK 19. A lot. And I concentrate on the basics: move and shoot, shoot and move, clear the gun, reload, hit the damn target (and variations thereof). I have every confidence that I will do something useful in a defensive gun use, should I be able to unholster my firearm at the appropriate moment. But I don’t always carry my GLOCK 19. This OWB OFWG sometimes carries a Kahr PM-9. Or a Gemini Customs Smith & Wesson 642. And when I do I change the way I think about my self-defense strategy. For one thing, capacity . . .
When I’m carrying the Smith I’ve got five hollow-point .38s to bring to bear on the bad guy. There’s no way I’m reloading that bad boy during a full adrenal dump. Even if I could, I can’t. I don’t carry extra ammo. Well not until I published this article and outed myself.
Even though the Gem’s had a trigger job and I’ve practice plenty with my pistolero, I’m no Jerry Miculek. To ensure accuracy, I reserve the right to run towards my attacker. Maybe even place the gun into his or her armpit before firing.
Did I say bad guy? What if there’s more than one attacker? Then I damn well better make sure one or more of those five bullets finds its target. To do that, I might add proximity (as above) or take a little more time to aim. Or screw that and run away faster. Or start looking for a secondary weapon even as I use my primary. Long distance shots? Fuhgeddabouttit.
If I’m carrying my Kahr, I’ve got more options—as you’d expect when you’re hauling around an easy refill semi with six rounds in situ and seven in reserve. I’m way more accurate with the PM-9 as well; I can hit my target more reliably at a greater distance (10 to 15 yards?). All of which means I might fire more rounds at my attacker or attackers initially. Or maybe spread ’em out: a few initially and a few as I retreat.
The weapon also influences my choice of cover or concealment. With the Smith I know I better find cover because I’d be ballistically played. With the Kahr I might— I repeat might—choose concealment first; knowing that I’d still be in the fight.
If I’m carrying my GLOCK with 16 rounds in the gun and 15 in my pocket (as is my wont) I’ve got access to a world of ballistic solutions. For one thing, I can continue firing at an attacker—rapidly—until I know he’s done. Or I effect my escape or evasion. And still have bullets left if the threat continues or new threats arise. What’s more I can shoot my GLOCK accurately from 15 yards, maybe more, depending.
Rocking the GLOCK is more difficult—but more relaxing—than schlepping the Smith or carrying the Kahr. But I’m a bit fatalistic about all this. If push comes to shove you gotta make the best out of what happens using whatever you have. Establishing gun-specific performance parameters before the s hits the f can help.