The responses I was getting from most folks in the "What are you carrying on you right now" thread were interesting. You guys really got me thinking about this idea or 'no rotation'.
I had listed that I carry the XD45c and in rotation, I have a S&W 3953.
I guess to clarify, I don't switch between pistols day-to-day, and right now I don't even really carry the 3953 - I'm waiting for the exact same style of holster to use it with. I just happen to shoot better with the 3953 so it will probably replace the XD45, and it doesn't dig into my side as much.
However, I'm interested in hearing the different schools of thought on this one. I can absolutely see where the wisdom from the 'no rotation' comes from. I can't even imagine trying to switch between the XD45 and, lets say, a 1911 where the manual of arms is completely different. The danger is that you get used to one system, then take with you another system with different rules, and your muscle memory gets out of whack with the new system, which can really put you in danger if your muscle memory cannot recall a manual disengagement of the thumb safety.
This is the first, and perhaps the largest concern.
In that case, I see the point. However, even if I was to rotate pistols, day to day, I am still switching from 'pick it up and pull the trigger' to 'pick it up and pull the trigger', whereas both would be carried in the exact same type of holder, in the exact same place. With that in mind, I can also see why rotating the position in which you carry could be disastrous as well - imagine going for your side arm when you need it and...its not there? (its in a different position). In that case, I do think switching types of holsters or positions, etc, could perhaps have even more bearing in a stressful situation?
My gun is in the same place, in the same holster, whenever i leave the house.
But I wanted to ask some more questions and go deeper. When someone says 'No rotation' do they mean they would never rotate a carry firearm day to day, or maybe week to week, or year to year? Is it just the act of going back and forth between different-enough firearms in a short enough period of time that this gets problematic?
If someone was to carry a glock 21 for 5 years then decide to switch their carry to an FNP45, wouldn't there be the same issue, at least soon after the switch? Certainly we have changed our carry arms at some point to coincide with our needs - we get a new pistol, test out a new pistol, etc - and is there a line between safe and dangerous when we are talking about familiarity, manual of arms, and muscle memory? Is that line solely dependent on the individual?
naturally, I've switched guns, I'm sure everyone has. When I said I didn't rotate, i was saying that i usually carry the same gun for substantial amounts of time (~2 years average). when i do switch, its a gradual process of familiarization/ reliability testing/ holster getting (for lack of a better term). I don't jump from one platform to another on a daily/ weekly/ monthly basis.
Taking it a step further, if we were to assume that rotating between different firearms may be a liability in an adrenaline dump situation, where does that leave those who own more than 1 type of pistol, or who enjoy range time with said pistols (I'm sure this is most of us)? Someone carrys a Glock 17 but their favorite 'range' toy is a 1911. Every single time we spend X amount of time with a firearm dissimilar enough to our own carry piece, are we messing with our muscle memory? If the theory of no-rotation holds water, shouldn't that mean that we should ideally finish out every range session with our CCW so that we reestablish that muscle memory?
I don't personally feel that if i shoot my P99 or 1076 or whatever for a 200rd fun run at the range it will have an appreciable impact on the way i handle the gun I've shot many thousands of rounds through, done hours of dry practice with (hopefully) and have carried for many many days. This is a bit like saying if you borrow a friends stick shift, you'll forget how to drive your automatic. YMMV.
This is not a critique of no-rotation at all, actually I think the idea it pretty legitimate. However, if we take it seriously and apply it to our philosophy of carry, shouldn't we also examine the way the concept of 'no rotation' applies in every capacity, even to our range guns and time spent with other firearms that are completely different from what we are expecting to be able to pull out and use in an instant if needed?
Wow did I just write all that? I guess it really got me thinking
Please help me learn. I would love to hear thoughts on this topic, especially from any firearms teachers or instructors.