Originally Posted by
Father of 3
Warning! Long-winded text to follow. The subsequent ramblings are just that, of someone who is not or ever was a LEO, .Mil guy, or training junkie. It is my evolution of mindset over the last decade or so. I am not seeking likes, rather humbly posting how I evolved from a Tactical-Timmy and thankfully God has watched over me thus far from being a complete idiot or worse. I post this as I see people who are new to guns and concealed carry repeating the phases that I went through. I genuinely ask, is there a way to fast-track the average citizen through these phases? I assume that most LEO and .Mil figure this out pretty quickly, but I stand to be corrected by those within the profession. Feel free to add to the phases or additional phases that I have yet to enter as you see/have seen how others evolve. Or feel free to tell me I was or still am a dumbass. Better yet, provide your own history of your evolution of mindset. I thank Pistol-Training and Pistol-Forum for helping my advancement.
Phase I. This was my initial decision to get my concealed carry permit. As a new father, I felt that it was my duty to protect my family. I wanted a small, lightweight, inexpensive pistol to carry with me. I bought a brand new Kel-Tec PF9. After obtaining my CCW, I felt that I was now Batman and would respond if I seen a fellow citizen in need. I am a Sheepdog. My CCW was a 9mm, but one day I wanted to own a real gun with a caliber that started with a 4.
Phase II. I am searching the internet for gun forum reviews and YouTube videos of good shooters comparing guns. I have actually started shooting more and cannot hit crap with my PF9 due to the long double action only pull. I am in search of a real gun used by professionals, such as local LEO. YouTube says I should own a Glock 9mm with XS Big Dots, but the XD is just a good and cheaper according to ex-Marine who owns LGS. Ended up selling PF9 to pawn shop for a minor loss and buying a FS M&P 9mm due to it having a grip angle of God’s Gun; the venerable 1911. Maybe 9mm isn’t so bad after all though. Traded the M&P after a short time for a G17 with Big Dots already installed. GTG.
Phase III. The full-size gun is awkward to conceal, but I need a full size to be a dress-up tactician on the weekends. Maybe I should buy more guns to try out. I need one in each caliber to have “options” and to be able to buy any ammo in a panic buy scenario. I have a cheap 1911 Commander, cuz: ‘Murica, but don’t carry it because 1911’s suck (so says YouTube). Maybe I need an active shooter bag in the car, just in case things go south so I can be the good guy with a gun that stops a bad guy with a gun. I need to save for training with one of the great entertrainers in the industry, but after I have enough gear. My carry rotation through these years involved at one point or another: Shield 9, G27, G26, G17, G19, Sig P226, XDM, USP 40c, P320, 1911 Commander, HK45, M&P 40c, M9A1, CZ P-01.
Phase IV. A lot of the crap I have collected is of no use to me and I have wasted time, money, and sold reliable guns in search of “The One: Do-it-all Handgun”. I am not LEO or Mil and playing dress up with tactical pants, riggers belt, and OWB kydex on the weekend is stupid. A Glock 19 and a spare along with good training would have been a better use of my money. Sold off all “wannabe an operator” guns and consolidated on 9mm Glock for logistics. Carry is G19 or G43.
Phase V. Realization that mindset is much more important than shooting. I would be much better served by keeping an IFAK and knowing how to use it, then a retarded active shooter bag. What the heck was I thinking, I am not a LEO and don’t want to be shot by trying to be a hero. The legal aspect of shoot/no-shoot and people management is equally if not more important than being a gunfighter. Winning the legal battle is equally as important as winning the gun battle. Carry is G19 or G43.
Phase VI. A concealable handgun that I know how and when to use and will carry 100% of the time I am legally able to do so along with an IFAK are great tools in my box if the time ever comes to where I need to employ them. Hopefully, I will never need to. Other tools, such as situational awareness and being in overall good physical condition are much more relevant to my day-to-day life and the continuation thereof. Empty handed martial skill are important also. My mission is not that of law enforcement. My mission as a husband, father of four children (need to change my screen name), and civilian is to ideally: identify the potential for a situation before it evolves into one, if it evolves-deescalate or remove myself from it if possible, if not-break contact or put an end to the situation by whatever means are legally justified, tuck the little ones in at night with full bellies in a warm bed followed by prayer, make PB&J’s for the next day, sleep, wake up, repeat. Carry most of the time is G43.