I started with a first-gen Springfield Armory XD. That was the carry gun I felt comfortable with from day one. That gun clung to my side through hot summer days and the cold-wintery months. It shot far better than I deserve, and each class I took with it my confidence grew. I trusted it…until the Smith & Wesson M&P entered the market. The new gun felt great in hand, and I bought into the hype. I threw to the side the XD that kept me safe. I want to officially apologize to the XD.
How often do you upgrade your carry gun? After heading out to the range last week, I thought about how often I’ve traded in my old carry gun for the new hotness. Now, I’m starting to think I’m wrong in continually advancing my hardware. Am I right?
As technology advances, shooters look to the new. There’s nothing wrong with the old guns, but in a day and age where everything advances so quickly, we get sucked into a mindset to be ahead of the curve. We’ve got to acquire the newest offering from______________. You fill in the blank with whatever you want. It could be the new iPhone, F-150, AR pistol, ammunition. You name it, and we want it. But only if it’s new.
My carry options are numerous, but I’m inconsistent in selecting one gun that very well could save my life one day. Who could blame me when you’ve got guns like the Sig P365, Glock G43X and the FN 509 out there.
The biggest realization that I needed consistency when carrying came when I took a class with a gun that I’d only been carrying a few weeks. I’d shot the gun quite a bit but never trained with it until the class. I didn’t shoot that gun very good. It was time to move on and find a forever carry gun.
I’m going on two years of unwavering commitment to one carry gun. I’ve learned that confidence in a carry gun is built up over years and training. I buy new guns all the time, but one thing I won’t change is what I’m carrying seven days of the week. Think about that for a bit. Grow with the gun you got. ~ KJ
Kevin Jarnagin
Kevin Jarnagin (KJ) hails from Oklahoma but quickly established Louisiana roots after joining the Gun Talk team. KJ grew up as a big game hunter and knows his way around a bass boat. Whether it’s making his way to British Columbia for elk or training with pistols, Jarnagin always seems to find a gun in his hands and adventure on his mind.
For more news like this, subscribe to Gun Talk Media's Newsletter here: http://guntalk.com/newsletter
© 2019 Freefire Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
.png)
.png)
.png)
