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Do you let the fact that you could lose your gun for good even after a justified shooting affect what you carry? Some will ask.."How much is your live worth?". While others say they won't carry high dollar guns for this reason. I am one that believes the gun's cost should have nothing to do with you carrying it or not. Some cheaper costing guns are just as reliable as some expensive guns. I carry a Kel-Tec P3AT most of the time, while it's "cheap", it has proved itself for a little over 800 rds. with zero problems. I trust my life to it. Whatever you decide to carry, just shoot it and practice with it till you become comfortable with it.

I think about it, especially if the police is going to say "drop your gun." I keep thinking about the scratches, etc. . . This will be an intersting thread.

carlson1 wrote:I think about it, especially if the police is going to say "drop your gun." I keep thinking about the scratches, etc. . . This will be an intersting thread.

LOL dude, I've thought about this exact situation too.

I finally realized that pistol slides/frames can be re-finished if needed, so dropping the weapon is no biggie! My CHL instructor, Mark Rothkop at Top Gun, really stressed the importance of immediately re-holstering your weapon once you've neutralized the threat(s) or noticed the sirens of responding/approaching LEO's..whichever happens first.

This way, you'll likely avoid having to "drop the gun" altogether.

I hope I never have to use mine, but if I do I hope I have time and am able to reholster before the police arrive. It almost makes you want to carry one of those plastic pistols

carlson1 wrote:I hope I never have to use mine, but if I do I hope I have time and am able to reholster before the police arrive. It almost makes you want to carry one of those plastic pistols

Bingo, dude...that's partly why I carry a reliable "plastic" pistol (H&K USP9C). I also like the fact that plastic frames don't rust in the sweltering Houston heat...I sweat big time in the summer!

At Charles presentation in Irving the other night, he recommended re- holstering ASAP and when LEOs arrived immediately put your hands in the air.

In absence of a quick re-holstering, "drop the gun" could also mean squatting down to the ground and gently placing the pistol down, but I agree, it would be better to re-holster it quickly instead.

Personally, I can't afford a very expensive pistol (mine was less than $500) but I certainly wouldn't want to drop it from any height.

+1 on reholstering ASAP - - - dropping a loaded gun is hazardous.

FWIW, cops on TV tell you to drop the gun, real cops usually tell you to put the gun down.

Nope. I carry what I like & shoot well. If I ever need to use it, shooting well with it will be far more important than that I might loose it. I'll deal with the potential confiscation of my firearm after the shooting & shouting are all done.

carlson1 wrote:I think about it, especially if the police is going to say "drop your gun." I keep thinking about the scratches, etc. . .

I wince in the movies when I hear that gun-on-concrete sound.

The weapons is replacable...the cost isn't the deciding factor for me. I'll carry my reliable weapons, and it doesn't matter if they cost $400 (my Glock), $2,000 (Les Baer), or in-between (Kimber). If I'm willing to bet my life on it, it's ok in my holster.

As for scratches, well there working guns. Of course I would rather not mark the finish, but it's inevitable. If you practice your draw/reholster enough, you will eventually impact the finish.

It's my carry weapon, it's job is to be effective, not pretty...

If I use it to legally defend myself or others, and it gets taken, it served it's purpose, and I will replace it with another.

If you are involved in a shooting and the police confiscate your weapon, you're going to have much bigger things to worry about than the cost of the weapon.

- Jim

fratermus wrote:

carlson1 wrote:I think about it, especially if the police is going to say "drop your gun." I keep thinking about the scratches, etc. . .

I wince in the movies when I hear that gun-on-concrete sound.

Ditto, every time I see "Dirty Harry" and he TOSSES that beautiful 41 mag onto the ground it makes me want to jump at the screen to try and catch it.

Only thing I consider besides is it a reliable gun, is it one that I want to let get the wear and tear that a daily carry gun receives.

TX Rancher wrote:If I use it to legally defend myself or others, and it gets taken, it served it's purpose, and I will replace it with another.

I couldn't agree more.

When in the kitchen, we don't cringe over the blades getting dull on our nice knives. I don't get upset over the discoloring on my oven stoneware. We don't get upset over superficial scratches on drills, chainsaws, and nail guns. We simply try to keep these things clean and in good working order. They're all tools used to make life easier, safer, or more enjoyable.

Even my <$500 Springfield was a lot on our budget, but it's still a tool. If I had to defend myself or a relative with it, then it's money well spent.