I'm looking to pic up a Springfield Micro Operator w/light package in the next couple weeks (if I can find one).  What are everyone's thoughts on the 3" 1911s by springfield or any other company for that matter?  I like the idea of the small 1911 for carry purposes.  I have a full size Taurus and love the gun, but it's too big for carry.  I live in hot S. GA and prefer a really small gun for carry.  They are easier to conceal in shorts and shor sleaves.  Thanks for the insight.  Pros and Cons welcome.

Anyone.  Just sold some ak kits so once I have the money I'm picking one up unless ya'll tell me they are shit.

I use the Micro as my CCW gun & it's been 110% after the first 150rds or so. Makes a perfect CCW gun, IMO. Alloy frame, ramped bbl, night sights & ambi safety. What's not to love?  

To be fair, there's some whom will attempt to dissuade you from the 3" bbl length 1911s. Again to be fair, in the past they would've had a point. But with today's CNC machine work & whatnot, it's no longer a major concern, IMO.

My .o2

I just missed out on a Springfield on xdtalk. I think if you get a SA they will make it run for you.
Ashooting buddy of mine who used to own a gun store said it had to pass the jody test before it was good enough to carry=1000 rounds w/o cleaning, w/light lubing. Kind of extreme but it's worth a thought.
i'll be watching this thread.
Good luck.

If you are confident carrying a <4.25" production pistol, I suggest you look at their 4" compact. 3" micros offer no concealment/carry advantages above the waistline and minimal advantages below. OTOH, their recoil characteristics are majorly different (disadvantageous). They also require stricter maintenance and replacement (recoil spring needs replacement every 500-750 rounds. I find the CCW must be the gun shot most often and if you aren't comfortable shooting your primary during extended range sessions, you've chosen the wrong one IMO.

Have you tried using a Skylinetool works "Clipdraw" on your Taurus.  I live in North GA and carry my Taurus PT1911 ,hammer down, everyday pretty easily with this.  I carry it in the 4 o'clock possition so I can get in and out of my car.  I would give it a try if you have not already.  I would try everything to carry a firearm that is the best for self-defense rather than one that is more easily concelled.  If I ever need a weapon in a crisis I will be much more happy having a full size 1911 on my side!

Unless I am reading additional facts into this scenario, it encompasses everything I believe to be wrong with respect to CCW.

1. Clipdraws suck. While they "may" enhance concealment over an IWB, they are much harder to draw as you must fish the submerged grip out of the pants. Moreover, it puts all of the weapon's weight in a single thin point giving potential for the weapon to shift or sag further. Given the 1911 has a manual safety, but the general rule of common sense is to carry with the trigger properly covered, which the clipdraw does not do.

2. Carrying in condition 2 (chambered with the hammer down) is perilously slow at best as it requires the shooter to adjust the grip to pull the hammer then reposition. and negligently dangerous at the worst, creating potential for negligent discharge every time the hammer is eased down.

Whatever size you chose, be sure you have the proper leather for safety and comfort, and carry it condition 1 (cocked and locked) as intended.

No one in the middle of a firefight has ever said "Damn! I wish I had a smaller gun!"

A couple of years ago, drawn in by the bells & whistles, I bought a Kimber (3") Ultra CDP. Right out of the box it had FTE issues. It was sent back to Kimber, they screwed me out of the ~$70 shipping but worst of all it now failed to feed. Disgusted I chunked it in the back of the safe (so I wouldn’t have to look at it) and sort of forgot about it.
A few months ago a coworker offered to trade me a Colt Commander for it & in all good conscious I couldn’t without explaining the issues I had, so I  decided to see if I couldn’t get it running right. I spoke with a local well-known 1911 guru that suggested trying Tripp Research magazines with 165g Pow’RBall ammo. Well I can’t afford to put 500 rds. of this high $ ammo through the gun but I have put a couple of hundred rds. through it without issue. Previously I was having a FTF on every magazine (Wilson Combat).
I’m OK with it as long as I use the PB ammo but I can’t afford to plink with it. I have two other 5” 1911s so it isn’t like I don’t have anything to shoot.

I guess in summary, If I had it to do over again… I wouldn’t.

The Springfield baby 1911's are light years ahead of the Kimber's, IMO. I shopped long & hard before I bought mine & compared the two. The workmanship of the SA is readily visible over the Kimber.

My .o2

Kimber says replace every 1800 rounds. I have and carry a stainless ultra carry II and disagree on the not reliable argument, but I do agree on shoot what is comfortable and works for you. Kamron

I have one of the original Kimber CDP Ultra carry  that I have been shooting and carrying for years now without one problem. I think the ULTRA II has had some issues, but surely they have worked them out by now.

You might want to stick with a Commander size, they tend to have less issues and parts are easy enough to find.

As I once read (forgot who said it, maybe Col. Cooper) with respect to carrying a handgun for defense ..."Carrying a pistol should be COMFORTING, not comfortable."
Stick with the commander.

I carry an EMP 50% of the time (100% of the time, I carry a 1911).  That said, I shoot what I carry.  I have had no problem with accuracy, function or depedability (once I found the right ammo).  My EMP is light, comfortable and concealable, so I defenitely recommend it.  

And it's sooooo cuuuute!

If Kimber says somewhere in writing to replace every 1,800 rounds for a 3" gun (and that's a big if), then I will go on the record stating that the people at Kimber are a collective bunch of idiots and their current product comes as little of a surprise.

I have a 4" that requires 1,500 round changes. I have always heard and followed 1,000-1,500 change procedures on 3.5" officers. Seriously, 1,800 on a 3" (barring some new-fangled recoil system) is asking for trouble.

I can draw my weapon with a clip draw just as fast as I can anything else.  Also hammer down carry is much safer than cock and lock with a leather holster to cover the trigger gaurd.  A manual saftey can be disengaged while carrying concelled much easer than a hammer can be cocked.  If you still are against the idea get an inside the waste band holser (which cannot be drawn any faster and I would still never reccommend cocked and locked carry unless in an open fashion, Just too dangerous for concelled carry.  If your 1911 can possably fire with the hammer down you must be packing an LDA.

I have trouble believing you can draw with the clipdraw as fast as anything else, unless you are putting in more time practicing with the clip draw (in which case, I am fairly certain you'd draw from an IWB much faster given equal practice time). Moreover, how fast are you clearing your waistband, acquiring the target, cocking, and reacquiring the target (seeing how cocking then reacquiring is poor, even reckless manipulation)? You banking that practice is anywhere near as smooth and efficient as drawing a condition 1 1911 from an IWB? How about under stress where motor function is numbed?

Now safety... how in the world do you consider condition 2 safer than condition 1 in a properly covered triggerguard? The danger is not so much from the weapon dropping accidentally, but when the hammer is dropped intentionally by the owner. EVERY time you load the weapon, you are dropping the hammer on a live round. NOBODY is perfect. 99.9% competence means that in 1,000 drops, one still slips from the fingers causing a negligent discharge. NOBODY who knows what they are doing would argue that condition 2 is actually safer, period. Some might know better and roll the dice, but nobody would advocate it as the safer practice. Can a safety become disengaged? Of course. I am a lefty with an ambi and it disengages from time to time from movement etc. Point being, I KNOW it disengages. I feel it and hear it. A simple click over my clothing fixes the problem.

And if the safety disengages, so what? I have carried bone stock (aka righty only) Colts in condition 1 and occasionally in condition 0 (cocked/unlocked). People carry autos with no external safeties whatsoever. Carrying a 1911 in condition 0 in a proper holster is on par with carrying a Springfield XD. It is "arguably" as safe or even safer than carrying a loaded Glock since both the grip safety and trigger must be engaged to create ignition. I don't advocate condition 0 and would suggest that any dedicated CCW have an ambi safety for a lefty, but a safety disengaged is hardly dangerous with the proper leather and firearms handling procedures. Condition 2 OTOH violates one if not 2 of the 4 rules of firearms safety and is a procedure asking for trouble. Condition 1 is the intended mode of carry. Condition 2 is NOT.

So you think I just made that up?
I guess you know it all.[>:/]
Straight out of the Manual


MAIN FEATURES
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Compact Pro Carry Ultra Carry
Available calibers: .45 ACP & .40 S&W & .38 Super (Pro only)
Barrel Length: 4" 4" 3"
Overall Length: 7.7" 7.7" 6.9"
Weight Unloaded: 34 oz. Steel — 31 oz. Steel
28 oz. Alum. 28 oz. 25 oz. Alum.
Frame: Steel, Stainless Steel, or Aluminum
Magazine
Capacity: 7 7 7
Finish: Blue or Stainless
Sights: (Rear) Fixed Fixed Fixed
(Front) Fixed Fixed Fixed
SPRING REPLACEMENT CHART
Compact & Pro Models:
Recoil Spring: .45 ACP & 40 S&W/22 lbs., .38 Super/18 lbs.
CHANGE EVERY 800 rounds.
Firing Pin Spring: HD, CHANGE EVERY 5000 rounds.
Mainspring: 23 lbs., CHANGE EVERY 5000 rounds.
Ultra Carry Models:
Recoil Spring: 18 lbs., CHANGE EVERY 1800 rounds.
Firing Pin Spring: HD, CHANGE EVERY 5000 rounds.
Mainspring: 23 lbs., CHANGE EVERY 5000 rounds.

I can absoluty let the hammer down EVERY TIME without fail.  If someone can not get into the right mindframe to cautiously lower the hammer safely then that said person should not be carrying in that fashion.  Hammer down carry is a reccommended form of carry in every 1911 media I have ever read, manuals, etc...  If you don't like it fine, but is not unsafe.  Granted that firearms with a Decocker may be more fitting for some, I always have my firearm oriented in a safe direction while letting down the hammer and have practiced it a thousand + times without ammo and when you go to cock the firearm it does take a fraction of a second longer for me to get my first shot off (my timer says I average about 0.2 sec slower) than if I was cocked, locked, with a side holster but the one thing more important than speed is saftey.  No turn of events can cause a SA 1911 to fire with the hammer down therefore no trigger gaurd is neccessary in this situation.
    As for XDs and Glocks,  I don't own any.  Your right that it would be dangerous to use a clipdraw on a chambered Glock.
    You do not have to "fish" for a 1911 with a clip draw that is clipped over the belt as well, it stays rock solid in place.   Have you tried it yourself or are you assumming?  
    Condition 1 is the intended mode of carry. Condition 2 is NOT?  I should point out that the 1911 was not designed for concelled carry rather that of the battlefield, no malls, walmarts in J. Brownings plan, and condition one is great... for open carry.  
    You can disagree with me on the preferred means of carry but you should not be on here calling me unsafe.  Your right, I am right, differance of opinion is all.

Um, I'm not going to call you anything.  You've fairly well classified yourself with 6 posts, making that statement, in this forum.

Really no need for anyone to label you.

Alright so I lied...  

Your assertions regarding the appropriate forms of carry for a 1911 are incorrect.  You clearly have no training in combat arms or self defense.

The fact that you can type and seem inclined to offer advice makes you a danger to others and frankly, walking in here and making the statements you have is stupid.  


You are wrong sir and should stop pretending to know everything.

This is an excellent post.




It portrays basically every wrong methodology associated with the 1911 platform. Clipdraw, Condition 2 carry..its all there. Good job!

Xtragg... I will let the above (edit: and below) posters speak for me to end any appearance of a pissing match between us. If you can't get with the program that's your prerogative (I just hope you have thick walls and distant neighbors).




Since you qualified the remark with the manual, then I will go on record about Kimber being idiots. I wasn't trying to question your credibility as much as I was trying to give them the benefit of the doubt (as in you spoke to a CSR who mis-advised you but the company says differently, etc.)

First off there is no way it only takes you .2 seconds longer to cock and fire. All I have to do is flip and squeeze, it is much more difficult to pull the hammer back and then get your hand in the correct firing position. My grip is all ready to go when all I have to do is push the safety down.

No turn of events can cause a 1911 to fire if you are cocked and locked.

OK, back on subject..
I just sold my Micro for a 4 inch. I didnt feel very comfortable with it. The 45acp is already a slower round and putting it in a 3 inch barrel is going to bring the velocity down even more. Shooting paper at 7 yards I would always hit 3" inches low/right. I never shot it further than that but I know it would be further off target at longer ranges. You never know how far your going to be shooting in a gun fight even though 90%+ occur within 3 yards or less. I want to be confident I can hit something out to 25 yards with anything I am going to be carrying.
With Chip McCormick mags I never had any FTF but I did with the factory mag.

Just my $.02

Since this has been bugging me as well...

I think you meant to say....


So far I have absolutely let the hammer down EVERY TIME without fail.


Assuming that you can't have an accidental discharge is the quickest route to having one, eventually.  You have personally in that instant negated EVERY safety of the 1911 with only your arrogance standing between you and catastrophe.

Good Job!

I agree!  Thanks for educating us and reminding us that just because someone has a gun doesn't mean they know how to use it.  Make sure you call  911 instead of going for your firearm, for the safety of everyone around you.

Other than what others have commented on I noticed one other thing. Unless you are practicing your cocking in a high stress situation you never know if you are going to be able to pull it off in a real situation with someone pushing/grabbing you. Think of the worst possible scenario and determine if you can react accordingly.

I have been looking at the EMP for some time, nice pistol!

FWIW, I have shot a Colt defender that is the same size as my EMP.  It is chambered in .45 and has its own trick to firing it.  It is very unforgiving at the slightest twitch or limpwrisiting.  I have a 4 inch .45, and I think that would be the shortest I would ever want a barrel in that caliber.

I didn't mean for this to turn into something related to carrying the 1911.  I use an IWB holster and just ordered the Crossbreed Supertuck.

Update:  I just traded my S&W1911 full size for a Para Ordnance CCO LDA 3.5".  I still have the full size Taurus and can use it in the new holster when I get it, but now will also have the 3.5" 1911 to carry when my clothing limits what I carry.  

I agree that carrying something is better than nothing and will often times carry a Keltec P3AT with a clipdraw.  

Now I will be able to use the Para as my full time carry gun no matter what the weather due to it's small size.  I plan to practice with it and purchase the correct loads designed for the short barreled 1911s.  

Thanks for everyone's help.

No offense, but I think you made a very poor choice in trading the Smith for the Para. I do hope it works out for you, though.

You'd have gotten a different set of comments if you'd asked about a Para LDA vs. a Springfield Micro.  However, I hope it works out well for you.

Carrying a 1911 like a SA with the hammer down on a live round is just plain stupid, I'm sorry.

Carrying any single action handgun without a firing pin safety with the hammer down on a live round (1911 or not) is just plain stupid, sorry.

I concur.  The only gun that this is even close to acceptable are the Kimber IIs, the S&Ws and the Colt series 80 style guns that have a firing pin safety, but it is still a dangerous proposition as these guns do not have a decocker.  Carrying a gun with the hammer down is intended for DOUBLE ACTION GUNS or DA/SA guns.   If you don't have the discipline to operate the thumb saftey of a gun as you drawand the further discipline to fire with the very short action of the 1911 platform, then another gun would be better for you.

I was originally going to trade the s&w for a springfield micro, but the guy is in the military and had to back out.  So then, I was thinking of buying one, but someone wanted to trade their CCO for my Smith.  I don't see the need for 2 full size 1911s in my collection, so the smith had to go.  I also knew that I couldn't get anything money wise or trade wise for the taurus, so that justified trading the smith.  My taurus functions and looks great.  No problems at all.  Love the gun actually, just too big to carry for me.  I think that the CCO will fit the bill quite nicely.  Both guns run around the same price, so I think I did ok.  I've also felt the LDA trigger and it is extremely smooth.  Thanks for everyone's help.

I don't know about not needing more than one full size, but I hope you got more than just the Para in that trade.  Remember, accesories complete the look:

Look.  I am open minded here,  I seem to be the only one.  Can someone explain (in a polite way) what turm of events can cause a 1911 to fire with the hammer lowered.
    It was my Taurus PT1911manual, one instuctor,  and a DVD Im trying to find that discussed hammer down carry.
    Honest guestion here.  Why is it dangerous.  What am I not seeing?
    I did not mean to imply cocked and locked is dangerous,  I believe it is not "my" safest option.  Let me explain:
    Im a father of 4.  I am throughout the day putting my youngest two children in and out of carseats.  They are distractions sometimes, crying, screaming, begging for happymeals etc.. (have kids anyone, you know)  I fear that my thumb safty (eventhough it has a good snap) may get switched off.  Could the grip safety get pushed and the trigger, in a good holster, get squeezed at the same time probably not likely but I still feel uncomfortable in my lifestyle with the thought of cocked and locked with my 1, 3,5 and 8 year old distractions on my side.
    I speak to only gun owners here correct?  You guys know practice, practice, practice, then add ammo.   Practice drawing this way a thousand times then tell me it can not become "mindset," effective, and second nature.
    As for my experiance.  Im a 9 year Army vet and a 7 year armed security gaurd "vet".  No concelled carry there but alot of firearm instruction based on those environments.  After I was injured I am now "home dad".  As a hobbiest I have built 2 1911's and I understand the mechanics of it pretty well.
    If someone can explain why hammer down carry is dangerous I will consider other options (open minded, remember).
    Please learn to disagree without being disagreable.   Save the insults for some other place and for the first time in my life I can say I am unsure about fellow gun owners being the most polite people I have ever met.  I have not been rude intentionally to anyone here but sometimes text has a way of distorting emotion and if something I have said has come off wrong I am sorry.
    Advice I welcome but I will no longer defend myself as I am NOT stupid nor do I believe any of you are.

I wanted a springfield micro, but couldn't find one in stock, so I bought an RIA 3.5" officers. It has been very reliable and I CCW it often. $369 from centerfiresystems.

Ok Xtragg, fair enough.

A standard (non-firing pin safety model) 1911 has a spring on the firing pin that will, under reasonable circumstances, prevent the gun from firing if dropped as the mass of the firing pin is typically not enough to over come the spring on its own.

If you rest the hammer of a 1911 on the firing pin, now you've created a situation where if the hammer is struck sharply from behind it will transfer that energy to the firing pin which could then fire the weapon.  Also, dropping the 1911 either muzzle first or butt first can also cause the hammer to transfer enough energy to the firing pin to ignite the primer.  There's nothing preventing the hammer, which is obviously under spring pressure too, from moving forward and transferring energy to the firing pin.  Some people keep their 1911's on "half-cock"... which really isn't half-cock but it does pull the hammer off of the firing pin.  The notch for this "half-cock" position isn't very deep and if struck sharply enough can sheer right off and now you've got the hammer falling forward with even more force.

So, you either carry the 1911 with the chamber empty and hammer down, or you carry it cocked and locked.  Don't ever carry a single action handgun with a hammer down on a live round if it doesn't have some sort of firing pin safety or transfer safety bar system.  That's why they designed these systems, to prevent exactly what we're talking about here.

Brilliant explanation.

As another whom practices "hammer down, Cond. 2" carry, I have caught untold flack & grief in here. Never mind I've done it for years, never mind it is what *I* prefer, never mind it's 100% safe for ME. Never mind I shoot competition & have done so for years without the FIRST safety violation of ANY sort.

The biggest issue they seem to have is lowering the hammer on a live rd. Many seem to think this is a ND waiting to happen. Granted, for a novice, it may very well be. However, *I* am neither a novice nor am I one whom takes safety for granted.

I have been called everything but a white man in an attempt to dissuade me from Condition 2 carry.  

While I don't degrade others regarding their method of carry, many (not all) sure seem to have no problem degrading me for mine.    

That's because you're dangerous and you don't know what you're doing.  

Just ribbing you.  

Xtragg,

Also, if the reason you're not carrying your 1911 cocked and locked is due to concern about losing control of your weapon to fidgety hands, you might want to consider that if you're carrying in an open top holster the pistol might get accidentally pulled from its rest.  If it falls in the condition you carry it, there is a VERY real chance it will fire.

I carry my 1911's in open top holsters.  I had a very sobering moment with my SA Micro .45 when it dropped suddenly, and squarely on the hammer, as I stood up from the crapper.  I always grab my pistol as I pull my trousers up but this time the holster had twisted on the belt and I didn't notice it was pointing the gun straight down as I stood up.  It fell out and had I been carrying it using your method there is a good chance I would have been shot as it hit the floor hammer first with the muzzle pointing directly at me.

That's only happened once in my life, and that was one too many times.

I might also add that the practice of manually lowering the hammer on a 1911 platform can damage the sear and is not recommended. That is from a 1911 Owners Manual, either a SA or a Kimber. I'm sure it's no different for a Taurus PT1911. Yea, been a gun owner for years and I still read the Manual's.

To get back on Topic, I regularly carry and shoot both a Kimber Tactical Ultra II and Springfield Armory Micro Compact. Other than a few, very few minor instances during "break-in" they are 100% reliable or I wouldn't trust them as a CCW. Always carried "cocked and locked" in a good leather holster.

So for the record I'm not trying to insult or degrade you.  I may have, but not with intent.  What I did want to make clear was statements that lead others to do what you are doing are bad and misguided.  It's OK if you want to carry your gun that way but you can't make it sound like an approved method.  Same for BobCole.  I don't care how you carry your gun, but FAC did a good job of explaining situations where it is a very REAL danger to carry a 1911 that way.  As a result I wouldn't even be a fan of it in a Kimber or series 80 etc.

I freely admit I also try and stop people from carrying hammer down on an empty chamber, but not because it is unsafe to others, but because it makes deployment of the tool harder.

Hammer down on a live round is bad, dangerous, and should not be done.  Again back to Bob's point...  It doesn't matter how many times you've done something, how long it's been without an accident, etc.  If you get into that mindset doing something that has safety issues, you should accept that eventually something bad will likely happen.

HOWEVER I HAVE TO ADMIT....  Your Taurus manual did advise Con 2 carry over 1 and made it an acceptable choice. (see below).  I'm amazed.  

Its Taurus, they are just as wrong as anyone else who recommends it.

I haven't seen much (in my recent recollection at least) of this degradation coming your way, but two pivotal points regarding the subject are:

1. You generally keep quiet about your practice on the board when the subject comes up, and when in fact you do mention your preference you couch it in terms about you being an exception to the rule ("swimming against the tide, etc)

2. You don't go advocating every Dom, Hick, and Tarry to go off carrying condition 2 because it's the cat's ass for CCW.


Xtragg, your "expertise" is irrelevant here. You may be more competant on your worst day than I am on my best. You may have forgotten more than I know. Condition 2 may work best for you (frankly, I believe down to the core this is nonsense, but that's irrelevant as well), and I know there is no point persuading you to believe otherwise. My (and I believe "OUR") issue is that you the "expert" (giving you the unqualified benefit, not mocking you) are giving advice to others who do not have the benefit of the expertise and that is foolish, reckless, and worthy of the dogpile of criticism you get. If you are convinced your way has merit, you are encouraged to discuss it here, but understand why you get the reactions for the subject. Right or wrong, everybody's margin of safety is their own as well as the consequences, whatever they may be)


OP, Asked and answered, etc... I am sure you hardly expected this to turn into the hornet's nest of a hijack. Seeing how much of this extinguished for your purposes, I would at least redirect something back to personal relevance for your sake. Intentionally or not, you really rolled the dice w Para. I had the same 3.5" LDA platform and it was a POS of proportions so large, it turned their best non-commissioned salesman into one of the biggest naysayers they have. Water under the bridge for you since you bought it, and I hardly mean to make you feel bad about your purchase. Just keep in mind a few things:

1. Modify nothing on the pistol. Para is void-happy about their LT warranty. Even drop-in action parts (SS) can do it, so if you ignore this, at least restore the pistol to factory condition before sending it in for service.

2. Keep your eyes on the SS detent on the slide. Their heat treatment is/was shit and you may start to see peening in this area, which will get worse over time. This can impede slide lock function after a while.

3. Use quality mags, always. Wilson Combat officers worked best for me. I have actually had a Para mag rupture at the floorplate inserting a fresh mag in.

4. Whatever their recoil spring replacement schedule is, follow it to the letter. I have had very shitty luck with the platform reliability wise, but it seemed to clear up with the addition of the one-piece spring/gr setup they added to the pistol. I didn't hang on to it long enough to see if that would remain the case.

5. If you have a problem, get the RO # and send it in. Should they return it and the pistol malfunctions as before. STOP. Call them and tell them they didn't fix it. If they say to try another 100, 200, 500 rounds, tell them you shot 800 rounds. Demand a call tag since they didn't fix it. Don't put up with their bullshit or become their assistant repair man. Your responsibility is to pay $50 overnight the first time. It's not to waste $250 on ammo to find joe-blow's "quick fix extractor tune" didn't help your hiccuping. It's not to spend another $50 to get it back to them. They may be very acommodating... at first. If this stops, don't back down.

Here's to you having a 100% different experience than mine, but if not, I HTH.

Good advice when dealing with Dennis at Kimber too.

"Dom, Hick & Tarry"



I have to steal that one.................    

Thanks everyone.  I just want to add one thing.  I am not an expert, not by far.  Most of my experience with firearms has nothing to do with personal carry, most of you have me beat hands down with experience here which is why I value your advice.

"Truckers syndrome" is what some of you have referred to.  It is a fact that most truck drivers with 0-2 years experience have fewer accidents than those with 2-5.  It is a case of letting your guard down "because" you have done it a thousand times.