11/12/2025
Something that I have believed for a while, and practiced before I actually put it in words is my "3 Pistol theory ".
The gist of it is that if you are a serious practitioner of defensive pistol shooting and you carry all the time you need three pistols that share the same manual of arms. I don't care what brand you choose, but the goal is that training with one should carry over to the other two and they should all be comfortable enough to shoot you will train with them all. Here are what I believe is important with each.
1. Big fighting pistol- This should be a full sized gun, heavy, with a light, and minimum magazine capacity of 17. Rarely if ever would you carry this concealed. Examples-G***k 17, M&P 2.0, Staccato P, Staccato HD 4 or 4 5.
2. Big concealed pistol- This should be a nice mid sized gun, could do the duty role if needed but small enough to carry in most clothes. Something that is fun to train with and minimum magazine capacity of 13-15. Examples- G***k 19, M&P compact, Staccato C2, Staccato CS or 3.6.
3. Small Concealed Pistol- This should be the smallest pistol you are willing to train with regularly and a gun you can conceal 95% of the time. Minimum capacity should be 10 rounds. Examples- G***k 48, M&P Shield, Smith CSX
With those three guns you can meet almost all your pistol needs. There is probably a place for a small back up gun too, but I think too many people get a small 5 or 6 shot gun and carry it because it's convenient even though they rarely train with it.
Pictured above are my Staccato 4.5, Staccato 3.6, and Smith CSX.
Let me hear your thoughts.