I used to do similarly, then I asked myself a serious question - "If I'm carrying a duty gun, a reload, a backup gun, pepper spray, and a light based off the expectation that I'm going to need them in my destination, am I still going to go there" Nope. I had a good talk with myself about who I'm willing to spend my life in jail for, and that list got real small real quick, and reflected in my gear selection and how I go about life.redacted wrote:I often get accused of thinking I am Batman.
-I carry a concealed pistol with 2 extra magazines.
-I have a flashlight on my belt.
-Leatherman/Gerber multitool (thanks to the US Army) because it is just useful
-cigarette lighter (I do not smoke but fire is useful)
-cell phone
I am not dinging anybody, I am just putting this out there for a through provoking topic for folks to consider. An honest assessment in your gear, it's application, can you ACTUALLY use it, how could it hinder your in different situations, etc. This is just presented from a what do I need versus what do I want, and what am I willing to do for it type of things. It is not to call out anybody or shout from a soap box. Just saying that self reflection, and the ability to change for the better is a good thing.
None of this is to say that my voodoo or widgets are the best or that anybody else is wrong. You do you, just understand why you do you honey boo-boo.
I started looking honestly at my life, how I want to live, etc.. Accumulating and carrying all the things, ways to carry the things, and strapping more gear on me than a patrol officer uses daily was literally costing me money to acquire, compromising the social life I wanted, dictated certain clothing choices (which can also be like flying your gang colors, so to speak) taking how long to setup, worried about printing, etc... I wanted to simplify my life while not really giving up capabilities that I am willing and able to perform.
Modern offerings of flashlights can be incredible from a carry perspective - the Surefire Stiletto (or Stiletto Pro if you have the money) carry so well in the pocket, and are setup to be used as a utility light, but actually are easier to use with a 2 hand grip while shooting than traditional round lights. The Streamlight Wedge is a competitor, but I have found doesn't do as well for a shooting type gun. A good handheld light is a game changer, makes life easier, is able to increase situational awareness, and can neutralize situations before non-lethal or lethal forces are ever required. For some more hardcore folks, offerings from Modlite and upcoming from Cloud Defense do things that you didn't think were possible with a light. A good handheld is so much more valuable in more situations than a weapon light, that I literally twitch when I see guns with weapon lights but they don't have a handheld. Additionally, the actual percentage of weapon mounted lights that are activated in self-defense situations is so freaking minimal it's silly (as in, under 2%).
Since the middle of this year, I no longer carry a pocket knife. I found a great deal on a Leatherman Wave, found it's ease of access to blades just as good as pocket knives, and had so many extra uses on it without fluff that I wouldn't use. I have literally used this thing to swap fuel pumps, disassemble engine housings, minor DIY smithing work, you name it - and the weight penalty is minimal compared to a pocket knife. I don't think I'll ever go back to carrying a pocket knife, and for a multi-tool I will mess with them in person to see how easy it is to get to the things that I use the most. If I have to do 4 steps to get to a pocket knife blade, I'm probably wasting my money as an example.
Fire is useful, and I use them at work when I'm cutting ropes. Outside fo that, I honestly I haven't used a lighter outside of a lighting a pipe or candle in almost 6 years. Depending on where you live, if you smoke, and what you do for a living that may change, but if you live in suburban or urban environments as a non-smoker, what the heck are you going to light on fire anyway, a trash can on the street? If it's for emergency heat sources, keep some hand warmers in the glovebox of your car, they don't leak fuel and can be used inside of a shelter (like a car that's out of gas in a ditch in the winter).
Carrying a 1911 and 2 reloads gives me 25-31 rounds of ammo depending on caliber selection for Govt/Commander guns with 2 spare mags. A steel commander weighs approximately 2.125 pounds empty (34 oz), ammo weight dependent upon caliber. An aluminum model weighs 1.5 pounds. Carrying a reliable modern designed double stack gives me 31-35 rounds with a single reload, assuming 15-17 round magazines with significant weight savings. A fully loaded, optic equipped HK VP9 weighs in at 2.5 pounds with a holster (40oz). I do not carry a spare magazine.
The ammo to weight versus overall size is the reason why guns like the 365, glock 43, etc. are so popular these days. I'm a curmudgeon on small guns, for my life style give me a snug nose revolver for reasons that I think are more practical (different conversation).
And on the phone - let's be honest, it's a portable super computer that can make phone calls these days. The practicality of use can not be understated. My phone weights 6.75 oz, and is one of the smaller older iPhone models of some sort.
So, all said and done, I've got similar or better capabilities with the gun, probably better usage out of the light, similar or better with the multi-tool for my daily life and work life, and have the addition of a non-lethal option. My keys and leatherman ride in the same pocket, with the pepper spray and flashlight being clipped to the top of the same pocket (pepper spray towards the hip bone, flashlight towards the front). My phone is in the right front pocket. My wallet is 2.3oz, and rides in a butt pocket and has nothing that isn't critical or used frequently in it.
I have 1 spot on my waist that I'm concerned with, the rest goes into pockets. I generally use a Mastermind Tactics Specialist belt, which is built around AIWB holsters, which gives a surprising amount of comfort, weight distribution, and concealment.
Everything weighs in at 62.95 oz (just under 4 pounds) when an optic-equipped duty gun is carried. Here's the crazy thing though - I almost always carry a J frame with a speed strip instead, which drops this weight down an insane amount.
If that gets me kilt in the streets, or the lack of a spare magazine does if I have a duty gun, try to understand why it did instead of carrying more gear without critical analysis and application to your life.
I don't carry a folding knife for defense, and with recent Ohio law changes I'll be grabbing a Scallywag aluminum dagger and trainer to combo up with my gear and seeking some professional training with it's use. The dagger weighs in a 1.6 oz.