One of the most interesting debates I’ve heard lately is whether to carry a stock handgun or a handgun with upgrades. There’s been more than one occasion the last few weeks where I’ve heard guys arguing the pros and cons of carrying stock or upgraded handguns. Both have their valid arguments and it’s not a bad option to think about if you’re like me and carry on a daily basis. Let’s dive into the stock vs customized carry guns debate and what the benefits of each argument can be.

The Argument for Upgraded Guns

Having a gun that is built to your preferences is a fairly good idea. We all have different preferences when it comes to triggers, sights, and configurations. Some people love carrying a full-size firearm with a lighter trigger where others like a smaller gun with a stiff heavier trigger. When you’re carrying a firearm daily for self-defense, it’s never a bad idea to build that particular firearm into the gun you can shoot the best no matter what. In case of a self-defense situation, you want the very best handgun you can possibly have to protect yourself in that moment. Having your preferred sights, trigger and overall set up will give you the very best chances of coming out on top.

When it comes to your own safety, the idea that something is “good enough” doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t want to cheap out and put a price on my own personal safety. I want every advantage I can when I’m in a self-defense situation against someone who wants to do harm to me. Certain items like a red dot or a new trigger may be costly, but in the grand scheme, if it makes you shoot better or feel more confident in your shot placement, I think it’s a smart investment. Some of you may disagree and that’s alright, but making the best version of a handgun for yourself gives you that slight edge that you may need in a self-defense situation.

The Argument for Stock Handguns

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard people say they don’t want to do anything to their carry gun.  There’s a large section of the gun community who believe they need to keep their gun stock for one reason or another. One of the most common arguments I hear is about keeping the highest level of reliability from their handgun.

With the majority of companies today, a handgun for self-defense is incredibly reliable straight out of the box, but once shooters start swapping parts in their guns, it can sometimes create a number of reliability issues. Sometimes this is where the trigger doesn’t work 100% or there is cycling issues with some models. This argument definitely has some validity to it and if you don’t have the confidence in yourself to properly install aftermarket parts into your guns, it may not be a good idea to swap parts out.

Another argument I’ve heard a good amount from various people is the fear of losing their upgraded carry gun once it’s used in a self-defense situation. I have had a number of friends say they won’t carry a firearm they put a good amount of money. Most say they fear their handgun will be taken after a self-defense situation for a long period of time. In addition to having it taken in for evidence, there is also a real possibility that all your upgraded aftermarket parts will be looked at by the prosecutors and you will have to defend each upgrade in court. There’s a number of people who decide not to carry a customized firearm as their daily carry for that exact reason.

What’s The Best Route?

Everyone has different opinions and preferences and that’s totally fine. I would say no matter what your position is, buy quality products to protect yourself with. Your life and well-being are worth the extra money to purchase a quality striker-fired gun like Glock, Smith & Wesson, FN, or SIG. So many individuals purchase a firearm just solely based on a budget and sometimes that’s just how it is. Despite being on a budget, I still think it’s something worth saving up or putting in a little overtime to get to a place where you can afford a high-quality and reliable firearm for self-defense. If you feel comfortable and want to upgrade various parts on your firearm, I think it’s a great idea especially if it is a better setup than your current handgun has as standard.

Overall Thoughts

When it comes to carry guns, my personal belief is that everyone should do what makes them feel the most confident in their firearm. For me, it’s having various upgrades that will make me shoot better with the firearm. Others may want to keep it stock since they worry about loss of reliability and that’s fine too. We have to do what’s best for us in the long run but personally, I think you should make your carry gun the best possible tool to keep you safe. Let me know what you guys think in the comments below. Should people keep their firearms stock or do you think there are advantages to upgrading your carry handgun? Let me know below because I’m genuinely curious about what you guys think. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there!

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