USA Carry
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry Maps
  • State Guides
    • A-E
      • Alabama
      • Alaska
      • American Samoa
      • Arizona
      • Arkansas
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Connecticut
      • Delaware
    • F-J
      • Florida
      • Georgia
      • Guam
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Illinois
      • Indiana
      • Iowa
    • K-M
      • Kansas
      • Kentucky
      • Louisiana
      • Maine
      • Maryland
      • Massachusetts
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Mississippi
      • Missouri
      • Montana
    • N-O
      • Nebraska
      • Nevada
      • New Hampshire
      • New Jersey
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • North Carolina
      • North Dakota
      • Northern Marianas
      • Ohio
      • Oklahoma
      • Oregon
    • P-U
      • Pennsylvania
      • Puerto Rico
      • Rhode Island
      • South Carolina
      • South Dakota
      • Tennessee
      • Texas
      • Utah
    • V-Z
      • Vermont
      • Virgin Islands
      • Virginia
      • Washington
      • Washington D.C.
      • West Virginia
      • Wisconsin
      • Wyoming
  • Articles
    • Defensive Gun Uses
    • Concealed Carry
    • Gun Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Training
    • Firearm Laws & Litigation
    • CCW For Women
    • General Firearm
    • Open Carry
    • Self-Defense
    • Survival
    • Home Defense
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Store
  • Deals
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry Maps
  • State Guides
    • A-E
      • Alabama
      • Alaska
      • American Samoa
      • Arizona
      • Arkansas
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Connecticut
      • Delaware
    • F-J
      • Florida
      • Georgia
      • Guam
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Illinois
      • Indiana
      • Iowa
    • K-M
      • Kansas
      • Kentucky
      • Louisiana
      • Maine
      • Maryland
      • Massachusetts
      • Michigan
      • Minnesota
      • Mississippi
      • Missouri
      • Montana
    • N-O
      • Nebraska
      • Nevada
      • New Hampshire
      • New Jersey
      • New Mexico
      • New York
      • North Carolina
      • North Dakota
      • Northern Marianas
      • Ohio
      • Oklahoma
      • Oregon
    • P-U
      • Pennsylvania
      • Puerto Rico
      • Rhode Island
      • South Carolina
      • South Dakota
      • Tennessee
      • Texas
      • Utah
    • V-Z
      • Vermont
      • Virgin Islands
      • Virginia
      • Washington
      • Washington D.C.
      • West Virginia
      • Wisconsin
      • Wyoming
  • Articles
    • Defensive Gun Uses
    • Concealed Carry
    • Gun Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Training
    • Firearm Laws & Litigation
    • CCW For Women
    • General Firearm
    • Open Carry
    • Self-Defense
    • Survival
    • Home Defense
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Store
  • Deals
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
USA Carry
No Result
View All Result
  • DAILY GUNS & AMMO DEALS – CLICK HERE!
Home Articles

When You Leave Home

Daryl Dempsey by Daryl Dempsey
August 23, 2012 - Updated On May 15, 2013
in Articles, Concealed Carry, General Firearm
Reading Time: 4 mins read
When You Leave Home

When You Leave Home

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
When You Leave Home
When You Leave Home

When you leave home…

…it begins to change with out you immediately. Moreover, when you go back it will be different. You can never go back to the home you left. While the physical aspect may be true, the imagery of home, however good or bad, tends to remain constant.

In the abstract, “home” can also be a reference: A point to which other points, lines, and so forth are referred, usually in terms of distance or direction, or both. In a poetic sense, home is where the heart is. In a “life'” sense, home is the point of origin from which our direction in life stems. In my line of thinking, “home” is also the first of things that lead to greater discoveries. In my case, my first bicycle, my first car, my first kiss, my first love, and my first firearm led to greater discoveries – some good and some,well, not so good.

A Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic, M1911A1 (formerly known in 1940 as the Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911 for the original Model of 1911 or Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911A1 for the M1911A1, adopted in 1924) was my first introduction to handguns. It took the U.S. of Army very little effort in convincing me that this was my “personal” line of defense against an enemy foreign or domestic. Like all introductions, first impressions are important. My first impression was that I was in real trouble if this hunk of metal in my hand was my “personal” line of defense. Being an optimist, I figured that when the enemy saw me holding a 1911 that they would roll over in laughter and that would give me an opportunity to make a hasty and strategic withdrawal.

The M1911A1 impressed me so much that I knew that one would be mine some day if for nothing else but the challenge of being able to shoot one. What also impressed me was that I could not hit the broadside of a barn with one if I was so inclined to shoot at the broadside of a barn. The barn would be safe should one decide to attack me.

I have to say that with training, the U.S. of Army turned me into the prime example of the modicum of “combat accuracy” among my peers. Despite my best expectations of failure, I could hit a target at 25 yards if I held my breath, my tongue, and the pistol just right. The gun started to feel natural rested in the web of my hand. More importantly, I learned the difference between a “clip” and a “magazine” and can use them in the proper vernacular even today.

Like a well-made pair of slippers, the pistol felt comfortable as well as comforting. The 1911 Government Model became the “home”, the base, the foundation upon which I would build my marksmanship skills and practice those skills in the years to come – and still do today when I take the time. However comfortable with the M1911A that I was becoming, it was not my first choice in purchasing a personal defense firearm. Due to financial constraints, that duty fell to an RG38 revolver – another first that convinced me to believe firmly that there was something better.

The ensuing years brought many firearms to the table but “Old Slabsides” was not one of them until a life-altering event changed all of that – I became an LEO. The agency that I worked for allowed us to carry what we wanted (short of a .44 magnum) as long as we qualified with it. This meant that I had almost a free reign in deciding what my choice for a “personal protection tool” was going to be. I think that I even surprised myself at my choice – A Colt Government Mk. IV Series 80 (1983–1988) for on-duty use and the Colt Officer’s Model for off-duty use. This combination graced my hip for a year until a department edict forced a change to our carry choices for on-duty carry and a single-action pistol was not among those approved for carry. The Sig-Sauer P220; however, was and become my constant companion. Moving forward, the department (I did not say that the department was “forward thinking”) chose the S&W 686 and I found myself carrying and competing with this excellent revolver. Later, in the progression of things, the department moved to the Beretta 92 platform due to its greater (alleged) firepower and magazine capacity. After I left the department, the Glock 17 become the “carry-of-all-carries” because it was, after all, a Glock and Glock had hit its stride among law-enforcement professionals.

As the years come and go, so do the firearms that I carry for defense. The last battle for carry supremacy has been between the Bersa 45UC and the Glock G36. Perhaps not a battle to some as the G36 would win out easily. Since the Bersa 45UC has external controls similar to the 1911, perhaps some nostalgia, or just familiarity, played in my decision to carry one, as I was used to those controls.

Recently, I have once again considered the 1911 platform for self-defense carry – from enemies foreign and domestic. Am I being a bit nostalgic? There are those who know more and that have more experience in these matters than I that claim the higher capacity and more powerful .40 caliber platform is the “way to go”, after all. There are also those who claim that the 1911 platform will always fail under pressure in competition. I say that if I cannot hit what I am aiming at with that first and cold shot it does not matter what I carry. It is time for me to “go back home”.

When you leave home, it begins to change with out you immediately. Moreover, when you go back it will be different. You can never go back to the home you left. A point to which I agree, wholeheartedly. The 1911 (my “home” as far as handguns are concerned) platform has been refined to the point of excellence. There are advances in materials and workmanship, even in the least expensive of copies that defy explanation and why the 1911 is still around and revered by the shooting community. For me, home has never been better and I am looking forward to returning.

As a footnote, and if you like the 1911 platform (or even if you don’t like it), “By the Grace of God and Old Slabsides” is a short article worth reading.

Tags: homeleave
Daryl Dempsey

Daryl Dempsey

Daryl Dempsey is an Oath keeper, veteran, ex-law enforcement officer and trainer, and an independent conservative libertarian that believes in the Constitution of the United States. He has over forty years of experience as a Technical Writer and Training Program Developer and has as many years devoted to the keeping and bearing of arms.

Next Post
Concealed Carry Tips - Part 1

Concealed Carry Tips - Part 1

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Connect with
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
Connect with
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Please login to comment
5 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Previous Post

A Coming Race War?

Next Post

Concealed Carry Tips – Part 1

Related Posts

Armed Good Samaritan Stops Violent Carjacking Spree | Tackles & Detains Suspect at Gunpoint
Articles

Armed Good Samaritan Stops Violent Carjacking Spree | Tackles & Detains Suspect at Gunpoint

June 11, 2025
Concealed Carry Expanded: PA and VA Finalize Firearm Reciprocity Agreement
Articles

Concealed Carry Expanded: PA and VA Finalize Firearm Reciprocity Agreement

June 11, 2025
Articles

“People That Want To Kill You Don’t Care About Your Feelings”

June 10, 2025
Masked Gunman Killed by Employee During Attempted Robbery at Sugar’s Crab Shack
Articles

Masked Gunman Killed by Employee During Attempted Robbery at Sugar’s Crab Shack

June 9, 2025

© 2025 USA Carry LLC

Navigate Site

  • State Guides
  • Maps
  • Articles
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Store
  • Deals
  • Giveaway
  • Advertise
  • Contact

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry Permit Reciprocity Maps
  • Concealed Carry Permit Guides By State
    • Alabama
    • Alaska
    • American Samoa
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Guam
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Northern Marianas
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Puerto Rico
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Vermont
    • Virgin Islands
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • Washington D.C.
    • West Virginia
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming
  • Articles
    • Defensive Gun Uses
    • Concealed Carry
    • Gun Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Training
    • Firearm Laws & Litigation
    • CCW For Women
    • General Firearm
    • Open Carry
    • Self-Defense
    • Survival
    • Home Defense
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Giveaway
  • Store
  • Daily Deals
  • Contact

© 2025 USA Carry LLC

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry Permit Reciprocity Maps
  • Concealed Carry Permit Guides By State
    • Alabama
    • Alaska
    • American Samoa
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Guam
    • Hawaii
    • Idaho
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Northern Marianas
    • Ohio
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Puerto Rico
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Vermont
    • Virgin Islands
    • Virginia
    • Washington
    • Washington D.C.
    • West Virginia
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming
  • Articles
    • Defensive Gun Uses
    • Concealed Carry
    • Gun Reviews
    • Gear Reviews
    • Training
    • Firearm Laws & Litigation
    • CCW For Women
    • General Firearm
    • Open Carry
    • Self-Defense
    • Survival
    • Home Defense
  • Forums
  • Podcast
  • Giveaway
  • Store
  • Daily Deals
  • Contact

© 2025 USA Carry LLC

wpDiscuz
5
0
Join the conversation, please comment.x
()
x
| Reply
You are going to send email to

Move Comment
Gun Deals
Gun.Deals