Awhile back, on several forums, there were conversations about what today's warrior carries every day. Those discussions reminded me of what my father (an attorney / judge) used to empty out of his pockets at the end of every day: keys, check book, wallet, lighter, cigarettes, change, etc. Then I thought about what I unload out of my pockets or off my person every day: gun, knives, flashlight, lighter, cash, coins, wallet, badge... it made me think about what we carry and why. I thought I'd share some of that with you.

I'm writing this on the assumption that every cop today carries a few certain things even while off-duty. Those things would include:

• a gun
• one or more knives
• one or more flashlights
• handcuffs or other restraining device
• a cell phone

The handgun is an intensely personal selection unless the agency mandates carrying an issued weapon off-duty. Some do. I am fortunate enough that my agency was rather forward thinking. I could carry a Government Model 1911 style pistol, a Glock in one of several calibers, the S&W M&P in one of several calibers and others. Typically I carried one of two guns off duty. Now that I'm retired those same two guns seem to always find their way onto my belt.

My Springfield Armory 1911 .45ACP is first on the list. Cocked-and-Locked with a full magazine inserted I've got eight rounds of Speer Gold Dot ammo in the gun. I carry either one or two spare magazines depending on the pants I'm wearing. If it's jeans then I usually only have one spare magazine. If I'm in my 511s, then I've got two spare magazines.

If I'm not carrying my 1911 then I'm carrying my 2nd generation Glock Model 19 9mm. The same rule applies to the spare magazines. Since I put +2 floor plates on the magazines, I have 18 in the gun and another 17 or 34 on me. I get a lot of friends and fellow officers who ask me why I don't carry a .40S&W. I don't have a problem with the .40 but, to be blunt, it's only 22 years old. While it's certainly an effective round and I have plenty of faith in it, I have greater faith in cartridges that have been around longer. Sure, I know that might be narrow-minded of me... but it's my choice and I'm happy with it. The 9mm and .45ACP are both over 100 years old - and I consider that more proven than something 22 years old. Hell, I'd even take the 10mm. At least it's almost 40 years old.