Top 10 lists usually do one thing and that is to make you disagree with the writer. I saw this list and realized two things the first being that he is wrong – of course. The second is we see these top 10 lists in gun magazines and are usually based on ad revenue from a particular gun company and not real world experience.

First of all I don't think you should have a top 10 because the reality is that you will never be able to become proficient with that many different guns. I mean when the time comes and you have fired the first shot against the bad guy and you get a misfire are you going to remember what variation of DA/SA you have? Can you pull the trigger a second time without racking the slide? Does the gun have a magazine safety and in the initial panic you either have one round you can fire because you hit the magazine release button or is it now a $600 paper weight.

So honestly – do you really have 10 different guns you want to carry or is your list a lot shorter? Unless you are a Glock fanatic and ONLY buy Glocks then you could carry 10 different models with a mix of calibers – you may have narrowed it down.

So here is my reason for my choices.

1. I don't buy guns with magazine safeties. They are designed to protect you but since NO police officers carry guns with this feature – I don't want it either.

2. I am tall and thin and hiding big guns on me in the summer just doesn't work. As much as I love my full size M&P 9 mm, I just can't hide it – period.

3. I read this article and heard the same thing on a show this week about caliber. It doesn't matter what caliber you have – I don't think the bad guy is going to critique the fact you have a .380 caliber over a .454 Casull. The fact is they are dodging and weaving to get away from the gun – just as you should be. That said I am not going to carry a .22 to a gun fight. Given the number of options, .380 caliber is the smallest I would carry.

4. Finally reliability. Even that Glock or Sig out of the box is a great gun but if you can afford it, send the gun off and have a person that specializes in tuning these guns and let them make it even better.

OK – so here is my list of carry guns – the Top 5.

5. M&P 9 mm – I will open carry this gun when backpacking – it is on a Safari Land thigh rig.

4. Kimber Classic Carry – 1911. Now that it is winter – this option opens back up.

3. Taurus Model 85 Titanium 5 shot, .38 caliber +P revolver. Small and light weight and easy to hid.

2. Glock Model 27. This gun stays in my car and is in my belt while driving and again I have to wait for colder weather to carry.

1. Ruger LCP. Small, compact, light weight, hides almost anywhere and with self defense ammo it still packs a punch.

So that is my list and of course you are free to disagree.

What is yours?