There is no doubt that owning and shooting different type firearms is fun. But, if lives depended on it wouldn't you be better off choosing one type firearm, spending most of your time and ammo learning how to use it efficiently and effectively? Sometimes I shoot for fun. Mostly I practice for defensive purposes. The pistols I carry are all very similar. For example one thing they have in common is that the every trigger press is always the same, as opposed to a double/single action type trigger. I'm not saying you shouldn't carry a pistol with a double/single trigger. If this is the type pistol you're going to carry it should be pretty much all you ever train, practice with and carry. Another example is pistols with thumb safeties. For those who regularly use a weapon with a thumb safety, such as a 1911, it's not that difficult to transition to a pistol without an external thumb safety. Attempting to disengage a thumb safety that isn't there ain't a problem. But, for someone who normally works with a weapon without a thumb safety, then decides to carry a weapon with a thumb safety, forgetting to disengage the safety during stressful conditions could be disastrous. Think about the same thing when it comes to manipulations. You carry a pistol with an bi-lateral mag-release. You're right handed so it's become a habit to use your trigger finger to release the empty mag. On the day you have to fight you're toting a weapon that only has a mag release on the left side of the pistol. Time is lost as the trigger finger keeps reaching for a mag release that isn't there. In a situation that will likely only last a few seconds this confusion will not be good. I don't think you should "test drive" pistols by carrying them. A weapon should only be carried once you are competent and confident with it. I won't carry one until it's had a few thousand rounds through it under a variety of different circumstances. Cold, wet, dirty, I know it will run. It may get beat up during this process, but when I start carrying it I have confidence in the weapon and my ability to operate it. Once I decide I like one, I'll get a couple more, performing the same modifications if any that I did to the first one. I test these during my practice sessions. Now I have one to carry, one to practice with – it gets abused a lot – and a backup if one of these is out of play. I know, having several of the very same pistol sounds boring, but it's hard to beat consistency. If you are forced to use your pistol your performance needs to be spot on. You want and need every advantage possible. Lives will depend on your choices prior to the event. Yes, you should know how all pistols function, but there is no denying that constant and consistent repetition with one type pistol will produce the best results under stressful conditions. Focusing on one type firearm provides more benefits for the time invested and increases your chances of victory. Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama. He is the author of "The Book of Two Guns," writes for several firearms/tactical publications, and is featured on GunTalk's DVD, "Fighting With The 1911 - http://shootrite.org/dvd/dvd.html Website: www.shootrite.org http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shootrite-Firearms-Academy/156608611038230?ref=ts