Get two! Modern plastic pistols aren’t that expensive. And you could always find a used one of the same model.
You break the new one in, shoot enough of your chosen ammo to make sure it’s 100%, and then carry that one.
The other one is the beater gun: shoot it a million times, compete with it, plink with it, bang it around.
Y’all think this is maybe a good idea?
Sound logic to me, although I rotate two G19’s for range duty and carry. That being said, Glocks can go a few hundred thousand rounds before barrel replacement, Etc.
A reasonable idea, but definitely shoot one example enough to be sure you actually like it before buying two. And don’t buy a second if that uses up the only money that would otherwise pay for practice or instruction. Quality pistols will hold up to more shooting than typical owners will put on them. (Weekly USPSA competitors are not typical.)
Not literally true - I’ve only seen one plausible claim of >100,000 rounds on a single Glock, it was a G17, and things were showing significant wear by that time. Still astounding durability for a plastic pistol.
Realistically, do you want to carry the just-broken-in pistol with 1k rounds or the worn out trainer with 100k? (“Realistically” assuming you actually shoot that much.)
Pretty old idea, the thought process has been around for ages, especially when considering the possibility of having your firearm being taken for investigation if you get into a shooting.
This has been around for a while. Lots of guys here train/compete with one and carry the other.
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What kind of lame ass dipshit would buy or think they need more than one of the same pistol?
If you have the kind of ammo budget that you’re worried about the wear you’re putting on your carry gun, then you can certainly afford a second pistol.
I’m amazed how many people have that sort cash.
Back when I was into M&Ps my 9fs just stopped extracting a few months after purchase. So now I could send it in and wait without a gun or run out and buy a new gun quickly and go put a case of ammo through it before Sunday is over to make sure it functions so that Monday I can carry it!
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I think more people do than will admit it.
People blow $100 on booze or eating out on the weekend. Lay off for 1 month and you got your pistol.
People spend $200/month or more on cable, high speed internet, etc.
People buy gaming computers, golf clubs, upgrade cars, video games, cigarettes, etc.
$500 on a gun is not much money on anything else, but a lifetime purchase for a gun and people “cant afford it” yet do all the things listed above.
A good idea, but far from a new revelation.
I don’t own a smartphone; I pay $10/mo. to keep my current cell phone active… it calls and texts, but that’s not the point. The money I’m not spending on the data plan & phone, I can buy ~ 10k rounds of 9mm/year or (6k of 223/year) based on current prices.
So there ya go. All about priorities. 
That’s true for anything.
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Wow, revolutionary… 
I did that with my G22… bought a G17 to practice with for cheap. Same target sights, holsters, etc.
My point was that you have to spend an enormous amount of money in ammo to break a decent pistol (unless it is not so decent - M&P).
Did I fix that for you?
This stuff about putting 500 or more rounds through the pistol before deeming it reliable for carry is nonsense.
There may be a need for you to expend that many rounds, or more, gaining competency with a new trigger, e.g. Glock to DA/SA, but not to prove the pistol works.
Nope. Did you think I wrote “break in” when I actually wrote “break”?
I think the OPs idea is sound. Not new, but good.
As Clint Smith says: two is one, one is none.
For that matter, it’s a good idea if, after a self-defense shooting, the pistol you used is kept for evidence for an indefinite time. You’ll still be armed with something identical, which is ideal, I feel.
The basic idea is sound and reasonable - if I actually thought my life was at real risk. But most gun people have several handguns, and there is no reason you can’t be quite competent with two fairly different platforms, should one be in the shop.
By all means, don’t apply my comments to the members of Delta Force, but we do have a tendency to over-game this sort of thing. I can’t think of anything more boring than owning multiple G19s.
I think some pistol-packers I know are making the opposite mistake.
If it’s Monday, they’re carrying the G17. Tuesday, the 1911. Wednesday, how about the P226 for a change? Saturday, gotta have the M&P . . . or maybe that new H&K.
If they ever get into a poop-storm, they don’t know what’s in the holster.