I've carried for years -- work's in a BAD area, but we're heavy industrial, so we need to be there -- and started shooting IDPA weekly. As I've been lurking on here, I've been getting more and more interested in shooting open. (I think that's the right class -- the one with compensators and optics.)
I'm fairly certain I want to stick to one platform for carry and IDPA -- possibly for IPSC as well. How important is it that an open class gun be the same as an IDPA/CCW gun?
I always carry a Rohrbaugh (long, light DAO.) And, I've started carrying a P226, recently. At times, I carry a a G29, when life's going to get really wet and dirty -- fishing, rough day at work, etc. (I also occasionally carry a P7, and carry a revolver while hunting, etc.)
As far as I can tell -- that's too many triggers to learn. The only pocket guns I'm willing to carry have DAO triggers (nothing wrong w. Kel-Tecs, but I like my pup and my J frames.) However, I don't think my pocket gun is likely to end up being used in a situation which calls for accuracy.
At the moment, I'm considering:
going w. 1911s (Lightweight for carry, Steel Gov't for IDPA, spiffy one for open.)
Going w. XDs (XDM for open, another for IDPA, and a service size for carry.)
Revolvers (really lose capacity while carrying and lose some ability to stand up to knocks, etc.)
P226 -- carry a regular one, find a ST version for match use.