Old guns for CCW?

I've carried an M1911 for more years than I care to remember, for the last 15 years or so, a Kimber Custom Classic.

If I'm just going the door and I don't have my M1911 on, I drop a Colt Detective Special in my pocket.

I have a 1942 USGI Colt in the rotation, as well as a pinned/recessed Model 13 that dates back to 1975. Have been known to tote a 1918 Black Army Colt pistol, and a Smith & Wesson Victory Model.

"New things are no good."

-Ralph "Papa" Thorsen-

My early Charter Undercover that came from a Estate sale it carryed the most cause I can just grap it with my Blackhawk or Uncle Mikes pocket holster and go. Left front pocket and always there.

My Nazi Hi-Power was made in '42. Grandpa's war trophy. I'd carry it if I could actually aquire the sights in a hurry. But since I can't see that well, it's usually an XD instead.

My 1911 dates from about the year 2000, but the design dates to, of course, circa 1911. My S&W Model 19-5 was made late in the Cold War period; the original Model 19 dates to 1955, and the S&W K-frame, upon which the 19 is built, dates to about 1899, if my memory is correct. I still have my S&W Model 58 that was made about 1974, that I carried as a duty sixgun from 1985 to about 1989. Manufacture of the Model 58 started about 1964.

Of the above-listed guns, I carry the Model 19 the most often; almost daily. It has a 4" barrel, and makes for very practical yet tactical package.

I have owned and carried older S&W handguns than the ones I just listed, but in my younger says I tended to trade quite a bit.

My EDC is a Smith & Wesson Model 12-2 from the early 70's. But I don't consider that "old."

jeepnik said:

I've posted this before, but there are times when whimsy wins out and I'll carry.

It's not all that old as it is a repro. But the design is 162 years old, so I doubt you'll get much older, in .44 caliber unless you carry a Patterson or Walker. And, the Patterson and the Walker are a bit large to conceal.

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I've carried a SSA in the past and a WWI vintage 1911. I would feel totally comfortable carrying that. Nice piece!

More often than not a '60s Model 10, but looking for a model 65.

Usually carry a pre-war Detective Special. Sometimes a S&W 1917 .45 revolver. On rare occasions I carry a 642, when the climate is unduly rust-inducing. Once in a blue moon I carry a RIA 1911. I consider the old stuff at least as reliable as the new, if not moreso.

I've carried a shooter grade 1941 Mauser P-08 Luger from time to time.

I suppose it depends upon what gun, in what condition. The plain fact of the matter is that guns produced by quality manufacturers as much as say 80 years ago were made with methods and materials that are likely superior to those employed today due to cost cutting.

With these "veterans" though it does become more important to understand just what you have and it's state of wear and current function. A lot can happen in 80 years and eventually any piece of machinery will wear out.

The standards set by the best manufacturers in years past will withstand a few lifetimes of reasonable use and care. Hence a lot of these examples have a good deal of reliable service left and depending on specifics and how effective you are at evaluating, might be the best choice you could make.

I currently regularly use '70s vintage Smith, Dan Wesson and Colt revolvers and do not hesitate to depend on them for defense or carry. I own some a good deal older that I have "retired" from front line use.

Eg. My 1972 Detective Special is a go to carry piece, ditto my '73 Lawman Mk III. The 1910 Military and Police target is retired (in favor of a 1963 Mod 14). The 1892 Safety Hammerless isn't employed only because of the chambering in .38 S&W. It still performs flawlessly and has a good deal of useful life left.

General Geoff said:

I carry a WWII FN Hi-Power manufactured in occupied Belgium occasionally.

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Really? I have a nazi marked FN HP and the trigger is horrible. I couldn't imagine carrying that heavy gun haha. It is a beautiful and iconic firearm but I like it where it is, in my safe. Be careful shooting such an old and precious artifact!

I sometimes carry a 1975 M36 and other times I carry a 1948 M&P. I don't know how old the Colt Detective I have is but I carry that sometimes too.

My primary is a Ballester Molina .45 then a Bulgarian Makarov in 9x18.

For the past eight years or so my EDC has been a Makarov.

The CZ70 and FEG AP7 are both decent carry guns. They're slim enough not to bug you but large enough to get a full grip on. They're heavier than most are used to though due to the fact that they use steel and aluminum frames rather than polymer.

Colt 1970 Model1911; my first sidearm. More have followed but I still carry that hardball piece regularly.

When I first got my permit I didn't have any small pistols so I carried my Walther P38 in a shoulder holster for a bit. The pistols I carry these days are much easier to conceal.

I carry a 1971 Polish P-64 or a Makarov. Cold-war Combloc guns. They work well, conceal well, and are very accurate. And I'd trust them over a commercial .380 any day. Recently, though, I seem to have misplaced my P-64 somewhere in my house, and have been carrying a Smith & Wesson Model 38 Airweight Bodyguard.

this one's pretty old ...

... probably older than a lot of the forum members! S&W 19-3, easily packed concealed OWB in a mahogany, horsehide Kramer Vertical Scabbard ... for the occasional day outdoors when I like to go old school ...

I too carry a Bulgie Makarov in 9x18.

I am not sure it counts but I carry an AMT Backup as well...a backup that rolled of the assembly line in the 1970s.

I have carried a Detonics 45 since 1983.

I know this will be considered a silly question because if you have to use it you are not going to be real concerned about it's collectible status or sentimental value but I have to ask....

Is there no concern about the possibility of losing a prized piece as evidence and knowing it will not be treated well until (if ever) it's return?

Yes, you will probably lose your carry gun -- at least temporarily. But would you want to find yourself in a life-or-death situation and not be carrying the best gun you have?