'70's Big Bore Concealed Carry

[chaim]

I love my micro-9 and other 9mms for concealed carry, but I do have to admit being on a big bore kick lately.

I am reintroducing my Commander sized scandium S&W 1911SC to my list of carry guns (though it will only be used that way occasionally). I am going to replace my Officer sized RIA with another Officer sized 1911 that is easier to take down and hopefully a bit more reliable (though, admittedly, I'm torn between the .45ACP or a smaller 9mm SA EMP for that role). My long time interest in acquiring a .44spl or .45LC in a lightweight or medium frame has reawakened (even though I much prefer a 6 shot revolver to a 5 shot revolver). I've been considering the Charter Arms of late (considering the long established Bulldog in .44spl or the newer .45LC, and less likely but still under consideration, the .45ACP version of the Pitbull), and scouring the internet for used Rossi 720s, Taurus 431s, 445s, and 450s, and S&W 296s and 396s.

 

[jstert]

my big bore ccw is a 45lc/410 bond arms derringer. minus its trigger guard it works well as a gloved hands, cool weather piece.

 

[obiwan1]

I sold my PD in 1991 because of parts unavailability and inability to put an ambi safety on it. Still have my 'dogs!

 

[armoredman]

A buddy of mine had a Star PD as his carry pistol in the early 80s, and he loved that gun.
As for Charter...back then they were great revolvers, carried an Off Duty as my first centerfire handgun as a young man. Charco and Charter 2000 products I wouldn't walk across the street to pick up.

 

[silicosys4]

Darn. I don't have any 70's big bores. I used to have a charter arms bulldog pug, but sold it after it developed some serious endshake after about 200 rounds of moderate loads. It was a great little revolver, I just wish they were a bit more robustly designed. I had it apart a few times in an attempt to cold blue it, and the internals are very small and fragile. That size comes at a cost. Not to mention the frame wouldn't take a cold blue at all.



This oddball misses the 70's mark by one year, starting production in 1980, but it was a minor player in the 80's as far as big bore concealed carry goes.