My initial interest in handguns was driven by being a history buff, from a very young age, with a particular interest in US history, post-Civil War, and 20th Century world history. I became a legal adult in 1979, when the 1911 was still the standard sidearm of the US military. 1911 pistols were also somewhat popular duty pistol choices among the serious shooters, among sheriff’s deputies working in my county of residence, and among police officers in the largest city in the region, plus, of course, seemed to be the leading choice among Texas Rangers. I did not dislike revolvers, but, thought that revolvers were quaint. Having grown up in a household without firearms, and with my local relatives owning only long guns, there was no family tradition to influence my concept of what a handgun “should be.” So, in late 1982 or early 1983, when I was 21, I bought a 1911. I started aspiring to add such pistols as the Browning Hi-Power, Walthers PPK, PP, P1, and P5, HK P7, and classic SIGs.
Then, however, in late 1983, I was hired by the Houston (Texas) Police Department. (Yes, other states do have their own Houstons.) I learned that I would have to train with an S&W L-Frame, in the academy, and that for my first year of street duty, would have to carry only DA revolvers, 24/7/365, as my only handguns. (There was also a short list of approved shotguns, too.) The USA was in a recession, but, the oil industry was still thriving, so, Houston was a wild-‘n’-wooly oil boom town, attracting the unemployed from across the USA. Plus, civil wars in Latin American were driving an increased migration from the southern border. Houston PD had been tending to loose several officers per year, killed in the line of duty. I knew that I needed to TRAIN, diligently, with the weapons I would be required to carry. So, I did, and found the rhythmic nature of shooting DA revolvers to be a thing of beauty.
I became eligible to carry auto-loading pistols after I completed one year of sworn service, but mostly used revolvers as primary duty pistols until 1990, when I had finally managed to successfully acquire and vet a Colt Commander that was truly reliable. I continued to use revolvers as back-up/secondary weapons, but the Commander was my 24/7 gun. When that Commander started choking, after about a year, I quickly switched to a SIG P220, which was my 24/7 gun. The P220’s heel-clip magazine release tended to snag the fabric of patrol car seat cushions, causing a partial release of the mag, so, I reverted to revolvers in my duty holster, from 1993 to 1997. In 1997, a duty handgun policy change was announced, that compelled me to make a final duty pistol choice. Future duty pistols choices would much more limited. I chose to “grandfather” my Colt Government Model, which had been proven reliable, plus I quickly bought, and vetted, two Kimbers, to qual with them, before the deadline. (The sad saga of those Kimbers‘ reliability problems would make this post too long to tolerate.)
Multiple revolvers have remained favored personal-time carry guns, which has continued into retirement, which started six years ago. I do not have a “rotation,” because there is no regularity or pattern. My usual daily carry gun is a 2” S&W Model 64, .38 Special, but for random reasons, the role might go to a 2.25” or 3” SP101, or a 3” or 4” GP100. It is normal for me to add a second gun. When I opt for a Glock or 1911, it is usually when I carry two handguns. Notice that I did not use the terms “primary, secondary, or back-up” gun. I am still likely to reflexively reach for my right hip, in a defensive emergency. If I am wearing a full-cut, voluminous cover garment, the handgun at 0300 might be a full-sized 1911, or a Glock G17. In skimpier clothing, the handgun at 0300 is probably going to be a revolver, but a Glock may be positioned elsewhere, probably for a lefty draw. I write lefty, and throw righty, so, the main thing “weak” about either hand is that my right hand and right shoulder are not aging as well as my left hand and left shoulder.
So, I like auto-loading pistols, and, I like revolving pistols, for carry. Talking about what like to collect, and/or use recreationally, would require a much longer post. This one is too long, already.
Life is good.
