Jim NE
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Does your caliber choice change if you're carrying in an area where drugs are prevalent?
- Thread starter TomJ
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I agree with Charlie, avoiding situations that you can control is the best thing. For example do you really need to gas up your car at 1: o,clock in the morning. I carry a 1911 at a certain point it doesn't make sense to go bigger, but extra magazines are not a bad idea but let's be realistic, if you have not handled the situation with the first magazine more than likely you won't have a chance for the second one. In my opinion, to a certain point it could provide one with a false sense of security carrying extra ammo. Might change your train of thought and make you take chances you normally wouldn't.
375supermag
Member
Hi...
I have been quite happy carrying my 1911s in .45ACP for 40 years and never felt 8 rounds with two spare magazines was inadequate.
However, with the increase of shootings in broad daylight with multiple perpetrators recently in my local area I am seriously considering switching my primary carry piece to a 17 round .40S&W M&P with two spare magazines.
We have had multiple incidents where innocent bystanders were caught in a gun battle between rival gangbangers including a couple of fatalities. It seems the bad guys are always long gone by the time law enforcement arrives, although to be fair a large percentage of the bad guys are eventually caught.
I have been quite happy carrying my 1911s in .45ACP for 40 years and never felt 8 rounds with two spare magazines was inadequate.
However, with the increase of shootings in broad daylight with multiple perpetrators recently in my local area I am seriously considering switching my primary carry piece to a 17 round .40S&W M&P with two spare magazines.
We have had multiple incidents where innocent bystanders were caught in a gun battle between rival gangbangers including a couple of fatalities. It seems the bad guys are always long gone by the time law enforcement arrives, although to be fair a large percentage of the bad guys are eventually caught.
A while back I had a lipoma removed on the location where I carry my 1911. The weight of the gun made it painful to carry. I switched to my Keltec pmr 30 as it only weighs 19 ounces fully loaded. I normally load 26 rounds per magazine, this helps to cut down on malfunctions which I have never had. Carrying 78 22magnum rounds made me comfortable going any where. This is where my post above comes into play as far as carrying extra ammo can provide a false sense of security. But with all the active shooter situations that have occurred recently, it is not a bad idea to carry extra just in case you are in a scenario beyond your control in which you might have to shoot your way out. At least you can stop the threat or slow it down until help arrives.
No, but according to flyer that came with my property tax opioids now kill more people in my state than people with guns.
Opiod overdoses are an issue, most are happening among older users now. Too many go to multiple doctors to get around prescription restrictions and up their intake surreptitiously. This is why localities are introducing prescription monitoring sites to keep Uncle Fred or Grandma from getting two or three to supply their habit. It's drug addiction for the pre eldercare generation.
As for working in a drug user infested area, the change you make may be in how to target that individual. Stopping forward motion and stopping the will means you need to practice at the range acquiring a different targeting point than the 9 ring. COM shooting is just fine and dandy dealing with the normal aggressor but when they are no longer capable of rational thought then shooting them in a way to induce rational behavior is where failure starts getting introduced. If it takes 90 seconds for a COM shot to be effective, you might reconsider targeting somewhere else where the onset of injury is more rapid.
For the most part we carry adequate equipment, how we use it makes the difference.
As for working in a drug user infested area, the change you make may be in how to target that individual. Stopping forward motion and stopping the will means you need to practice at the range acquiring a different targeting point than the 9 ring. COM shooting is just fine and dandy dealing with the normal aggressor but when they are no longer capable of rational thought then shooting them in a way to induce rational behavior is where failure starts getting introduced. If it takes 90 seconds for a COM shot to be effective, you might reconsider targeting somewhere else where the onset of injury is more rapid.
For the most part we carry adequate equipment, how we use it makes the difference.
bullseye308
Member
Apparently there is a heroine problem around here, but I will still carry the same as I have for quite a while. The only thing that will change is my aiming point.
mljdeckard
Member
In a word, no. I am always planning for the worst.
Vern Humphrey
Member
I carry a .45 and two spare mags, rain or shine, good neighborhoods and bad.
Speedo66
Member
The current drug epidemic is opioids, my experience with heroin addicts is they just want to nod, never gave me much trouble, were barely able to if they wanted. Crack and meth users could be another story.
There have always been lots of drugs everywhere, most non users just weren't aware of it. The heroin spreading to middle and upper class kids has brought awareness through the media.
I wouldn't worry about it enough to change my carry gun. A violent emotionally disturbed person was more of a problem than a heroin user.
There have always been lots of drugs everywhere, most non users just weren't aware of it. The heroin spreading to middle and upper class kids has brought awareness through the media.
I wouldn't worry about it enough to change my carry gun. A violent emotionally disturbed person was more of a problem than a heroin user.
I live in rural Oregon. I carry a LCP (.380) with me everywhere. When I take a trip to the "Big City" (Portland) I carry my .45 XDs. If I lived in Chicago I would want to carry a Desert Eagle in .50ae.... and .500 S&W if I had to go to the shady part of the city.
An attacker in a urban area is perceived to be harder to incapacitate than an attacker in a rural area.
Wouldn't one would want the same ASAP threat stopping potential regardless of location where they defend them-self. (I do)
An attacker in a urban area is perceived to be harder to incapacitate than an attacker in a rural area.
Wouldn't one would want the same ASAP threat stopping potential regardless of location where they defend them-self. (I do)
I have my LCP on me all day every day no matter what I am wearing. If I just have to make a quick run to the grocery store for a gallon of milk in shorts my LCP is on me. When I carry my XDs I dress specifically for it.
In a small town the faces are familiar... in a city I am less comfortable... I like the extra protection of a 45. I do feel comfortable with the .380 LCP for all day every day carry. I found when I bought my LCP I ALWAYS have a gun on me. I had the XDs prior to purchasing the LCP and found I didn't have a gun on me more often than I would like.
In Chicago the police line you up against a wall and mow you down with a Tommy gun just so they can take your liquor... even on holidays like valentines day. I can't imagine living there!
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I haven't been around them but I don't worry about a person high on Heroin. I worry about the person not high on heroin needing their fix and looking at you as the only thing standing between them and the heroin they need.
My father in law was bludgeoned to death with in hammer in his own garage by a heroin addict for $20.
No.
Around home I don't carry much because the facilities I frequently visit forbid firearms (including firearms stowed in your vehicle in the parking lot) so it's easier to just not.
My family farm/retirement property is located in the marijuana capital of the state and is also the location where a lot of methamphetamine is produced. Back in the 1970's the County Sheriff and the Pastor of one of the local churches were arrested for delivering a bale (yes, like a hay bale) of marijuana to an under cover policeman. After that, I have always assumed everyone I run into is tied to the drug trade in some way. That may have influenced my original choice on what to carry, but it is not an on-going consideration.
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
Do I look like I carry a sissy caliber?
45 and a few mags will do serious,social work anywhere.
45 and a few mags will do serious,social work anywhere.
JR24
Member
I think a plate carrier and an AR would be more useful in Chiraq
And a couple APCs full of buddies with rifles.
Or, jus avoid it like I do. Milwaukee is bad enough, no need to go further south
SwampWolf
Member
I agree with bringing someone else along... they also should not be able to run as fast as I can.
JeeperCreeper
Member
I guess sometimes it does... my normal tiny .380 LCP might get swapped out for my XD 45. Depends on the situation... If I'm in the car, def 45. If I'm carrying in plain clothes, I might switch to my compact 9mm.
bassjam
Member
I carry the guns I practice with, regardless of where I am. Most often, its a .38sp j-frame. I work in an area that was considered the most dangerous neighborhood of Cincinnati until a few years ago. Even now, it's not great (a bartender was shot in the face just this past Weds as she was leaving work, and it happened right were I park every day and a block from my office). Since I can't carry at work, I just have pepper spray in my pocket. Walking around the city during lunch I always run into weird people that are clearly on something, but they never do anything but ask for money or food.
I live in the country, and fully understand that drug use is just as popular out there as it is in the city. Like I said, when I can carry I think it's more important to have something you practice with and are proficient with, than worry about making a bigger hole.
I live in the country, and fully understand that drug use is just as popular out there as it is in the city. Like I said, when I can carry I think it's more important to have something you practice with and are proficient with, than worry about making a bigger hole.
If1HitU
Member
No I carry a .44 special 90% of the time,and .40 Cal's.& .38 SPL+P's the other 10% of the time.During the summer month it's 380's,&.38 SPL+P's.
Sistema1927
Member
No illicit drugs in Wyoming? Seems like there was quite a bit of drug trafficking, and the associated mob violence, lately in Absaroka County. 
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