Sold all my 'small' CCW pistols

[saltydog452]

I kinda like handy size utility stuff thats close to hand.

salty

 

[the count]

And as a thank you for all the posts so far a little piece of CCW humor:

AN ACTUAL CRAIG'S LIST PERSONALS AD

To the Guy Who Tried to Mug Me in Downtown Savannah night before last.

Date: 2010-09-27, 1:43 a.m. E.S.T.

I was the guy wearing the black Burberry jacket that you demanded that I hand over, shortly after you pulled the knife on me and my girlfriend, threatening our lives. You also asked for my girlfriend's purse and earrings. I can only hope that you somehow come across this rather important message.

First, I'd like to apologize for your embarrassment; I didn't expect you to actually crap in your pants when I drew my pistol after you took my jacket.. The evening was not that cold, and I was wearing the jacket for a reason .. my girlfriend was happy that I just returned safely from my 2nd tour as a Combat Marine in Afghanistan .. She had just bought me that Kimber Custom Model 1911 .45 ACP pistol for my birthday, and we had picked up a shoulder holster for it that very evening. Obviously you agree that it is a very intimidating weapon when pointed at your head ... isn't it?!

I know it probably wasn't fun walking back to wherever you'd come from with that brown sludge in your pants. I'm sure it was even worse walking bare-footed since I made you leave your shoes, cell phone, and wallet with me. [That prevented you from calling or running to your buddies to come help mug us again].

After I called your mother or "Momma" as you had her listed in your cell, I explained the entire episode of what you'd done. Then I went and filled up my gas tank as well as those of four other people in the gas station, -- on your credit card. The guy with the big motor home took 153 gallons and was extremely grateful!

I gave your shoes to a homeless guy outside Vinnie Van Go Go's, along with all the cash in your wallet. [That made his day!]

I then threw your wallet into the big pink "pimp mobile" that was parked at the curb .... after I broke the windshield and side window and keyed the entire driver's side of the car.

Later, I called a bunch of phone sex numbers from your cell phone. Ma Bell just now shut down the line, although I only used the phone for a little over a day now, so what 's going on with that? Earlier, I managed to get in two threatening phone calls to the DA's office and one to the FBI, while mentioning President Obama as my possible target.

The FBI guy seemed really intense and we had a nice long chat (I guess while he traced your number etc.).

; In a way, perhaps I should apologize for not killing you ... but I feel this type of retribution is a far more appropriate punishment for your threatened crime. I wish you well as you try to sort through some of these rather immediate pressing issues, and can only hope that you have the opportunity to reflect upon, and perhaps reconsider, the career path you've chosen to pursue in life.. Remember, next time you might not be so lucky. Have a good day!

Thoughtfully yours, Semper Fi,

Alex

 

[rellascout]

while an LCP is marginally better than pepper spray or a stun-gun..

Sorry but pepper spray is not going to be lethal. 99% of the time either is a stun gun.

Why on earth would you say this? Especially the part in bold.

J-frame in a pocket holster seems perfectly reasonable unless fashion is more of an issue than security. In that case, perhaps you shouldn't be carrying at all.

It seems like you are attacking other members for what many consider a valid choice. I cannot carry a J frame in the front pocket of my dress pants which are required where I work. I cannot carry a duty sized pistol with a dress shirt on. There are times that my choosen activity is not condusive to carrying a BHP or Sig P228. Are you honestly proposing that if clothing related to job or activity does not allow from proper concealment of a J frame other slimmer alternatives are not viable. Seems a bit absurd to me.

 

[JustinJ]

There is no magic number of minimum size or capacity. There are highly unlikely situations where an LCP may not sufficient but there are also situations where any pistol isnt sufficient. Sould we all wear trench coats to allow carry of a rifle at all times? Of course not. Carry the best weapon you can practically. A mugger coming at you with a knife could be easily handled by an LCP along with many other situations. A band of terrorists storming the mall, not so much. So carry the most effective weapon you can practically. If you can manage a Glock 21 year round that's great but I'm not wearing a jacket in 100 degree texas heat. I generally go with a HKp2000sk with a short mag for concealment with one to two full size mags just in case. But often my Ruger LC9 is the biggest i can conceal within reason and occasionally its even an LCP.

 

[lobo9er]

So as long as your frequency of carry doesnt change

I have more confidence in a good fixed blade knife.

Fixed blades are illegal to carry in the city near me. But with a CCW you can Carry a Gun, go figure.

 

[group17]

I sold my Kel-tec P11 and P-3AT and now carry a Glock 27 or Glock 30

I'd get rid of the keltec's just because of the trigger.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

I've always carried full size guns. I do have a couple small carry guns, 95% of the time they're backups, the rest for the very rare occasions when I can't dress around a full size gun. Full size guns are just way easier to shoot accurately, and if you have good gear and an open mind, the added size and weight are largely irrelevant.

Capacity isn't as big a concern for me. Although my daily carry is 12 or 13 + 1 depending on the baseplate, I'm perfectly comfortably with a 1911 and a spare mag. Gun fights don't last long statistically or use much ammo. My personal comfort level is enough ammo to stop two attackers. The completely non-scientific rule of thumb I use from reading about real-life shootings is that 4 hits = 1 reliable stop.

 

[harmon rabb]

Not a bad idea. Sometimes, my LCP or 238 can make me lazy. I know I can select the right clothing and carry my EMP, but damn, wouldn't it be easier to just toss on my favorite old pair of worn jeans, a t-shirt, and toss the 238 in my pocket? I wouldn't go unarmed, so if I didn't have such easy choices, I'd be forced to carry something "real."

My saving grace here is my family. If I'm with my family, I will not make the lazy choice, because I have more than just myself to protect. With my family, I will always take the EMP, an extra mag, etc.

 

[trex1310]

I was parking my truck after making a lunch run to Wendy's when a
gentleman screeched up blocking my vehicle, jumped out of his truck
with an approximate 3' length of galvanized pipe and demanded my
wallet. I pulled my Springfield XD .45acp and shot the gentleman
just below the heart, left of centerline. He was knocked off his
feet, but managed to get up and jump back in his vehicle and make
a hasty exit from the scene. He was later apprehended at a local
hospital emergency room. He was charged with attempted armed
robbery. I later found out that he recovered from the gunshot wound.
There are no guarantees when it comes to calibers and what they
will do. My thoughts are as follows:
If you pull it, use it
Aim for center mass
Carry as much gun as you can shoot well

 

[Hastings]

I certainly didn't mean to attack other members. I was being flippant. Please forgive me if I offended anyone.

I find the trend toward lighter and lighter firearms, along with the trend toward guns like the Judge (which to me seems marketed toward individuals that are less likely to be trained or practice with firearms to any meaningful extent) to be questionable. I'm sure that many forum members own and love these guns, and God bless them. I carry a Glock, and many people I know laugh at my "plastic gun". I'm thick skinned, sticks and stones... you know.

I simply think that many of the ultra-small, ultra-light guns on the market are ending up in the hands of people better served with a non-lethal weapon. I personally know of at least seven individuals who have purchased LCP's and LCR's, who are more likely to injure themselves or have the gun taken from them if they ever attempt to use it in self defense. I'm not being flippant on this one. They are neither mechanically inclined enought or serious enough about being able to adequately shoot the gun to be safe with one in my opinion. I think that carrying a handgun for self defense is a serious matter, and while everyone should be entitled to defend themselves there are many who are either unwilling or incapable of mastering a firearm for self-defense. Like the absurd comic skits with cell-phones that are to small to dial, I think that making these guns so small and light is actually making them easy to carry, but less easy to use, and less pleasant to shoot, which can lead to them being seldom practiced with. Combine that with someone who likes the low price and has never handled a firearm before and you have trouble. Here in Vermont you can walk into a gunstore and walk out ten minutes later with a handgun as long as you aren't a felon. No training required, no skills, no license. Plus, you can then pocket the gun and legally carry it on you with no permit or training. You can begin to see the problem.

As far as non-lethal weapons, I think that not every self-defense encounter needs to be deadly, and not everyone is prepared to take a human life, even in self defense. This is what lead to my pepper spray and stun-gun reference.

I hope I didn't offend anyone. It was not my intention. I maintain my opinion of these smaller/lighter weapons, but it's just that, my opinion, and worth no more or less than anyone elses.

frequently tongue in cheek,
Hastings

 

[Smaug]

It doesn’t have to be either/or, you know. You can carry a 380 that is slightly larger than a subcompact that carries 8 rounds. The gun is big enough to shoot comfortably and accurately, but not (19-round-double-stack) big and comfortable.

I think you’ll get through this phase, Count, and come back to planet Earth some day.

 

[Gtscotty]

Here in Vermont you can walk into a gunstore and walk out ten minutes later with a handgun as long as you aren't a felon. No training required, no skills, no license. Plus, you can then pocket the gun and legally carry it on you with no permit or training. You can begin to see the problem.

I don't see a problem. You're teetering on the edge of a slippery slope here.

As an aside, when choosing what to carry, I like to consider my realistic personal threat level, which is almost always quite low. Because of this, the ease of carry of a light .380 or 9mm is more important to me that the admittedly greater power of a full size .45. I deem the reduction in capacity, power and medium range precision due to my decision to be part of an acceptable compromise. ymmv

 

[JustinJ]

"You can carry a 380 that is slightly larger than a subcompact that carries 8 rounds."

Why when they make 9s that are just as concealable?

 

[Smaug]

JustinJ: Because a small 380 is lots easier to shoot well than a small 9mm.

 

[JustinJ]

But the posters main concern is firepower.

And i wouldn't say "lots" easier for most adult males unless we're talking 9mm +P+.

 

[LawScholar]

Here in Vermont you can walk into a gunstore and walk out ten minutes later with a handgun as long as you aren't a felon. No training required, no skills, no license. Plus, you can then pocket the gun and legally carry it on you with no permit or training. You can begin to see the problem

Uh...nope, I can't. I don't have to take a speech class to exercise freedom of speech, nor be a theological scholar to practice freedom of religion. Inalienable rights are pesky that way.

I just carry an extra mag with my LCP. I feel perfectly fine with 13 rounds of .380

 

[BIGGBAY90]

after actually carrying several different so-called sub compact guns incl. Sw bodyguard 38, keltec pf9 and ruger lcp i came to the conclusion that the all suck firepower wise. Please, don't get back with comments like 'one well placed round between the eyes....' bla bla bla. I have not been in an actual gunfight (thank god) but have several advanced combat pistol courses under the belt and guys, even with these simulations its totally different from standing at the range with a stationary target 7 yards away. I now carry either a xdm9 with a whopping 19 round mag or a glock 30sf with 13 rounds of 45 acp. Slightly more uncomfortable? Maybe. Peace of mind? Tons better.

when you start to carry what you like (and know how to use it) and not what everyone else like then you put yourself in a better ccw defense position----grrrrrrrrrrrrrreat

 

[amazon shooter]

You Guys Are All Under Armed

I always carry the 50 round drum magazine and two spares drums for my auto, just in case if I need them.

 

[Hastings]

I totally agree that the right to defend ourself is an inalienable right. I still live in Vermont because of the gun-friendly laws surrounding buying and carrying firearms. I don't mean to go down a slippery slope at all. Unfortunately, I think I am begining to prefer the arrangement in other states where concealed carry requires a permit. Here's why.

Growing up in Connecticut, a permit was required to carry. If I was pulled over in a traffic stop, or someone accidentally noticed my carry gun, I had a permit to indicate that I was a law-abiding, reasonably trained individual who was eager to cooperate with state laws and state law-enforcment officers. In VT there is no such method of demonstrating your level of conscienciousness regarding training or legal compliance. For all the police officer knows, you could be anyone from a firearms instructor to an anti-social wack-job.

I hate government involvement and regulation in just about any form, but since it's unavoidable I would prefer to have some tangible means of quickly identifying myself as a law-abiding citizen who respects local laws enough to put in the time required to get and maintain a permit. Is this an odd perspective? Maybe, but from my experience there was a certain level of respect afforded those with a permit which is not always offered to the "everybody" in VT who just so happens to have a gun. I know it shouldn't be that way, but it is. I don't blame the police officers, either. If I were one, I think I would view permit holders as cooperative, respectful and responsible. If no permit is required, there is no indication of one's attitude toward these factors.

That's my odd-ball view on the subject. I love the fact that I can buy and carry with no waiting period and no hassle, but the increased suspicion with which someone carrying a gun is viewed by law enforcement is unpleasant, if understandable.

 

[lobo9er]

I hate government involvement and regulation in just about any form, but since it's unavoidable I would prefer to have some tangible means of quickly identifying myself as a law-abiding citizen who respects local laws enough to put in the time required to get and maintain a permit. Is this an odd perspective?

Cant tell if he's trolling.
If not my response to everything he has to say about permits is "you dont know what you got till its gone"

move to a more gun unfriendly state and check back.

 

[wristtwister]

My "little friend" is a Para P-12... 13 rounds of 230 grain .45 caliber that will put the kibosh on just about anything walking... It's not terribly bulky, and with a spare magazine puts 25 rounds at my disposal...

I've got a raft full of the little "sissie pistols"... .380's and 9's, but after talking to a CIA operative who was shot point blank with a .45 by a guy overseas who was a prohibitively bad shot, I decided that .45 was the way to go. He was hit mid shoulder, and to quote him... "I went from standing up to being flat on my back". He killed his attacker from the floor with HIS .45.

After looking at ballistic gel that's been hit with different rounds, it's not difficult to see that a .45 will get the job done, short of carrying a 10 MM... and my 10 MM won't carry as many rounds as the .45. I'm a firm believer in "hi-cap" guns, because nobody ever asks you about how much ammo you brought back from a gunfight.

Most calibers will do some harm, but others are "show stoppers"... and my vote goes to the .45's and 10 MM's for carrying. It's kind of the "big bang" theory in practice...

WT

 

[PRM]

Guess it all evens out ~ I just bought two small CCW guns (one .38 and one .32).

I've always found that a big gun is more likely to stay at home or in the car instead of on me. Bottom line, there are no guaranteed one shot stops with a hand gun, and zero one shot or multiple shot stops if you don't have it on you.

I know there are some who do a dedicated carry with the large frame guns ~ but, once the new wears off, most of them wind up in the night stand.

I've been an LEO since the mid-70s. When I first started most officers carried the S&W Chief's Special, S&W Model 60, Colt Detective Special, or Walther PP series guns for off duty. I don't see much different with the new guys coming up. There are more choices now, S&W Bodyguards, Rugers, Keltecs... but its pretty much the same size and caliber guns for everyday use.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I cannot carry a J frame in the front pocket of my dress pants which are required where I work. I cannot carry a duty sized pistol with a dress shirt on. There are times that my choosen activity is not condusive to carrying a BHP or Sig P228.

This is the epitome of the dress and social situation for which a "pocket popper" is ideal. In the particular case of the J-frame revolver, these do not conceal all that well in any but large pockets (which dress pants don't have). A pocket auto is smaller in every dimension and, more importantly, is much flatter, with no cylinder bulge.

 

[Zerodefect]

A .380 like the Kahr p380 is still going to stick out like a sore thumb in dress pants.

A small auto or Jframe IWB would probally the best solution.

 

[catnphx]

I've always found that a big gun is more likely to stay at home or in the car instead of on me.

I agree with that and it's for this reason that I carry 9mm. Big enough to get the job done but not so big that it stays home.

My big gun for home is my Mossy 590A1 with a M&P 9 for back-up.