The "Fall Back" gun

[sgt127]

It goes something like this for me...a stainless Walther PPK. Stainless, won't rust, accurate, decent power...but, do I really want just a .380 if my life is in danger and it sure is heavy for "just" a .380. A Glock 23. Won't rust, accurate, reliable...but, geez, this thing sure is bulky and do I really need all those rounds in an off duty gun? S&W 642. Lightweight, easy to carry, reasonably accurate...but, its only a .38 and is it going to wear out if I shoot decent +P's in it? A Kahr MK9. Small, easy to conceal, utterly reliable, won't rust...but, is thing made out of depleted uranium? How can something this small be this damned heavy?

Eventually, I keep going back to an old Ruger SP-101. Reasonably easy to carry and conceal. Won't rust, lots of horsepower, virtually indestructible. Question...does anyone else have a "fall back" gun that they seem to find themselves going back to time and time again? A tried and proven gun that you know will work when its supposed to, and seems to be a good compromise between power/accuracy/concealabilty? If so. Why is it a "fall back" gun? Am I, along with others, in search of the Holy Grail?

I'm considering a Polymer micro Kahr right now...it just got me to thinking...Until somebody gets alot of rounds through one of those guns, I'll always question its reliablity...which will make me doubt it...and, I'll be back to the old ruger SP-101 shoved in my waistband...

 

[longeyes]

How about a Glock 26?

I don't carry it (California) but I would.

 

[clubsoda22]

.380's just fine with the right ammo. Walther is more than accurate enough for headshots at 25 yards, so i wouldn't worry.

 

[usnavymasterchief]

My CCW, A Kahr K40, is considered by many to be too heavy but it's nothing you can't get used to. In fact at 25oz it's a lot lighter than many .40cal's I could mention. It's all stainless and tough as nails. From what I've read and seen and for reasons I can't explain, the all stainless Kahrs seem to be much more trouble free than their polymer brothers. My K40 conceals as easily as your Ruger and carries two more rounds and if you are a LEO, you know that could mean the difference of going home after your watch or possibly not. The all stainless "full Size" Kahrs are very reliable and very accurate. Ive run beacoup rounds through the K40, JHP's and FMJ's, with never a hiccup. Really a fine piece.
The Ruger SP101 is a really great gun and I would never sell it short, .357Mag is a great cartridge. My one and only concern is only five rounds with a relatively slow reload. My Dad was a LEO back in the 40's and 50's, his duty piece was an old .38spl, Police Positive that he bought new for $65.00 and carried it for 20 years. It carried six rounds and he had 12 spare rounds in loops on his belt, talk about slow reloads. His philosophy was " If I can't get 'em with six rounds, I got no business being in the fight in the first place." Of course we all know things are very different today. In my Dad's day a lot of LEO's went 20 years and never had to break leather, today's LEO hopes he can get through his watch without breaking leather. My Dad had to use his three times but was quick to point out he never killed anyone.

 

[faustulus]

I have 'fall back' types.
I gravitate toward CZs and clones, Sigs, 2011s and Hi Powers. (although I suppose you could argue that the CZ and Hi Power should be in the same catagory.)
I've tried just about everything else and these are the ones I come back too.

 

[PawDaddy]

I have gone through several guns trying to find "THE" gun for me. It seems that I always come back to a .38 snub of some make and model. I guess that a small .38 is all I can find that I can conceal well enough with different modes of dress.

I guess that I have always favored revolvers over autos, even though I can shoot an auto better than a snub-nosed revolver. Maybe in the back of my mind I just feel more comfortable with something that is simple and easy to operate and keep up.

I've never really thought about concealing a larger revolver or had any bad experiences with an auto; I just always go back to a five shot .38.

 

[SnWnMe]

Well I live in Ka so I don't carry. My fallback gun inside my home, should I need more than 5 rounds of 20 gauge, would be my 625.

 

[Nick96]

Well sgt127, I have to agree with you. The SP101 tends to be my "Fall Back" gun as well. It's kind of like the Ford Taurus, Toyota Camry or Honda Accord of the handgun world. For a specific purpose there are better choices. But for all around day in and day out dependability, ease of handling, versitility and effectivness - I've not found a better replacement for my needs.

 

[10-Ring]

I try to "upgrade" but I keep going back to my j-frame revolver. One of these days I will invest in a 357magnum version, but for now, th 38 special version is fine.

 

[RandyB]

I like your choice of the Ruger SP-101. Simple, easy and effective.

 

[DonGlock26]

G-26 of course. I've dabbled with Sigs and a G-23, but for ease of carry, robustness, and 10+1 firepower, I always go back to my trusty G-26.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Glock 26 for me, also. Sometimes the Kimber is just not quite right.

 

[jarhead]

I've gone through just about every possible option on what to carry... finally got away from the "I want to carry" to settling in on "what I will carry" on a steady basis.

I've settled on the S&W 360... the recoil with full house loads does tend to say "howdy", but I find it controllable and quite accurate. At 11 ounces (+ 5 rounds of 125gr's)... I hardly notice I have it on and I know that it is 100% reliable.

Not to mention I think I could get some mileage in proving a shooting was self defense because - "who would shoot something that would kick like that unless my life were in danger"...

 

[GitSome45]

Glock 18...




Howard

 

[Dorrin79]

my fall-back gun is my Ruger P-89.

It's too big, heavy, and blocky for CCW.

It's not particularly accurate. (at least compared to my 1911)

But it is the gun I've shot the most, and I know it will never, ever, ever fail to go *bang* when I pull the trigger.

I guess what I'm saying is that I have confidence in my P89. My other guns don't (at least yet) inspire that same feeling in me.

If I could only keep one of my handguns, that would be the one.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I keep wondering which is better, a flat, sturdy auto or a short barrelled revlover. I'm not sure there is one answer. I do more shooting with a BHP clone than anything else.

Train with everything you have.

 

[Mannlicher]

Sgt says:"S&W 642. Lightweight, easy to carry, reasonably accurate...but, its only a .38 and is it going to wear out if I shoot decent +P's in it?"

.....Only a .38..... wow. and no, it wont wear out if you shoot +p in it. That is what it is designed for.

 

[jercamp45]

Howdy!

I guess I am equating 'fallback' to a secondary concealment piece used to get to your primary weapon.....or as a back up gun!
Those that speak Glock, speak well for reliable, using combat tools! Though a bit chunky for the pocket(or at least my pockets!).
I carry Officer's sized .45's on duty and off, BUT always like to have something extra in the pocket.
After trying a great many in the last 25 years, I seemed to have 'settled' for a S&W 'Jay'. It works. But......
Recently I began the 'Kahr Experiment', after reviewing many posts, and shooting several versions at the range....I am going 'shopping' for a Kahr PM9 to replace my Chief's as a 'ace in the hole'.
Why? Flatter, more powerful, more on board ammo, quicker reload with a flat magazine, better accuracy potential, less recoil with hotter rounds.
I am no fan of the Nine having seen a Failure To Stop with a nicely placed double tap, but there is nothing the same size/weight that fits my list of percieved requirements.
The PM9 gets me to one loaded .45(with spare mags), then to another, and another, and, etc. Too bad my AK is in a gunsafe in the midwest! Have to get me another!!!

Oh, Glock 18? Gonna have to GitSome More mags real fast, the ultimate in spray and pray!!!!
Jercamp45

 

[ront]

My Glock 27. May not be the prettiest gun around, but it sure is reliable!

Ron