Winter Carry Weapon... .38 Spc, .357, .357 Mag, 10mm?

[jehicks87]

Why would someone change weapon types?? What ever muscle memory you have developed is gone. If you carry a 38 then a 357 could be nothing more than a different model or just an ammo change. If you need a 10mm then carry that all years just move up from a light bullet to a heavier bullet +P type load..

Never change handgun design and fuction. I carry a 9mm year round but could if worried change to a 147gr+P from a 124gr+P if needed for heavier clothing.

My brain is already fine with the "muscle memory" I've developed for the 4 different weapons I shoot on a regular basis.

I'm looking into a FN 5.7. Should that be an effective caliber for winter carry?

That sounds like sarcasm to me...

Wats an illinois 9mm load??

The "famous" Illinois State Police 9mm loading. 115 gr JHP going around 1300 fps.

Like I said, I figured there was a reason beyond the hollowpoint clogging that the FBI felt the need to include clothing in it's testing. I have been wanting to get a 10mm for a while, so I'll still be getting one anyway. I was just trying to figure if my lil pocket rocket would work as well in the winter as it would in the summer. For all the helpful input, I thank yall!

 

[RhinoDefense]

Cops do and don't do a lot of things I don't and do do, respectively.

Absolutely agree with you. In this instance, however, we can learn and follow their lead.

 

[Snowdog]

When I first started CCW (14 years ago?), I had different pistols for different seasons.

I no longer do this as it make less sense to me now as it did back then. In retrospect, I think I had embraced that philosophy to justify certain purchases.

I've since chosen a JHP that I believe to be "street tolerant" (HST) and carry the same pistol/ammunition combo year-round. I find I enjoy not fretting so much over the small stuff (unless you enjoy doing so, as I'm aware many do).

 

[hardluk1]

jehicks87 Wow 4 different weapons, a,a, handguns. And you rotate all 4 in your carry rotation?? Are they the same type or different makes or just caliber and size of the same handgun. I also have several handguns that i shoot for fun or have hunted with for 35 years with. That ain't the same thang as defending your life with . The less you change the less chance you have to do something stupid. Like a guy that carrys a striker fired pistol 75% of the time then dress up and carry's a 1911.

 

[Loosedhorse]

.357, .357 Mag

What's the difference? Maybe you meant .355?

I'd be happy with all of them. In .38, I'd specify a 158 gr +P HP.

My usual carry in jacket weather is 10mm or .45; with .38 or 9.

Why would someone change weapon types??

I do it all the time. It just keep your "muscle memory" flexible: strong grip, good, fast sight picture, smooth trigger no matter what.

Who says you're going to get to fight using your gun?

 

[jehicks87]

jehicks87 Wow 4 different weapons, a,a, handguns. And you rotate all 4 in your carry rotation?? Are they the same type or different makes or just caliber and size of the same handgun. I also have several handguns that i shoot for fun or have hunted with for 35 years with. That ain't the same thang as defending your life with . The less you change the less chance you have to do something supid. Like a guy that carrys a striker fired pistol 75% of the time then dress up and carry's a 1911.

lol, no no. Effectively only 2 pistols (issued m9 and personal 92fs), and my glock 36. My other 2 weapons are the M4 and the M240. All of which I have to maintain proficiency with and have developed "muscle memory" for. It's all in your head.

Kind of like saying "don't throw a curve ball or a slider! Just stick with your fast ball! I mean, you've already developed the muscle memory for it..."

ETA: those four weapons are the ones I am most comfortable with and MUST maintain proficiency with. I have other personal weapons I shoot occasionally, but don't feel the need to be as intimately acquainted with them.

 

[hardluk1]

The m4 and m240 don't count for concealed carry but those I understand.

High streess moments can make the average guy screw something up if anything is different.
I would rather have the fast ball every time of a defence pistol. I can see a change in size just not fuction. Like your 92f and a cheetah. I also practice point shooting and don't want a handgun that I have to change the angle to get to point toward the target. Maybe the glock and your 92f point the same naturaly. I don't own one and have not shoot one in years. To me a glock points barrel high compared to ever other handgun I own, pistols and revolvers. Werd. Like the gun and still have one that my wife claimed but not something i can point shoot under low light conditions with out focusing on the sights.

Use to pig hunt a lot and found myself shooting hogs with darn near zero time to think about it at times. Side step and point shoot. Just kept doing it at practice when I started CC'n.

Stay safe.

 

[ChCx2744]

Unless they are wearing ballistic woven fabric made to specifically hold up against the caliber I carry, regular clothes aren't going to stop them. Same gun year round.

 

[antiquus]

7 rounds of BB Heavy .38 Special +P Ammo - 158 gr. L.S.W.C.H.P. at nearly 400 ft/lbs out of a 2½" barrel.

 

[jehicks87]

The m4 and m240 don't count for concealed carry but those I understand.

High streess moments can make the average guy screw something up if anything is different.
I would rather have the fast ball every time of a defence pistol. I can see a change in size just not fuction. Like your 92f and a cheetah. I also practice point shooting and don't want a handgun that I have to change the angle to get to point toward the target. Maybe the glock and your 92f point the same naturaly. I don't own one and have not shoot one in years. To me a glock points barrel high compared to ever other handgun I own, pistols and revolvers. Werd. Like the gun and still have one that my wife claimed but not something i can point shoot under low light conditions with out focusing on the sights.

Use to pig hunt a lot and found myself shooting hogs with darn near zero time to think about it at times. Side step and point shoot. Just kept doing it at practice when I started CC'n.

What? You don't think a 240 counts as a CCW?? just teasing ya

The point I was making was, I have been able to maintain a muscle memory and proficiency with various weapons systems so I'm not worried about adding another.

As to the 92 and glock pointing the same, they don't. All glocks point higher than normal for me as well but as soon as my hand wraps around a glock grip I instinctively tuck the barrel a bit lower. Just second nature now.

 

[hirundo82]

As long as you are carrying a good self defense caliber (9mm or .38spl and up), I wouldn't worry about changing for winter. Having a good modern hollowpoint load will do more than changing to a different caliber.

 

[asia331]

If you're planning on winter, you might consider the probability that you'll be wearing gloves when your "personal emergency" announces its presence. Frankly I find my 1911 (ball loaded) more winter suitable as I have experienced some failures to trigger reset with my .357 revolvers while wearing gloves. That's not an issue at all for a 1911.

 

[303tom]

.22 Magnum !

 

[jad0110]

As long as you are carrying a good self defense caliber (9mm or .38spl and up), I wouldn't worry about changing for winter. Having a good modern hollowpoint load will do more than changing to a different caliber.

This. With proper bullet selection, of course. For example, with a 3" or shorter barreled .38 revolver, could always switch to carrying a hardcast 158 grain or heavier semi wadcutter, if you are concerned with achieving adequate penetration. Actually, you'd probably get more than enough with that combo, even from a 2" .38.

Point being with proper ammo selection, any of your options will work. So go with the one that feels "right" to you.

 

[Dr_2_B]

I do think caliber change is warranted in some limited situations. But I wouldn't think so in your particular case. While people in Kentucky wear thicker clothes during winter, I don't think they bulk up to the point they might in truly frozen climates like winters in Alaska. I believe your 45 will penetrate whatever the criminals would wear near Ft. Campbell.

 

[AZ Desertrat]

S&W M36.... 38 special with plus P ammo....always works.

 

[mljdeckard]

For the life of me, I have no idea how people can presume to know why a good defensive round ceases to be good depending on what season it is. Pick one and stick with it. You have absolutely no way of knowing that clothing or other barriers will be present any given time of the year.

 

[waidmann]

Winter-Spring-Summer-Fall is more a function of concealability. The tail wags the dog so to speak. The smallest carry piece I own is an LCP, the largest a 686+ 5". There are a few in the middle and a truck gun (G312C). Optimally the LCP is a BUG. Practically on short and T-shirt days it may be all I carry on my person. Windbreakers=IWB, sport coats rachet up a peg, winter coats ditto.

The bonus is that my wife calls it accessorizing, just she does and is very understanding. Especially if I stand at the safe contemplating or look in the mirror and call her in to see if I'm "printing"?

See where this can go?

 

[Deaf Smith]

So, terminal performance against heavy, thick clothing, and I am preparing for thick-bodied BG's. .38 Spc, .357 Magnum, .357 Sig, or 10mm? I am not recoil-sensitive.

I adhere to the 'Big gun/little gun', 'Winter gun/Summer gun', 'House gun/carry gun' concept.

Not necessary cartridge wise but size wise.

So a compact to sub-compact Glock in any flavour for winter and a J frame size handgun for hot summer carry.

But as for larger rounds for winter, not necessarily. DPX ammo works through any clothing well. Or Winchester +p+ 127.

So I'd look for the ammo that expands well though clothing and not worry so much about bore size.

Deaf