In the last three months I've fallen five times and been hospitalized twice. I've been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, some mitral valve weakening, and coronary insufficiency, in addition to my various lung diseases. Seems as if the wheels are trying to fall off and leave me up on blocks in the yard. Wouldn't even pay to part me out.

Hence, some adaptations..

I love and trust my Smith 640 no-dash. I've carried it in my right front pocket every day for somewhere around eighteen years, and never minded the weight. It weighs twenty-one ounces unloaded and without the Pachmayr Compac grips or the DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster. Probably totals at least twenty-eight ounces fully dressed and carrying the FBI load--no weight at all for those of you who CC full-size 1911's or M29's, right?

Suddenly I'm feeling it, and am very physically conscious that I'm just a few weeks away from turning eighty.

So tonight I did something I had thought about in passing, but never very seriously. I ordered a Ruger LCP--the original, internal-hammer version, as I wasn't interested in another striker-fired gun.

The idea of carrying a self-defense handgun that weighs under ten ounces instead of twenty-eight suddenly seemed appealing to a weakened, decrepit octogenarian. I always said I didn't want to go below .38 Special +P, but I'll settle for a .380 with good ammo.

Hell, I even figured if I was going to be drummed out of the S&W regiment for buying an LCP it might as well be one I thought looked cool and wasn't like all the others. Picked one Cerakoted, tan slide and flat dark earth frame.

The fine 640 will be my head-of-the-bed gun, and carried sometimes if I have some needed surgery and regain some strength.

Till then, just call me Benedict Arnold.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I think I know how you feel. I am in a similar situation of much less severity. A few months ago, I was having some discomfort from carrying my Improved Model 56 (2" Model 15), even though I was using a good belt and holster, and I knew that it would go away if I carried a Model 12 for a few days or so.

I haven't gotten around to changing back yet, even though I know that the 15 is a much better gun in my hands.

And I'm only 72.

Shouldazagged, always better armed than unarmed, a 22lr derringer is better than a mean stare and a few cuss words any day. Plus the improvements in ammo have elevated the 380 to very acceptable standards.

Mike, welcome to the Mus musculus family. As you know, Ruthie and I both carry LCP's. They are so light and compact that I hardly know I'm carrying.

Congratulations...I hope you never need it.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

I assume you are not real good at running. My DIL carries a .380 LCP, and is good enough with it I surely wouldn't want her shooting at me with it. Sure hope you can get fixed up soon.

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Just a shooter

First rule of a gunfight, have a gun. I would not choose the LCP for me, but if it works for you, then you are good to go!

Good luck with the health issues!

Nothing wrong w/the LCP, I have one too and the only advise I can offer is to practice often b/c it's very snappy. The trigger on the older model is similar to my J frame so not a problem, at least for me. As to the new LCP II I'll give any new model some time to work out the problems before purchasing. This is a lesson I learned the hard way.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

At least you you are armed. Don't get hung up on gun type or caliber. Carry and shoot what you can handle. Good luck to you.

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Two Handguns every day

You might want to consider this grip from Hogue.

LCP .380 - Ruger Grips - Handgun Grips - Hogue Products

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Vegan by proxy.

I have large hands and put the Hogue grip on my LCP and it helped a great deal. If you have trouble check out Youtube. It's so simple even I can do it.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

We all feel for you. Good wishes and prayers are with you. My wife is petite and has some arthritis in her right hand so I bought her a Ruger LCR-22. It is light and she is very comfortable and confident with it. I think being confident with you carry piece is the most important factor.

I'm your age and both my wife and both went to Ruger LCP's.
This gettin old business ain't for the weak.

Prayers and best wishes for overcoming your health issues.

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Paul
Salome, AZ

Hey there, Ben

LCP... nice choice.

I think you've made a great choice.



All I did to mine was put on the flat floorplate and a Hogue slip on grip.



You are well armed!

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

if all it takes is a LCP to get kicked off the site... there will be a lot of us in trouble... like has been said before... Rule #1... have one...

I'm real sorry to hear of your troubles. There is nothing wrong with the Ruger. The LCP is a fine handgun, and has been out long enough to establish a good track record. Ammunition technology has greatly improved the performance of all ammo. Lucky Gunner has done a nice job of testing most of the popular ammunition, first for semi-auto rounds, and recently for a few revolver cartridges. It's worth a look...actually, you could spend all evening looking at all the tests they ran.

Here is a link to the site where they post the tests, including .380 acp (out of a Glock 42). I have permission from Chris Baker of Luxky Gunner to use this material...which is free to the public anyway:

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self...llistic-tests/

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

After carrying a 4 inch Model 686-6 on a fully loaded duty belt with a 642-2 in my pocket all day long, I finally gave up my 3 inch Model 13-3 as my off-duty gun in favor of a 2 inch Model 12-2 since it is about a pound lighter. Of course, I'm a young whippersnapper of 65.

My 70 year old brother stopped carrying his Kimber Pro-Carry during bouts of back trouble for a North American Arms .22 Magnum revolver with a folding grip and belt clip. I'm not going to kick you out of the club.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

You are in our prayers.

I have thought about an LCP. I don't think you will be undergunned.

Wingmaster

Nobody is drumming you out of anything, Zag; we are all glad for your presence here. Best wishes!

Darn shoulda...sorry to here you are still having health issues. Rest assured you are not the first to feel the weight of our carry guns. I used to carry the Ruger SP101 which isn't overly heavy but as age creeps up on us the J series sure feels lighter. I went with the 638 shrouded, works for this old fossil. Get better!!! I always enjoy your posts.

The ageing process catches us all at sometime or another. Having EDC - J frames since 1971 I have found that it is not any less weight but rather has become second nature and just part of the daily routine. The added "benefit" of the ageing process (at least for me) is that somehow the same gun, same holster rig, has become a lot more concealable! My better half says it probably is because of the gut that no one can even spot the gun or the holster anymore, especially in profile...so enjoy more pasta and less "print" with your EDC

Daughter who is a LEO was home a little bit back and I tried (no success) to strap on her 24.5 pound duty belt (SafariLand, Glock 21 Gen 4, double mag pouch, pepper spray, mag lite, cuffs, radio attachment, Taser, etc.) and dang if I can figure out how ANY LEO gets up in the morning, much less totes that stuff around for a whole shift and more.

OP: We all feel your pain and hope and pray it does get better for you. The fact that you can still think about EDC is a tribute to your perseverance. I only hope I'm still able in another 8 years!

Good luck and best wishes for you!

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570