Is a pre-40 or an early 49 still fit for CCW duty?
(as I live in NJ, and could not afford to get busted, I can only dream)

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If it's in good mechanical/functional condition, absolutely.

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Centennial Every Day

I know a guy who concealed a colt navy reproduction...an idea for you since it's not technecly a gun, but still will make a perp the apropriate amount of dead. I think a pre-forty outta do just fine in working order.

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Just the opinion of a kid

I carry a model 40 myself. Are they makeing people tougher than when that model first come out?

I have several pre-WW1 handguns that I enjoy shooting from time to time including a 1914-vintage Colt 1911, 1880-vintage Colt Single Action Army, 1901-vintage Colt Bisley. I wouldn't feel unarmed with any of those. My original 1858 Remington Army revolver remains completely functional and is a pleasure to shoot (but not at the indoor range!), but I doubt that I would choose it for discreet concealed carry.

I still hunt small game with a pre-Civil War .41 caliber percussion rifle, but I think I would prefer something a little more modern for defensive use. My 1943 Winchester M1 Garand and 1943 Inland M1 Carbine come to mind, although old enough for Social Security now I know that they still perform the intended functions just as well as they did in WW2.

My 1886 Winchester .45-90 will still do the job on bull elk, or just about any bear I might run into. My 1884 Springfield Trapdoor rifle will still shoot 3" groups at 100 yards.

I've seen guns that became old and decrepit because of neglect or poor maintenance, but it is rare (in my experience) for a properly maintained weapon to ever be worn out by normal use.

Assuming that your vintage S&W revolvers remain in good condition and have been properly maintained, I expect that they will still be useful to your children and grandchildren.

Best regards.

I have Swedish mausers that are well over 100 yrs old that out shoot many brand new rifles.

Don't know about Jersey, but in NY a loaded muzzle loading revolver is considered under NY law to be a firearm. Get you busted just as fast as a hi cap auto.

If it goes bang everytime you pull the trigger then I would say it sure is fit for a CCW.

Frankly, I thought people were less tough these days.

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Proud anachronism

I have carried a S&W 38 Safety Hammerless, 2nd model as a CCW. It is in excelent mechanical condition but only about 60% finish.

Actually, in some cases, yes. It's amazing what someone under the influence of PCP can do. But in the spirit of the OP's question, I would consider the old revolers to be more than adequate to protect my old hide. Heck they're not a lot older than I am.

If I could find some cartridges for this 50 something caliber pin fire I have, I bet it would knock over some miscrant! I figure it must be from the 1840s or so.

Looks like an old Howdah to me. They came in several calibers. I'd try 20 gauge first, since it's the cheapest and is least likey to break your wrist to my knowlage. You might also try .577 as I have heard of them in that caliber. You're alittle off on your date, they were very popular amung Brits in India in the late 19th century. Great as a last ditch when faceing a tiger.

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Just the opinion of a kid

Sell out and Move! Come south of the Mason Dixon line and live free.

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Protected by Sigma 40VE

New gov doing any thing to help out gun owners?

I own an shoot/carry the following w/o reservation: (1) Model 38 from 1962; (2) Colt Cobra from 1968; and (3) a Colt Cobra from 1970. As long as they are in good working order no reason not to carry.

Heck , I certainly wouldn't want to be on the business end of my Colt 1949 Baby Dragoon.

i have a Ruger Blackhawk, single action 45 i carry ccw now and then..

I've been known to pack a 1920 Second Model Hand Ejector .44Spl. in the winter.

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"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"

They are as fit as they ever were for the job. Concealed carry was and is the forte of these revolvers.

I carried my Remington M 51 .380 many years ago - it's really flat:

http://i522.photobucket.com/albums/w...nowguns002.jpg

I carry the 32-20 now and again.

Got plan B if those 115-grain bullets fail to impress.

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WWSSD?
What would Skeeter do?

How much truble is it to find ammo for a 32-20? I saw one in a local shop and considered it deeply.

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Just the opinion of a kid

I've toted this Colt Army Special from 1925 a few times since acquiring it late last year. In .41 Long Colt, it's a sho' 'nuff shooter.

I've carried both of these pocket pistols in the past from time to time. Don't much any more.

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- Change it back -

When I was calling on commercial clients in the south during the 1970's and '80's I carried a very good condition pre-WWI vintage Colt 1903 .38 Automatic Pistol in my car's glove box. And after dark in some cities I often carried it illegally in my left side pants pocket even though I didn't have a CC permit for any state I traveled. That model was called the "slide rule" Colt because of it's unique locking system. I sold it to a fellow sales rep for $65 in the early 1980's, and now and then I see a similar one listed on a Colt collector's auction site starting at prices up to $2500. (cue sound of forehead banging on desk)