Carry guns

[off road]

What exactly is the "Golden Age" of compact carry guns? Do you mean something like the Kimber Solo that is engineered to function only with a handful of very expensive factory loaded ammunition? If this is considered progress, I'll stay back in the Stone Age of carry guns. Revolvers only for me for serious use.

Dave Sinko

Out of the dozens of slick well designed compact light reliable autos out there, if a list of one is all you could come up with....well then I think you are taking an extremely narrow view!

As far as revolvers....in urban areas an ultralight J-frame is the absolute ultimate pocket pistol (but it's not a primary, it's backing up a Baby Glock). Out in the wilds a revolver is all I have ever carried, but still I want a nice light compact one when possible, not a heavy slab of steel (although a slab of steel is a necessity in grizzly country). My hiking/backpacking guns are a M&P340 in the lowlands where there are no bears (but there are large cats), and a 329NG in the mountains which is big time black bear country.

 

[dubhelix]

I've gone through HK's, Glocks, and 1911's, and have found that a Smith and Wesson J or K frame simply points the best, for me, with my grip. All the Semi-Auto pistols were inherently accurate enough. All of them were super reliable, and gave me no trouble. All held plenty of rounds and were fast to reload.
For me, the wheelguns point naturally with no effort to line up the sights on target. No searching for the front sight, no hestitation. That "eyes closed, on target" pointability seems to me to be a very important feature of a carry gun. I keep telling myself that I don't need 31 rounds of 9mm on my person.
I am partial to model 640's, 442's and 2" 64's.

 

[off road]

I chose the gun I did because I liked it

Are you outdoors in bear country all the time? I could certainly see carrying an SP101 day in and day out, but never a heavy slab of steel like the GP100, much less a 5" barrel. You are new to this...so I will wager that within a short time you will be rethinking what you carry!

 

[bearpugh4570]

Out of the dozens of slick well designed compact light reliable autos out there, if a list of one is all you could come up with....well then I think you are taking an extremely narrow view!

As far as revolvers....in urban areas an ultralight J-frame is the absolute ultimate pocket pistol (but it's not a primary, it's backing up a Baby Glock). Out in the wilds a revolver is all I have ever carried, but still I want a nice light compact one when possible, not a heavy slab of steel (although a slab of steel is a necessity in grizzly country). My hiking/backpacking guns are a M&P340 in the lowlands where there are no bears (but there are large cats), and a 329NG in the mountains which is big time black bear country.

why would you come to a s&w forum and be surprised that people like revolvers here. lol.

 

[jimmyj]

Straight razor and a pair of brass knuckles.

 

[off road]

why would you come to a s&w forum and be surprised that people like revolvers here. lol.

What, S&W doesn't make any compact autos???

For me this was never about autos vs revolvers. I love revolvers, and lost count of all that I own, long long ago. In hindsight, I should have left off the word 'auto'.

But...it IS about dragging a huge long heavy piece of steel around all day long, when there are so many other options, both revolver and auto. The OP will change his mind, soon enough I reckon!

 

[TienLungTaoist]

Same test for both. The state is just assuming that if you can handle the reloading of a semi (you're only allowed one mag and load about 5 at a time) plus deal with fail to feeds or jams, a revolver is a no brainer.

ah! didnt even think about the jamming thing. cool, thanks for clearing that up.

 

[chief38]

When I first started out in 1979, I carried a large variation of different guns, both Auto's and revolvers. After about 5 years I settled on two. 90% of the time I carry a Chief's Special M60-7, and the other 10% is a 3" M65. The Chief's is stoked with Buffalo Bore 158 grain +P LSWCHP and the M65 is loaded with BB 158 grain SJHP .357's unless I venture into the woods and then I carry it with BB 180 grain hard cast SWC .357's.

Chief38

 

[TienLungTaoist]

What, S&W doesn't make any compact autos???

For me this was never about autos vs revolvers. I love revolvers, and lost count of all that I own, long long ago. In hindsight, I should have left off the word 'auto'.

But...it IS about dragging a huge long heavy piece of steel around all day long, when there are so many other options, both revolver and auto. The OP will change his mind, soon enough I reckon!

I agree with the carrying a heavy slab of steel. I had to become a magician to figure out how to carry my gun around. At first try it was uncomfortable and i had to work around it a bit. I did figure it out and its not uncomfortable at all. Just have to do a lot more customization to clothes, holster, belt, and car compartments to carry it comfortably. Reason I carry a huge sledge hammer is 1) im a student with not enough money for another gun. 2) wanted a gun that worked for hunting, personal defense, and bears. 3) and I love the gun. if none of those apply I would get a smaller gun.Will next time I get some income. To each his own though. Do what makes you happy and what you can figure out.

 

[seagill]

No way I could tote a 5" GP100 in this weather, but an SP101 wouldn't be bad. It's only an ounce heavier than my 908 and about the same overall dimensions, just a bit thicker. If I were to go with a .357 I'd want more weight than less.

 

[dinooch]

Power to weight ratio tips in favor of the 340sc for pocket carry. 11.9oz of pure power in a J-frame stoked with .357 medium velocity 125gr Remingtons works for me. If cooler weather prevails a semi auto like a Sig P245 or a Lightweight Officer's ACP would be the gun of the day.

 

[Black_Sheep]

In warmer weather I'll tote a j frame IWB or pocket carry, when colder weather rolls around I occasionally carry a j or k frame OWB.

 

[off road]

Realistically....most of us will (thankfully!) never never ever have to fire our gun. So I say, might as well be as comfortable as possible, seeing you are toting around something that you will probably never have to use.

 

[David Sinko]

This morning I flipped through one of the handgun magazines while grocery shopping. There was a writeup of about a half dozen sub-compact autos. I skipped all the fluff and went right to the end, considering the end is where you always find a word or two about reliability. The writer actually admitted that every one of them choked during testing!

Editors claim that cover pieces on revolvers don't sell magazines. That's because revolvers are reliable and readers resent having to be reminded about it.

Dave Sinko

 

[mark1616]

I just replaced the Kahr with a Glock 23, but my 642 is always with me.

 

[Springfeildkid585]

We are living in the Golden Age of light/compact handguns! Why in the world would you not take advantage? Why carry guns that your father and grandfather wished they had never had to carry?

I would only take a GP100 hunting. The SP101 use to be my backpacking gun, until the scandium and Ti Smiths came along.

I'll go for an ultralight J-frame for pocket carry, and a Baby Glock IWB...thanks!

I don't know about you, but personally the weight of my full sized 1911 fully loaded is perfect on my hip. I wouldn't want an ultralight handgun, I like knowing my gun is there. Same as my keys, wallet, and cellphone. I know their exact weight, I know when they're there and when they're not.

 

[donniedee]

well in winter and sometines in the summer i pack my pre 27 3.5in if you look under the hand ejectors i now pack this lil i frame 38s&w with ivory grips that was a N.Y.P.D. back up gun figured id like a lil pocket gun for when i get old little or no kick and i wouldnt want to get shot with it 5 times really fast love the height of the 3.5 27 but just trying to think ahead to older years. and wanting to keep my old pants up

 

[pluspea]

With the GP100 you'll have to get used to walking with you're pants around the ankles carry.
I won't carry anything more than a Jframe, anything else is just too uncomfortable for me.

 

[Larry from Bend]

I carry an AirWeight Bodyguard quite a bit in town, but in the country I carry a 40+ oz. 44 Special plus 12 extra rounds of ammo and get along just fine. A stiff belt helps a lot.

 

[wheelyfun66]

Just gave up my Ruger SP101 snub that I carried IWB.

Started carrying a S&W 66 snub, using either a Galco Speed Scabbard (OWB) or a brand new Tucker Texas Heritage (IWB)

The longer grip frame of the 66 makes it somewhat harder to conceal, but should be fine in Fall/Winter/Spring here in Vermont.

In the spring, I will get a 340 M&P for IWB and ankle and appendix and pocket carry!