5 Shot Snubby of CCW?

One shouldn't assume that all cops are 'gun guys' and can offer better advice than anyone else. ;)

Oh, that's definitely the case.

I actually recommended J frames to many non-gun cops over the years. I knew at least they might actually carry them due to there small size and should work if not properly maintained/cleaned. It's amazing how much lint accumulates on a concealed weapon.
 
One great reason for a J Frame is pocket carry. Pocket carry allow me to have a hand on my gun without alerting anyone. I do not want to be without that ability. Another great reason is the J Frames ECQB advantages. Yet another is my 649 has always gone bang. That said, for "home use" I like my Mossberg 590A1. I also keep a long gun in every vehicle.
 
My EDC has been a J frame for almost 50 years. I trust that platform b/c I survived three deadly force confrontations while armed w/my issued revolver, AND as a retiree I no longer go in harm’s way. Also, I’ve developed back and hip problems since retirement and carrying a heavy gun of any design is something I just cannot do. A 340PD, pocket carried, fills the bill for me.
 
My EDC has been a J frame for almost 50 years. I trust that platform b/c I survived three deadly force confrontations while armed w/my issued revolver, AND as a retiree I no longer go in harm’s way. Also, I’ve developed back and hip problems since retirement and carrying a heavy gun of any design is something I just cannot do. A 340PD, pocket carried, fills the bill for me.

Do you find there is a significant difference in ease of carry for you between the 340 and a 642/442?
 
I don't know what videos you've been watching, but I think that a statistical look at this would show that in the vast majority of cases most armed confrontations end with much fewer that 5 shots (total) being fired.
 
I'm just more comfortable with a revolver....carrying, handling and shooting.

I've put 10X as many rounds through my j-frames than any of the autos I own. And they are easy to carry in almost any situation.

I know I'd be better armed with my Glock 17 and 3-4 mags of ammo if things went pear shaped...but I don't feel comfortable with that much gear on me most of the time.

I'm betting...every day....that 5 shots of .38 will be enough to get me out of harm's way. Probably not realistic...but so far so good ;)
 
When I am invited out I CCW a 12 gauge M870 with magazine extension, a M1 Carbine with a 30 round magazine, two M1911 .45acp pistols, two hand grenades, several fighting knifes, and a flame thrower on wheels.

*** I haven't been invited out in several years. I am unsure if being nude or under armed was the reason ?
 
Ask yourself:

Are you law enforcement?

Are you military?

Are you in a high risk job that could make you a target such as jeweler, banker, judge, prosecutor etc?

Do you do Stupid things in Stupid places, at Stupid times?

If the answer is no to all of the above, a snub will suit you just fine.

Then ask yourself: how many rounds have I had to fire in self defense?

Then realize that a firearm is just one tool in your kit and that your mind, common sense, and situational awareness can get you out of WAY more situations than your firearm and be comforted knowing a snub will suit you just fine if that is your choice..

And in case you are paranoid and fantasize about saving the day with your hicap during a terrorist attack and playing the odds.... you have way more important things to worry about

Car accident 1 in 100
Killed in a severe storm 1 in 63,800
Hit by lightning 1 in 700,000
Shark attack 1 in 11.5 million
Terrorist attack 1 in 20 million

Me? I like lightweight, reliable even bone dry for 5 shots, and easy to conceal. So the snub is perfect for me. I own many semi's, I choose to carry a snub and I am a young'un. Raised on Glocks and Berettas on the TV.

When it comes to firearms as the tool, training to hit central nervous system parts that stop the threat with one hand, two hands, stationary, and on the move is WAY more important than the firearm you carry.



I like lightweight and do not like my pockets to be bulked out.... and I just love the lines of a good ol roscoe!


Cheers!
 
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The one that comes to mind is the mother & daughter liquor store shooting (and other convenient store shootings).
...

IIRC, in that specific case, only having 5 shots probably saved the mom's life. Didn't the BG take the revolver away in the wrestling match, point it at the mom over the counter, pulled the trigger a couple times, and it just went 'click' because the mom had shot all 5.

Not being argumentative. I'm not sure if 5 is better or worse than 15, but in that specific case, it seems like the mom was lucky she only had 5.
 
IIRC, in that specific case, only having 5 shots probably saved the mom's life. Didn't the BG take the revolver away in the wrestling match, point it at the mom over the counter, pulled the trigger a couple times, and it just went 'click' because the mom had shot all 5.

Not being argumentative. I'm not sure if 5 is better or worse than 15, but in that specific case, it seems like the mom was lucky she only had 5.

I am going to go out on a ledge here and call that a shot placement and bullet selection problem not a problem with the caliber.

Most people buy these guns, never train, and buy the cheapest Winchester white box ball ammo to fill it with. The gun is not a magic talisman warding off evil, you need to learn and train to use it.

38 special was used by law enforcement in many countries for many years to dispatch dirt bags successful.

I only assume all of this because she shot 5 the other girl shot 5 or six and he was only hit three times that shot placement could be the issue here.
 
I have depended on snub nosed revolvers, on and off the clock, for most of my career. At work I carry a SP-101 or 64-2, with a 340M&P as a BUG. Off duty I carry the 340, although the 12-2 I acquired early this year is also getting carried a lot. The revolvers do what I need them to do, and I have confidence in carrying them.

The revolver is a good choice for me, based on my circumstances. I'm a plain clothes investigator, not a uniform. Most of my job entails knocking on doors and asking questions. Can bad things happen doing that? They can and have, but nothing my revolver wouldn't have resolved if it went that far south. The most important tools I have are my brain and my mouth. I've been fortunate over the last 21 years that I've been able to persuade most of the idiots not to do something dumb. The others could be resolved with more hands on methods. With luck I'll get to retirement without having to pull the trigger (the paperwork would be awful). I am also lucky to work with some first rate partners, so I'm not just depending on me and my revolver. The really bad characters get handed off to the tactical guys.

I figure everyone should carry what they feel the most comfortable with. Although if somebody figures out how to carry an A-10 around be sure to let me know.
 
MrX: There is a significant difference in my ability to carry the 340PD as opposed to the 442/642 due to the much lighter weight. Also, pocket carry, w/a holster, does not print as much b/c there is less sagging in the pocket, especially w/dress slacks. For me the significant difference in price was worth it. Hope that was helpful.
 
Do you find there is a significant difference in ease of carry for you between the 340 and a 642/442?

I know this was not directed to me but I'll weigh in since I own both a 442PC and a 360PD. Both are certainly adequate for pocket carry but there is almost a 4 oz difference in empty weight. Doesn't sound like much but for pocket carry, it is noticeable and does add comfort.
p.s. I carry 38 +P in both guns . The 11.5 oz 360 is not friendly with 357 rounds. I got my it cheap from it's previous owner who found that out with only 2 shots fired :-)
 
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Everybody's needs/wants/situations are different. Personally, I'm not LE or military. I'm going to avoid or runaway if possible. As has been stated before, the vast majority of self defense encounters, where shots are actually fired, will be resolved within a few rounds, one way or another. People more experienced than myself have said that one is more likely to run out of time than ammo.

Additionally, most videos of actual civilian self defense shootings I've seen end up with the attackers, in the case of multiple assailants, running away (or trying to) as soon as shots are fired, since even bad guys don't want to get shot.

Are there times when 5 rounds aren't enough? Of course. There've also been times when 20 rounds wasn't enough.

I live in a relatively high crime area, but I'm ok with carrying a 642. Most of the time I'm even unarmed (employer rules and the law say I can't carry while working). I view a gun as one tool in my self defense toolbox. It's a good tool to have, and I would prefer having one with me everywhere I go, but I don't rely on it as my only tool, even when I'm carrying it.

If you want to carry more, then do so. There's nothing wrong with carrying more. The only problem I have is with people who have the mentality that unless you're carrying a Glock 19 with 2 mags, a BUG with at least one reload, 3 knives, 2 flashlights, and a partridge in a pear tree, then you're unprepared and will die in a gunfight (I'm not saying you, or anyone else here, is saying that, but I have seen that mentality around). There's a lot more to surviving than hardware.

Now, for full disclosure, I do plan on getting a compact 9mm by summer's end (*fingers crossed*), but mostly as a carry option as my only choices right now are either a 642 or my full-size Beretta 92FS. I don't know if it would replace my 642 as my EDC, but it might. However, I still consider my 642 an adequate carry gun.

Just my opinion.
 
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