Do recent events alter your perspective?

[lrrifleman]

It would seem that many of the recent "mass shooting events" may not necessarily be random events, but perhaps planned events made to look like "lone wolf" events.

Today's event in El Paso was resolved by law enforcement allegedly without a shot being fired. A few days ago, a Wal-Mart shooting in Mississippi ended with the suspect dieing on site. Then there was the tragedy in Virginia Beach. The last thing I wish to do is to start any speculation or conspiracy theories. A week or so ago, a nationally known group that may be named a domestic terrorist organization pledged to make a presence in Texas this weekend.

With the way these "random mass shooting events" are occurring, this leads me to question the appropriateness of a traditional revolver as a primary every day carry arm.

My basic question is: has anyone here that carries a revolver as an EDC given thought to switching to a semi-auto. While chances are very good that most of us will never find ourselves in this situation, there is absolutely no guarantee that that we won't find ourselves in this situation (or a comparable one) that evolves into a flash mob supported made shooting event.

 

[Goldstar225]

No, I don't "arm up" for an event that I have an extremely low likelihood of encountering. If I did I would be wearing level III body armor and packing a breakdown rifle in a backpack everywhere I went. I have a life to live.

 

[NCBeagle]

I remain quite comfortable with my 5-6 shot Smith J or K or Colt D Frame. Usually carry at least one reload.

 

[bigggbbruce]

Actually I picked up a new vehicle to keep handy and has everything I need inside, but finding parking places up front is kind of tough..

 

[KalamazooKid]

I preach vigilance, no exceptions. And btw, my revolvers will do just fine.

 

[Old cop]

I continue to pocket carry a small .380 b/c packing a full size 9mm w/back & hip problems is just too painful. My daily orbits are pretty tame but IF I found myself in a mass shooter incident I would shoot back only if it could be done w/o putting innocents in jeopardy, and IF there was a high probability of getting a good hit on the suspect.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I carry according to my surroundings. Here in Western Washington the crime is rampant. Of course it’s a sanctuary city. :

Th city in live in has had more shootings than any other city in the state.

I carry a semi auto with one reload. If I lived in a small town somewhere, I’m sure I wouldn’t need too.

 

[JH1951]

My basic question is: has anyone here that carries a revolver as an EDC given thought to switching to a semi-auto. While chances are very good that most of us will never find ourselves in this situation, there is absolutely no guarantee that that we won't find ourselves in this situation (or a comparable one) that evolves into a flash mob supported made shooting event.

Life comes with no guarantees. It is incumbent upon us to make sound decisions to increase our likelihood of being properly prepared. We are fortunate in many parts of this country to be able to exercise the privilege of carrying a weapon for self defense. So, what is "enough" to defend ourselves? Personally, I carry either a compact 1911 .45 ACP or a .38 spl. J-frame. I also practice situational awareness, and attempt to avoid high risk locations (places I have no need or desire to be anyway). If I was forced to live or work in a "bad" area of town I would likely carry both. It all boils down to your comfort level and situation. I know far too many people who arm themselves every day as if they were in a combat zone, but that is what makes them comfortable. I have lived in combat zones and armed myself accordingly. I avoid combat zones these days, and arm myself accordingly. Poop happens, and I feel prepared, but I am not preparing for the zombie apocalypse on a daily basis.

 

[BigBill]

Actually I picked up a new vehicle to keep handy has everything I need inside, but finding parking places up front is kind of tough..

You need twin ma duces on top. ,,,,,,

 

[BigBill]

I’m thinking about a backup gun. But I say practice, practice, more practice, from 25 yds to 100yds. My cz 85db in 9mm will shoot accurately out to 100yds with three feet of Kentucky windage. I practice it all the time at different distances.

 

[BigBill]

No, I don't "arm up" for an event that I have an extremely low likelihood of encountering. If I did I would be wearing level III body armor and packing a breakdown rifle in a backpack everywhere I went. I have a life to live.

This reminds me of my old boy scout days to be prepared. It’s getting worse. I say fight crime shoot back.

 

[ContinentalOp]

In the past year I have made some changes to what I carry, but recent events are pretty much at the bottom of my list of reasons.

I switched from a 642 to a Beretta PX4 Compact primarily because I wanted to be able to shoot more than 50-75 rounds at the range; any more than that with the 642 and I would be icing my hands. With the PX4 I can go 200+ rounds per session without difficulty. The fact that 9mm practice ammo is cheaper than .38 Special was just icing on the cake.

Another reason was that on the rare occasion it was cold enough to wear gloves, they would've turned my 642 into a single-shot gun, unless I had the ability to discard them before drawing.

I've also started regularly carrying my 642 as a BUG in an ankle holster, primarily to give me easier access to a gun while seated in a car.

There are times when I've carried only my 642, and I was fine with that. Sometimes I even go places unarmed when carrying a gun is prohibited. A gun is one tool in the tool box.

Of course, everybody has to determine what level of response they want to be capable of delivering when necessary, as well as assessing their own risk level in whatever environment they may find themselves in. Some people may be perfectly fine with a snub or LCP, and others may want a pair of Glock 19s on their person.

I think the biggest problem with events like these is that we typically never get all the facts, at least right away, and if there is some element that was initially missing, it may never be brought to light by the media. That's aside from the fact that the media can't always (ever?) be trusted to provide unbiased facts. Oftentimes, what seems like a major crime wave because of news coverage turns out to be the status quo, or even declining crime rates, when one looks at the actual data.

As people who carry guns for self defense, I think it behooves us to make sure whatever decisions we make are based on a realistic threat assessment with factual data, whenever possible.

Just my opinion.

 

[ameridaddy]

You need twin ma duces on top. ,,,,,,

Mounted in an armored turret.

 

[bigggbbruce]

You need twin ma duces on top. ,,,,,,

Nah.. I like to keep a low profile..

 

[31FordA]

I still believe I am well armed, on and off the job, with my revolvers, and have no intention of switching. Over the years there were several shootings that I luckily just missed because I left right before or arrived just after. In none of those near misses would I have been ill equipped with my revolver. I figure my odds of encountering a rifle armed mass murderer are on a par with being attacked by a bear. In either event I would prefer my M-1A to my SP-101, but I’m not losing any sleep worrying about it.

Pick a gun you are comfortable and confident with, and carry it. Then move on with the rest of the mundane tasks that make up everyday life.

 

[Ziggy2525]

I’m not a LEO. Instead of “Run, Hide, Fight,” I subscribe to “Evacuate, Barricade, Fight.” In an event like El Paso, my first responsibility is to get my family to safety. My second responsibility is to get myself to safety. If a deadly threat tries to prevent that exit and I can’t stop that immediate threat with 5 or 6 rounds, I got bigger problems.

In the unlikely event someone gets caught up in a mass shooting, even if they do everything perfectly, there are no guarantees. Lady Luck has a say too. You do your best, then it’s out of your hands. That’s how I see it anyway.

 

[JayFramer]

If five shots from my 642 doesn’t get me out of trouble, I’m a dead man anyway.

I’d rather have 5 for sure than 18 maybe.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Actually I picked up a new vehicle to keep handy and has everything I need inside, but finding parking places up front is kind of tough..

I prefer this one...

 

[blues7]

If five shots from my 642 doesn’t get me out of trouble, I’m a dead man anyway.

I’d rather have 5 for sure than 18 maybe.

There's no such thing as 5 for sure. I know folks like to believe in the infallibility of their revolvers but it just ain't so.

Don't get me wrong, I like mine. But there's no such thing as a sure thing with any mechanical device. That said, the odds are probably good. But they are as well with my semi-autos.

 

[Cal44]

There's no such thing as 5 for sure. I know folks like to believe in the infallibility of their revolvers but it just ain't so.

Don't get me wrong, I like mine. But there's no such thing as a sure thing with any mechanical device. That said, the odds are probably good. But they are as well with my semi-autos.

Over my longish period of shooting revolvers, I've had four failures. A couple light strikes where most rounds wouldn't shoot, and a case where crimp jump tied up the revolver, and a situation where I couldn't open the cylinder at all.

You are totally right -- any mechanical device can fail.

If I compare my most reliable semis (a 3913, and an LC9 original version) to my revolvers, I'm not even sure I agree with the general opinion that revolvers are more reliable.

But I don't have as much experience with semi-autos.