Which SD handgun works best for you?
- Thread starter Grimjaws
- Start date
It was a 69 loaded with 44 specials, but I put an optic on the 60 to use it for some hunting, so it's currently a 640 loaded with +P 38's. I prefer a revolver for a night stand gun, but may switch the 640 out for my Glock 21 just for the added capacity.
I'm surprised that your G19 holster doesn't fit your 3913. I've found that more than a couple Glock leather holsters fit my 3913/6906 size guns. I also have a Gould & Goodrich leather IWB for the G27 that fits my 4513 and 3913. I believe the Don Hume version of this design is identical and easily found.
I believe the mental process of choosing the right gun for you to use anytime is more important than the gun you eventually end up with. That will vary greatly. But the process should be the same. To me these are life and death decisions.
Most of us civilian concealed carriers operate in fairly low threat environments. Statistics prove encounters are close and only require a minimal number of rounds, and often any caliber will do. So most CCW's base their decisions on these parameters.
I don't, because averages suck. I prepare mentally, with training and with firearms more oriented toward the outlier negative experiences that disappear in averages. In over 25 years of carrying in low threat environments I have never touched my firearm for a defensive purpose. I am in condition yellow, not white, most of the time.
Only twice have I considered pulling my gun. One was an aggressive road rage encounter and the other was a very aggressive pan handler. I was able to descalate both situations without the gun.
Here are my priorities, mostly in order:
1. Reliable and safe when carried loaded.
2. I can shoot it well, fast, under stress, at close and more extended ranges.
3. I can conceal it well.
4. It shoots a cartridge accepted as adequate for difficult situations.
5. It has enough capacity to deal with multiple opponents, including some misses.
6. With this gun I take one or more self defense handgun courses per year and other dry and live fire practice to stay proficient.
With such a process, mindset and training, the actual choice of gun will vary widely given different individual perspectives. The gun is less important than having the awareness and competence to use it.
I too have experienced a progression of carried firearms. As technology has advanced and publication, even videos, of thousands of armed encounters have become available, my gun decisions have changed. Current training has also changed to be more realistic, and it is rarely just oriented toward "average" scenarios. I expect my gun choice progression may continue, especially as I age and my physical abilities change.
Carry whatever, but have a good justification other than ease or comfort as top priorities for doing so.
Most of us civilian concealed carriers operate in fairly low threat environments. Statistics prove encounters are close and only require a minimal number of rounds, and often any caliber will do. So most CCW's base their decisions on these parameters.
I don't, because averages suck. I prepare mentally, with training and with firearms more oriented toward the outlier negative experiences that disappear in averages. In over 25 years of carrying in low threat environments I have never touched my firearm for a defensive purpose. I am in condition yellow, not white, most of the time.
Only twice have I considered pulling my gun. One was an aggressive road rage encounter and the other was a very aggressive pan handler. I was able to descalate both situations without the gun.
Here are my priorities, mostly in order:
1. Reliable and safe when carried loaded.
2. I can shoot it well, fast, under stress, at close and more extended ranges.
3. I can conceal it well.
4. It shoots a cartridge accepted as adequate for difficult situations.
5. It has enough capacity to deal with multiple opponents, including some misses.
6. With this gun I take one or more self defense handgun courses per year and other dry and live fire practice to stay proficient.
With such a process, mindset and training, the actual choice of gun will vary widely given different individual perspectives. The gun is less important than having the awareness and competence to use it.
I too have experienced a progression of carried firearms. As technology has advanced and publication, even videos, of thousands of armed encounters have become available, my gun decisions have changed. Current training has also changed to be more realistic, and it is rarely just oriented toward "average" scenarios. I expect my gun choice progression may continue, especially as I age and my physical abilities change.
Carry whatever, but have a good justification other than ease or comfort as top priorities for doing so.
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max503
Member
Just curious. What holster do you use for the 26?
I've carried a variety of handguns over the years. S&W 642 to full size all steel 1911. My choice for the past few years has been my Shield 9mm.
Mike_Fontenot
Member
I carry a 5" N-Frame 629 "Classic" .44magnum, every day, from pajamas-off until pajamas-on. In a homemade under-the-shirt vertical cloth shoulder holster rig. Loaded with 240gr JHP Underwoods. I shoot it strictly single action, cocking the hammer with my weak thumb, as the muzzle is coming down from the recoil. I use a VERY relaxed grip, with relaxed wrists, elbows, and shoulders ... no pain or bruising that way ... I can do a whole range session comfortably. My objective in an actual defensive situation is to shoot the minimum possible number of rounds (hopefully, one), with the maximum possible accuracy (hopefully hitting exactly what I'm aiming at). My BUG is a 360sc ultralight .357 magnum, carried in my right front pocket.
Old Arkansawyer
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S&W .44 Special with Hornady 240g JHP's. Sometimes carry 5 extra
in a strip. I know, doesn't sound to exciting, just effective shoud the
need arise, which I hope it never does.
in a strip. I know, doesn't sound to exciting, just effective shoud the
need arise, which I hope it never does.
max503,
I have two methods of carry.
My most frequent method of carry is in a camera pouch. The pouch is sized so that the pistol is situated vertically and does not change position. I wear the pouch like I wear a camera, across the body with the pouch at the left hip. This pouch has the lid zipper facing towards the front of my body, so all I have to do is grasp the tab (on which I also have a paracord loop) with my left forefinger and thumb and pull to the rear. This can be done concurrently with bringing my right hand across for a cross draw. The strap that goes across my body is a Nikon camera strap. As far as I can tell, although I have not watched it closely, no one had ever made me as being armed.
On the very few occasions I want to do a more conventional carry, I have a Blade-Tech Kydex holster. They no longer make the model I have though. The closest equivalent is their Classic OWB holster. Retention tension is adjustable with the two screws. This is very strong but does not hinder the draw. There are no straps or otherwise 'floppy' elements to enter the trigger guard and cause the pistol to fire. Going on my individual experience, Blade-Tech is top quality.
BTW, excellent shot group in your earlier thread. Yes, they are fun to shoot. My wife really enjoys shooting hers, and she is extremely competent with it.
Hope this helps.
I have two methods of carry.
My most frequent method of carry is in a camera pouch. The pouch is sized so that the pistol is situated vertically and does not change position. I wear the pouch like I wear a camera, across the body with the pouch at the left hip. This pouch has the lid zipper facing towards the front of my body, so all I have to do is grasp the tab (on which I also have a paracord loop) with my left forefinger and thumb and pull to the rear. This can be done concurrently with bringing my right hand across for a cross draw. The strap that goes across my body is a Nikon camera strap. As far as I can tell, although I have not watched it closely, no one had ever made me as being armed.
On the very few occasions I want to do a more conventional carry, I have a Blade-Tech Kydex holster. They no longer make the model I have though. The closest equivalent is their Classic OWB holster. Retention tension is adjustable with the two screws. This is very strong but does not hinder the draw. There are no straps or otherwise 'floppy' elements to enter the trigger guard and cause the pistol to fire. Going on my individual experience, Blade-Tech is top quality.
BTW, excellent shot group in your earlier thread. Yes, they are fun to shoot. My wife really enjoys shooting hers, and she is extremely competent with it.
Hope this helps.
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Best for me in retirement is my 649-2 in a pocket holster. I carried a 36 for backup to my BHP for over 40 years in a kidney holster. This was OK but once you are home all the time that type of rig is not too comfortable. I went to the Bodyguard for the reason that I wanted a pocket carry with a covered hammer and the 649-2 is the first used gun I found that satisfied that requirement. I put Crimson Trace grips on it and am very satisfied.
fatcat3
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I recently up graded from a avatar to a NAA Bugout II in 22mag. Always had that .38 derringer with me even when friends had left their k frames, 1911s, and what not at home or in the glove box. Down and back is the trick to a derringer trigger, learn that and they can be quite accurate with in reasonable range, say 7-10 yards. The NAA has a better trigger, more rounds, cocking the hammer is NOT like using a bumper jack (for those that remember what those where) and it is still always there.
I carry a variety of semi auto's and revolvers........All are good.
Mike_Fontenot
Member
(Regarding your photo, which I tried to copy, but couldn't):
I like the .44, but I wouldn't like that bobbed hammer ... I shoot strictly single-action.
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rogerwnuss
Member
Dude.....I know they work like a machine and all....but no. She ain't. That's a mug only it's father could call beautiful......My Glock 19 and spare mags will certainly help me prevent dying a horrible death.
Ain't she a beauty!
Model46
Member
I like a J frame S&W revolver. Typically a Model 49 or Model 60.
Eddie Southgate
Member
My most carried is either a m 32 or a Colt Cobra in .38 special . The m32 is loaded with Speer 110g GDHP's over a stiff dose of Herco that puts them in the +P range for .38 Special velocity wise. I carry two strips in my left front pocket for 15 rounds total . The Cobra has the last of the Winchester 125g lead HP +P+ ammo I own with two strips for it . I also carry a 1911, a Beretta 81BB , a CA .44 Bulldog and several others from time to time . I am perfectly content with the Cobra or the J frame for every day carry .
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