Am I Nuts ?

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ReklessOne

ReklessOne

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Sultan, Washington
I'm looking for a concealed carry revolver. I'm a truly fat old man so ankle holsters, concealment vests, etc. just won't work for me. The only solution I can think of is a belt holster with the Hawaiian shirt thing or in fall/winter my Cabela's field coat. With that type of carry, I'm thinking I could carry a cannon and it wouldn't matter as long as it is a fairly short barrel.

I'm seriously thinking about a snub-nosed Performace Center .44 magnum. I would practice with .44 Special and carry the .44 magnum. I'm thinking if heaven forbid, I actually needed to use it, my adrenalin level would be so high it wouldn't matter what caliber I was shooting.

The only problem I can see is second shot. With .44 mag recoil, you're sure not going to be holding your arm level. On the other hand, I doubt if I'm ever going to get in a gunfight with a gang. I'll leave that to the cops.


Any ideas?
 
me too

I wear a Fishing type vest that is sleeveless. It hangs down long enough to cover a belt carry weapon. Bass pro and alot of other shops have these.
Mike :)
 
You could be nuts, but I don't think there is anything in your post that would be proof of that.

Why no carry a "hot" .44 special round instead of a magnum? A quick follow up shot with .44 magnum could be a little difficult.
 
There's plenty of nice little snubnosed .38 special revolvers out there that are real easy to conceal without a Hawaiian shirt. Unless you need protection from angry bears you may not need to go with anything as big as a .44 Mag for concealed carry
 
Bigger is always better when it comes to both guns and bullets.

That said the lightest J-frame you can afford and a Kramer pocket holster gets my vote frequently.

If you’re going to carry a big gun and you’re fat and old and it’s truly for protection, you’d be better off with a polymer auto loader from either Glock, S&W, or and XD from Springfield Armory.

I sometimes carry a 4” 629 (loaded with 44 specials) but only because I’m feeling sexy, not because I think it’s the best handgun for its weight and size. How could I not, my badge # is 629 lol.
PA120039.jpg


Emory
 
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crofoot629 said:
I sometimes carry a 4” 629 but only because I’m feeling sexy, not because I think it’s the best handgun for its weight and size. How could I not, my badge # is 629 lol.
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Well whadda ya know, nice, Emory, very nice indeed!!
 
Seriously.....I love this question and love to answer it. A 2" 64 Stainless or model 10/12 Blue 2" Kframe...Bob the hammer or not,(your call) get a good belt and holster ( PM for suggestions) and practice your skills. Gun guys have a tendency to reinvent the wheel over and over again......No need. Would you be willing to take two .38 Plus P rounds to the center of your chest? I din't think so....Case closed. money saved. Question answered....Anything beyond this is about "how do I appear?", "how cool is it?", is it according to what looks cool in todays mind/market?" Glad I could help you cut through the crap....Zebulon
 
My daily carry is a S&W Model 642 with #305 Crimson Trace Grips. It rides nicely in my front pocket in a Mika holster. I load the FBI load (158 gr H.P.) +P for business use.

Dale53
 
44 mag for 2 legged animals is too much gun. The gun will be overly heavy for CCW and hard to shoot well. The concussion will do permanent damage to your hearing if fired inside your home or vehicle.

I'd look for a 44 spl sized gun to reduce the weight. How about a 696 5 shot with a 3" barrel or a 625 45ACP revolver with a 2-3" barrel?

I carry a 5 shot revolver in my pocket everyday. I carried everything over the years from 22LR to 44 Mag, and I'm getting tired of the extra weight or too small a caliber to stop an attack. I do carry my 45 pistol if going in a bad area.

Currently, I have settled on a 442 38 spl carried in my front pants pocket for normal everyday carry. I think a 38 to the groin or face, point blank will stop an attack. Do you think so?
 
Zebulon said:
Would you be willing to take two .38 Plus P rounds to the center of your chest? I din't think so....Case closed. money saved. Question answered....Anything beyond this is about "how do I appear?", "how cool is it?", is it according to what looks cool in todays mind/market?" Glad I could help you cut through the crap....Zebulon
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Dude, I am not willing to take 2 shots from a Daisy Red Ryder in the chest... doesnt mean it even comes close to being the best choice.
People always bring up this argument... "if you are not willing to be shot by it... its good enough."
I have seen this used for .22s, .25s, .380s... anything that someone may look at as lower powered.
In this case, .38s are a good option.
I have 2 calibers in my carry rotation... .44 and .45.
If I need maximum concealment... I have a 1911 compact and a Taurus 445 .44 special.
Depending on your situation, I still say that the .44 magnum is a great carry piece.
With options from .44 russians to sub nuclear full house loads... you can tailor your carry from 2 legged to most 4 legged threats.


Jim
 
Wow, I can relate! At 6"2" and 300+, I've found a 642, 38, or bobbed hammer 36 in the pocket work best. You'll know what I say when I mention "blubber pinch!" haha. Thats what anything in a holster does to to you. My concern with bigger guns is the over-penetration, recoil, and, unfortunately, do to our "political times", what a prosecuting attorney would say about a BIG 44. Like poker, it's the odds we play. If I'm attacked by a gang of thugs, I'm probably dead no matter what I carry. Once again, just an opinion...
 
.38 airweight snub vs. .44 mag snub. Roughly half the weight and size = half the carry burden = twice as likely to actually have it on you when you need it instead of sitting in the safe. I'm just saying...
 
bwickens said:
.38 airweight snub vs. .44 mag snub. Roughly half the weight and size = half the carry burden = twice as likely to actually have it on you when you need it instead of sitting in the safe. I'm just saying...
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Only if you are lazy or have a medical condition.
I carry big guns.
I carry big heavy guns.
Doesnt matter if its summer in the southeast or summer in the southwest.
The only time I dont have one is when its absolutely not allowed.
When I fly home I lock 1 gun away... and my wife meets me at the airport with my home gun and holster.

I have either a 1911 or an N frame sized revolver on me while working outside in 100*+ weather.

All it takes is dedication.

And I am 6'4" 290 lbs. So the heat isnt kind to me on a good day.
If you absolutely HAVE to have deep concealment, then an airweight or LCP type pistol is understandable.
However I have always been an advocate of carry as much gun as you can.


Jim
 
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Not being an expert on the subject, I will paraphrase from the web site of one of the main banner advertisers on this web site.(Look up for the Front Sight ad)

"Any acceptible carry weapon caliber must start with a 4"

Although I myself do not practice this policy, this is what one of the very well known CC trainers recommends. Personally, I carry a S&W model 59 loaded with 15 JHP's. I guess that I figure that I may not stop you with one shot, but hopefully you are down by the time I'm empty.

In answer to the comment about training with say 44 special and then carrying 44 magnum. The answer is a DEFINITE NO. Carry what you practice with!!! If you are not comfortable shooting a 44 mag at the range more than once, imagine how you will feel when your butt hole is in your throat, your heart is pumping about 500 beats a minute and someone is shooting back at you.

As far as what caliber you wouldn't want to be hit with, who cares. We are not comparing mosquito bites to hornet stings here and I don't really like either of those either. We are talking about what caliber is enough to put down someone trying to harm you or a loved one. And, you are not trying to wing them either. We are talking center of mass, multiple shots.

As far as what the prosecutor is going to think about choosing a 45 over a 44 or a 44 over a 38, again who cares. As the old saying goes, better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6. In a self defense situation, there are only 2 players that matter, the dead guy and the live guy. You need to decide beforehand which one you want to be...:D
 
One concern for many who tote a .44 Mag is overpenetration. Many of the bullets for the .44 Mag are constructed for deep penetration and hunting. If you're in a heavily populated urban area overpenetration is a factor to take into account. If you're in a rural area where populations are sparse and bears or mountain lions are common then it's not as much of a concern.

If you're a big guy an N frame is going to find body parts to poke into unless you find just the right holster and a good gun belt. The hammer and sight are tough on your clothes and flesh with many rigs.

I used to carry a 1911 everywere. Eventually I found myself leaving it at home or in the glove box more and carrying a 442/642 instead. For the same weight as a loaded 1911 I could carry almost three loaded 442/642's.

I use a Kydex pocket holster from aholster.com and almost forget that I am carrying. With a pocket holster if you detect something suspicious you just put your hand in your pocket and you are ready for an immediate response. If the threat does not materialize you haven't presented a weapon and freaked out anyone. If the threat does occur your hand is already on your weapon. You cannot do this with any other mode of carry.

Best Regards,
ADP3
 
In many of my shorts/pants I have pocket carried 3 out of my 4 carry guns.
Yes, I pocket carry a .44 magnum and 1911.
I work standing, wouldnt would out so well if I was a sitter.
But yes, I agree on pocket carry being a great option.
My Taurus 445 is my choice in pocket carry.


Jim
 
Dale53 said:
My daily carry is a S&W Model 642 with #305 Crimson Trace Grips. It rides nicely in my front pocket in a Mika holster. I load the FBI load (158 gr H.P.) +P for business use.

Dale53
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I'm also old and fat. A 642 with CT #405 in an OWB in an ActiveProGear #76 belt slider is most comfortable. Most times I carry a "New York Reload" i.e. an LCR in left front pocket in an Uncle Mikes #36. Buffalo Bore 158Gr. LSWCHP (the +P are just too much for me in these guns) or Speer GD Short Barrel. Don't dismiss the ActiveProGear 'cuz its cheap...I have many high-end boned too-tight-to-draw leather holsters. The #76 is very simple and effective as is the #36. I specifically bought shirts with a printed pattern(s) that also work quite well in breaking up any image. Here in the desert I rarely use a coat.
 
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'Nuther old fat guy here. I have carried j-frames in front pockets and hip pockets for 40 years. I have tried to carry 1911s in full and commander size. i have tried to carry K-frame and N-frame revolvers. Nothing works but a j-frame. I carry steel-framed guns, although I really like my daughter's 442. I have some of the BB 158 gr plus-pee rounds on order. I think I can handle them OK in the j-frames.
 
redlevel said:
'Nuther old fat guy here. I have carried j-frames in front pockets and hip pockets for 40 years. I have tried to carry 1911s in full and commander size. i have tried to carry K-frame and N-frame revolvers. Nothing works but a j-frame. I carry steel-framed guns, although I really like my daughter's 442. I have some of the BB 158 gr plus-pee rounds on order. I think I can handle them OK in the j-frames.
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I'll be REALLY courious for your reaction to BB's +P in the 442!
I wound up with their std. 158Gr.......
 
I want to thank all those who replied. I ordered a S&W Performance Center 2 1/2" 629.

Without wanting to offend anybody, my novice research conclusions follow:
1) People choose guns cause they are cheap. (Why would anybody carry a Taurus when they are famous for not working?)
2) People choose guns cause they are small. (Personally, if I shoot somebody, I want to kill them. I don't want a caliber that is just going to piss somebody off.)
3) They choose guns cause ammo is cheap. (I have to admit, price of ammo concerns me greatly).

The 629 was not an easy choice for me. I'm on Social Security. The gun and holster will be more than one months income for me. To sum it up, I figure the S&W is going to work if I need it and if I panic and don't hit a kill zone, a .44 mag is going to punch a big enough hole anywhere it hits to make the target reconsider his actions.

Now, I need to learn to shoot a handgun. Wish me luck.
 
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ReklessOne said:
I want to thank all those who replied. I ordered a S&W Performance Center 2 1/2" 629.

Without wanting to offend anybody, my novice research conclusions follow:
1) People choose guns cause they are cheap. (Why would anybody carry a Taurus when they are famous for not working?)
2) People choose guns cause they are small. (Personally, if I shoot somebody, I want to kill them. I don't want a caliber that is just going to piss somebody off.)
3) They choose guns cause ammo is cheap. (I have to admit, price of ammo concerns me greatly).

The 629 was not an easy choice for me. I'm on Social Security. The gun and holster will be more than one months income for me. To sum it up, I figure the S&W is going to work if I need it and if I panic and don't hit a kill zone, a .44 mag is going to punch a big enough hole anywhere it hits to make the target reconsider his actions.

Now, I need to learn to shoot a handgun. Wish me luck.
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Would really, really like to know how you like a 2.5 in. .44. Mag.!

Best on luck on that puppy!
 
ReklessOne said:
I want to thank all those who replied. I ordered a S&W Performance Center 2 1/2" 629.

Now, I need to learn to shoot a handgun. Wish me luck.
Click to expand...

I would add more more caution.. As another person that has let time add to my waist, I have a problem with pocket and belt mounted pistols.

My *** is about 5 inches smaller than my waist, think of a pear standing on the stem,,

Any additional weight hanging on my belt tends, via gravity, to want to pull my pants down.

:eek::eek:

If you are like built,, think suspenders... The 629 is not light.

:D:D

Good Luck on your new toy,, I had a Lew Horton 2.5 inch in the 80t's,, loved it,, kicked like a mule..

Currently, I carry a 940 9mm or CS9,, in home-grown thunder-ware,, much lighter..
 
Congrats on the PC 629!
I should have this 629-6 2.5" in my hands this weekend.
2009-11-27_191327.jpg

The 2.5" N Frame should make you very happy.
On holster selection however, you WILL have to do some searching and research.
Since the barrel is so short and if not holstered lower on the belt it will seem top heavy and pull away from the body.
Galco Silhouette is bad for that.
Notice how there really isnt much to keep it flat to the body.
629silhouette.jpg

You really want the belt more inline with the cyl.
As to ammo, if you shoot much at all you REALLY need to look into reloading.I can load a box of 50 for around $6.
if you cast your own, you can do it even cheaper.
Practice, practice, practice... get used to her.
Make sure you have a good holster and belt... and after she has proven her reliability... put your faith in her doing you right.


Jim
 
Another vote for the 442 with FBI load. A 3" 686 is good and a 696 is nice if you can find one. .44 Mag is good for the woods.
 
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