Help me overcome my fears!

[Will Carry]

I need to put my 380 pocket pistols in the safe. Even the best of them will fail every now and then. My poor old model 36-1 has never failed. I need to start carrying the gun that never fails and the model 36 is hard to beat: It has a slim grip without the soft rubber with dimples. That's because the slim grip is easy to find and even though I have big hands, it's quick to draw. I have timed myself with all of my conceal carry pistols and the model 36 won. I can put 5 rounds in a bad guy very quickly with it. So why am I carrying 380 automatics?
It's the fear of running out of ammo and not being able to reload quickly. THAT is the fear people need to overcome.
Even with speed loaders the M-36 is slow to reload. The spend casings do not always drop out.

 

[ogilvyspecial]

Someone said something here not long ago in a thread dealing with revolvers vs semi-auto's that made a lot of sense, at least to me it did.

They said something like "You will probably run out of time before you run out of ammo."

I know a guy who has had to use a firearm in a self defense role that not only still carries a revolver, he doesn't even bother with spare ammo.

His reasoning is a lot like what I heard here (quoted above.) If you can't get it done fast in 5 or 6 shots then you're gonna be in deep, you know what, no matter how many rounds you have available.

 

[Fredo Batali]

Will carry,

It's simple for me, I carry two "J" frames, an M36 and M649. Some call it the "New York reload" I call it faster than a speed loader.

De Oppresso liber

 

[jimmyj]

CCW your Model 36 with a straight razor as B/U.
The B/U will not jam/malfunction or run out of ammo.

 

[bennettfam]

I'd rather have 5 I could count on. If you have time to reload you should be able to get the heck outa Dodge instead. If you don't, the magazine won't help you anyway.

New York reload is a good idea if you feel the need for extra follow-up.

 

[Rule3]

If you read the stats, must gun "fights" or the need to use a gun for SD are over in seconds and only involve 1 or 2 shots. We have become conditioned by the TV and Movies. You do not need lots of firepower or rounds. I carry a pocket 380 or 9mm due to light weight shorts and t shirts kind of attire down here in the sub tropics. Don't sell the 380 short (no pun). It will make the bad guy stop or go away. The 38 special is no real powerhouse either.

Carry what you feel comfortable with, you have more chance of getting hit by lightning than using your gun.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I'm sure your Mod 36 has stood the test of time for years as dependable CCW weapon. I have 2 & use them. Beats throwing the semi at your attacker like the movies.OOPS. The actor ran out of shells, I had forgotten.

 

[Fredo Batali]

jimmyj,

Used to carry a "Blue Steel" brand straight razor in the sap pocket of my uniform trousers. A little suprise for the BG if up close and too personal. I still have it and slip it in a pocket now and again when I go to the "city". It's in a couple of pics with my five-inch .38 M&P here on the Forum.

De Oppresso Liber

 

[jimmyj]

jimmyj,

Used to carry a "Blue Steel" brand straight razor in the sap pocket of my uniform trousers. A little suprise for the BG if up close and too personal. I still have it and slip it in a pocket now and again when I go to the "city". It's in a couple of pics with my five-inch .38 M&P here on the Forum.

De Oppresso Liber

My sap pocket was used to carry a "Convoy" blackjack. The straight razor was carried on my left wrist under the uniform shirt long sleeve, held on by a velco strap.
This type armament along with the service revolver, second revover (smaller frame, but same caliber) would give today's Agency heads ulcers and bad dreams.

 

[GatorFarmer]

See if a Glock 26 will work for you (or the 27 if you can stand it). A bit fit, but more reliable than most pocket 380s while still being in the basic size/weight class as a steel J frame. Standard mag hold ten rounds, but a slightly larger one will hold 12, or you can use G17 or G19 mags if you really want to.

They tend to be as easy, or easier, to hit with than a J frame.

Or you could find an old Walther PP Super in 9x18mm Ultra/Police. Best pocket pistol ever made. I used to shoot mine, with RWS ammo, at 25 yards.

 

[kudzu3]

I was recently in a situation that required me to remove my Kahr CW 9 form the holster. The little Kahr has never failed me and carries well. I have had it on my side for a lot of years and have had complete confidence in it. Now, all of a sudden when I was put in a situation that may require me to actually use it in self defense, I started worrying about the possibilities of failure to fire, failure to feed, stove piping, damaged clips, the slide hitting something (my body) and causing a stoppage and all the other things that can happen with a semi-auto. Thankfully, I did not have to use my trusty Kahr. Now I have a model 60 on my hip.

 

[charlie sherrill]

Off duty: Ruger LCR loaded with silvertips) in my pocket, Glock 20 in the glove box (with extra mag), 12 gauge Ithaca mod 37 in the trunk.

On duty: Glock 22 in the holster, Ruger LCR in my pocket, Remington 870 riot and Bushmaster close by. 380's are cute but I want something with a little more power if I need it.

My yard gun (when I'm working in my yard or garden) is a SS 3" mod 65 loaded with silvertips. Wipe the sweat right off of it.

I walk a couple of miles a day and carry Beretta 92 FS and two extra mags loaded with Rangers for snakes and skanks who are stupid enough to bother me.