I hadn't really planned on this.

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shouldazagged

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In the last three months I've fallen five times and been hospitalized twice. I've been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, some mitral valve weakening, and coronary insufficiency, in addition to my various lung diseases. Seems as if the wheels are trying to fall off and leave me up on blocks in the yard. Wouldn't even pay to part me out. :D

Hence, some adaptations..

I love and trust my Smith 640 no-dash. I've carried it in my right front pocket every day for somewhere around eighteen years, and never minded the weight. It weighs twenty-one ounces unloaded and without the Pachmayr Compac grips or the DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster. Probably totals at least twenty-eight ounces fully dressed and carrying the FBI load--no weight at all for those of you who CC full-size 1911's or M29's, right?

Suddenly I'm feeling it, and am very physically conscious that I'm just a few weeks away from turning eighty.

So tonight I did something I had thought about in passing, but never very seriously. I ordered a Ruger LCP--the original, internal-hammer version, as I wasn't interested in another striker-fired gun.

The idea of carrying a self-defense handgun that weighs under ten ounces instead of twenty-eight suddenly seemed appealing to a weakened, decrepit octogenarian. I always said I didn't want to go below .38 Special +P, but I'll settle for a .380 with good ammo.

Hell, I even figured if I was going to be drummed out of the S&W regiment for buying an LCP it might as well be one I thought looked cool and wasn't like all the others. Picked one Cerakoted, tan slide and flat dark earth frame.

The fine 640 will be my head-of-the-bed gun, and carried sometimes if I have some needed surgery and regain some strength.

Till then, just call me Benedict Arnold.
 
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I think I know how you feel. I am in a similar situation of much less severity. A few months ago, I was having some discomfort from carrying my Improved Model 56 (2" Model 15), even though I was using a good belt and holster, and I knew that it would go away if I carried a Model 12 for a few days or so.

I haven't gotten around to changing back yet, even though I know that the 15 is a much better gun in my hands.

And I'm only 72.
 
I assume you are not real good at running. My DIL carries a .380 LCP, and is good enough with it I surely wouldn't want her shooting at me with it. Sure hope you can get fixed up soon.
 
First rule of a gunfight, have a gun. I would not choose the LCP for me, but if it works for you, then you are good to go!

Good luck with the health issues!
 
Nothing wrong w/the LCP, I have one too and the only advise I can offer is to practice often b/c it's very snappy. The trigger on the older model is similar to my J frame so not a problem, at least for me. As to the new LCP II I'll give any new model some time to work out the problems before purchasing. This is a lesson I learned the hard way.
 
shouldazagged said:
In the last three months I've fallen five times and been hospitalized twice. I've been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, some mitral valve weakening, and coronary insufficiency, in addition to my various lung diseases. Seems as if the wheels are trying to fall off and leave me up on blocks in the yard. Wouldn't even pay to part me out. :D

Hemce, some adaptations..

I love and trust my Smith 640 no-dash. I've carried it in my right front pocket every day for somewhere around eighteen years, and never minded the weight. It weighs twenty-one ounces unloaded and without the Pachmayr Compac grips or the DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster. Probably totals at least twenty-eight ounces fully dressed and carrying the FBI load--no weight at all for those of you who CC full-size 1911's or M29's, right?

Suddenly I'm feeling it, and am very physically conscious that I'm just a few weeks away from turning eighty.

So tonight I did something I had thought about in passing, but never very seriously. I ordered a Ruger LCP--the original, internal-hammer version, as I wasn't interested in another striker-fired gun.

The idea of carrying a self-defense handgun that weighs under ten ounces instead of twenty-eight suddenly seemed appealing to a weakened, decrepit octogenarian. I always said I didn't want to go below .38 Special +P, but I'll settle for a .380 with good ammo.

Hell, I even figured if I was going to be drummed out of the S&W regiment for buying an LCP it might as well be one I thought looked cool and wasn't like all the others. Picked one Cerakoted, tan slide and flat dark earth frame.

The fine 640 will be my head-of-the-bed gun, and carried sometimes if I have some needed surgery and regain some strength.

Till then, just call me Benedict Arnold.
Click to expand...
You might want to consider this grip from Hogue.

LCP .380 - Ruger Grips - Handgun Grips - Hogue Products
 
I have large hands and put the Hogue grip on my LCP and it helped a great deal. If you have trouble check out Youtube. It's so simple even I can do it.
 
We all feel for you. Good wishes and prayers are with you. My wife is petite and has some arthritis in her right hand so I bought her a Ruger LCR-22. It is light and she is very comfortable and confident with it. I think being confident with you carry piece is the most important factor.
 
Hey there, Ben

LCP... nice choice. :cool:

z7nxscu.png
 
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I'm real sorry to hear of your troubles. There is nothing wrong with the Ruger. The LCP is a fine handgun, and has been out long enough to establish a good track record. Ammunition technology has greatly improved the performance of all ammo. Lucky Gunner has done a nice job of testing most of the popular ammunition, first for semi-auto rounds, and recently for a few revolver cartridges. It's worth a look...actually, you could spend all evening looking at all the tests they ran.

Here is a link to the site where they post the tests, including .380 acp (out of a Glock 42). I have permission from Chris Baker of Luxky Gunner to use this material...which is free to the public anyway:

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/

Best Regards, Les
 
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After carrying a 4 inch Model 686-6 on a fully loaded duty belt with a 642-2 in my pocket all day long, I finally gave up my 3 inch Model 13-3 as my off-duty gun in favor of a 2 inch Model 12-2 since it is about a pound lighter. Of course, I'm a young whippersnapper of 65.

My 70 year old brother stopped carrying his Kimber Pro-Carry during bouts of back trouble for a North American Arms .22 Magnum revolver with a folding grip and belt clip. I'm not going to kick you out of the club.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Darn shoulda...sorry to here you are still having health issues. Rest assured you are not the first to feel the weight of our carry guns. I used to carry the Ruger SP101 which isn't overly heavy but as age creeps up on us the J series sure feels lighter. I went with the 638 shrouded, works for this old fossil. Get better!!! I always enjoy your posts.
 
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