Is There Others Growing Tired of Packing?
- Thread starter RussC
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Ben Nelson
Member
I've just started carrying . . . What I got tired of was seeing violence and crime creeping closer and entering my neighborhood. What I'm tired of are the derelicts aggressively getting in my face and begging for some sort of handout.
Once the kid moves out next year, the house goes on the market and I'm heading out to the sticks.
Once the kid moves out next year, the house goes on the market and I'm heading out to the sticks.
Vinney47
Member
Yep. It was the trolley square incident that really got me serious about CCW. Sometimes there isn't anything you can do to avoid being a victim, but I made the decision that I would never be a helpless victim.
I carry a 9c. It's heavier than the SHIELD, obviously. I too thought of going to something lighter and more comfortable. The SHIELD wasn't out yet, I ended up trying an LC9. Great gun IMO, a pleasure to carry I thought. But it kept coming back that I shot incredibly better with the M&P9c, and one mag was the same as carrying two with the LC9. After some soul searching I sold the ruger and have never questioned the 9c since. After several holsters, I've found something that's comfortable (relatively speaking) for the 9c that doesn't print. Now, I have piece of mind *and* a comfortable carry set up, complete confidence in my weapon and my ability to use it.
LaVistaBill
Member
First rule in a gunfight - HAVE A GUN! If the gun you have is too big, too heavy, whatever, it won't do you any good in the glove box of your car if you need it in the 7-11. After 37+ years in law enforcement, I'm no longer enamored with packing a gun, but when I'm tempted to leave home without one, I think of all the "what-if's" and I go back and pocket my Model 442 and a quick-strip of extra ammo. If I'm carrying an autoloader, like my favorite Kahr CW40, I ALWAYS carry an extra magazine. Not only for the extra ammo it affords, but if you get a double-feed jam, you'll need to remove the magazine in the weapon to clear that malfunction and I bet the bad guys won't call time-out for you so you can pick it back up, reload and rejoin the fight! Just some things to ponder...
George9
Member
I'm even thinking of the LCP .380 For the times I just can't carry anything else like when wearing a tank top and jeans or shorts with no top. I like the new defensive loads for .380 cal. and at close range it will do the job better then no gun at all.. A LCP will and can be invisible in a wallet holster completely concealed 0 printing easy draw too.. Making it a smart move to me.. Don't get me wrong I'll carry a F/S gun when I can and it the location requires it but when concealment is a must with a easy draw holster is the way to go and works perfect with the small LCP or S&W body guard.. Think this is the way I'm going one size down to a .380. Just have to find the most reliable one of the smallest guns.. Range test it and then trust it! This would be a spring summer gun.. Winter in NH you can conceal almost anything you want because of the way you dress at -0 or -15 degs.. George
pvq
Member
24 years for me and DITTO one hundred times over. I own (or owned) and have carried everything from a NAA 22 Pug to a Colt Python, and have gone through the same justifications and rationalizations as all of you.
Currently, I have been carrying my Shield 9 primarily, but I leave room for the possibility that in two weeks I may decide my LCP is enough gun. Next summer if we have a major heat wave...my NAA PUG may be the gun of choice.
...I guess we are just fickle
WGSNewnan19
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What I really find funny about all the responses is how everyone assumes that they will be involved in some prolonged gun fight.
If I'm drawing my carry weapon, a 637 in this case, my first shot will be from 3 yards, the second from 7 yards, the third from 10 yards, and the last 2 from 25 yards or better. All the nonsense of reloading and continued firing is nonsense.
Your adversary will likely have the drop on you and will likely have greater firepower. He gets to choose when and where, not you. You will likely not survive an extended affair involving prolonged engagement. Shoot and run comes to mind.
My EDC carry serves one purpose, it allows me time and oppurtunity to get to a real fighting weapon or to retreat to a safer venue. Carrying a Hi Cap 9 with several reloads will likely not result in any more security than any other carry option.
If I'm drawing my carry weapon, a 637 in this case, my first shot will be from 3 yards, the second from 7 yards, the third from 10 yards, and the last 2 from 25 yards or better. All the nonsense of reloading and continued firing is nonsense.
Your adversary will likely have the drop on you and will likely have greater firepower. He gets to choose when and where, not you. You will likely not survive an extended affair involving prolonged engagement. Shoot and run comes to mind.
My EDC carry serves one purpose, it allows me time and oppurtunity to get to a real fighting weapon or to retreat to a safer venue. Carrying a Hi Cap 9 with several reloads will likely not result in any more security than any other carry option.
George9
Member
Self defense cores will teach you a lot about what to look for and what to avoid and how to act so you don't look so vulnerable . a thug will look for a easer target.. Yes none of us want to shoot or kill someone.. Knowledge is a good thing be street wise. Packing a gun should not make you walk any taller just a means of defense and escape with ones life. Again I'm looking into a wallet holster it looks just like your wallet in you pocket. Palm in draw allows you a spot that you don't have to sit on your gun and a safer draw.. Someone asks you for your wallet a few feet away with a knife you slowly hand it to them deciding to pull the trigger or not is up to you..
Nitrous SSC
Member
Utah guys, remember we did have a former military guy go AWOL and try to shoot up one of the "America" hotels. He was shot by a responding officer before he could kill anyone. He shot the officer in the leg. I think that was 1-2 years ago.
I always carry an extra mag. I find the mag pouch is more a pain than the actual gun. My wife came up with an idea of sewing an extra pocket aka mag pouch on the side of my jeans. I'm totally down with the idea. I can't believe someone would have a hard time carrying a shield. I carried a 4040pd/3913tsw for years with a very simple cheap galco leather inside the waist holster even with basketball shorts and a T-shirt. (draw string tight as hell, hah)
I carry the biggest gun I can conceal with the season. Most of the year that is my M&P40c now. Now that its cooling off and I can wear a jacket It'll be my full size M&P40. I walk through vacant homes in West Valley and Ogden occasionally so I like to be prepared in my field of work too.
I always carry an extra mag. I find the mag pouch is more a pain than the actual gun. My wife came up with an idea of sewing an extra pocket aka mag pouch on the side of my jeans. I'm totally down with the idea. I can't believe someone would have a hard time carrying a shield. I carried a 4040pd/3913tsw for years with a very simple cheap galco leather inside the waist holster even with basketball shorts and a T-shirt. (draw string tight as hell, hah)
I carry the biggest gun I can conceal with the season. Most of the year that is my M&P40c now. Now that its cooling off and I can wear a jacket It'll be my full size M&P40. I walk through vacant homes in West Valley and Ogden occasionally so I like to be prepared in my field of work too.
Matt
Your draw string comment made me smile.
The first time I relieved myself #1 in a public restroom with my Shield in my front sweat pants pocket I was taught a lesson on mass and gravity.
When I undone the knot to the draw string the weight of the Shield sent my sweat pants racing to the ground. I can confirm the Shield will not fire when dropped on a tile floor.
Russ
LSP 972
Member
But what the OP is talking about involves change.
What would you do if those shoes suddenly starting annoying/hurting you? I think it safe to say you'd get a different pair, yes?
While I don't agree with the OP's specific choice, I know exactly what he is talking about conceptually. I carried professionally for 30 years, and continued that into retirement because of the crime spike here due to Katrina (I live in Zachary, work part-time in BR). But now that I'm past 60, my beloved .45 (and its spare magazine) has simply become too heavy for me to pack around all day without a fair degree of discomfort at the end of the day.
I tried compact 9mms; a bit less weight, but not enough to make the end-of-day discomfort go away. So I have been looking at the mini-9mms. The Shield and the Kahr P9 are the only two that even remotely interest me; and the P9 loses because of the trigger.
Anyway... the thing to keep in mind is, everybody has different wants/needs; and those can change.
.
LSP
I can appreciate the Ruger LCP is not your choice in guns. Frankly, I shot a Ruger LCP and it kicked like a mule and felt awkward in my large hand.
Question ? What would you buy to pocket conceal that weighs 12 oz loaded?
I love my Shield but there is a trade off and 24 oz is a trade off if pocket packing is the preferred means of concealment.
I considered a Ruger LCR but the ballistics for a 38 from a 1 7/8 inch barrel is a joke and 357 is a killer for recoil and ballistics is about on par with a 9 mm +P shot from a Shield.
If you want comfort and ultimate concealment from your pocket I just don't see options outside a 380 and from my research the Ruger LCP is about as light at 9.4 oz as they come.
Russ
BigCityChief
Member
I agree that the P238 is an effective personal EDC option. As far as accuracy goes, I find it extremely accurate at the distances from which anyone is likely to engage a bad guy. Personal carry weapons like the P238 are designed for close quarter battle and that's exactly where they're most likely to be used.
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George9
Member
The Ruger LC9 is 17oz but backs 9mm power very small and very easy to carry.. I have a Colt officers model .45 in stainless steel fully loaded it's no lightweight and that's what my choice was.. Good SA Ammo is close to the power point of a .45 and the 9's now have good dependable expansion too.. all and all no mouse gun for sure.. LC9 you can and do forget you have it on.. Recoil is fine too.. It was my choice over the same size gun a LC.380 because of power and there the same weight too.. Oh nothing at all wrong with a Shield just a little bigger gun George
George
Thanks I love my Shield and the Ruger LC9 is a fine tool but 2 oz lighter than the Shield is not enough difference.
The only reason I would even think about another ccw is if I could dramatically shave weight and as I see it if you want a feather weight for the pocket a Ruger LCP, Sig P238 or Kel Tec are the light weights.
The Sig P238 I shot gave me a little problem feeding and I am not sure about the cocked and locked for the pocket. I know the firing pin is blocked and only pulling the trigger will move the block but I am thinking if I buy a pocket gun I don't want a safety especially with my big hand wrapped around a tiny frsme.
I am interested to see how the Beretta Pico will do when it is released. It will tip the scale about 2 oz more than the Ruger LCP (11.5 oz vs 9.4 oz) but the Pico will come with a stainless slide which I have read would have been nice for the Ruger considering the LCP has been reported to rust.
Russ
Florida J Frame
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Take look at the ballistics for the Speer 135 gr short barrel +P. Not a joke at all.
George9
Member
RussC,
The wife and are thinking about a Ruger LCP for the times when nothing else will do.. But does the Beretta Pico have a tip up barrel? I had a few of the Berettas with tip up barrels "no extractors" and all went back to the gun shop.. Do let me know about the Beretta Pico ! I have not looked into it and as a rule love Berettas as I have a few.. A old 1935 .32 and a Model 70 .22!! Thanks !! George
Florida J Frame, Yep! I like it!
"Take look at the ballistics for the Speer 135 gr short barrel +P. Not a joke at all."
The wife and are thinking about a Ruger LCP for the times when nothing else will do.. But does the Beretta Pico have a tip up barrel? I had a few of the Berettas with tip up barrels "no extractors" and all went back to the gun shop.. Do let me know about the Beretta Pico ! I have not looked into it and as a rule love Berettas as I have a few.. A old 1935 .32 and a Model 70 .22!! Thanks !! George
Florida J Frame, Yep! I like it!
"Take look at the ballistics for the Speer 135 gr short barrel +P. Not a joke at all."
LSP 972
Member
Dunno where you are getting that from, but there are numerous .38+P loads that do quite respectably out of a snub barrel; Speer's 135gr Gold Dot "short barrel" offering, and the old original "FBI load" as offered by several firms and featuring a 158gr lead SWCHP, to name two that I use. And in fact, I have helped investigate two shootings where the latter was used in a S&W J frame to good effect.
I agree, torching off a full-house .357 in the flyweight snubbies is simply retarded, and certainly has more drawbacks than advantages. But the .38s in them are nothing to sneer at.
To answer your question, the "AirLite" J frame revolvers by S&W, at 11.7 ounces empty, are what you're looking for. I've been pocket carrying an M-360PD since I got it in 2001, as a back-up to a semi-auto pistol. Prior to this I used an ankle holster.
And before getting that beast I also did a lot of off-duty pocket-carrying with an AirWeight J (alloy frame/steel cylinder at 15 ounces, compared to the alloy frame/titanium cylinder AirLite at 12 ounces). If you had told me, prior to my getting one, that those three ounces would make a tremendous difference in carrying comfort, I would have laughed at you.
On the belt or ankle, it really isn't that noticeable. But in the pocket?
BIG-time difference.
I don't have much use for the LCR. I bought my mother one, because she liked the stocks. I put 100 rounds through it before giving it to her, and in those 100 rounds it got loose as a goose. We're talking major slop in the yoke-to-frame fit, with both endshake yoke and endshake cylinder manifesting themselves... after 100 rounds.
BTW, any LCR fans out there who want to take exception to this... spare me. I didn't say the revolver was no good. I said I have no use for it, as in don't like it. Its a bit larger, all around, than a comparable J frame S&W (except for the magnum models with their 2.5" barrels), and I have to wonder about all these folks who wax euphoric about its DA trigger. The three I have handled were like a J frame... usable, but nothing to write home about.
Anyway, that's my answer... an AirLite J frame with .38+P ammunition. NOT fun to shoot, but I practice with wadcutter/target loads.
One caveat... if I were to carry a five-shot whatever as a primary, I'd damn sure have another gun on me somewhere...
.
George9
Member
My wife had a old all steel model 36 S&W snub nose and she a tiny girl just a tad over 5' with very small hands and she can shoot 38+P's all day in it. Not sure of the weight of it.. It's a 5 shot. Power wise it would be fine for me. My concern like was mentioned would be the number of rounds it holds.. I never did much like .357 full house load in my S&W mod.19 4" barreled gun, but then again that was my first gun and I was determed to use full house loads in it back then..Learned one thing, that was not to flinch.. Guess I turned into a Pistol guy after a year or so with wheel guns. That was about 35 years ago and still like them and still trust them.. George
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