Maybe it's time I got back to the basics . . .

[deckert]

Like you Erich, I have often traded out one carry gun for another depending on my perceived whims, needs, phases of the moon.... whatever. Sometimes I have a good reason, sometimes not.

This has occasionally bothered me because I do believe that competency matters much, much more than make, model or caliber. So I recently decided to do what you're doing. I acquired a 645 - I really did regret letting go of the one I previously owned - tuned it, matched it with some nice ivory polymer grips and slapped it in a good Mixson Leathercraft holster. It is my constant carry piece for the foreseeable future.

Now that "sweater weather" is here in Colorado, I have no real problems concealing it and am frankly amazed just how easy and comfortable it is to carry that big 'ole flat hunk of steel all day long. I doubt I'll re-consider my choice until the warm weather returns.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Originally posted by Erich:
You have packs of Sasquatches in Connecticut?

I'm not sure if their a distant cousin. They are less hairy, grunt the same, but up wind, they sure stink.

 

[hhb]

Some .38 Special ammo on the market now is exceedingly dirty to shoot. It gums up to the point that you have to remove the cylinder and crane to clean it effectively. The stuff coming from across the pond is the worst. Back in the '70's, ATF issued Silver Tips, and after 12 rounds, the S&W 66 2 1/2" revolvers would grind to a halt until they were cleaned.

 

[T.J.]

and after 12 rounds, the S&W 66 2 1/2" revolvers would grind to a halt until they were cleaned.

Someone is pulling your leg. You could shoot 12 rounds loaded with blackpowder without jamming the 66 so bad it would not shoot.

P.S.
I own a 66, 2.5".

 

[BobK]

I have always felt comfortable carrying only .38spl revolvers. My usual carry is an old M-36. I just don't handle semi-autos as well.

Advances in the ammo, have made the .38 spl. round a good one for self defense.....in the woods, or around town. But, I also got a
M-66 2 1/2", for those times I don't want to be undergunned!!!!

Bob

 

[zeke]

Erich-am always enjoying your posts, and this is another excellent one. Cast performance makes a dandy 160 grain wfn cast 38 bullet, but would be right careful with loads reproducing velocitys made for N-frame 38-44, in k-frames. Even more so in J-frames.

A SD of under 3 fps, likely means you're operating at a very high pressure.

 

[Tijeras_Slim]

They chew on a couple of people each year here in NM and have killed a couple in recent memory, but those have been sleeping.

Atleast at the start.

 

[Allen-frame]

E,, the basics for me, came down to a 3" model 13-3 that has been semi-fitzed. The trigger guard has been partially relieved and hammer half-bobbed. I carry it with Glaser 357's.
I find the extra weight of the K frame kind of comforting, it helps me not to forget I am carrying. Regards and good luck ,,Al

 

[Poohgyrr]

A guy could do worse than to have only these two, loaded with modern factory 38/44 loads (i.e. Win .357 Silvertips). Equivalent handloads are good too!

 

[Art Doc]

That 160@1230 is a brute. About 100 FPS beyond the factory 38/44 load. I would still prefer a hollow point for defensive use.

My 38 load for carry is a 125 JHP at 1,100 - 1,150 FPS (depending on barrel length). I once went to 1405 with a 110 JHP in a Model 10 without any sign of trouble but it shot so low with the fixed sights I couldn't use it.

I agree that it's best to stick with the fewest number of guns for consistency and familiarity in a stressful situation. Don't want to be fumbling around trying to remember which gun you have at the moment. I have settled on basically two; a 2" M64 in the house and a 659 on the street. Also like you I prefer the DA for carry. I love my 1911s but don't carry a SA auto. If the gun were holstered all the time I would feel differently but I am constantly moving the gun.

 

[flop-shank]

Erich, it looks like 'ole BMC is rubbing off on ya.

Where has he been? I hope all is well with him and tell him I said hello if you two talk.

I try to keep it simple too. I use several guns, but all except the NAA mini are point and pull and I use .357s when possible. I don't know about NM laws, but a New York reload would be great if you only have five rounds. Your choice though.

 

[raym]

Eric,

This thread hits very close to home with me.

We differ in our preference caliber-wise but with the focus on simplicity,we see eye to eye completely.During better times,I have owned a great many firearms,trading,buying,selling.With the health problems as well as the related financial problems I've developed,I've been forced to sell many guns that I would've preferred to keep.

Such matters force one to pare down and simplify and I've definately had to do this.The "collector mindset" may be fun but in the final anaylsis,not many guns are "actually needed".

There was a period during my life when 3 firearms were all I had to my name.I was living in the bush of Alaska and these three served my every need.There is nothing wrong with simplicity.

By the way,I was rereading pieces of Walden the other day.Your sounding like Thoreau isn't out of place at all.

As I move on in life,I find that piling up more and more "things" doesn't add to anything but actually detracts from life.

 

[shortranger]

Isn't it funny how the older we get the more we seek simplicity?

"'tis a gift to be simple, 'tis a gift to be free,
'tis a gift to be just where you ought to be..."

I've been doing much the same thing the last couple of years, and here is the simple solution that is fast becoming the only gun I carry:

Shorty

 

[gizamo]

Originally posted by Erich:
You guys.

I'm sure you know that black bears aren't grizzly terminators - they're like overgrown raccoons, only less aggressive. They chew on a couple of people each year here in NM and have killed a couple in recent memory, but those have been sleeping. They run 300 lbs here at largest - a 160-grain pill at 1230 fps is plenty good medicine for that kind of bruin.

Quick story, fellow down the road is a Registered Maine Guide. He specializes in black bear hunts and has a good following. Took on a new "sport" from out of state. Long story short he wounded a tree'd bruin of good size. Down came the bruin and he hightailed it. The " sports" second shot grazed the bears arse. This severly PO'd the bear and he turned and charged. The guide emptied his .44 Magnum into the bear. Every shot counted but weren't perfectly placed. The bear collapsed at his feet. About a 250 lb bruin. If a few of those shots had missed the story would have been completely different.

Erich's signature line says it all.

Shot-placement is king. Adequate penetration is queen. Everything else is angels dancing on the heads of pins.

I think a cool head and time enough to place an adequate shot would prove the load is a good one. My thinking is that a hard cast semi wadcutter would break bone better then a hollow point. I think with a .38 and a frontal presentation that is what you want.

Back when I use to live trap habituated bears I had a few run-ins. I can tell you that they come very fast, brake with their front paws, bluff and cough at you to feel you out. That's your chance to scare them off or place the shot....

Giz

 

[Art Doc]

BTW, I forgot to mention that for the Great Outdoors where defense against bears or cats might not be an impossibility (it would be an incredibly rare event but not impossible) then I definitely want something bigger than a .38 Special. Woods walking is the one use I have found for the Model 58. The best power/compact package ratio I have found for defense against large animals and still quite usable for anti-personnel work.

 

[Ed333]

Hey Erich, where in the Land of Enchantment was that great photo taken? Gotta go out and get my southwest fix pretty soon, I'm down to my last can of Hatch diced green chile.
On black bears, you don't bother them, and especially leave their cubs alone, and they won't bother you. Grizzlies, don't want to go that far with them.
Packing .38 Sp sounds just right to me.

 

[j38]

Erich, Every time I buy a new gun I want to carry it (well, most of them anyway). That lasts for a little while. Then, I always go back to a snubnose .38 loaded with 158 gr. LSWCHP's. I feel so comfortable with it, I actually carry it. Good Luck & Regards, Jerry

 

[Erich]

Thanks for all the nice words and stories, gents. Ed, it was taken up in Bear Canyon on the west face of the Sandias, right behind the house.

 

[MakeMineaMagnum]

Erich -

I couldn't agree with you more. I'm doing the same thing myself right now - in NYC.

 

[bluedsteel]

As I move on in life,I find that piling up more and more "things" doesn't add to anything but actually detracts from life.

raym,

Well said, simply.

erich;

FWIW, I think your choice(s) is just fine.

bluedsteel