My epiphany on CCW guns

[elm_creek_smith]

Well, here I sit at work wearing (from 12 o'clock going clockwise) two double speed loader cases, my 4 inch S&W Model 686, handcuffs, radio, 26 inch expandable baton, and 5% OC spray on my duty belt,controlling access to a government building on the 13th Anniversary of 9/11. Since there is some hi-viz stuff happening today, I'm wearing regular uniform slacks instead of cargos. What does all this have to do with Sip's epiphany? I have my S&W Model 37 on my left ankle with a speed strip in my shirt pocket, and I hate ankle holsters.

With all the stuff I have to wear (and it's only going to get worse when the Taser X26's come in) why am I lugging a .38 on my ankle? Because sometimes you have to hold the position at all costs. Sometimes you'll be at work. Sometimes you'll be at home. Sometimes you'll be on the road. But, always, you'll be responsible for protecting someone, even if it's only yourself. Only you can figure the cost if you fail.

 

[badge]

I always tell folks when asked, " carry what YOU are comfortable with ", but if your a civilian or off duty LEO, if you are put in an unfortunate circumstance that you cannot avoid, and I always tell people to try and avoid if possible unless your sworn, your REALLY going to need a weapon you can FIGHT with. I recently mentioned to a former coworker that I always carry a Glock 32 with two spares and a J frame with a 5 shot speed loader. He was astonished. Couldn't believe it. I try and avoid any road issues or other disturbances that do not need my attention and I pray I will never again be in a position to have to use a firearm. This is only my take fellas, don't take it as expertise. Carry a weapon you can shot well and enough ammunition to get you out of that situation.

 

[Trons]

Well, I'm kind of jealous of you guys who grew up with guns and have years of experience. I shot some Ruger 10/22 in boyscouts, Then qualified with the pistol in the Navy and that was about it. A few years ago, I met a friend who has a lot of guns. We started hanging out more and more, and last winter I bought my first pistol. After a lot of research, I ended up with the M&P .22 for my wife and kids (and I) to plink with. Shortly after, my friend suggested we get our CCDW, and when I got that, I started looking for something to carry, and ended up with a Shield.

I ended with a Shield because it was the best rated pistol that I could find that was easily concealable. I've found, much to my grin, that it is also a nice shooting gun that I can shoot all day long. I think i did alright for my second gun.

As far as the "miniature" slide release and safety, I will say that I have no problem with either. The safety is very easy to click off. Since this is my only gun for both carry and HD, I practice thumbing the safety on the draw. I carry it all the time. OWB when at home because it's more comfortable and IWB when I go out. We've been trying to shoot every other weekend, and do not let more then 2 weekends going without shooting. I don't know. I guess because I never got used to a FS gun with "larger" parts, I don't know what I'm missing?

 

[southsgt]

Thanks for all the replies...I still carry an auto now and then, but my P2000 is compact enough to fit in an IWB under a t-shirt so I guess I'll stick with that....for now. And maybe that is why the Shield feels so skinny in my hand...still, it shoot very well for a small auto..and the trigger on the one I shot was better than on my M&P. Hmmm...maybe next year....

What are u waiting for for crying out loud? Your brother has one so it has to be great. Just get one with out the safety like your brother would have wanted if it was available at the time he bought his.

 

[Donn]

Don't like the Shield, don't buy one. Not trying to be a tool, I felt the same way about any handgun that left my pinky in the wind. Got used to it, first with a 9c, then the Shield. Got to where I was better with the flush mag than the extended one, but that's me. Your results may vary.

 

[hkcavalier]

This is pretty much why I moved up from a Solo to a Glock 26. 10+1 with a 17rnd mag in a Galco pocket magazine carrier is far better than 6+1 and another 6 ready to go. This is beyond the simple fact that the Glock is far less finicky with ammo and limp-wristing.

If I had a J frame it probably would serve as a BUG on my weak side or in a coat pocket.

We have a Shield in the family but my better half carries that one around...

 

[baccusboy]

A retired NYC LEO paid with his life when caught in such a situation on Lower Broadway in Manhattan, at a Radio Shack. He was armed with a Model 36, no reload, engaged what he thought were two adversaries which turned out to be four adversaries, fired five times and missed and was then gunned down.

My minimum carry gun is a Kahr P9 but I most often carry a Glock 19 or a Browning HP, both of which have the offensive capability I feel I'll need should I have no choice but to shoot my way out of a bad situation.

I love my Ruger SR9c. Conceals well. 10 round magazine, or 17 rounds. Gun is still big enough to shoot well, yet easily concealed. And here's the thing... it was designed to feel a lot like a 1911, and it does. Trigger feels similar. Grip angle is the same. Safety is where it should be, if you are a 1911 guy.

I also carry a S&W 1911SC. Love that one, too. Depends on how I feel that day.

 

[chief38]

AND.............. so many of the SMALL Auto's are just not even close to the larger iones when it comes to reliability. If you are going small, the J makes perfect sense - at least to me.

 

[getoff]

my BUG is my 100% failure free, through 800 rounds of all kinds of ammo, is an LCP with Rugers 7 round ext mag in a galco horsehide pocket holster and a spare 7 round mag off-hand front pocket mag holder. it works, period. its loaded with Powerball and its hot. i find myself with my G19, or 17 more and more. with either, its the same backup mag, a G17 with an Arredondo +6 extension for 23 rounds of Federal HST in 135 gr. standard pressure. both of my vehicles have a Glock 33 round stick mag in the center console. excessive? probably. will i ever need all this kit? probably not. would i rather have it than not? yup. i also carry a fixed blade knife, and flashlight. am i paranoid? i like to think i'm prepared...

 

[TexasArmed]

You make good points.

However, if one is intent on making a change, one can make the change. All it takes is practice.

Years ago, I knew a Dallas constable who made the change from revolver to Sig P226. He was really frustrated that he could not be as accurate as he was with the revolver. In fact, he could not even qualify with the Sig. I offered to buy his Sig!!

Well, he worked with the range instructor and after much practice, he never looked back and carried the Sig.

The same goes for safeties, slide releases, and magazine catches. I am left handed and the magazine catch is always on my palm side. I don't use slide releases. I buy pistols without slide releases or safeties. You can now buy the Shield without a safety. It is not needed, anyway.

In summary, there is a work around, if you really want it!

Well I just never figured that out. I knew there was some
reason I like revolvers better and now I know a good reason why. I too am left handed, and I always felt like the was something backwards about semi automatics. I never realized
they put the slide on the wrong side and had never thought about it.

 

[LostintheOzone]

It might just by my training, but I like to be able to make center hits at 50 yards.

I'm with you.

I read a lot of stuff about most SD shootings happening inside of 7 yards. I don't know, maybe they do, but I'm thinking I need some capability past 7 yards in some situations. I have a model 36 that stays by my bed at night. I feel that inside my house the 7 yard thing is going to work just fine. I don't live in a mansion so any shot I take is going to be under 7 yards. To be honest with you I'm not so sure I'm even going to try and use it past 7 yards because I can't keep every shot inside a pie plate past that range. Is it me or the gun? I don't have a clue. All I know is that's about where we stop.

Outside the house it's a different story. It's quit conceivable that someone would take a shot at me at say 25 yards or beyond. Now what? Are you going to wait until the shooters gets inside your effective range to return fire or make a run for it. Do you practice at 25 yards? What is your guns effective range? What is your effective range?

I practice at 25 yards. The reason is that the shooter is more likely to move away rather than close if he knows he is likely to be shot, if he isn't already.

What I carry isn't important. What you carry is and I hope you know what your effective range is.

 

[tinman931]

I'm sorry.... Well, maybe I'm not

But every time this type of discussion comes up it reminds me of this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhe58xORWG0

Great. Now I have to try and figure out how to conceal an M60