No one can tell you what works best for you for your self defense

lawandorder

lawandorder

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It is a personal journey, like the rest of your life, that is yours to travel. All of us as we go through life are influenced by many factors, but our choices remain our own.

I first pinned on a badge 39 years ago, and carried a handgun for years before that. In those years I have tried countless firearm, and carry options. I carry every day in mostly a concealed manner because I rarely work in uniform. Just an old, fat, man who is mostly an Administrator, but still very, very aware of the extreme dangers of our world.

I settled several years ago on the J frame family of S&Ws for my daily carry. After experimenting more in that family, I decided for me the best choice was the model 649 in .38 Special. I found one that I liked, and sent it to Cylinder and Slide up in Nebraska for a few improvements. They did an excellent job, and with a couple more adjustments by a gunsmith friend of mine, it is perfect for my needs.

I load the revolver with Buffalo Bore, or other manufactures lead semi wad cutter hollow points.

I carry the revolver 98% of the time in a Galco Horsehide pocket holster. There are times when I use other carry methods. Those include a Galco ankle glove, A Ken Null inside the waist holster, and if on a belt, a Blackhawk rendition of the old Berns Martin style.

I carry spare rounds in Safariland Speedloaders, and/or a pick two style belt pouch.

20150101_072520_resized_zps248b4340.jpg


This is what works for me. Everyone must find what works for them through trial, and error, and the gathering of knowledge from all of the available sources out there.

I am not an expert.I have never shot anyone, nor have I been in hundreds of gunfights but I am very confident in my choices, my ability, and my willingness.It is a very serious subject, one that requires serious study, and endless practice.

If I could pass on any advice to people it would be that ultimately you, yourself, are responsible for your own safety, and people need to carry a firearm every day after they become competent, and responsible with it.There is a lot of evil out there. It is not going to get safer anytime soon. Did I mention practice, practice, and more practice ?

Stay Safe!
 
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lawandorder said:
It is a personal journey, like the rest of your life, that is yours to travel. All of us as we go through life are influenced by many factors, but our choices remain our own.

I first pinned on a badge 39 years ago, and carried a handgun for years before that. In those years I have tried countless firearm, and carry options. I carry every day in mostly a concealed manner because I rarely work in uniform. Just an old, fat, man who is mostly an Administrator, but still very, very aware of the extreme dangers of our world.

I settled several years ago on the J frame family of S&Ws for my daily carry. After experimenting more in that family, I decided for me the best choice was the model 649 in .38 Special. I found one that I liked, and sent it to Cylinder and Slide up in Nebraska for a few improvements. They did an excellent job, and with a couple more adjustments by a gunsmith friend of mine, it is perfect for my needs.

I load the revolver with Buffalo Bore, or other manufactures lead semi wad cutter hollow points.

I carry the revolver 98% of the time in a Galco Horsehide pocket holster. There are times when I use other carry methods. Those include a Galco ankle glove, A Ken Null inside the waist holster, and if on a belt, a Blackhawk rendition of the old Berns Martin style.

I carry spare rounds in Safariland Speedloaders, and/or a pick two style belt pouch.

20150101_072520_resized_zps248b4340.jpg


This is what works for me. Everyone must find what works for them through trial, and error, and the gathering of knowledge from all of the available sources out there.

I am not an expert.I have never shot anyone, nor have I been in hundreds of gunfights but I am very confident in my choices, my ability, and my willingness.It is a very serious subject, one that requires serious study, and endless practice.

If I could pass on any advice to people it would be that ultimately you, yourself, are responsible for your own safety, and people need to carry a firearm every day after they become competent, and responsible with it.There is a lot of evil out there. It is not going to get safer anytime soon. Did I mention practice, practice, and more practice ?

Stay Safe!
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Bravo sir.........

Many of us who have been carrying or CCing for years have spent a lot of time (and money) finding what's right for us.........

The threads/questions starting with "what gun should I buy" .... drive me nuts...... while we can and do give "advice" on guns to "consider"...in the end it really is a personal choice for each of us.
 
Amen! Sir.

I too have have settled on the "J" as my primary carry. I have others, too many, both semi's and wheelguns.

I have carried my whole adult life, even before CHL's.

My favorites are a 36-2" nickel and a '72 m38. For ammo I find myself with a couple of strips in a Leatherman pouch.
 
My son is a PA State Trooper, and he calls my 442 "a throw away gun" - after you shoot 5, you throw it at the bad guy.
Funny thing - a 642 is his EDC when off duty!
 
I prefer a bit more for edc, but I agree, your choice is your choice, be happy with it. If I had $5 for every time some one told me I should be carrying a glock instead of my 1911pd, I could retire.
 
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I want to share with you what happened to me recently. We had a death in the family in another state (a liberal one). We went there to spend time with the family and attend the funeral. I took my s&w m&p shield thinking this would fit in well. When I put on some clothes for the day, my wife pointed out that I was printing. I ended up leaving the firearm behind because it printed with the holster and it would not fit in pocket. It left me wishing I had brought my ruger lcr as it always fits somewhere, even in my pocket. I still have a strong liking for the lcr, but hate the nasty recoil it has. So it is mostly a carry gun, not a target gun. Maybe I need to look at some j frames that are all metal to get the weight to absorb some of the recoil. I do trust the revolver more than the auto but like the extra ammo of the auto. So I guess as I continue on this journey, I am still searching and spending money. Like has been said before, chances of having to use a firearm are not that great for me in my part of the country. But again like the ole scouts motto, "always be prepared".
 
Good grief LimaCharlie, you appear to be as bad as my wife and her shoes. My wife tells me you can not have too many shoes. I guess you are just well blessed.
 
Over the decades, dozens of people have asked my opinion of what handgun to CC. I've always advised them to start with an aluminum framed S&W 38 Special with an enclosed or protected hammer. Today I generally say a 642 or 638. Many don't follow that advice initially, but a lot of them come around eventually --- that is IF they really do end up carrying faithfully.

I've carried this Model 38 for 20 years or so.

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ednblue said:
My son is a PA State Trooper, and he calls my 442 "a throw away gun" - after you shoot 5, you throw it at the bad guy.
Funny thing - a 642 is his EDC when off duty!
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I can see that with a 442.

The 642, on the other hand, is a nice gun.

:)

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My 442 with Pachmayr Compact grips and a LaserLyte laser weighs 20.50 ounces loaded.
Many have advised me that I should switch to a compact auto. It weighs the same and gives me a higher capacity.
But ya know, I like my snubby, I've practiced with it, made myself a proper holster and belt and I'm comfortable with it.
It goes with me everywhere I go.
 
The title of this thread says it all.

I first went on the job in 1970 and my first duty weapon was a Model 19. In the 8 years on the job it was the only duty weapon I ever carried.

After graduating the academy the dilemma was what my off duty weapon would be. I looked and looked and settled on a Walther PPK. It felt right, fired first time every time, was comfortable to carry and, well, I just plain liked it. it was the only off duty weapon I ever carried and I still have a PPK as my EDC today.

Once something feels right, fits me and I get used to it I tend to stick with it.

By the way, yes, I still possess the first Model 19 I carried as a rookie Patrolman.

Bob
 
I've had the same 442 in a Galco horse hide pocket holster for 10+ years. Are there other options out there? You bet. Many 9mm single stacks, and LOADS of .380's. Heck, even Glock makes a .380 now. I have lots of styles of guns. Polymer, steel, semi-auto, revolvers, and single action Hi-powers and 1911s. I have all but forsaken my Glocks for the venerable J M Browning creations, of the Hi-power and 1911. no matter what i carry, 1, 2 sometimes a 3rd, my 442 is my forever faithful companion. Heck, I got my wifes cousin, a Deputy sheriff to give up his HK P2000 in .40 for a 637 as off duty/ back up. That said, my new CSC Arms Warrior model, 5" 1911 is my new fav... but the 442 is like an old pair of slippers, or a hound dog. It does smell a lil better however...
 
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Well said, lawandorder. An awful lot of thought went into my choice. My EDC, primary and only carry gun, is a steel J-frame, a 640 in .38 Special, pocket carried in a holster. (Even if I were still physically able to shoot .357 Magnum I damn sure wouldn't want to do it in a snubby.)

I've carried it for fifteen years plus, maybe sixteen, can't remember for sure. A lot of people, LGS hangers-on, tried to tell me when I chose a J-frame that a five-shot .38 was grossly inadequate, that I should tote a 9mm at the very least, preferably one with at least an eight-round capacity. Heard the same thing when I went to the range, until I quit answering the ones who asked if that was my carry gun, which didn't take long. Some strongly implied that real men only carry 1911's.

But as Lyndon Johnson was quoted as saying, "I don't push worth a damn." I'm content with my decision, I'm absolutely confident in the reliability of the gun I chose, and I'm sticking with it.

I try to extend the courtesy of letting people choose what will work best for them. If they aren't happy with their choices, they won't carry them.
 
lawandorder said:
It is a personal journey, like the rest of your life, that is yours to travel. All of us as we go through life are influenced by many factors, but our choices remain our own.
Click to expand...
This stands on its own and is so very true.

However, this...
lawandorder said:
...people need to carry a firearm every day after they become competent, and responsible with it.
Click to expand...
...is the part most people miss.

While it's true that it's a personal choice, those of us with more experience can help new (and even experienced) people with this choice. We can help them avoid some of the extra expense we paid along the way. We can help them learn by telling them of our mistakes. It may not be a mistake for them, but how will they know unless they hear and can choose for themselves?

The biggest problem I see as an instructor, is people picking the gun for the wrong reason. Far too many pick the gun based solely on size. Small guns are difficult to manipulate and grip for many people. That doesn't mean they aren't effective.

It matters not what type of tool you use or what purpose that tool is for. If you don't practice with it, it won't be as effective as it can be. When you life is on the line, don't you want to be able to be effective with the tool? So, why don't people practice like they'll use it on the street? Why are so many so resistant to practicing from the holster? Or even shooting at all? I know plenty that bought a gun for defensive purposes, took it to the range once and then never fired it again. Do you think that's wise?
 
For carry, a J-frame is almost never a bad idea. There's a weight / caliber / hammer configuration to suit almost everyone.
 
Totally agree with the concepts reviewed here. I would add the same goes for your spouse/significant other. They need to choose the sidearm best suited for them.

I have settled for a different style as my primary off duty sidearm but carry a model 36 as my second gun when on duty. It can serve as an off duty as well.
 
While no one can tell you what will work best for you, unfortunately my home state sure has tried- very difficult and long waits for ccw permit ( that now will require renewal!) mag capacity limits etc.
 
Like many others here I too have carried a J for well over 40 yrs. The luck of the draw being what it is I had to use deadly force during my 30 year LEO days. The revolver, loaded w/the FBI +P round, saved the day for me. In one instance I was carrying my issued Colt Det. Spl., about the same size as a J frame, and it served me well.

Right now I'm considering a small .380 for those rare instances when I'm wearing dress slacks (I pocket carry), but otherwise it will be a small revolver. It's where my comfort level is, based on real-world experience, and I see no reason to change now.
 
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