Now that I am no longer in LE

[Marshal Tom]

I find myself carrying my M&P 340 all the time with nothing else after carrying a custom 1911 for over 25 years, almost everywhere I went. Wondering how many of you carry only a small J frame or a small semi auto only. Sometimes I think that I should be carrying one of my bigger, more powerful weapons. ???? I carry it with SB Gold Dots an extra speedloader and a speed strip but is it enough?

Tom

 

[photoman]

Only you can answer that question. Some are comfortable with just a J frame and some are not.

 

[StatesRightist]

I'm sure you shoot it well, assuming that is true, my thought would be that and a BUG would be enough. I'm sure in your 25 years you saw or knew of someone who's primary failed. Sometimes, it's quicker to grab gun 2 than reload a snub as well, JMO.

Happy retirement, I hope you get to do all the things you missed while working.

 

[badge 851]

I carry two, one IWB at 4 o'clock and one in a pocket holster; loaded with THIS.

 

[Springfeildkid585]

I would say that now you're not going after bad guys, the likelihood of you needing any more than what your revolver provides is significantly lower. I carry a full size 1911 over any other handgun for one reason: It's the gun I'm most comfortable with. If you trust yourself with the weapon, then you're good to go.

 

[kraigwy]

I will have been retired from LE 18 years come March 8th. All I carry in a 642 in my pocket.

 

[Old cop]

I retired in '97 after a 30 year career & carry my 442 98% and my Ruger LCP when I can't carry the 442. My orbits are pretty tame and if I need something more than that I'm probably someplace where I shouldn't be in the first place.

Enjoy your retirement.

 

[ikor]

Depends on the 'threat level' I percieve. Lots of days, yes, I do carry just a J frame and a couple speed strips...other times it goes in the pocket or on the ankle as a BUG to a more capable gun. No, I don't have a crystal ball, but you make choices every day.

And one retired cop to another, ain't it nice to have your 'Civil Rights' back again now?

 

[jimmyj]

Retired in 2007 after 45 years.
I CCW two. 1. high capacity semi-auto 2. five shot 2" revolver.
Why two? one don't shoot far enough!

 

[Steve in Vermont]

Since I no longer have to run towards trouble a 640-1 with a couple of speed strips works just fine.

 

[6thtexas]

Since I retired in 2008, I generally just carry my old de-horned Model 60 in my pocket or a IWB holster, although if I have to work in a "bad" neighborhood I might tote my old Sig 220 in a remora IWB holster.

 

[oldman45]

First, a person never really gets out of LE. Retirement is not what it is cracked up to be. You will find yourself back in it even if as a volunteer.

I found I could not live on 1/3 of what I already could not live on so I went back to work.

 

[RussellD]

Better to have a j frame all the time than a larger more powerful weapon some of the time.

 

[cmort666]

It's easier to disarm carrying a J-frame (or small semi-auto) in a pocket holster than most anything else. Until recently, I had to disarm before eating a meal at most decent restaurants. That meant that I usually carried my 36-no dash in on of my own pocket holsters. It was much easier to put holster and all in the glove box than to wrestle with a larger gun and a tuckable IWB.

 

[Doug M.]

Situational awareness is at least as important, and at least you are carrying something. As noted, your days of a mandate to run toward the conflict and hunt bad actors are over, so your threat assessment is likely different. I make a real effort to avoid stupid places and stupid people unless on duty and will continue to do that (pretty much decided to retire from my reserve unit in the next few days). It's your fight - bring what you think you need.

 

[oldafsp]

Welcome to the ranks of the Retired Tom !

I retired a year ago this month. And I carry a 638 as my everyday personal weapon. I don't feel undergunned at all.

And of course I am lucky enough to have my wife,who is also a retired LEO as backup with her 65-3 3 incher...

Bless her heart, she went and bought a bunch of speed strips and loaded them up, placed a couple in each of the vehicles readily accessable.

If we travel into the city I take my new SW9VE along for the ride too.

It needs to get out of the house too....

Enjoy retirement...I sure am!

 

[v-13]

Retired in 2007 after 32 yrs. and I carry either a Glock Model 19,26,36 or S&W 340PD. If you do a lot of shooting like I do, I kind of take to the saying, "Beware of the man who only carrys one gun, because he probably knows how to use it."
Carrying extra ammo depends on where I'm going.

 

[crofoot629]

Beats scratching their eyes out.
I’m a retired LEO too. Today it was a J-frame 442 in my right front pants pocket and a Glock 26 in a strong side vertical scabbard.

Seems lighter and easier than a Government Model, strong side vertical scabbard, which was my daily off duty winter carry for years. And I almost never carried a reload with the 1911.

I’ll carry just a J-frame in the summer some. But usually it’s the Glock 26 alone.

No one I know who has been in a gun fight, later wished for a smaller gun. I however know several who wished for a bigger one.

With how nutty things seem to be these days, carry a bigger gun would be my input.

Emory

 

[Mphstiger1981]

First of all, thanks to all of you guys including the OP for your service to your communities. I worked as a reserve deputy for 9 years working in patrol and in fugitive, and I saw first hand what many of you dealt with day to day for all those years. My hat is off to you all.

Last, one thing I always thought about and with a brother who is still a cop, there are a lot of folks you probably put in jail who swore they would get you back. Most of it was just jailhouse bravado, but these days you can't be too careful. I'd probably be inclined to at least carry two j frames if I was just retired from the job and stayed in the same city.

Just my $.02. ymmv.

 

[itslucky]

started in the PD (1967) with on duty S&W Model 10, then Sig 226...retired now my every day carry is a .38 Colt Cobra