Old Age or what?

[Danny Abernathy]

In my younger gun carring days I had auto loaders but always carried revolvers. I was very partial to 4inch mdl 19's but I wasn't limited to them. I had everything from mdl 29's on down to 36's. I always felt very well armed with revolvers.
Well, I hit my 40's and I got really interested in auto's and carried them almost exclusively from then on except for a nickel mdl 36 I have had for over thirty years. I was very attached to Colt Commanders and have carried them and Browning Hi Powers since my middle years. I liked them so well I have several made by some top named smith's.
Well I hit my fifties and the Commanders and Hi Powers get a little hard on the old back and I purchased a LWT Commander and had it worked over to what I thought was a ultimate carry gun. I carried it for a while and swapped off and on with a custom Hi Power.
Now I am going into my 60's and I'll be durn if all I want to carry is the LWT Commander. For the last two years I have carried this gun almost 100% of the time. Every once in a while I will dig out my old friend the mdl 36 and carry it but not for long and I am back with the Commander.
I guess my question is if anyone else has had a similar situation?
I will never be without my Smith revolvers but I just don't want to carry anything but the LWT Commander. And believe me I have looked at and bought a ton of guns trying to justify not carring it
What's you all's opinion?

 

[Bat Guano]

The most comfortable carry piece I ever had was a LW Commander. When the regs changed I had to put it aside, and then the frame cracked. Even with a replacement frame it was never as reliable again. I never replaced it but probably should have.

The M60-4 3" is almost as nice but of course a different breed of cat.

 

[truckemup97]

If that's what you're comfortable with, I see no problem. I carry whatever is appropriate for the day, but usually a 640.

 

[Danny Abernathy]

Yeah, I bought a mdl 642(very nice gun) but it is in the safe with the 36's and 37's and all the others.
The Commander just feels right! Now I am not hung up on calibres and th 45acp is king crowd, I believe shot placement is the biggest thing anyone needs to worry about in that arguement. But on the other hand it is comforting to know that you have a pistol that can carry a payload like the Commander can and still be so light and carry so well.

 

[Frizzman]

I understand what you are talking about. I used to carry a SS Colt Government Model or a Combat Commander. I also carried 4" K, L and N frames. The Commander(Lightweight) was also one I carried for a while. The older I have gotten...easing up on 60 now...The less I have wanted to lug around a big, heavy hunk of metal. I still can't bring myself to just carry a little pocket gun and feel confident. So, with a safe full of Colt and S&W's of every frame size and many snubs, I find myself sticking my well worn Glock 27 in my IWB holster. With 10 rounds of potent .40 ammo, night sights and a G22 mag for a spare I feel pretty well heeled.

The G27 is ugly and has absolutely no asthetic appeal for me. It is like a Stanley hammer. Its a useful tool and I don't baby it. Its fairly cheap, easy to carry and light and dependable. If it gets banged up its no big deal. If something happened to it, I could easily replace it. I frequently plan on carrying something else but in the end I just sigh and pick up the G27. The Commander is a worthy pistol. It is certainly more appealing to me than the plastic piece. I don't think carrying the Commander is going lightly armed. Its a fine choice in my book!

 

[jimmyj]

Have Glocks for CCW? A friend swears by a Glock Model 36.
I CCW a Model 23.

 

[charlie sherrill]

I've got a model 38 Smith that I've used for a pocket rocket for almost 40 years. A lot of the blue is gone and the old gun has a little history (my partner killed a guy with it in 1971 who took a shot at us and missed and later gave it to me) and at the risk of wearing it out any further, I put it in the safe and will give it to my son one day. I have replaced it with a Ruger LCR. That's the one I will most always have in my pocket, whether I'm fishing, mowing the grass, puting out garbage, or just walking the trail. When it's cool I sometimes carry something larger and with a higher capacity. I have a safe full and if you've ever heard of one I have probably carried it. The new LCR will allow me, if necessary, to hopefully fight my way back to the truck to get my Glock 20 or 12 gauge riot gun. I've got Glock 22, Remington 870, and Bushmaster in my work car.

 

[4011]

Model 37 in the vest pocket of the issued vest. Took the plate out and left room for the 37. Fell in love with glock for awhile. Now go from a glock 26 in a galco belt holster that will also carry a 5906. Use the T shirt carry for the 37 are the G26. The galco allows the 26 are the 5906 be carried very comfortable.

 

[redlevel]

Nothing works for me but a j-frame. I carried the old square butt gun with the finish gone and the bobbed hammer I have posted here several times off and on since 1973. I have tried to carry 1911s, k-frame snubbies, and k-frame 4" guns. I bought a 3" Model 36 a couple years ago, but it just doesn't snug down in the pocket like a two-inch gun. I have carried an old flat-latch rb Model 36 a good bit, and for the last two years, mostly a Model 60 2" gun I bought from a Georgia Revenue Agent. Interestingly, I have never had much experience with airweights. About a week ago, I took my Mama's Model 37 she has had for 30 years to clean it. I left her my Model 60, and dropped the airweight in my pocket. I have been carrying it a week now. Man! I never realized what a difference there is between the aluminum frames and steel frames. You can guess what is high on my list for purchase now.

 

[Danny Abernathy]

I hear you, weight is a factor. After spinal surgery this summer it has really hit home. I walk most of the time with a cane now and the Commander's light weight is a bonus. Plus most of the time when I go out I just slip it into my waistband. I don't shoot it as much as my steel frame 1911's but it is a tack driver and if you do your part it will do it's.

 

[JcMack]

I carry a Colt DS or Cobra. I've only got one J Frame left, a 640. I am just to clumsy with autos. Too many buttons and levers. I do have a couple autos for housework.

 

[airman]

Man, I'm glad to read this thread. I am 85 and all the parts don't work so well any more. I got my carry license only a few months ago and have been carrying a Taurus PT-111, a 9mm compact IWB. I thought a small revolver might be a better choice and let myself be talked into a S&W 642-2 Airweight. The grip is too small for my long fingers so we put on a Hogue Monogrip. I can manage the gun but am concerned about carrying it. Lots of good advice here. Thank you all.

 

[badam0112]

Man, I'm glad to read this thread. I am 85 and all the parts don't work so well any more. I got my carry license only a few months ago and have been carrying a Taurus PT-111, a 9mm compact IWB. I thought a small revolver might be a better choice and let myself be talked into a S&W 642-2 Airweight. The grip is too small for my long fingers so we put on a Hogue Monogrip. I can manage the gun but am concerned about carrying it. Lots of good advice here. Thank you all.

You will love that 642. Get yourself a Desantis Nemesis for pocket carry. I carried one of those everyday for 2+ years in my front right pocket. I have a 442 now.

 

[cowboy117]

I'll be 67 in July,had a stroke in 2008,and carry a 37-2.Lighter is better,IMHO.

 

[pawncop]

Duty sidearm - S&W M&P 45. Primary off duty - Glock 32 (357 Sig) and also qualified with a Colt Mustang 380 ACP and issued S&W 686 2 1/2".

Light weight is good.

 

[oldman45]

For me, my taste has changed over the years but is pretty much back where I started.

As a teen, I was in love with an old military 1911 in the proper caliber of .45acp. Then the Army asked for some of my time and told me they would furnish me with all I would need in a lifetime and gave me a 1911 in the proper caliber.

After I got out, I began working with a low paying outfit that kept me on call and they furnished me a S&W model 19 which was replaced by a Model 66 and years later a Glock 17 which was replaced by a Glock 22.

I became attached to each gun with time and collected others for my own use and hobby but whatever gun I carried, I became fond of it and seldom shot my 1911 guns.

Then about 3 yrs ago, I began shooting with a guy that felt 1911 was the only way of life (when in .45acp). I got the bug again. Then in 2009, he bought a new 1911 S&W and I got to shoot it. I had to have one. Then I bought another. Then I got permission to carry one daily and qualified with one.

Now I am back to the same place I was 44 years ago, carrying a full size stainless 1911 in .45acp. I adjust well to whatever it is I carry and could carry a Desert Eagle comfortably once I became acclaimated to it. However I am now set for life with the perfect gun in a S&W 1911. At my age now, I think the Man upstairs meant for me to come back to the 1911 and it is just as comfortable as it was when I first started out as a teen.

 

[GRIZZLYBEAR]

I have been using a Model 1911 style for primary carry for more years than I care to remember.
I carry them in three calibers the .38 Super Commander length, .45 ACP usually Government, and .10MM in the Commander or Government length.

Too old to change.