Older Guys and Concealed Carry

[Jellybean]

Proficiency with a firearm is a perishable skill. Do those skills go away quicker with age? Or does it get better with age like fine wine and stinky cheese?

Age alone has no bearing on skill. But everyone I've ever met that thought they knew everything was young...er.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

It does seem like 65 is that age when we start to realize we're not 35 any more. As others (my age and older) have stated we've started to cc more often simply because we need an edge, getting to old to run or fight. And one other aspect of carrying a gun is your mental attitude. Not only do you need the physical ability to shoot, and a good understanding of the law regarding when you can do so, but the psychological ability. When, and if, it comes down to you or the perp you have to possess the ability to put a bullet into another human being. For us "Senior Citizens" on this forum we have decided that issue long ago. We don't want to, we don't like it, but (if necessary) there's no question we will.

 

[Sebago Son]

"... we have decided that issue long ago. We don't want to, we don't like it, but (if necessary) there's no question we will."

Especially if our little ones are in harms way....

 

[RobertJ.]

I just turned 53 yesterday. For me, every year has been better than the one before. I certainly wouldn't go back to being younger.

I realize I don't see the sights quite as well as I used to, and I shake a tiny bit more than I did 20 years ago. However, my "situational awareness" has improved immensely. It was a trade-off I could live with.

Like I tell the ladies, what I lack in youthful stamina I more than make up for in practical experience!

 

[GKC]

I think there's bound to be a joke about going from an 8 3/8" .44 magnum when you are 25 to a 2" .38 when you are 65...

I'm 61, and so far, I haven't been afflicted with arthritis or other issues that would make me switch from my preferred 1911s or M&Ps to a lighter caliber semi or revolver, thank goodness. My eyesight has actually improved thanks to cataract surgery. I know I don't currently have the full body strength that I once had, and I'm sure the day will come when I too will change my carry gun based on necessity, and not preference.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I think there's bound to be a joke about going from an 8 3/8" .44 magnum when you are 25 to a 2" .38 when you are 65...

I'm 61, and so far, I haven't been afflicted with arthritis or other issues that would make me switch from my preferred 1911s or M&Ps to a lighter caliber semi or revolver, thank goodness. My eyesight has actually improved thanks to cataract surgery. I know I don't currently have the full body strength that I once had, and I'm sure the day will come when I too will change my carry gun based on necessity, and not preference.

2" 38 when you are 65. You got four more years my friend.

 

[GKC]

2" 38 when you are 65. You got four more years my friend.

Actually, 3 1/2...which is why I am carrying a 3 1/2" 9mm.

 

[tomtheturner]

At my age, 64, I have found that due to visible physical problems, ie: I regularly use a cane, and am much thinner than I once was, that my situational awareness has gone way up.
I discovered early on when I became physically disabled that there are too many people out there that want to take advantage of your situation.

My shooting skills are still at a level that they were at when I was in my thirtys, with the exception that I am slower. My eyesight is 20/20 in both eyes, but was 20/10. Last month I was still able to get 4 out of 5 pop cans at 100 yds with a .22 pistol from a rest.. I really surprised myself!! BTW: it was a GSG 1911 with iron sights, and Remington Bulk ammo. A really nice pistol for only $300.00.

I have also discovered that it is easier to pick up the "lighter" gun to carry.

Just remember: "old age is not for pansies."

Best Wishes,
Tom

 

[LimaCharlie]

I am 66 and my proficiency and ability with handguns has not changed much. I conceal carry a full size 1911 .45 ACP, a Glock G20SF 10mm, or .357 magnum revolvers. I still shoot my .44 magnum revolvers, my Desert Eagle 50AE, and my S&W 460XVR.

My proficiency and accuracy with my rifles has not changed much either except what I would do with iron sights when I was young and qualifying expert marksman in the military now requires a high power scope.

I am too old to run or fight, so I carry guns.

 

[jlrhiner]

On rifles I have just the opposite problem. I'm going back to iron sights as I can't see crosshairs clearly. Go figure.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

Turned 60 a few months back. Thought arthritis was going to cripple me until my doctor prescribed meloxicam. Thought I might go blind until the optometrist prescribed progressive no-line bifocals. Thought I might die before my birthday until the urologist removed my cancerous prostate. With bum knees and a rebuilt elbow, I don't "rassle," and I can't run away.

I'm shooting more and just rock my head back to sharpen the front sight. With my Mini-14 I've gone to a Weaver 2.5X or a red dot. I was the only one in my agency to shoot 100% last week in qualification, and I carry at least two guns on and off duty.

My concealed carry holsters are pretty old school, too. There's nothing that Kydex® can do that leather won't look better doing. And if you carry leather (on or off duty), it may as well be black basketweave!

I've also taken to carrying more "get off me/get off my gun" knives. Other than that, nothing's changed.

ECS

 

[PALADIN85020]

On rifles I have just the opposite problem. I'm going back to iron sights as I can't see crosshairs clearly. Go figure.

Jim, you probably know this, but most scopes allow adjustment for the focus of your vision by rotating the rear part of the scope until the crosshairs are clear and sharp. It's best to point the scope at the sky or some light, plain object like a painted wall while doing this. Then you can lock it in with the jam-ring, and those crosshairs will be sharp on your target. We older guys like the plex reticle, where the center part of the crosshairs are fine, but the outer part is thicker for quick acquisition. The focus of your eyes may change with age, so a scope calibrated years ago may be fuzzy today.

John

 

[flagaman1950]

Just barely social security age so I'm just old enough to be old. But my shooting is affected more by vision than anything else. I wear trifocals so am much slower now. If I do concentrate on focus I can shoot almost as good as I used to. My handgunning is still okay -revolver primarily. I can shoot my 22 cal rifle almost as good as I used too, i.e., I can still hit 12 ga hulls at 60' on a regular basis, offhand with open sights. Carrying concealed is not as easy as it once was, not that you could carry concealed in the 60's and 70's. I find that a small J frame carried IWB at 4 o'clock works best for me. Not as fast at reloads as I was a few years back when I regularly competed in the locale USPSA club, but can still get by. I guess my take is, if you concentrate and focus on the basics you can still do rather well. Now, practice for me is more to prove to myself that I can still maintain at an acceptable level of proficiency. All this said, there are still several older gentlmen in our gun club that can outshoot me.

Best to you sir.

 

[tom turner]

I'm now 61 and am blessed to only needing to wear 1.5 correction reading glasses the past three or four years. However, as we get older we lose the ability to discern details in darker areas and I'm sure that affects my twilight deer hunting.

My handgun skills have remained quite sharp though, and I'm still primarily a handgun hunter.

I shot a local match last year (I once shot hundreds of rounds several days a week and competed a lot) and, although not almost flawless anymore (and lack of practice and competition will quickly show you this) my accuracy was decent though my speed was down. I was still fast enough though to win a couple of classes though in a local steel match, with my revolver class victories with faster times than anyone in the auto classes. It felt darn good to do so too!!!

Actually, reading about other guys here that are around my age, I'm encouraged for us all. It seems we are all still doing pretty darn well, and we retain our confidence in our ability to still get the job done!

I'm encouraged that we've still got quite a few good shooting years ahead of us!

 

[Buford57]

Since I am carrying around more of me, I tend to carry less gun. In winter 30 years ago I thought nothing of toting a 4" N frame in a pancake holster. Now I tend toward a J-snub in a pocket holster. Ankle holsters are out. Just not that limber. Discovered that it was the muzzle of a .357 in an IWB holster that was causing the pain in my sciatic nerve, so I quit that.

My busted, arthritic knuckles are a little less forgiving of lawyer-proof 40# factory triggers, so a clean smooth pull is worth the cost, and when then pain starts after the first box of SD loads, I switch to a .22 and practice sight picture and trigger control. More of the practice is at 15 yards, less at 25 and 50.

But I also know that I am less likely to successfully disarm an assailant without resorting to use of a firearm, outrun an attacker, or take a beating without incurring permanent damage than I was when I was young and resilient, so yes, I have become that dangerous old man. 30 years ago i feared nothing - today if you are half my age and attack me, I will fear for my life. 30 years ago you were a challenge - today you are a menace. 30 years ago I would have fought you bare-handed for the thrill of it - today I will save my life. Or you could just leave me alone.

 

[LT SCOTT 14]

Gotta agree about the age catching up to you and your CCW. NYPD carried the M-10 for over 70 yrs, mine is a 10-5, D s/n. Our local LEO is a Town Marshal, and he has the power to appoint Deputy's.

We carried M66s, only after quals at the Academy. You provided your own first. The M10 was a trade in and never left my possesion since 1987. Leather, Roy Baker holster, and cartridge slide was usual off duty carry, till speedloaders got popular. I did have a M66 for 9yrs till the dept took a trade for Glock 22s, offering a measly $200.00 per gun trade. (Most had started to rattle and shake anyway?) The G22s night sights made dark quals a dream. Well, plastic is the new world, but I still own a Border Patrol, black Basketweave Duty Belt to carry my M10-5( Skinny bbl) and even apply a little polish to keep it to Class A appearance. Practice is the key, confidence keeps you going.

 

[David Sinko]

I carry N Frames all the time and I'm not going to stop just because I'm getting old. Persistent dry fire is the key to shooting revolvers well at any age.

Dave Sinko

 

[firstshot425]

I'll be 61 the 20th of this month. I shot expert pistol in the Navy in the 70's but haven't even shot a pistol in 30 years.

I recently decided to get my concealed carry license and a self defense handgun. While deciding on which pistol, I found that I can no longer effectively use iron sights so tried out a snubby with a laser sight. The difference was absolutely amazing, so I ordered a S&W 638 and a Crimson Trace LG-105 both of which are supposed to be delivered today.

So... I will be "relearning" how to shoot. I still rifle shoot/hunt a lot and am probably better than I ever have been; however, it will be interesting to see how I do with a pistol.

I certainly don't get around as well as I used to either. Have a torn ligament in my right ankle that couldn't be properly repaired and an old football injury to my left knee is really starting to impair mobility. The bottom line is I definitely will not be "retreating" from any altercation. Thank God for the Texas "Castle Doctrine" which says I don't have to run from a BG any more!

I'll keep ya posted on my "relearning" progress.

firstshot
(Make your firstshot count)

 

[trigtechr]

I am in my 76th year. No practice because of financial constraints – I shoot only to qualify for my Texas CHL, 50 rounds at 5 year intervals. Due to the asinine DPS requirement that I must shoot a pistol to get the SA endorsement, I shot a borrowed 1911 pattern .45 for my qualification (230 FMJ hardball). Seven shots wandered outside the X-ring, rest of the 50 in a ragged hole in the X-ring. I do better with the K-frame .357 that I carry daily.

trigtechr
Condition White???

 

[GKC]

Due to the asinine DPS requirement that I must shoot a pistol to get the SA endorsement, I shot a borrowed 1911 pattern .45 for my qualification (230 FMJ hardball).

It is indeed a strange requirement that in Texas, if you qualify with a revolver, you can only carry a revolver, but if you qualify with a semi-automatic, you can carry either a semi or a revolver. I've never had the logic of that explained, but the assumption is that if you can manipulate a pistol, you can handle the "more simple" revolver. I don't know if that's completely true...I think some people have more trouble reloading a revolver than they do inserting a new magazine into a pistol. I guess the consideration is mainly the firing action.