Share some CCW advice with an old-fashioned guy

[goduke1]

I know this is a Smith & Wesson forum But...

As far as Semi-Auto's go, you can not go wrong with a Glock. Glock 23 is a compact .40 Best of both worlds. You have the size of a 9mm but with the power (almost) of a .45 ACP. It's the perfect size to CCW, but big enough to use all the time. And just like S&W, there is a ton of support for Glock pistols out there from the Mfg's.

The down side is, polymer frame pistols will have more recoil that solid steel ones, just because they are lighter. (which is a plus for carry).

It's just another option.

 

[dano1200r]

If your cal. preference is .45, and your considering a glock, look at their model 36.

 

[photoman]

I highly recommend the Glock 19 for semi-auto carry. I'm not at all concerned about 9mm being a "wimpy" round given modern ammo.

 

[cmort666]

Originally posted by Photoman44:
I highly recommend the Glock 19 for semi-auto carry. I'm not at all concerned about 9mm being a "wimpy" round given modern ammo.

When I was pondering getting my Ohio CHL, I was considering a primary CCW gun (I use several) and had to choose between a Glock 19 and a Glock 23, both of which Summit Gun Broker had for VERY reasonable prices. I've owned a Glock 22 since they came out, and while I like the gun, the muzzle flip is quite impressive, moreso than any of my handguns besides my Model 29s. I figured that the problem couldn't be LESS with a lighter, smaller version of the same gun, so I finally settled on the Glock 19. I've been extremely satisfied with the choice.

I ended up with an ex-VA Beach Sheriff's Dept gun with night sights. It's a 2nd Gen gun without finger grooves or light rail, neither of which I like.

It's been 100% reliable and very accurate for me. I use the Winchester White Box 147gr. JHP. I carry it in a Don Hume 715M IWB.

 

[Seaforth]

Originally posted by smith revolver cop:
Here's my situation: I've been in police work for 28 years. Almost always carried a revolver as my off-duty gun. My current off-duty is a 442. Small, light, easily concealed, good selection of holsters.

Next month, I need to qualify again. I've never had any problems at all... just take lots of speedloaders, and I've always shot just as well with my snub-nose as with my duty gun. But, as I get older, I'm debating switching to a semi-auto for off-duty carry. In all honesty, I've never had (nor really wanted) a "plastic gun." But, I've heard nothing but great things about the Smith M&P, so I figure a Compact 9mm would be a good choice- light, more than twice the capacity of my 442, decent holster selection, magazine availability, etc.

Here's my question: In your opinion (since I value the input of my fellow forum members!), how would the Compact M&P 9mm compare with the 442 for concealability and weight for off-duty carry? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! (Side question... S&W doesn't currently list a compact M&P .45, just the 9 amd .40. Is there a compact .45 in the works? That would be my calibre of choice.)

Somewhere I read one hit with a .22 beats 18 missed shots with a .45...... former retired LEO living with a 422. Not going to breaking down any doors or backing anyone up...just trying to get by.

 

[Bobwtn]

Old fashioned guy, what is the duty weapon? If you carry semi auto as an issued, what is it? Can you get a compact version in same cal. as the duty gun? Glock fits that lien well and the M & P appears to be going that way. Reason I mention thing, CONSISTENCY of mag releases, bullet, safety if any, since I am assuming you might be carrying an issued auto. So if your dept issues Glock, then a small Glock will be similar in feel and function. But as a former revolver carrying cop from the 70's, I like my little J frame still. I have some 38 K and J frames, plus autos, but most days, carry a J frame and speed loaders.

 

[boomstick]

If you do buy something else, I bet you go back to the J-Frame.....

 

[photoman]

Originally posted by boomstick:
If you do buy something else, I bet you go back to the J-Frame.....

Maybe not the best option, but so true.

 

[heeter3]

Ive been retired about 5 years and have the option of carrying a s/a or revolver.I guess I like the old standard and have stayed with my 442.I really had a hard time with our changeover to s/a's when I was on the job and never was really comfortable with them.I was fortunate to be able to carry a revolver when I went into dicks before I retired and just felt comfortable in staying with the old S&W in retirement.My opinion "stay with the one that brung ya."

 

[S/W - Lifer]

What I didn't see in your post - but may have missed - is mention of your duty weapon.

There are 2 different skill sets used to run the revolver and auto. If your 28 years of training have prepared to use use one system over the other, you may want to stick with it. If you get in a jam and go for your gun your earlier training is going to take over.

FWIW.

 

[Mediumbore]

Pending the answer on your duty weapon, I will chime in with this. If you weren't firing bad qual scores with the J-frames, it's still a good choice. Plus you have documented training available if the worst ever happens, you can prove your familiarity.

Your new lifestyle gives you greater freedom to pick your battles but effectively cuts you off from the support structure you enjoyed working a beat. I personally find a battery of guns gives me the flexibility to meet my needs. Set the J-frame as a minimum standard and try the new gun. If it's not working, at least you can fall back on th J-frame but now you know your limitations.

 

[TXbug]

In your opinion (since I value the input of my fellow forum members!), how would the Compact M&P 9mm compare with the 442 for concealability and weight for off-duty carry? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! (Side question... S&W doesn't currently list a compact M&P .45, just the 9 amd .40. Is there a compact .45 in the works? That would be my calibre of choice.)

My experience is that a J frame is tiny, easy to conceal. S&W does make a M&P 45 compact. You won't find it on the S&W website yet. Here is a link with pictures - http://www.defensivecarry.com/...-m-p-45-compact.html It is larger than your 442 and unless you carry your 442 in your pocket, the M&P is just as easy to conceal.

Bud's had some but appear to be out of stock. Here is their link to the M&P 45C - http://www.budsgunshop.com/cat...31/products_id/54589

 

[jeep]

The wheelgun is a close combat contact weapon that will work. Won,t missfire ,feed anything and fire on contact without disconecting and o out of battery. Won,t drop its magazine in a suffle and has little to grab on to.

 

[TAC]

I always carry a J-frame, a 442 as a matter of fact. I tried the M&P9c, and I really liked the gun and shot well with it, but found it too heavy for carrying in the front pocket of my jeans. So I sold it and returned to the J-frame. I went though that scenario with about eight different guns and always returned to the J-frame.

 

[glypnir]

Originally posted by jeep:
The wheelgun is a close combat contact weapon that will work. Won,t missfire ,feed anything and fire on contact without disconecting and o out of battery. Won,t drop its magazine in a suffle and has little to grab on to.

This is mainly what I would be worried about. If you're an old-fashioned guy who's carried a revolver all these years, how are you at learning the more complicated manual of arms for a semi-auto? They not only drop their magazines in a scuffle, once in a while, they drop them while being carried. Or it will just move out a little, enough to engage the magazine safety.

And you've got failure to fire, failure to eject problems that both cause more trouble on the semi-auto.

There's a reason why here in Texas, if you qualify for the CHL with a semi-auto you can also carry a revolver. If you qualify with a revolver, that's all you can carry.

 

[G-ManBart]

Originally posted by KKG:
A while back I began carrying a second gun instead of trying to rely on spare magazines. My arthritis is the main reason I made this change. My guns of choice are a pair of Glock 27s. One on each hip because I've never been a fan of ankle holsters because they are hard for me to get to - again the arthritis issue. I also don't care for the IWB holsters and use two Galco SOB holsters because they put the gun "high & tight" and simply really work for me - even when seated and buckled up in my van.

FYI - I do love my revolvers but the Glock does offer 4 extra rounds before I have to even 'think' about reloading. That makes me fell more warm and fuzzy than I was when I carried my .44 Magnum. I don't care for the 9mm and with the heavier 180 grain bullets I do feel the .40S&W is a very good replacement for a .357 Magnum which the 9mm will never be.

See KKG, there's a post of yours I agree with 100%! Told ya

There are a LOT of good reasons to carry a second gun. First, the fastest reload is often a second loaded gun. Second, in many, many, many gunfights guns and hands get hit because that's where people look...at the threat, which is the gun. It doesn't matter how many mags you have if the bad guy's first round hits your gun. If both guns are on your hips you should be able to get to either one with either hand...great if one hand gets injured.

I carry either a G22 or G23 in a strongside belt holster and a G27 in an ankle holster as well as a spare mag on the support side. I go back and forth about going to both guns on the belt as I shoot pretty well lefty and can draw, reload etc from either side. My concern is if the fight goes to the ground and I can't get a hand up to my belt I might be able to pull my leg up to where my hand can reach. Since many LEO fights go to the ground that's a significant issue for me...especially not being a big guy who's more likely to get knocked down by some brute. Obviously your arthritis issue changes things and it makes perfect sense to carry the way you are....very smart. R,