Those that Carry a J...Ever Worry that 5 Isn't Enough?

[ibewbull]

With today the 4th of July and many places on high alert.
My wife and I were if we went on a trip going to take the 2 J frames as usual.
Also a Glock 27 and a CS9.
But we are staying home. I am not up to 12 hours on the road. I wish were.

W
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uIwjL_17rc"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uIwjL_17rc[/ame]

 

[Fastbolt]

Got to make a fairly quick road trip out-of-state for a wedding. I'm driving to bring some extra stuff (and enjoy some quiet road time) while wife and grand daughter fly there & back.

Considering the brevity of this trip and the limited activities, I'll only be bringing a single LEOSA weapon along, and this time it'll just be one of my LCP's.

The LCP is thinner and lighter enough than my assorted J's to make one an arguably better choice due to the summer weather and activities. Due to those concerns, I suppose the newer stainless slide model ought to be the handiest choice. (Just a perk that the sights and trigger are improved over my earlier 2012 carbon steel slide model.)

So, a 6-rd small caliber pistol (I don't top off the LCP's) without one of the 5-shot J's I usually take along.

It'll also cut down on the weight of the extra ammo boxes I have to fit in my soft luggage, too, only taking one gun along.

 

[turbo6]

Only the OP can really answer that and by the sounds of it he seems wary of only having 5 rounds. With that said, having a bit more capacity is fine and that's your own personal choice.

However, it's unlikely the average citizen, with competent decision making skills would put themselves in harms way. So in most situations, Yes 5 is enough. I'm not trying to get in over my head, only to defend my family and in certain dire situations - perhaps other people too.

Stop a thug from robbing me? Sure. Stop a bank robbery with multiple assailants? Probably not.

 

[629shooter]

I usually carry a full size belt gun (Glock 22, 5" 1911 or 4" .38). However, I managed to strain my back today working in the yard. The Glock 22 came off and went into the safe. This gave my back some relief. 442 comes out of safe with two speed strips and a 2x2x2 ammo pouch. Maybe not as effective, but at least I have something to defend myself with until my back unkinks itself.
I wish S&W would make a lightweight 3" fixed sight K-frame .38+P revolver without the Hillary hole. I would buy two on the spot..

Make it a magnum, and you have a deal... A friend and, I were just discussing how handy a Model "365" would be, for about the 4th time.

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

Make it a magnum, and you have a deal... A friend and, I were just discussing how handy a Model "365" would be, for about the 4th time.

A .357 magnum version would probably sell better...but .38 Special is just so Special.

On another note the name could be used in the ads "365, so light you can carry it everyday!"

Sorry for the drift.

 

[Rick_A]

The 649 is mainly a summer time carry, but when I do, I just carry two.
20150109_135938 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr
20150109_153932 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

 

[Chuck Jones]

I carry a speed strip, but I'm not anticipating a gun battle. I think 5 is enough at handkerchief ranges. Being able to hit a 3x5 card at 3 yards from the draw in 1.5 seconds is more important than the number of rounds you carry.

 

[629shooter]

A .357 magnum version would probably sell better...but .38 Special is just so Special.

On another note the name could be used in the ads "365, so light you can carry it everyday!"

Sorry for the drift.

S&W has produced two lightweight 38 Special K-frames, the Model 12, and the 315 Night Guard. I think a "Magnum" is in order.

 

[olskool]

in the 80s my dad had to shoot an intruder in the upper leg that was attacking him and mom. i had gave him some handloads of 140 gr. speer hp. with 8.4 gr. of blue dot. it only took one from his model 15 and the drugged up man fell like a stone, all the fight left him instantly.

 

[DD357]

It's Been a While!

I settled on my 2-1/2" 19 because I shoot it better than my 1911, G19, M&P etc in SD type drills. Maybe it's because it's longer trigger pull slows one down a bit? In any case I want to use what gives me the best chance of getting good hits quickly. I'd rather make good shots a little slower than a hodgepodge of shots quicker.

 

[Terminatorret]

I worked in an Level 2 Trauma ER for the past 15 years. Night shift.
ONE is enough. Five? If the first one is accurate and has the penetration (fmj/wadcutter/semi-wadcutter) then my job was short and final.
I've seen the "pray and spray" gun shot wounds. Yeah, let's use those high capacity magazines, boys. But, one shot, correctly placed is all that you need. We're not talking Afghanistan here. We're not talking the OK Corral. We're talking 99.99999% of the time. Usually just "winging" the perp is all that it takes.
In my ER years, I only saw only one or two "multiple GSW (gun shot wounds)" on a patient. I saw many, many, many single GSW's. That's all it took to end the confrontation.
Best shot? .380 mid sternal. Very big man.
Outcome? Didn't have a prayer.

p.s. I usually pocket carry a Ruger LCR or Model 36 in my right pocket with 6 extra rounds (swc) in my left pocket. I often wonder why... I guess I'm prone to reading too many blogs...or maybe I'm hoping I'll run across a herd of ferrel hogs or a bunch of terrorists.

 

[Fastbolt]

Thread still going, huh? Not surprising, really. It's a perennial favorite among most of the gun forums.

The resurgence of popularity of the 5-shot snubs, the newest itty bitty .380's, and now the latest really small single stack 9's, has really made some folks stop and think about "capacity".

I might as well add something to this thread topic that I recently posted in another forum on a related topic recently ...

This subject isn't easily settled among folks who have a lesser amount of training, and/or little or no actual experience in dealing with potential deadly force situations.

I've known some folks who continued to carry revolvers or smaller (than duty-size) pistols, including single stacks even after they'd been involved in shooting incidents.

Some folks seek confidence and comfort in higher capacity handguns, and some seek it in more training and improved abilities with whatever they're already carrying.

Sure, some seek the added "advantage" of greater magazine capacities, or larger models or calibers, and that's fine. Just doesn't mean it's something necessary or desirable by everyone else.

I'm presently carrying a 15+1 M&P40 as an issued weapon, but I'd not mind in the slightest returning to carrying an issued 6-shot revolver again, or my previously issued 4513TSW (7+1), 4566TSW (8+1) or even the 3913TSW (8+1) I carried before the M&P40. FWIW, if S&W had still been making the 3906 (or had ever made a 3906TSW), I'd have carried one of those for both plainclothes and uniform roles.

Capacity and caliber are just ... capacity and caliber. Now, skillset, experience, knowledge of tactics and mindset? Those are really desirable.

Work with what you've got ... and learn to run whatever you've got to optimal effect.

 

[Cal44]

I carry a LCR 357 most of the time, and like the 38 cal J frames, it's a 5 shot.

I've been considering practicing with 357 magnum loads on the theory that, my five shots ought to be as effective as possible.

I realize the problem of follow up shots. But that can be improved by practice.

Noise is also a problem, but I'd rather lose some hearing then be dead.

Flash, I don't know what to do about.

 

[Protected One]

I carry a LCR 357 most of the time, and like the 38 cal J frames, it's a 5 shot.

I've been considering practicing with 357 magnum loads on the theory that, my five shots ought to be as effective as possible.

I realize the problem of follow up shots. But that can be improved by practice.

Noise is also a problem, but I'd rather lose some hearing then be dead.

Flash, I don't know what to do about.

Carrying a Shield 9mm instead would solve all of that for you...AND give you 4 additional rounds without violating your states ridiculous capacity law!

 

[Philadelphia Patriot]

For the most part, a 5 shot snubby is good for me. I only purposely carry a gun with more rounds if I have to go to a less than desirable neighborhood in the city. I have a Taurus 85 on order right now ($250 + free shipping was too good to pass up). Eventually I'll add laser grips to it.

I will say my primary EDC is a Glock 30S, which gives me 10+1 rounds of .45acp in a compact package. I never feel "outgunned" with that.

I'll also add, I am a big fan of the "j frame lifestyle". I don't do bars, I don't like staying out late, and outside of work I spend more time in the suburbs than in the city (I live directly on the border of Philly and the suburbs).