Thoughts on carry guns

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RGVshooter

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Here's some of my thought's guys/gals... I'm not a professional, not military or LE. I'm just a guy who has been shooting & participating in shooting events since the 8th grade. I've been licensed to carry for years and have carried IWB and OWB several different types of handguns. So what I'm about to say is based on my own personal experience.

I've owned/carried/sold over the yrs...

9mm & 40s&w M&P shield
M&P bodyguard 380 (no laser)
Kahr CM9
Kahr K9
Kahr CW40
Glock 23 gen 4
M&P 9mm
Kel tec P32
S&W 642
S&W mod 10 4" HB...
Bulgarian makarov 9x18
Bersa Thunder 380.

Now, I never owned all of these guns at the same time. And I currently only own 4 firearms. Some of the handguns listed above I've used in local IDPA matches & a local charity match as well. I strongly believe in using what you carry so that's what I've done. Of all these handguns, I sold most of them because of quality/reliability/carry issues. Others I've sold, such as the bersa Thunder because it's basically the same size as the K9 & Shield so why carry a 380 if you have a 9mm that's the same size gun? (9mm ammo costs less too ;) )

Of the guns listed, that I've carried, I still feel the M&P shield 9mm was the best all around handgun for personal defense for ease of comfort for carrying, ease of finding accessories & reliability. I would pick the 9mm over the 40 shield based on shootability, 40s&w in a small poly frame compact is not shooter friendly. I used it in IDPA under the stress of having my friends watch me woodchuck it. But with the 9, I could shoot it faster & put more hits on target.

2nd runner up would be the S&W 642. For a revolver, it pocket carries very well in a appropriate pocket holster.. Much better in the pocket than the shield. The shield is a gun that belongs in a holster on your belt IMO.

And finally, for the mouse gun enthusiasts a special shout out to Kel Tec's P32.

For a pistol that can be had for $230 bucks (As of 2018) I am impressed with it's reliability & lightweight. It's chambered in 32acp however the magazine holds 7 + 1 in the chamber. I mainly use the P32 for when I'm out on the jogging/hiking trails in south Texas because of its small size & even fully loaded it's around 8 ounces if that...

So there ya have it... Let me know of your thoughts and if anyone has a question on a specific model gun that I mentioned above, then ask me what i think of it, and why i sold it.
 
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Today while on my walk in the National Forest here in AZ, I came across AZ Fish and Game at the trail head. He was relocating a black bear that was invading some residential areas.

I usually carry a 1911 commander, thinking I'll be packing my 629 MG from now on. No puny calibers.
 
I have a bunch of gun choices for ccw. I am pretty much wedded to my g26 for most instances. Small & light enough to edc with any attire. Powerful enough to get the job done & easy to shoot fast & accurate to 50y, as far as you will likely ever need for a self def shooting. Only slightly bigger than a Shield.
 
bigggbbruce said:
Today while on my walk in the National Forest here in AZ, I came across AZ Fish and Game at the trail head. He was relocating a black bear that was invading some residential areas.

I usually carry a 1911 commander, thinking I'll be packing my 629 MG from now on. No puny calibers.
Click to expand...

Yeah in bear country, I am certainly carrying at least a full power 10mm, 44" 4mag would be more likely.
 
Because I have enough guns, or maybe even more, and because I am kind of settled on revolvers for normal EDC (have several autos that might be better for certain as-yet-unperceived threats), I don't have any questions for you. However, I appreciate the offer. After one's own experience with the gun in one's own hand, others' actual experience may be the most valuable information.
 
Not a bear thread!!! But I'd carry my Model 25 .45 Colt in that area.

=======================================

I stopped carrying a 642 because I find the 649 all steel just as easy to pocket carry and a zillion times easier to shoot and shoot well.

I belt carry a 2" K frame and I belt carry a CS-9 and a 6906. The 2" K frame also pocket carries in my cargo pants.

Those are the guns in my regular EDC lineup.

If I wear ridiculously light clothing out, like a T-short and shorts (I just don't usually do that but it can happen), I might switch to a .22 Magnum derringer or a Beretta 950 BS in .25 ACP. Nothing by Kel-Tec is permitted in my house. Long story for another time.
 
ISCS Yoda said:
If I wear ridiculously light clothing out, like a T-short and shorts (I just don't usually do that but it can happen), I might switch to a .22 Magnum derringer or a Beretta 950 BS in .25 ACP. Nothing by Kel-Tec is permitted in my house. Long story for another time.
Click to expand...

I forgot to add, I had a Beretta model 71 in 22lr and a Tomcat 32. I regret selling the mod 71 and the Tomcat I felt was too fat for comfortable pocket carry. Those Beretta tip up barrel's are really cool guns tho.
 
bigggbbruce said:
Today while on my walk in the National Forest here in AZ, I came across AZ Fish and Game at the trail head. He was relocating a black bear that was invading some residential areas.

I usually carry a 1911 commander, thinking I'll be packing my 629 MG from now on. No puny calibers.
Click to expand...

I take offense of your "PUNY" caliber comment for the .32 caliber. Let me know when you want to stand in front of a 1908 7.625mm Browning designed .32 Auto Colt Pistol at 30 feet!

The 1911 has been military scrapped junk since the 1940's

Here you go:

Smith & Wesson Model 39 - Wikipedia

Smith and Wesson Model 39: The gun that wanted to replace the 1911 and helped inspire the modern generation of compact service pistols – rifleshooter.com
 
Retired Cop said:
I take offense of your "PUNY" caliber comment for the .32 caliber. Let me know when you want to stand in front of a 1908 7.625mm Browning designed .32 Auto Colt Pistol at 30 feet!

The 1911 has been military scrapped junk since the 1940's

Here you go:

Smith & Wesson Model 39 - Wikipedia

Smith and Wesson Model 39: The gun that wanted to replace the 1911 and helped inspire the modern generation of compact service pistols – rifleshooter.com
Click to expand...

Be offended all you want, but use that puny 73g .32ACP on a black bear you may not live to tell the tale.

and my 1911's.. do you want stand in front of one.

Have a nice day.
 
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I started my career carrying a snub .38 off duty in 1968. My issued revolver saved me three times during my career so that's where my comfort level is. My experience w/the tiny .380 pistols (S&W BG, LCP, Taurus & G42) is checkered w/respect to reliability so I've pretty much given up on them. Real life street time has taught me that when/if an attack comes it will be swift & w/o warning.
 
Retired Cop said:
I take offense of your "PUNY" caliber comment for the .32 caliber. Let me know when you want to stand in front of a 1908 7.625mm Browning designed .32 Auto Colt Pistol at 30 feet!

The 1911 has been military scrapped junk since the 1940's

Here you go:

Smith & Wesson Model 39 - Wikipedia

Smith and Wesson Model 39: The gun that wanted to replace the 1911 and helped inspire the modern generation of compact service pistols – rifleshooter.com
Click to expand...

If the 32 was a desirable load everyone would be carrying them .. but since larger caliber is the rounds of choice for probably 99% of conceal carriers .. and most don't own anything in that caliber ..

Myself I know no one that carries that round for protection..

Your statement is lacking in veracity !!
 
I "carry a .32 gun in my pocket for fun"......... my name is "Bond;James Bond"

A .22 will kill you ..... ask the Mossad....... and either is better than a miss with a .45 or .44 magnum.

Almost anything is better than a sharp stick..........

I've come to think the handgun "caliber wars" are greatly overstated........that said....... carry the right gun for the possible "threats" you may face. A Big bore magnum in "Bear country" makes sense ( note to self: in Big Bad Brown and Grizzly Country make mine a 12 gauge.... w/ slugs) ......... even Dirty Harry only carried "light load .44s" on the Streets of San Francisco...... see the pistol range scene in "Magnum Force"



Rule one...... have a gun...... on you; not at home

Rule two...... know how to use it ........ practice practice practice

Rule three ....... shot placement is "king"........ a double tap is better! :D

Rule Four..... often overlooked ..... no one likes to get shot with anything; and most of us "civilians" will never ever face that " 7 member crack crazed home invasion team" we are always warned about!!!!

Rule Five......... keep shooting till the threat ( to life or serious bodily injury) is stopped (A mag dump from a Walther PPK/s in .32apc ..... is 9 .32 slugs...... kind of reminds me of........ a 12 gauge buck shot load.)

Rule six...... be the first to call "911"


I now return you to your regular programming................ :D
 
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Why is .38 Spec. adequate but .380 ACP not?

You read it all the time, on the Internet and in print: That a .38 Spec. fired from a snubby revolver is just fine for self-defense purposes, but a .380 is considered "marginal". Why? I mean, a 135 gr. Gold Dot load has essentially the same amount of energy as a 90-100 grain .380 load. They make basically same size hole also.
So, why the disparity?
 
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