Ugly and expendable for CC?

[kthom]

I own a few that I don't carry by choice because they are very old friends and are semi-retired. They are not collectors or worth a huge lot of money. They have just earned their keep and retirement. I don't carry junk, even if it's reliable junk. And if what I carry saves my life or the life of someone important to me, then it also earned its keep! Well worth the cost!!

 

[Jack Flash]

"Ugly"
I would think appearance is the last consideration anyone would have in choosing a self-defense handgun. The only thing I can think of in the looks department is not to have the stocks, etc., embellished with skulls, grim reapers, or "Kill 'em All ..." type mottos. And that's only because such decorations are totally unnecessary and how they may look if shown to the jury in a civil case.

"Expendable"
Any gun is more expendable than I am. No one would say "Gee, I have a $1,000 handgun that is rock solid reliable that I am very proficient with, but I carry a $200 junker that I hope might work ok if I'm in a tough spot."

 

[cmort666]

I carry whatever I feel like.

My property rights are protected by state law and the U.S. Constitution. I don't worry about it a bit.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I wouldn't say I agree with "ugly" and "expendable," but I think it makes sense to have a carry/self-defense gun that one isn't emotionally attached to (i.e., family heirloom) or is fairly easy to replace (i.e., Glocks), as long as the gun is reliable with one's chosen self-defense ammo and one can shoot it reasonably well.

My EDC is a 642-1. No real attachment for me. If necessary, I could replace it for somewhere around $400. I also have a back-up 642ND for it.

At the same time, having a $4000 custom 1911 is worthless if one doesn't know how to use it under stress or if it's a picky eater and chokes on one's chosen self-defense ammo in less than ideal conditions.

If someone wants to have a carry/self-defense gun that is more expensive, or has significant sentimental value, I see no problem with that, as long as the gun is reliable with one's chosen self-defense ammo and one can shoot it reasonably well.

I have a Beretta 92FS. I do have some sentimentality towards it as it's my first gun purchased over 20 years ago. But most of my early training was done with it, it's been reliable over 4k+ rounds, and I can shoot it well. I would probably carry it if I had a good holster and mag pouches, but for now it serves as my HD gun.

Short version: If you can shoot it well and it's reliable, carry/use whatever you want.

 

[shamrocker]

I did have one taken as evidence, I was without it for a long time, it was a high dollar item. I missed it while it was gone. I wasn't worried about it being mistreated while it was in a evidence locker. (it wasn't) I just opened the safe, got out another one and carried it while I waited. When all was said and done I got it back and I'm still carrying it.

 

[Squarebutt]

Here in MA, if you're involved in any kind of gunfight it's very likely the police will show up and remove every firearm, cartridge, scope, hunting knife and related item from your place and you will be lucky to see any of it again. Most departments turn everything over to a bonded warehouse where the storage charges soon exceed the value of your guns. It's a rotten situation, but likely not your most important concern after an incident, especially a deadly one.

 

[DD357]

I have never understood carrying or not carrying something due to value or ease of replacement. We are talking about you or your family's lives here; who cares about that!

 

[roundgun]

My rife and pistol are tools, I am the weapon. Tools are replaceable, I can get more.

 

[TTSH]

Here in MA, if you're involved in any kind of gunfight it's very likely the police will show up and remove every firearm, cartridge, scope, hunting knife and related item from your place and you will be lucky to see any of it again. Most departments turn everything over to a bonded warehouse where the storage charges soon exceed the value of your guns. It's a rotten situation, but likely not your most important concern after an incident, especially a deadly one.

You only forgot to add that you'll have your license suspended immediately and probably never get it back again due to "suitability"... so no more guns, no more self-defense, no more hobby, no more anything. Be prepared to take up bird watching or maybe knitting instead.

So when I say that I carry cheap plastic in lieu of a valuable, irreplaceable gun... it has nothing to do evidence lockers or losing the companionship of your favorite gun for 6-12 months. It's much simpler and more mundane than that. I just don't wish to drop, damage, lose or possibly have stolen one of my prized, costly, hard-to-replace-in-MA guns. No more, no less.

 

[Jessie]

What are the characteristics of that gun you don't want locked up in an evidence locker or possibly gone forever?
An expensive, well made, ergonomic, reliable and accurate gun that would be hard to replace?
Why is that? Because they are in high demand? Because of those attributes?
Aren't they the same descriptors of a gun you would bet your life on?
Isn't the fact that they are probably the best choice for self defense also the reason they are expensive and prized?
I would probably favor a family heirloom a little more, but then mine are all hunting guns and not carry pieces.
This is not to say that only expensive, hard to replace guns are best for defense. There are plenty of inexpensive, easily replaced choices these days that work very well.
But, if I trust and shoot my favorite pristine 2" model 19 or whatever, better than any other....that's what I will carry and rely on.
I can't take it with me.

 

[DevilDog72]

I carry a beauty challenged 19-4 snub because I trust it ...p e r i o d. I f I have to use it and survive and the police take it I will take my 66-3 snub from the safe and press on. I really love my 19-4, but, I carry it because I love my family and self more. I am 100 % sure it will do its part if I do mine.

 

[Bill Bates]

For a number of years a 4 inch Smith & Wesson Transition 3rd Model .44 Special was the handgun that was on my nightstand and I oftener carried it hiking and in the Winter. It is a revolver I shot well and I never questioned if would do the job if I need it too.

I retired my .44 and bought a Glock 30SF .45acp. It would be sad and almost criminal if that old and very rare .44 ever ended up electro penciled and put on an evidence room shelf. The Glock is completely dependable, I shoot it well and it will do the job, it holds twice as many rounds and it is just a Glock. The Glock isn't rare, it will never be collectable; it was a cheap handgun and will always be a cheap handgun. In many ways the 30SF is a better tool for the job but honestly that isn't why I bought it.

The other Smith & Wesson that I carried was a 642. It has been replaced with a Smith & Wesson 45 Shield. The 642 moved into a "carry sometimes handgun" just because the Shield does about the same job but does it better (it holds more rounds and they start with .4) I bought the Shield simply because it was a better tool for the job than the 642. I can't just toss the Shield in my pocket (well maybe depending on the pants I'm wearing) but it conceals easily on my belt line. Seven rounds of .45acp always beats 5 rounds of .38 Special.



gotta toss a couple pics in.

The old .44

The Glock 30SF

Momma's 9mm Shield and my .45 Shield...a plug for the .45 Shield...it is one of those handguns that really fits my paw...it is close to ergonomically perfect for me; much more so than the wife 9mm. It is amazing what a 1/4 inches here and 1/32 of an inch there can make when it comes to how a pistol feels in your hand.

 

[Mister X]

I carry whatever I determine to be the most effective weapon for personal defense irregardless of other factors.

My choices are Glocks or S&W snubs. Looks are irrelevant to me, but I don't really consider any of them expendable per se considering what they cost.

 

[SC_Mike]

I carry a plain G19 and Hornady ammo because "I read on the internet someplace they're pretty good."

No modifications, no special grips or stickers etc. I don't want a jury looking at it and seeing me as a vigilante. Also because they're easy to replace.

Just my .02

 

[RobertJ.]

Hey, that's why I got a back up ......................or two ..... five.

Exactly!

I carry the finest snubby .38 I can afford, a Colt DS.

And I have a list of back-ups!

 

[shouldazagged]

For "concealed" carry we're talking about pocket carry in a crowded public place in the Summer in Georgia! There is not a revolver suitable for that.

I've pocket carried a Smith M640--an early one, 1990, from a limited special run--in a pocket holster the year around, in Kentucky where we also get heat and humidity. Never a problem, even under the grip (it's a Pachmayr one-piece, I wouldn't call it "stocks"). It's been perfectly suitable for my needs.

It's a nice gun, and I'd hate to part with it. But it's also as near 100% dependable as a handgun can be. The chances of my ever having to use it, especially given the quieter life that goes with old age and poor health, are tiny. But if I'm ever forced to draw it I want to be very, very sure it will speak its lines on cue.

I'll take my chances about having it confiscated.

 

[swsig]

What are the characteristics of that gun you don't want locked up in an evidence locker or possibly gone forever?
An expensive, well made, ergonomic, reliable and accurate gun that would be hard to replace? ...

I have found two reasonably priced, well made, ergonomic, reliable, and accurate carry guns that would be easy to replace. I've carried my trusty M&P 40 compact for over two years, and my recently acquired Shield .45 has also proven itself as worthy of being carried. But even if they were $1000+ guns, I wouldn't hesitate to carry them, because their performance in defense of my (and my loved ones) life is more important than their cost.

 

[AZretired]

My carry guns are a S&W 642 & 638. Neither is all that hard to replace if needed. If I don't get the gun back, I expect I have more to worry about than replacing it. That said, it is nice to have at least 2 guns that are identical or nearly so in case one gets stuck in evidence for a year or so.

 

[CH4]

I picked #1, but only worry about it when carrying on my motorcycles. I bought a Glock 43 for such use - don't care if it goes bouncing down the interstate.
Otherwise, I don't worry about losing it to LE if used in defense of myself or others, cuz I'll get it back.

P.s. I wouldn't mind losing a Smith Shield or M&P, but I couldn't bring myself to even owning own.