What CCW is meant to be shot "a lot"?

I keep reading about the small frame revolvers carried concealed for defense, and the comment frequently pops up; "this gun is meant to be carried a lot and shot a little", or something along those lines. So, my question, what CCW guns are meant to be shot "a lot"?

Maybe the full sized "compact" stuff like a SIG P229?

In the context of small frame revolvers, I'd point to the Ruger SP101 as a gun that can easily handle a lot of shooting.

Really though, a lot of the reason for not shooting the little guns has at least as much to do with wear on the shooter as on the gun.

Really though, a lot of the reason for not shooting the little guns has at least as much to do with wear on the shooter as on the gun.

I have to agree. Even the XD Sub-compact seems much harder to shoot than my 4" XD or even the compact XD, HK and Sig's.

Really though, a lot of the reason for not shooting the little guns has at least as much to do with wear on the shooter as on the gun.

Yes, a big +1 and Roger Roger on that <grin>.

Fired a friend's scandium S&W micro-snubby (A S&W M340PD) a few days ago with full house .357 Magnums and HOLY MOSES DANCING THE POLKA OVER THE RED SEA WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT!!!!!!!

Three rounds and I was DONE.

Light guns have the advantage of being easy to carry. My 229 is an all-day shooter, but the novelty wears off as you carry it.

..........CZ83 for more than a few years now. It held up so well that I got a CZ75 Compact with a steel frame( I've become partial to steel framed DA/SA pistols). I'll get back to that some day. But the CZ83 has to have at least 5,000 rounds through it. The only things done to it were night sights and a heavier recoil spring since I started to reload a little bit heavier round that is normally available. I only have 100 rounds through the CZ75, but so far it is flawless. I don't expect problems because all of the CZ's are built like tanks.

Shoot a little, because they're no fun.

Sig P239? Small (enough) and really soft shooting 9mm.

Honestly if the gun isn't going to stand the wear, or your not going to stand the wear long enough to practice with it find something else.

With only a minor change to your wardrobe (a good belt is usually all that's really needed) most people can go to a full size pistol.

-Jenrick

I've never subscribed to the concept of "carry a lot and shoot a little". I shoot my .38 Smith Model 60 a lot even though I carry it very little (almost always as a BUG to a .45 or a .44) and almost never as primary armament.

The reason I shoot it a lot even though I carry it little is that it is harder to shoot well than my larger guns and requires as much or more trigger time to stay tuned up. Add to that the fact that whether as a BUG or as primary, if I need it, I'll be deep in the dark places and needing that little gun to get me back to the light.

Makes sense to shoot the crap out of it until I am competent to do good business with it if the need arises. I plan to do the same with that neat little LCP I just picked up.

Respectfully,

DarkSoldier

+1 for the Ruger SP101. I would also add steel J frames to the list.

I shot 5K from a Kahr K-9, and I have well over 2500 from a Smith 637. But these are not my normal carry guns. I prefer an all-steel 1911, or a 3" model 29. These guns you can shoot A LOT, and have no problems. I think everyone who carries a very small gun needs to consider this question: What handgun will get you home every night?
I only carry the 637 as a backup gun, or, if I have to, as a "beach gun" and lock the bigger wheelie in the lockbox in the car.
Steve

........CZ83 for more than a few years now. It held up so well that I got a CZ75 Compact with a steel frame( I've become partial to steel framed DA/SA pistols). I'll get back to that some day. But the CZ83 has to have at least 5,000 rounds through it. The only things done to it were night sights and a heavier recoil spring since I started to reload a little bit heavier round that is normally available. I only have 100 rounds through the CZ75, but so far it is flawless. I don't expect problems because all of the CZ's are built like tanks.
Same with my vz82. They're built like tanks. I just wish Makarov ammo was a bit cheaper.

I can shoot my HK P2000SK all day and it begs for more.:D I just can't afford it these days.:o

9x18 Makarovs will live longer than we will, probably. Shoot away.

BTW, they're a fun & easy gun to shoot.

I'd say 50 rounds a week is a reasonable amount -- over a year, that would be 2,500 rounds or so.

I may be interpreting the post but it seems to me if you have a CCW it needs to be shot a lot, at the range. Isn't not practicing with your carry gun sort of defeating the purpose of having a carry gun. :confused:

I had a S&W 10-5 that I put over 30,000 VERY hot rounds through. :evil:

I may be interpreting the post but it seems to me if you have a CCW it needs to be shot a lot, at the range. Isn't not practicing with your carry gun sort of defeating the purpose of having a carry gun.
You nailed it.

I know of a few people that carry full frame revolvers and autoloaders, I'm sure there are more. Those can be shot a lot.

Pretty much anything that's not a small pocket gun. Although even the Keltecs, Rohrbaughs, Seecamps, etc. should last thousands of rounds if kept up well.

Glock 19 should be on the list.

I shoot my Taurus 85UL a lot with standard pressure bullets. It don't kick THAT bad, is fun to shoot, quite accurate. I shoot my Kel Tec P11 a lot with standard pressure, too. Over 11000 rounds in the last 12 years rough count. I've sorta given up estimating. LOL No reason you shouldn't shoot your carry a lot, makes for a zen with the gun which you will need with the SHTF. If I WAS to wear that Kel Tec out, I'd just send it in for another on the lifetime warranty. I haven't managed to do that, yet, and the holster wear is lookin' rough. I really NEED a new gun or get it parkerized or something. LOL

As for as rugged guns go, the SP101 was the first thing than came to my mind. With .38s, it'll last a millennium I'm quite sure. :D Hell, a few centuries with buffalo bore 180 magnums.

I keep reading about the small frame revolvers carried concealed for defense, and the comment frequently pops up; "this gun is meant to be carried a lot and shot a little", or something along those lines. So, my question, what CCW guns are meant to be shot "a lot"?

The way I look at, a gun of good quality is made to be fired a lot. The only thing limiting the amount of shooting is the shooter's budget, time constraints and personal "feel" for the gun. Some buy a gun that hurts for them to shoot, so they put 100 or few rounds through it per year are making an error, IMO.

But what hurts one person's hand may not hurt someone else's. My dad hates shooting my S&W 642. Hurts like a :cuss: he says. On the other hand, J Frames in 38 Spl +P don't bother me much. To take it a step further, there are some nuts on THR ;) that don't mind shooting S&W airlites in 357 Magnum.

The only thing limiting how much I shoot my 642 is $$$ and time. I'd put 100 rnds a week through it if I could.

A key part of the post was CCW. I would think anyone having a carry gun they depended on would need the practice frequently. If you find the gun you bought will not work properly during practice I would get rid of it really quick. It just doesn't make much sense to have a CC gun and wonder if it's going or not going to work when you need it the most.

My vintage Chief's Special .38 snubbie has the original wood stocks, a T-Grip, weighs about 20+ ounces, goes with me everywhere, and shoots as much as I can afford range time and ammo. And I enjoy every round.

A steel frame snubby can be carried and shot alot both. Same with the cz-82/83. My most carried pistols are a 2" S&W mod. 10 and a cz-82. Makarov ammo is available cheap from AIM Surplus right now.

I had an older(mid 80's production) model Taurus 85(all steel), that I put 50 rounds a day through for a couple of months. It didn't hold up as well as I thought it should have, so it was sold and a Ruger SP101 in .357 magnum was bought. The Ruger has seen quite a few full on magnum loads, and a few less .38 specials. It's still as tight as it was the day I bought it(used).

I use and abuse my S&W 60 and it just won't quit. It is my CCW and fun gun. Easy to shoot and has never failed me. I am pondering a sister 640 snub for a little variety. Well built and great to shoot.

Makarov

What CCW is meant to be shot "a lot"? Steel frame snubbies, mid-sized autos.

Ultracompact and ultralight guns just aren't fun at the range. Titanium 357's are horrible to shoot, and my KelTec P11 has such a crappy trigger that I seldom make it thru more than 3 magazines with it. It's a great CCW gun, flawless operation, small, 13rds, just no fun to shoot.

But a compact 1911, steel 2" 357, sig 229 sized autos, guns like these can all be both carried and shot comfortably.

The baby Glocks can handle constant shooting. My KT P11 showed signs of wear after a 100rds.:eek: The superlight 357 mags can take it, but you probably won't want to:D

My S&W model 442 is a dream to shoot with standard pressure. I see posts about how 'painful' it is but honestly it is fun, accurate and most importantly, quick to bring back on target between shots. I dont have many rounds through it yet but i could easily fire a few hundred in a session and not feel abused!

"this gun is meant to be carried a lot and shot a little"

This statement doesn't refer to the quality of the gun. It refers to the weight. Not to many people go to a session and shoot a Keltec or airweight J frame 100 rounds. Your hands would be buzzing for hours. The guns can handle the round count.

Glock 19

I wouldn't be comfortable carrying a gun I couldn't shoot alot. Right now I have a Taurus PT145 on my hip, it has thousands of rounds thru it. The wife carries a Taurus 357 snubby, it has more rounds than my 145 thru it (only because she's had it longer, don't want you guys to think she puts in more time than me).
I had a Kel-tec P11 that the son and I ran 1,000rds thru in one day. I would never do it again, and wouldn't recommend it to anyone else. I will say this, after about 300 rds my hand went numb so the pain wasn't that bad anymore, but my groups weren't so hot after that.

Any GLOCK! :D

CCW is a balancing act, enough gun to carry, but can be carried all your waking hours.

My solution to that has been the same model pistol for practice and matches, that is carried for work, and CCW, but not the same pistol.

When your hand goes under your concealment shirt, tee shirt or jacket, aiming for a defensive pistol, the same grip, trigger pull and sights that you practice with define your effectiveness in a fight incorporating the use of a firearm, but not necessary the exact same pistol, just the same model.

My solution, right or wrong, is a Glock 19, same holster, same belt, same sights (TruGlow) with the new and improved Glock factory trigger.

But two separate weapons, the match guns, thousands of rounds, the carry CCW and work G19 (Same one) only hundreds.

Just as important IMHO, is the spare magazine, same place, same slightly longer G17 model (two more rounds) even the same magazine pouch.

Never ever having a malfunction with the carry gun, the confidence in it is absolute.

Sp101
G26
G19

If the weapon can't take the heat it can't take the carry,autos have acertain amount of spring life,but that is easy to maintain.I like a small revolver.Buy a good pair if one feels like it need help send it back most firearms carry life warranty I got a 50yr SW with custom pills in the tube

SP101. I just sold one with over 40,000 rounds through it in 8 years. The buyer wa so happy that when I offered to buy it back he said "No way!" Good guns.

I now have 2 more sp101s with only 1,000 rounds through them. But, I am trying to get them more food. They love to eat.

I would go with the Glock 26. It's very easy to conceal and gives you 10 + 1 of 9mm power. Me and my girlfriend can shoot it all day long with no issues as do most who rent them with us (waiting to move to PA to purchase my own). The great thing is with the glock 26 is you can carry it very compact with a ten round magazine or insert a Glock 19 magazine and grip adapter to have the full size grip and five more rounds.

I would use the grip adapter for nightstand duty as well as range time when there are newer shooters who prefer it. You can also use it in cooler months when you have a cover garment that can handle it.

Firing 50 rounds of +p through my 642 and my hand will HURT!

I saw a guy take LFI-1 Stressfire with a 41 Mag - his hand split open at the web between thumb and finger down to the raw flesh.

I can shoot 200 rounds from a Glock or 1911 and not feel any discomfort.

Cz P-01.

Any baby glock (26,27, etc.) and any j frame. I love my 442. I also love my sp101.

Steel framed Commander 1911s.

The Steel framed 1911s are little heavy for CC though. I prefer carrying my aluminum framed Colt CCO and shooting it fairly frequently, but putting the bulk of the range use on a steel framed counterpart.

I agree with the statements about the SP101. I shoot mine with 357s for fun. It is quite enjoyable, unlike +P 38specials in my lightweight S&W642 (though I suppose that depends on the grips you have installed on the gun). I doubt you'd wear the gun itself out unless you exclusively shot stout 180gr rounds our something.

Another vote for the SP101. It carries real nice IWB or OWB.

Even with arthritic hands, fingers and wrists, it's flat out my favorite shooter (and that's with magnum loads.)

rd

Glock.

Quote:
Really though, a lot of the reason for not shooting the little guns has at least as much to do with wear on the shooter as on the gun.

I have to agree. Even the XD Sub-compact seems much harder to shoot than my 4" XD or even the compact XD, HK and Sig's.

I have to disagree with this. I bought my XD SC because it shot just like the 4in model. It's not a light gun, you'll know your carrying it. I bought mine for carry and I love it.

Has anyone ever worn out an aluminum (okay, ALLOY) Commander without hot-rodding it? It's not as fun to shoot as the full-size piece, but it's a darned sight preferrable to a 2 1/2" model 19 with .357s in it. I don't think the Star PDs were terribly durable. Just wondering.
My next carry piece will probably be an alloy-framed commander-sized .45ACP.

CZ-82/83. It is comfortable to shoot, and is small enough to carry.

Has anyone ever worn out an aluminum (okay, ALLOY) Commander without hot-rodding it?

The Alloy frame is not a strong material, so carry a lot shoot little is the way to go.

The first sign of damage is the start of a crack in the frame, from where the take down pin goes through the frame, cure, drill a small hole at the end of the crack in the frame, it stops it.

Smith and Wesson M&P Compact. I have no doubt this gun will hold up for a very long time. Throw in the lifetime warranty, and I feel pretty safe shooting it a lot and carrying it every day.

This is another reason I roll my eyes at the media for perpetuating attitudes. (The usual reason is for trying to convince people they can't or shouldn't carry a full-size auto.)

Why would you possibly want to carry any pistol you don't like or want to shoot frequently?

Generally, any larger or heavier compact semi-auto or heavier framed revolver will also work as a pretty pleasant shooter.

As for why you wouldn't shoot your CCW much - some good carry guns are not at all pleasant to shoot.
I may be getting soft, but a few mags at a time from my Kahr P-9 is enough for me. It's not exactly painful, but it is kind of exhausting. After 25 or so rounds I actually start to physically shake. Even with much more powerful guns like the 2.75 inch Security Six I used to own, I never had that problem.
To those who say get a stiffer belt or wear looser clothes, maybe that works for you but it won't work for me. I point blank can't carry a full sized gun all the time. Many others can't either. If it were that simple, there would be no small guns - just more heavy duty belts.
A small gun that is no fun to shoot is the best I can do. It's a compromise I don't like, but it's either that or go unarmed.

The smallest gun you can shoot a bunch is a Glock 26.

The G19, 229, etc are all about the same size, but in Sub Compact size the only one I would shoot the piss out of is the G26

Has anyone ever worn out an aluminum (okay, ALLOY) Commander without hot-rodding it?Yup. I wore out a stainless "Lightweight Commander" (that is how Colt marked it) in about 8,000 rounds of 230-grain standard pressure JHP. Cracked the frame in the dust cover area and around the slide stop. I also tore up the mag well area. Took me almost four years of shooting 50 rounds per week to do it. I try to shoot 50 rounds per week in my carry gun, but sometimes life gets in the way. Lately ammo costs have been getting in the way.

To be fair, the gun was refinished in NP3, and I wonder if the refinishing made a difference in the frame life. I know it affected the mag well area wear.

Now I carry full-size steel 1911s, and I do not worry about wear. I just shoot, clean, and do maintenance.

I think alot depends on the loads your plan to shoot.

Even the small airweight j-frames 357's will handle alot of .38 special or +P loads, probably even quite abit of moderate .357 magnum loads (though they probably won't be much fun to shoot, as others have said). They won't stand up to alot of hot magnum loads. This is why S&W came out with their L-frames, because even the k-frames couldn't handle a steady diet of hot magnum loads.


I agree that you should shoot your CCW firearm often, but it doesn't have to be with hot loads, even if that is what you carry. There's value in dry fire practice, and in practicing with more moderate loads too. I wouldn't practice exclusively with very light loads if you plan to carry very hot ones, but you wouldn't have to practice heavily with very hot ones to become proficient with your firearm.

Hopefully, if it comes down to actually using your handgun to defend yourself, you won't notice the increase in recoil of the few rounds you probably will have to fire.

+1 on the dry fire. Some snap caps and a Crimson Trace will do miracles for your grip and trigger control.

Still, you do need to spend real range time to master the gun under recoil. Get a gun you can shoot a lot.

Like everybody's telling G26 or G19 ;) From dry fire to live fire..No problem.

My opinion...the non-ferrous firearms (aluminum and other alloys) are better carried a lot and shot only occasionally.
Not sure about titanium though...that's a very strong material.

deleted...double tap

One of my sp101's is over 70,000 rounds now(99% 357), runs like a top. I'd say it qualifies.

Ruger for small revolver. Glock for a semi auto pistol, IMO

I love shooting my S&W 442. That dull ache after a box of +P isn't a sign that I'm not supposed to be shooting this gun, but an indication that I'm sending a reasonable amount of power through a small, light firearm. It's not so much discomfort as a heads-up. "Hey you, these are +Ps. Just letting you know."

my 1911s see a lot of use, and they don't seem to mind.

Personally, anything that I'm even thinking about defending my Personal Favorite Behinds with is gonna get shot a whole lot, no matter whose name is on it or whether is has a cylinder or a magazine.

The SP-101 in .357 Magnum is a magnificent shooting iron. One of my biggest regrets was not picking up a used 9mm version when I saw it a few years back. That'd be an economical training aid today.

"What CCW is meant to be shot "a lot"?"

Most of them. Why folks settle for sub-round pistols is beyond me. Besides the noveltiy items, of course.

If you ever do manage to wear out a gun from shooting it. Brag about it. You've done something.

I thought my friends S&W 340PD was the coolest thing ever until I shot it. If you can fire fifty full power loads in it (with out gloves) you should get one free from the factory.

On the other hand, I've fired literally thousands of rounds through my Kimber Classic M1911 -- routinely firing 50 rounds or more at a session.

My search for a CCW that meets that criteria led me to the HK P2000. It isn't the smallest or the lightest in the "compact" catagory, but it pretty close in both regards and an absolute pleasure to shoot. Carries well and I don't loathe practicing with it.

My full size 1911 has over 80K through it.

My 2 Kahr PM9s each have over 5K through them, much of that is +P ammo.

+1 on the PM9. I pocket carry mine daily with ease. I can shoot that thing all day long and it has many thousands of rounds through it. I've seen this "shoot a little, carry a lot" mentioned ALOT when talking about the cheap plastic Kel-Tec pistols, like the P3AT.

Ruger SP101 will outlast anyone old enough to buy one.

On the auto side, lots of options:
any Glock
any Ruger
XD's
CZ's
Sig's
1911's (including Commander and Officer sized)

Really almost any quality pistol. The emphasis on quality. If it's under $300 new and looks like a toy, it probably isn't meant to be shot a lot. I don't want to insult specific brands, none of which I've owned, but I think they're known by reputation.