CCW thoughts

Go with the newer guns, I did and I never had an auto till I was 58 years old. Revolvers have their place and can still be used but learn the new technology.

I'd recommend sticking with the J frame. But simply upgrading it to a new lighter model may be beneficial too.

Asking others how to spend your money is a fools game. Likewise caring what others think is a child’s game.

That said, try out different guns and see what works for you. If you have the money and feel safer with a semi auto then get one. Otherwise use what your comfortable with and ignore the comments of idiots who don’t respect your choices.

I think you might go 'round and 'round and not find anything that is one bit better than what you already have, especially if you carry them easily and shoot them well.

Spend your money on high-end holsters and practice ammo.

If you're determined to buy a new gun, (my weakness), i tend to actually carry the smaller ones more often.

Hokie_PhD said:

Asking others how to spend your money is a fools game. Likewise caring what others think is a child’s game.

That said, try out different guns and see what works for you. If you have the money and feel safer with a semi auto then get one. Otherwise use what your comfortable with and ignore the comments of idiots who don’t respect your choices.

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Whoa. The guy asked for opinions on gun choice. He got some. I dont think he wanted whatever kind of philosophical BS that is.

You will be well-protected by your current stock. Just make sure they are reliable. Yes, many of today's CCW trainers are biased towards the 15-round Strikers and show disdain for the 1911 and revolver, but they will still stop an attack just like they always have.

CZ9shooter said:

Whoa. The guy asked for opinions on gun choice. He got some. I dont think he wanted whatever kind of philosophical BS that is.

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Reread what he wrote
He seemed worried others would judge him on having an old revolver. My point was to remind him not to care what others think.

As long as his guns are safe, and he’s comfortable with them then he should consider them.

Nobody who knows anything about handguns will “roll their eyes” at you S&W640 or 1911. Both are still valid choices, & will work fine for carry if you’re gear accommodates the weight & size.

With that said & following up on ArmoredFarmer’s post...

Armored farmer said:

... I tend to actually carry the smaller ones more often.

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you might want to add a smaller gun to your choices.

There are a bunch (almost too many) of choices of very small semi autos (.380) that are soooo easy to pocket carry. You'll certainly want to look at them yourself, but from what I see around the most common would be the Ruger LCP; the original DAO is smaller than the newer striker fired version. I carry the Kel Tec P3AT (same size as LCP) everywhere I legally can in any pants or shorts I wear. If you prefer the 1911 manual of arms, the SIG P238 is almost as small although heavier & more expensive.

John Joseph said:

I still have the S&W 640 and Colt 1911 that were on my original CCW, I shoot them regularly and will probably put those on the application.


I ask because I have to take a CCW pistol class and I'm fearful when instructors roll their eyes when my pistols are discussed ( my handguns have been very well cared for, btw.)

I did get to shoot a 9mm Glock and Beretta, and will probably try out Sigs and Smiths if given the chance, but so far, I'm far more accurate with the two handguns I already own.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

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Look for an older instructor of your required class that may be very familiar with J-frames and 1911s. That person would likely have personal hands on time with your type of firearms and work well with you on using those guns.

Armored farmer said:

If you're determined to buy a new gun, (my weakness), I tend to actually carry the smaller ones more often.

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cc-hangfire said:

With that said & following up on ArmoredFarmer’s post...
you might want to add a smaller gun to your choices.

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True. Same applies for me.

This is nearly always in my waistband, pocket, or nightstand.

More food for thought:
I always thought his and hers carry guns were a good idea. The same gun for both of you. Share ammo or mags.
You didnt mention whether mrs was interested in ccp, but just a thought. Now is the time.

Use what works best for you and you are most comfortable with.
While I have a few CCW’s that I like to choose from the Ruger LCP is my favorite and I never leave home without it!

I carry a .357 snubnose pretty frequently, though I've retired the 640 in favor of a K6 for the extra round. I can't think of a reason for you to change anything. What you have is tried and true.

If the instructor at your CWC class rolls his eyes at your S&W 640 and Colt 1911, he's not qualified to teach a CWC class.

Just sayin'.

If the guns you have are reliable, and you shoot them well, it sounds like you already have what you need. And really, you have what most people new to CC are looking for; a gun they can effectively stop a threat with (and are willing to carry, of course).

If you want something different, that's another story. There are many options, and I'm sure you could get a recommendation for almost any and every pistol out there, if you ask enough people. If you think the latest technology in handguns has something more to offer you, perhaps a good place to start would be describing what exactly you're looking for. Honestly, 1911's and J frames are still pretty popular.

John Joseph said:

I ask because I have to take a CCW pistol class and I'm fearful when instructors roll their eyes when my pistols are discussed ( my handguns have been very well cared for, btw.)

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In my class, there was an older gentleman who brought a pair of old revolvers for the course. One was a single-action of some sort, and the other was an old police-type revolver.

The instructor told him that if he was very comfortable with those guns, he could carry them just fine, but would recommend the DA over the SA for obvious reasons. He did mention that if carrying the SA, to carry it with the hammer on an empty chamber since it predated any sort of drop safety.

Any instructor with any amount of professionalism isn't going to look down on your carry choice as long as it's safe and reliable. If that's what you're comfortable with, spend a little bit on a really good holster instead of a new gun at first, and take the time to shoot a bunch of newer guns to find out what you really like instead of buying a new gun (that you may not end up caring for after a few uses) just to have something now...

This assumes, by the way, that you're not in one of the few places where you have to qualify with the specific gun you're going to carry. Obviously if you are, then you'll have to decide before the course. Otherwise, you can always change it up later.

For what it's worth, the revolver guy shot a better group than the young guy next to him with the Ruger .22...

1911. Perfect for concealed carry. Thin and reliable. When I’m not carrying mine I have a Ruger LCP2 or a Kimber Micro .380(miniature 1911)in my pocket.

Nothing wrong with those pistols, I'd carry the 1911 on my hip with the j-frame in a front pocket.

I've moved to larger pistols as I got older, 20 years ago I was carrying a Glock 26/27, three years ago moved up to a Glock 19/23/32
Over a year ago I transitioned from appendix IWB to strong side IWB and found longer slides more comfortable, gets muzzle off/past my hip.
Every day I head out to work (wherever) carrying a 1911 IWB and a Glock 43 in front pocket.

I'm not sure where you are or what rules are. Seems you have to list/ register what you will carry. Can you switch guns fairly easily later on? Hope so.

I suggest using your current guns. You will be better protected using what your familiar with.

If the instructor rolls his eyes at the two guns you have then you need to find another instructor. One that actually knows something about guns.

John Joseph said:

Years ago I had a CCW, which I let lapse when my house filled with little tykes. Now the little tykes are gone, and being older and grayer, my bride and I are more of a target for hooligans so I'm applying for another CCW.
I still have the S&W 640 and Colt 1911 that were on my original CCW, I shoot them regularly and will probably put those on the application.

But times have changed and I'm wondering if I should I be looking at getting new hand gun?

What it comes down to is, do I depend on handguns I'm familiar and accurate with? Or do I part with a chunk of my fixed retirement income on pistols to take advantage of the latest technology?

I ask because I have to take a CCW pistol class and I'm fearful when instructors roll their eyes when my pistols are discussed ( my handguns have been very well cared for, btw.)

I did get to shoot a 9mm Glock and Beretta, and will probably try out Sigs and Smiths if given the chance, but so far, I'm far more accurate with the two handguns I already own.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

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Might as well go to a shop with a range and try some different pistols (assuming you have that luxury). There's no harm in trying different types of pistols and different calibers. Try them all, why not? My local shop/indoor range has about 15 different pistols you can try out. Most are semi autos, but they'll let you try just about any pistol they sell.

I have felt, for many years now, that the industry tries to convince us all that the guns we have aren't good enough. You need a 1911 because of the histtory, but you can't CARRY a 1911, you also need a COMPACT version. Or Glock. Or whatever.

When I started carrying 23 years ago, there were far fewer options than there are now. Nearly all guns were designs intended for the police or the milotary. Or variations of them. Having grown up being enamored of all things military, I loved it. I never once thought; "I love my 1911, but I just hate carrying something so big!" I was already conditioned to the idea that it was correct and proper to carry a full-size gun. So I did, and still do. I have actually moved up to double-stack 1911s.

Of course, it's a free country. No one is required to dd it the way I do it for the reasons I do it. But I do get annoyed when I hear people say or infer that it can't be sone. When I hear gun store owwners say things like; "A Glock 17 is a great gun that does everything well. But you can't carry it." Why not? Of course you can. It's a matter of getting a good belt and holster, and dressing around it. Just like any other gun. Just because there are many options doesn't mean we are all required to start fixing things that aren't broken. I still put a RIA 9mm doube-stack in my waistband, in a Crossbreed Supertuck in a pair of shorts, and wear a loose t-shirt over it, and do my thing in summer, in 100+ degrees. Of course it can be done. Been doing it for years.

If you want to do it with what you've got, you absolutely can.

Having said all that, try the new guns anyway. You might like them. I am guessing, based on what you said, you have to declare and/or qualify with the guns you want to carry, whhich would annoy me, but it's ok. I would try a Shield, a G-43, a XD-S, and whatever else look and fits well. They have come a LONG way.

Maybe you will be converted. That's ok. But of ypu yry them, and think to yourself, "I find nothing about this new tech so compelling I need to change." Then don't.

Go with what you already have and can shoot well.