A year later; still no change. Thanks for the “likes” my earlier post has received.
I reckon that I should elaborate. My first handgun, in late 1982 or early 1983, was a Detonics 1911, so I did not start with revolvers, but by late 1983 I had to start learning to use a DA revolver, at a police academy, and from March 1984 to March 1985, during my first year as a sworn LEO, had to carry DA revolvers, 24/7/365. I may have thought, at first, that revolvers were quaint, but I changed my mind.
By 1990 or 1991, I had bought my first 4” GP100. The original-pattern OEM grip fit my hand, as if custom-made. I had admitted, to myself, by this time, that my fingers were not really long enough to shoot N-Frames properly, in DA mode. I had admitted to myself, by this time, that the .357 Magnum was plenty, for human opponents.
One night, in June 1993, I saw one of those elephants, that folks sometimes talk about. I was carrying my GP100, in my duty holster, by that time.
So much else has to ride on a duty belt, so I did, later, switch to lighter-weight K-Frames, to wear while in uniform, but when not wearing a duty belt, a GP100 is not too heavy. (Notably, the then-mandated Safariland SS III holster, a.k.a. 070, for the GP100/Python, itself, weighs substantailly more than that same holster, when made to fit K-Frames.) I permanently switched to auto-loading duty pistols, in 1997, but there were times, well into the 21st Century, when that GP100, in the “back-up” role, carried as a “bag gun,” was used for “felony stops,” because, well, .357 Magnum, that custom-level grip fit, and, absolute trust and confidence.
I still have that first GP100. It is not going away, as long as I remain able to handle my own affairs.
A 4” medium/large-frame revolver can be reasonably and adequately concealed, in “normal” clothing. A 3” version is easier to conceal, in some situations, but 4” is not all that difficult. So, yes, my 4” GP100 could be my one-and-only handgun. Longer-barreled sixguns are wonderful, for some applications, of course, but one has to start wearing special clothing, to adequately conceal them. I live in a generally warm/hot, humid climate.
In these pandemic/pan-demonic times, the DA revolver has another advantage, for me, because my long-stroke DA trigger manipulation skill is less-perishable than my skill with all other handgun trigger systems, which is Important when training opportunities are nearly non-existent. I can shoot a 1911 about as well as a DA revolver, on a good day, when I am really “trained-up,” but not all days are good days, and, training days are few and far between, during these times. With my Glocks, it is even worse; I need frequent live-fire training to be comfortable carrying Glocks for defensive purposes.
So, yes, 4” GP100 remains my firm choice.
If I were to pick the last 2 it would be the night stand guns either the Sig 2022 or HK P2000, I suspect the Sig would be the keeper.
