- Joined
- Oct 2, 2014
- Messages
- 7,842
My shooting buddy is younger and chuckles at my antiquated ways.
I normally carry a five-shot snub 38 (LCR) in a pocket holster in my cargo shorts pocket.
Apparently I can't be properly armed unless I carry something "high capacity" "with a longer barrel", and people who are serious about it carry "in a belt holster".
To my lasting regret I have committed several examples of social faux pas in the past, and would hate to add being underarmed in public to that list.
Since I am older, I did some research to make sure that I understood his terminology correctly. I used Google and Urban Dictionary and the THR archives. After puzzling my elderly brain cells for many, many moons (I web surf even slower than I drive), I was pretty sure that I understood what he meant. I needed a new "carry piece" that was "high capacity" and had a "longer barrel" that I could carry "OWB" under a "cover garment". If I could find one, he wouldn't have to be (so) embarrassed to be seen with me at the shooting range.
My decision making had several parameters:
I am comfortable carrying 38 special handguns. I wanted a caliber at least as effective as 38 special.
There is no point carrying something tiny in a leather holster on my belt with a long shirt or light jacket hanging over it. It needed to be larger than a j-frame.
My carry handguns typically have a 2" barrel. That is apparently not long enough. I needed something with a barrel that was longer.
My carry handguns typically hold five rounds. That is not enough. I needed something that carried more than five rounds.
I also don't carry anything unless it is snagproof and DAO (or the equivalent) with fixed sights.
My friend carries a small plastic thing called a "Block". I am older and uncomfortable with modern technology such as fire and agriculture, so my handguns have to use simple technology that someone who is generationally challenged can understand.
There was an obvious answer, of course. But I didn't have the heart to do it. A 3" Model 10 would fit all of the requirements exactly, but I couldn't bear the thought of grinding the hammer spur off of a classic S&W like that.
So I found an older Taurus Model 82 with a 3" barrel and overpaid for it a bit. It was made in 1992 and is in excellent condition. It barely has a turn line. The finish and grips are almost perfect. It locks up tight and the rifling is very nice. The trigger is good for a Taurus. I'm going to take it to the range next Saturday with my friend and see how it shoots. If it shoots well (which I'm predicting, since it looks practically new), I will brutally grind off the hammer spur.
After that, it will be ready for use as a carry piece this fall and winter when I walk my dog in the woods. I also ordered some NoS black boot grips for it, just to see how they'll fit.
I have only rarely carried a handgun in an OWB belt holster. Any advice on holsters would be welcome.
$350 was too much, but I have a soft spot for Taurus revolvers from that era.
I normally carry a five-shot snub 38 (LCR) in a pocket holster in my cargo shorts pocket.
Apparently I can't be properly armed unless I carry something "high capacity" "with a longer barrel", and people who are serious about it carry "in a belt holster".
To my lasting regret I have committed several examples of social faux pas in the past, and would hate to add being underarmed in public to that list.
Since I am older, I did some research to make sure that I understood his terminology correctly. I used Google and Urban Dictionary and the THR archives. After puzzling my elderly brain cells for many, many moons (I web surf even slower than I drive), I was pretty sure that I understood what he meant. I needed a new "carry piece" that was "high capacity" and had a "longer barrel" that I could carry "OWB" under a "cover garment". If I could find one, he wouldn't have to be (so) embarrassed to be seen with me at the shooting range.
My decision making had several parameters:
I am comfortable carrying 38 special handguns. I wanted a caliber at least as effective as 38 special.
There is no point carrying something tiny in a leather holster on my belt with a long shirt or light jacket hanging over it. It needed to be larger than a j-frame.
My carry handguns typically have a 2" barrel. That is apparently not long enough. I needed something with a barrel that was longer.
My carry handguns typically hold five rounds. That is not enough. I needed something that carried more than five rounds.
I also don't carry anything unless it is snagproof and DAO (or the equivalent) with fixed sights.
My friend carries a small plastic thing called a "Block". I am older and uncomfortable with modern technology such as fire and agriculture, so my handguns have to use simple technology that someone who is generationally challenged can understand.
There was an obvious answer, of course. But I didn't have the heart to do it. A 3" Model 10 would fit all of the requirements exactly, but I couldn't bear the thought of grinding the hammer spur off of a classic S&W like that.
So I found an older Taurus Model 82 with a 3" barrel and overpaid for it a bit. It was made in 1992 and is in excellent condition. It barely has a turn line. The finish and grips are almost perfect. It locks up tight and the rifling is very nice. The trigger is good for a Taurus. I'm going to take it to the range next Saturday with my friend and see how it shoots. If it shoots well (which I'm predicting, since it looks practically new), I will brutally grind off the hammer spur.
After that, it will be ready for use as a carry piece this fall and winter when I walk my dog in the woods. I also ordered some NoS black boot grips for it, just to see how they'll fit.
I have only rarely carried a handgun in an OWB belt holster. Any advice on holsters would be welcome.
$350 was too much, but I have a soft spot for Taurus revolvers from that era.
Last edited: