I have nothing against anything you stated. If feel uncomfortable carrying less than 10 rounds in the mag, then carry more. I, like most, feel comfortable carrying revolvers and 6-8+1 single stacks. To each their own. I kind of like fireside44's statement about "someone has to get bit by sharks, struck by lightning, and win the lottery so if you're lucky I guess you should have [an] auto."I used to carry an M&P Shield. One night I was out walking my dog when five of my neighbor's drugged up buddies surrounded me. Nothing happened and they had no ill intent. They were stoned out of their minds and wanted to say high to my dog but the speed with which they surrounded me convinced me never to walk out my front door with a gun that holds less than 10 rounds again.
I walked out of my house to go to work one night and was loading up my car (in fact I had just put my body armor in the back seat) when two crackheads walked around the corner of the building and decided to rob me.
I was in uniform and clearly armed. They tried anyway. I drew on them and was able to talk them out of it but they weren't intimidated in the slightest, they just decided it wasn't worth the trouble. They walked away.
I work around street rats all night long and I almost never see them alone
“Amateurs focus on equipment, Students focus on technique, Experts focus on tactics.
We have a saying: We don’t train for the average, we train for the anomaly
Fireside - I think your post made my case about the some of the revolver crew and their lack of truly analyzing the pros and cons of the guns.
Same could be said of you for by other gun owners for you only carrying a handgun with a reload or two. Why aren't you walking around with a plate under your shirt, and a rifle or AR pistol on your shoulder or in a bag with several mags? Why aren't you carrying 2 to 3 handguns on your person?Those folks are discussing crap as they think tech is solution.
A great trainer, John Holschen says:
Another from Marty Hayes (on the rare event):
Since I've been hit by lightning, I don't give much credence to the folks who mock carrying more as it's as rare as blah, blah.
Just admit, you take the risk of not having what it takes for a critical incident with some intensity. If you mock - tell me if you have intensively trained with the limited gun - or else it's just hot air.
Just shooting your LCP at 3 yards at the static range. So what. On the move, at various distances, under time stress, reloads under stress?
I have nothing against anything you stated. If feel uncomfortable carrying less than 10 rounds in the mag, then carry more. I, like most, feel comfortable carrying revolvers and 6-8+1 single stacks. To each their own. I kind of like fireside44's statement about "someone has to get bit by sharks, struck by lightning, and win the lottery so if you're lucky I guess you should have [an] auto."
Same could be said of you for by other gun owners for you only carrying a handgun with a reload or two. Why aren't you walking around with a plate under your shirt, and a rifle or AR pistol on your shoulder or in a bag with several mags? Why aren't you carrying 2 to 3 handguns on your person?
There really isn't any data or proof either way to prove anything. If anything, the data shows that it's improbable for most of the over 100 million legal gun owners to ever have to discharge their firearm for self defense. The statistic also says those that do fire on average no more than 2 shots. Then when we break down even further into average gun owners who had to discharge their firearm against multiple attackers, the percentage likely gets even more miniscule. Then if we were to break this down again to those who were carrying 5-8 rounds, had to fire their carry gun in self-defense against multiple attackers, and who were unsuccessful, it'll probably have a better chance of hitting the lottery multiple times. I've asked for proof that the latter happening when this topic came up in the past, and got nothing...
I don't take issue with, mock, or have a problem with those who feel the need to carry more rounds... It's usually those who feel the need to carry more rounds who take issue with those who aren't carrying G19 sized guns with G19 capacity. You don't normally see people who prefer revolvers, Shields, 1911s, etc starting a capacity debate in higher capacity semiauto threads... It's just about always the other way around especially when it comes to mocking. I don't care what anyone carries, and I wouldn't discourage anyone who felt the need to carry more or less just as long as they carried something.
I was born and for the most part raised in Mount Vernon and Bronx, NY before my parents joined the military. Came back to NY from VA to visit family in 1997, and was robbed on the NY subway at night while while heading into the city. Yes I've been in AND witnessed viloient encounters. I still feel comfortable carrying a revolver and my Kahrs K9 or MK9, and yes, I carry them for "just in case" situations that in all actuality will never happen.I can't think of a way to say this without it sounding like I'm trying to insult you and I'm not.
Based on your responses you seem like one of those people who wants to carry a gun just in case but you don't really want to put any effort into it.
I don't know this for sure but I'm going to guess that you've probably never had an encounter with a violent criminal offender
I have and that's the reason that I take carrying a gun very seriously. That's also the reason I'm not betting my life on a 5 shot J frame
Based on your responses you seem like one of those people who wants to carry a gun just in case but you don't really want to put any effort into it.
I'll accept that.If anything, the data shows that it's improbable for most of the over 100 million legal gun owners to ever have to discharge their firearm for self defense.
Averages mean nothing.The statistic also says those that do fire on average no more than 2 shots.
Then when we break down even further into average gun owners who had to discharge their firearm against multiple attackers, the percentage likely gets even more miniscule.
Thank you, Styx. And others.You'll do fine with a revolver. Many people a lot more experienced than you choose to carry a revolver over a semoauto. I personally own plenty of handguns only three of which or revolvers. I generally EDC a 6+1 single stack or a 5 shot jframe.
View attachment 863774
View attachment 863775
This is the jframe next to a 6+1 G43 and Sig P365, and you can see the difference. Also, these two guns are on the smaller spectrum of single stack 9mm. The Shield, PPS M2, Ruger LC9s, etc are bigger guns and will have a longer grip... I usually carry my jframes with the more rounded combat grip...[/QUOTE Which Smith and Wesson is that?
Bah, there's only ONE correct choice of gun and caliber for EDC !
And what is that ?
Sounds like you're off to a great start. Glad you took the time to experience both and came to your own conclusions instead of simply allowing other's person preferences make the decision for you.Thank you, Styx. And others.
My personal narrative as relates to guns is that several years back I was mugged in a parking lot in Texas. He blindsided me and tried to make me get into his car. The aftermath was lengthy and complicated and scary and my life was forever changed. Recently, I was walking with my dog on a low traffic mountain road of second and vacation homes and a couple of sketchy guys in a too slow-moving car made me realize I probably should get a gun. So I did.
I've completed 5 sessions with a private instructor. More to come. I'm not much on sport or club shooting. That would probably not work for me due to time restraints and just because it is not my cuppa. I want a gun for personal safety and conceal-carry when I wish to do so.
I've been training with my husband's S&W 637 and my 9mm first gen. Shield (with TS) and a borrowed P365 (no safety). I shoot regularly with my M&P .22 LR. My 637 has the exposed hammer. For pocket carry, I will buy a revolver with concealed hammer. I really like the Sig and I really like the revolver. I don't plan to carry 100% of the time but when I do carry in a public setting, I will carry the revolver (bedside, as well). When I am away from home and hiking, I will carry the Shield or a new 365 with manual safety. My personal preference, after this training stint, is the revolver over the semi autos. It is a comfortable fit for me.
Again, thanks to each of you for your input. I appreciate.
Wish I hadn't seen that. It is beautiful.M&P 340
For your EDC why did you choose a Revolver or Semi-Auto, or do you rotate between the two?
I have been teaching a BASIC ARMED SELF DEFENSE (civilian) class for about 35+ years now and what I advise is a revolver for the 'average' person who does not want to invest in the 4 to 5 times as much training time and practice time needed to learn how to be proficient with a Semi Auto compared to the revolver, and that would pertain to about 90+% of those I have taught. To learn the 'immediate action drills' for all the possible stoppages with a SA REQUIRES a lot of training and practice. Not to mention I have never had a student try and put a round or magazine in backwards in a revolver. I have questioned MANY people who carry SA about what they would do if their guns goes CLICK instead of BANG and the majority do not even know the basic 'tap and rack'!!! Even with all the cops I have trained (15+ years as a pistol and shot gun instructor for the PD before I retired) it is a chore to get and keep them up to 'speed' with a SA. Just my opinion, hope it helped! To answer your question, on duty I carry a S&W M&P 2.0 Compact, off duty a S&W Shield, and around the 'farm' my trusty old SP 101. But if I find myself in need of a 'hot weather' gun I will, at times, pocket carry a S&W 642,For your EDC why did you choose a Revolver or Semi-Auto, or do you rotate between the two?
So true... Took my wife to the range a few times when I first got her into firearms. All the guns functioned perfectly, so I never gave it a second thought.. That was until the Ruger LC9s was malfunctioning left and right, and I then realized how much trouble she'd be in if a malfunction happened during the one in millions chance she'd have to even fire one shot let alone dozens...I have been teaching a BASIC ARMED SELF DEFENSE (civilian) class for about 35+ years now and what I advise is a revolver for the 'average' person who does not want to invest in the 4 to 5 times as much training time and practice time needed to learn how to be proficient with a Semi Auto compared to the revolver, and that would pertain to about 90+% of those I have taught. To learn the 'immediate action drills' for all the possible stoppages with a SA REQUIRES a lot of training and practice. Not to mention I have never had a student try and put a round or magazine in backwards in a revolver. I have questioned MANY people who carry SA about what they would do if their guns goes CLICK instead of BANG and the majority do not even know the basic 'tap and rack'!!! Even with all the cops I have trained (15+ years as a pistol and shot gun instructor for the PD before I retired) it is a chore to get and keep them up to 'speed' with a SA. Just my opinion, hope it helped! To answer your question, on duty I carry a S&W M&P 2.0 Compact, off duty a S&W Shield, and around the 'farm' my trusty old SP 101. But if I find myself in need of a 'hot weather' gun I will, at times, pocket carry a S&W 642,
I have been teaching a BASIC ARMED SELF DEFENSE (civilian) class for about 35+ years now and what I advise is a revolver for the 'average' person who does not want to invest in the 4 to 5 times as much training time and practice time needed to learn how to be proficient with a Semi Auto compared to the revolver, and that would pertain to about 90+% of those I have taught. To learn the 'immediate action drills' for all the possible stoppages with a SA REQUIRES a lot of training and practice. Not to mention I have never had a student try and put a round or magazine in backwards in a revolver. I have questioned MANY people who carry SA about what they would do if their guns goes CLICK instead of BANG and the majority do not even know the basic 'tap and rack'!!! Even with all the cops I have trained (15+ years as a pistol and shot gun instructor for the PD before I retired) it is a chore to get and keep them up to 'speed' with a SA. Just my opinion, hope it helped! To answer your question, on duty I carry a S&W M&P 2.0 Compact, off duty a S&W Shield, and around the 'farm' my trusty old SP 101. But if I find myself in need of a 'hot weather' gun I will, at times, pocket carry a S&W 642,