Relying on a vintage handgun for SD/EDC.

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I don't mind occasionally carrying one of my vintage guns, but I readily admit it serves no purpose other than nostalgia.

My 1903 Colt or Walther PP are just as reliable and effective as they ever were but they're bigger, heavier, and have lower power and round count than my LCP Max.
 
Oldest I've carried is my dad's Charter Arms Undercover 38, made in the same year in which I was born, 1966. I don't carry it often because of the whole post-usage seizure concern, just when he's on my mind more.
 
My wife carries a Commander-sized Star Super 9x19. It was made in 1955.

She has a Ruger LCP, but though the Star is bigger and heavier, it's easier for her to rack the slide, the recoil isn't as bad, and she's a better shot with it.

My secondary EDC is a CZ-52 made in 1954. It's actually a tiny bit larger and heavier than a 5", steel 1911. Sellier & Bellot 7.62x25 is no joke; 90 grain hollow points at 1,650 FPS kick about as hard as .45 hardball.
 
Something else to consider, that vintage firearm is more than likely going to be seized as evidence in the event of a self defense shooting. Even if the shooting is deemed justified, it may take a long time and lots of red tape to get your firearm back. Not a problem if your vintage gun is something you picked up at a pawn shop, ran some rounds through, and got a holster for it. Different story if the gun has been in your family a few generations and now its going to a police evidence locker.
 
Something else to consider, that vintage firearm is more than likely going to be seized as evidence in the event of a self defense shooting. Even if the shooting is deemed justified, it may take a long time and lots of red tape to get your firearm back. Not a problem if your vintage gun is something you picked up at a pawn shop, ran some rounds through, and got a holster for it. Different story if the gun has been in your family a few generations and now its going to a police evidence locker.
I hear this quite a bit and I have mixed feelings about that. Reliability can and will be challenged, the the type of choice as in model would be questioned! I wouldn’t want anything with WW2 German Markings on a carry gun, just saying. I also think that in the big scheme of things a few hundred dollars lost would be a welcomed loss over insane legal fees. If you have more modern options and still choose a 100 year old gun I am not sure how that would play out! If it’s your only gun that’s one thing. In a perfect world it’s nobody’s business but we all know it’s not a perfect world.
 
I hear this quite a bit and I have mixed feelings about that. Reliability can and will be challenged, the the type of choice as in model would be questioned! I wouldn’t want anything with WW2 German Markings on a carry gun, just saying. I also think that in the big scheme of things a few hundred dollars lost would be a welcomed loss over insane legal fees. If you have more modern options and still choose a 100 year old gun I am not sure how that would play out! If it’s your only gun that’s one thing. In a perfect world it’s nobody’s business but we all know it’s not a perfect world.

Wasn't really pointing out the high cost of legal fees associated with DGU. Just the chance of losing and never recovering a sentimental or other personal value firearm. My wife has a Colt that was bought in the 20s by her great-grandmother. She wants to carry it but the chances of losing it as part of a defensive shooting is very high, so I convinced her to carry a similar, easier to replace firearm. That just happens to fit the same holster.
 
I have no desire to see one of my "decent guns" end up as evidence.

I also - wimpy as it may sound - have no desire to own something I used to take a human life - should it ever come down to that.
Of course, that might also go the other way. I do cherish the FIE GT380 that was my companion in the store I worked at that was in an area with a horrible crime rate. I never had to use it, but, it was there for me.
So there is that possibility...
 
Wasn't really pointing out the high cost of legal fees associated with DGU. Just the chance of losing and never recovering a sentimental or other personal value firearm. My wife has a Colt that was bought in the 20s by her great-grandmother. She wants to carry it but the chances of losing it as part of a defensive shooting is very high, so I convinced her to carry a similar, easier to replace firearm. That just happens to fit the same holster.
I get sentimentality, I have a few that are as well. I was however pointing that there is a cost of a shooting beyond that of the handgun involved. It is kind of a game that we play, “what could be carried”
Vs. “What should be carried”. Like I said in a perfect world it should not matter.
 
I have carried my model 1926 smith 44 special and my 1934 Mauser 32ACP. Also my1911 Colt 45 that was carried by my uncle in WWI and my father in WWII.
 
"Yep that's the one - only mine is blued."

I owned one back around 1990. I think they're based on the Beretta 1934. The one above is a frankengun.
 
too many to list all of them but I will through out a few of my favorite carry pistols pre 80s era designs...

Makarov PM
Tokarev (all variations including the double stack) 9mm, 38 Super, 7.62x25
Vintage Charter Undercover (snubnose) 38special
Mauser HSC 32acp
Galesi 25acp
CZ82 9x18
CZ70 32acp
Hi-power
1911
 
My wife has a Colt that was bought in the 20s by her great-grandmother. She wants to carry it but the chances of losing it as part of a defensive shooting is very high, so I convinced her to carry a similar, easier to replace firearm. That just happens to fit the same holster.
Agree, for EDC wouldn't want to risk it, but (and I'm speaking for myself and my lifestyle) I would certainly consider carrying something like that on a special occasion.
EG I wouldn't hesitate to carry an heirloom like that to my brother's house for Thanksgiving.
 
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