"Carry Everyday" Gun.

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BoomStick82

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As I read more and more about CCWing and carrying all the time. It seems that the small frame, 5-shot .357 magnum revolver is what most choose. I have been comparing size and firepower of these guns to the subcompact Glock pistols (G26 and 27). I tend to wear baggier clothing (not huge and falling off me, but definitely a looser fit), but I do tend to like wearing shorts, especially in the warmer weather. I would want to carry the revolver and 2-4 speed strips, or the Glock and one spare magazine. Any comments?

BoomStick82
 
My lean is towards a revolver, with my S&W 642 tops and the S&W 13 and 65 right below it on the list. And that is the list. I like my 642 because it is light and small, with a speed strip I feel comfortable. I would rather carry my 13 or 65 but the 642 is so light.
 
Many folks carry a J frame because its all they can get away with, or for convenience sake.


The Glocks are pretty thick. The J frames are harder to master. You just have to practice and arrive at your own conclusion.
 
+1 on the 642. It's an excellent choice.

I split the difference between a J-frame and a Glock and went with a Kel-Tec P-11. One inch in width, 20 ounces loaded, 10+1 rounds of 9mm. It works for me in an IWB holster.

Regards,
Dirty Bob
 
it really depends on personal preference.

personally, i carry an automatic (springfield XD .40 or XD 9 Subcompact, occasionally bersa .380).

Carrying the XD SC, i like the thought of 10+1 in the gun plus an additional 15/16 round mag in the pocket.
Sure, the statistics say the average firearms encounter involves less than 5 shots. I don't like to play the averages. I'd rather have the greater capacity without the worry about reloading. Also, i think the autos reload faster/easier. just personal preference, though.
 
I'm with "Dirty" Bob

I'm with Dirty Bob. I also carry a P11 with it's lightweight, 10+1 capacity straight from the factory, 4140 arsenal grade barrel, extractor, and ejector (I'm forgetting another high quality steel part here, time for a another review of the owner's manual!). To those who say "The 9mm Luger is too weak for self-defense" I must counter that is the exact reason I carry one, it is the strongest cartridge I as a beginning shooter am confident I can shoot and "place your shots" to do some damage.

What's my favorite line from the "Dirty Harry" movies? "A man has to know his limitations."

Thank you, "Dirty" Bob, for telling me the awful burden I must carry with my P11 and it's high impact polymer frame loaded with 11 rounds of JHPs! 20 ounces? I'll take it.
 
Started with a Glock 19; got a S&W 37; and now, a Keltec P3AT.

The 19 gets carried in a paddle holster but its heft get more cumbersome for me the longer I carry it. Still the preferred way to go in jacket weather. The J-frame is a pocket carry piece when the paddle holster is too obvious. Recently added the P3AT! This one gets carried along with the house & car keys whenever I'm awake...somewhat like a .380 keychain:D
 
J frames

The 642 is popular in this role - I carry a 637-2: +P .38, in a Kramer pocket holster or a Kramer paddle holster. This is my most common everyday carry piece; for something smaller I use a Keltec .380, for something more I carry a Kimber Ultra CDP II in an IWB by Milt Sparks.

I also have Glocks: 26 and 17; Springfield XDs in 9mm compact and .40 fullsize; full size custom 1911; CZ-75 compact in 9mm - all with holster options for carry

but currently it is the 3 I mentioned, depending on what I am wearing and where I am going. By far the most frequent is the .38 snubbie.
 
My everyday all the time carry is a khar p9 in an iwb , for special occations i drag out a kahr pm9 and other carry methods depending on dress , I do like the mag interchangability between the everyday and the compact .
 
Over time, the 642 has become the de facto weapon of choice for me. When weather/attire allow, I prefer a 1911. But when you absolutely, positively must have a sidearm, it's hard to beat a J-frame revolver (especially the lightweights) for concealment, comfort of carry, and reliability.

The 642 (and similar revolvers) can be carried in a pocket holster, IWB, tuckable, OWB, ankle holster, fanny pack, etc., etc.
 
I've never found the J frames hard to master,but I've been shooting them for over 40 years so that may have something to do wih it.:) I sometimes carry a pre lock Mod 60 in 357 with 2 1/8 in bbl,when nothing else will do,usually IWB appendix. Most of the time tho,a quick frisk would reveal a G19 or G26 on my hip.
Knocking around town in the summer time at Home Depot,etc.,in shorts and tennis shoes the little J frame is fine.
 
First off, don't let anyone tell you that you have to carry a revolver, automatic, .45, .44, .357, 90mm recoiless rifle....Any reliable (the key word is reliable) handgun in a caliber of .38 special or larger with modern expanding ammunition will serve you well.

Secondly, choose whatever weapon you handle the best and are most comfortable with.

You have to balance your choice of weapon with your lifestyle. You may have to dress around the gun. If that isn't possible because of dress requirements at work you may have to make some compromises.

I carry a Model 36 J frame in a pocket holster in my weak side front pants pocket all the time. When I leave the house I carry a Colt MKIV Series 70 GM in a Blade Tech IWB. This works for me. It may not work for anyone else. The key is finding out what works for you.

Jeff
 
I used to worry and stress and give lots of thought to this.

Then I bought a Kel Tec P3AT and I don't think about it anymore at all.
 
I always have a 32NAA with desantis pocket holster as a first choice just because it goes into the pocket easy.Beyond that mid size glocks or kimbers in paddle holsters depending on the cover clothes.
 
I don't have an every day carry gun but I almost always have two. Well that is not true as I carry a gun on my key chain but that does not count.

I really depends on if I am going to be in a town or not and how I am dressed.

The less capable my primary the more capable my backup is going to be.

My left hand gun will always be a centenial, either a .442 or a 640. and it rides in a front pocket. My right hand gun depends on alot of factors dicated by will I be in the country or a town and if I have an outer cover or not.

If only a T-Shirt I will carry a 3 inch custom J-Frame in a hipgrip with novakish custom made sights. If there is any form of jacket I carry either a CZ-75 or M-19 for town and if in the woods an M-19. Now if I ever move to where I want to live the country gun could become an M-29
 
I started off with a .38 Special Airweight Smith 642. Fun little gun, but emphasis on little. Kicks like a mule, and with .38 +P loads in it I'd swear I'm not even using the gun. Just gripping the rounds and squeezing the primers until they go off in my hand. I once tried to put a hundred round thru in succession. Make my hand and wrist sting.

Then I played with a .357 Smith 640. All steel gun, bit more mass, but still smallish, at least for me and my long fingers. 110 Magnums aren't bad to shoot thru it, and the performance whether one likes gelatin or statistics is darned good. Full power 125s and 158s are close to unmanageable, but it makes a helluva racket on an indoor range and scares everyone good. For giggles I like to occasionally bang some 180 grain loads thru it. People around me just stop shooting.

These days, and for the past 7+ years, I've been carrying a Glock 23. I'm 6-1 and 190, I wear untucked shirts, and I carry IWB. Unless someone comes up and hugs me, they don't know I'm carrying.

I've been toying with the idea of a Kahr P40. Little thinner, but I still haven't made the leap.

None of this much matters though because what works for me may not work for you, and vice versa.
 
RE: being "made" with a hug, I went to appendix carry and stopped worrying about it. Now the only things someone can find with a hug are the cell phone and knife pouch (with a spare mag hidden in it). Even a slight forward lean protects the gun from being bumped.

I had considered the P-3AT, but I'm able to carry a P-11 concealed all day, even under a tucked shirt if need be, so I decided not to step down to .380 ACP. If a P3AT was all I could hide, though, I would not feel all that undergunned. I see .380 as my absolute "floor" caliber, though.

Ken: I love all-steel or all stainless snubbies! Very shootable, and not hard to carry in an IWB holster. The .38+Ps aren't any big deal in a 20 ounce revolver (though I have NOT tried .357 in one! :eek: ), especially compared with the lightweights. Have you tried an SP-101? Some claim that it's the smallest .357 that's truly shootable with 125s. I haven't tried one, myself.

Some good information in this thread. Thanks to all. The civil, rational and helpful discussions here are why I keep coming back to THR.

Regards,
Dirty Bob
 
Mod. 60 .38 Special in a good pocket holster works for Me. The 21/2" 66 tends to stay at home..........Essex
 
My primary carry is sort of an odd-ball gun. I have an Auto Ordnance Pit Bull, which is basically a 1911 with a full size frame and an officers size slide. Easy to fit in the waistband or I have a paddle holster for it.

Sometimes, when I am feeling like hauling around a heavier piece, I carry my S&W model 28 in a pancake holster with a baggy shirt.
 
Concealing has a lot to do with each individual's body type/build. My carry setup is a full size 1911 in a Galco holster w/FBI cant. Cant lays the handle right along my rib cage seemlessly. I also have a Blade Tech 2 mag carrier on my weak side. I can go as simple as a T-shirt and not have any printing unless I bend over far enough for the grip to protrude from my body. When your concious of it, you naturally make allowances for it.

My $.02
JV
 
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