Carrying a gun you like.

[Bazoo]

I see this trend here a lot. Folks say I love my revolver, it looks good, it shoots good, I prefer to shoot it, but I carry an automatic.

I’ll buck the trend.

I once was in this crowd too. I carried a Glock 22, but I shot my revolver. Then I carried a 1911 but shot my revolver. Then I finally just started carrying the gun I like, a single action revolver.

I never trained to be a gunfighter anyways, so I might as well be happy.

 

[BreechFace]

I see this trend here a lot. Folks say I love my revolver, it looks good, it shoots good, I prefer to shoot it, but I carry an automatic.

I’ll buck the trend.

I once was in this crowd too. I carried a Glock 22, but I shot my revolver. Then I carried a 1911 but shot my revolver. Then I finally just started carrying the gun I like, a single action revolver.

I never trained to be a gunfighter anyways, so I might as well be happy.

Good for you. Carry what you want.


For me it comes down to I'm carrying what I can shoot well, is comfortable and concealable. Is it the gun I'm most accurate with, no; but plenty accurate. But I would hate to carry the pistol I'm most accurate with around it's thicker, about twice the weight and 2/3 the capacity.

 

[Kleanbore]

Try your gun in realistic defensive training drills and then decide.

 

[21H40]

Part of the equation for me is understanding that if the gun gets used then it will be held by the police for a while. I don't want to risk my pistols with personality or history becoming "lost."

I carry a Glock, and I like it fine. If necessary, I can buy another just like it someday.

 

[Craig_AR]

You might consider taking a true handgun self defense class (not a basic CCW class) using your SA revolver. No matter what you carry, whether revolver (SA or DA), SA semi-auto (e.g. 1911, etv.), or striker semi-auto (e.g. Glock, etc.) , if you have not trained for using it from holster draw (and usually concealment) you will be surprised at how slow you are likely to be in responding to an immediate threat.
For 15 years I carried a DAO snubby revolver, and felt safe because I was armed.
Once I began with the proper training I realized that in the most likely situations of deadly threat. I was carrying a rabbits' foot, not a rapidly deployable weapon.
For some perspective on the topic, dropping $25 for Tom Givens' book Concealed Carry Class to read is about the best prep available. To supplement that, Massad Ayoob's Deadly Force is the perfect companion.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

10mm 1911 and my SBH 44 Mag. If im hiking with a long gun. I'll for go the SBH.

 

[Old Dog]

I hadn't noticed this "trend." Not sure it has as much to do with liking a particular platform as it does with today's reality -- the perceived need for greater ammunition capacity in a carry handgun.

I never trained to be a gunfighter anyways, so I might as well be happy.

Do you at least train in defensive use of a handgun?

Part of the equation for me is understanding that if the gun gets used then it will be held by the police for a while. I don't want to risk my pistols with personality or history becoming "lost."

Funny, while I was typing I wondered how many posts it would take before this concept came up. Four posts -- is that a new THR record? Most of the equation for me is carrying a firearm that I shoot the best. As most of us here tend to note with frequency, the fact that the gun you used is sitting in an evidence locker at your local PD or SO will be the very least of your concerns.

 

[WrongHanded]

I went the other way, and forced myself to like the ugly plastic gun with a grip like a 2x4. But now I'm carrying a gun I like, that I shoot well.

 

[crstrode]

Part of the equation for me is understanding that if the gun gets used then it will be held by the police for a while. I don't want to risk my pistols with personality or history becoming "lost."

On two separate and unrelated occasions, two revolvers of mine spent some time in a police evidence locker. Got them both back. Better yet, the "other folks" spent time in the hospital, the courtroom, and then in jail. Not so for me.

And I didn't spend a penny on lawyers or insurance.

 

[Bazoo]

I train with my gun in the sense that I practice drawing from concealment, but I don’t practice much else. I tried a few other things here and there, I don’t care for it. I’ve shot from my car, or using it as cover. I’ve tried el prez drills. I just don’t like that sort of stuff.

I like carrying a gun, I like my gun. I like shooting my gun. But I don’t like “training”, so I don’t do it.

I’ve always felt having a gun is enough, and then practicing a smooth draw and being proficient with manipulation, more than enough.

As far using it in a class against semi autos, I’d lose hands down.

I don’t carry a gun though because I’m a bad dude. I carry a gun because 1st I like guns and the feeling of security they offer. And 2nd, as a last resort for self defense.

 

[21H40]

Most of the equation for me is carrying a firearm that I shoot the best. As most of us here tend to note with frequency, the fact that the gun you used is sitting in an evidence locker at your local PD or SO will be the very least of your concerns.

It will be the least of my concerns for about 12 months, but after the more pressing concerns have been resolved it should move higher up the chain of priority

How do you decide which is "the best" for your shooting? I've got a 22 revolver that I shoot a little better than my CCW, so I should switch?

I add lots of other variables into my equation of what I carry. Things like reliability, resistant to sweat in summer, and the ability to draw and fire with winter gloves are all PART of what I look at.

 

[JeffG]

I've worn my Glocks in two calibers. On the street that's what I am going to wear. Having said that, I love my single action Vaqueros. When I step off the pavement, I usually ADD a Vaquero to my belt, the Glock slides over.

As much as I like my SA guns, current defensive guns are my minimum floor for gear, for out in the world. It only changes when me and Pat Garrett go squirrel hunting.

 

[film495]

something about variety keeps my mind fresh about what I'm doing and why and IMHO keeps you a bit sharper, even though in drills one might perform better on that day, by that shooter, in that scenario. I switch around based on activity, from an NAA Mini to a full size 9mm with 15 round mags, and a bit of this and that in between. Next stop may be a .357 Revolver, but maybe .38, single action. Just want one, might carry it on some days, might not. Need to hit the LGS and fondle a few to see what feels right.

 

[Bazoo]

You might consider taking a true handgun self defense class (not a basic CCW class) using your SA revolver. No matter what you carry, whether revolver (SA or DA), SA semi-auto (e.g. 1911, etv.), or striker semi-auto (e.g. Glock, etc.) , if you have not trained for using it from holster draw (and usually concealment) you will be surprised at how slow you are likely to be in responding to an immediate threat.
For 15 years I carried a DAO snubby revolver, and felt safe because I was armed.
Once I began with the proper training I realized that in the most likely situations of deadly threat. I was carrying a rabbits' foot, not a rapidly deployable weapon.
For some perspective on the topic, dropping $25 for Tom Givens' book Concealed Carry Class to read is about the best prep available. To supplement that, Massad Ayoob's Deadly Force is the perfect companion.

I would like very much to read those books. Thank you for the suggestions. I have heard of the latter.


I would have some interest in a self defense class provided it was geared to making me better and not just encouraging me to use a semi auto.

 

[Bazoo]

I never am on the street, as in, the big city. I go to Walmart in our small town, and avoid the city like Louisville.

Since I work from home and am not involved with much town business, I estimate the most likely threat would be a home invasion.

 

[Bazoo]

Try your gun in realistic defensive training drills and then decide.

Every day I live is realistic, and I use my gun there. The reality is...I don’t need my gun for self defense in my daily life.

I carry my gun at home. So should the off chance that we have a home invasion happen, I’m ready.

Now should 3 bad guys get the drop on me while I’m pumping gas, it’s likely the kind of gun I carry will make no difference. It’s likely I’ll comply with their request for my wallet or car.

 

[TarDevil]

I don’t like “training”, so I don’t do it.
I’ve always felt having a gun is enough

Oh
My
Goodness

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

For a defensive (carry gun) performance is far more important than what you like.


That said, only you can assess and choose what's best for you.

I commend anyone who carries at all

 

[silicosys4]

I don't carry my most liked gun, that would be this one. Love it, but its been obsolete as a carry gun for about 40 years now.

I don't even carry the gun I shoot the best. It would be kind of ridiculous to lug this around:

I carry the gun I would be able to most effectively defend my life with if the situation arose, and I had to admit to myself at some point that I was hamstringing myself by not choosing and practicing with a more effective firearm. I don't "like" my carry gun. It starts with a "G", and IMO G stands for generic. However, it has qualities that make it the most effective tool I have for the job far above guns that I like to shoot far more.

No serious armed service, police force, or military uses revolvers any more, let along a single action.

 

[TarDevil]

I commend anyone who carries at all

Please forgive, but I must disagree.

Carrying when not proficient with the qualities required for successful self defense is a recipe for tragedy.

I would not recommend the OP drawing if compliance will get him home alive.

If he does draw, may the force be with him him.

 

[Kleanbore]

Every day I live is realistic, and I use my gun there.

Eh?

The reality is...I don’t need my gun for self defense in my daily life.

Don't, won't ever, or will accept whatever happens?

I carry my gun at home. So should the off chance that we have a home invasion happen, I’m ready.

Really?

Now should 3 bad guys get the drop on me while I’m pumping gas, it’s likely the kind of gun I carry will make no difference.

It's not so much the kind of gun you carry. Your skill in avoiding the need and your skill in using the gun are the important things.

I’ll comply with their request for my wallet or car.

That is often the right thing to do. And it may work.

 

[Craig_AR]

I would have some interest in a self defense class provided it was geared to making me better and not just encouraging me to use a semi auto

First... top notch from your earlier post that you have thought about it and do practice.
Now, for training with a revolver, Tom Givens does offer Rangemaster classes in Defensive Revolver. Read about the class here, clicking on Defense Revolver to top open the description that begins,

Some people simply prefer a wheelgun. For others the revolver may be mandated by job requirements. If you train others, you need to know how to run a revolver, so you can teach the skills to others. For all these reasons, we offer a one day course in the proper use of the double-action revolver, an art that is rapidly being lost.

Tom's EventBrite page shows that he is teaching the course on January 6 in Memphis!

Can you get there? Good luck.

 

[Kleanbore]

I’ve tried el prez drills. I just don’t like that sort of stuff....I don’t like “training”, so I don’t do it.

Whether you like it or not, being proficient in realistic training drills is about the only way to gain the proficiency necessary to survive an attack by violent criminal actors.

I’ve always felt having a gun is enough

Enough for what?

As far using it in a class against semi autos, I’d lose hands down.

What do you think would happen in a real encounter against semi-autos?

I would have some interest in a self defense class provided it was geared to making me better and not just encouraging me to use a semi auto.

The objective is to develop important defensive skills to give you a better chance to defend yourself. It may lead you to decide that carrying a semi-auto will give you better odds, as it dis me.

 

[WrongHanded]

...I don’t need my gun for self defense in my daily life.

What a foolish thing to say!

No one needs a gun to defend themselves....until they do!

It's like saying you don't need a fire extinguisher in your home because you don't have fires. But then saying that if you DO need to put out a fire, you have a bucket, and faucet to fill it at.

I too once fell into the trap of believing a single action revolver was just fine for self defense. Truth is, the criminal gets to choose where and when, so you start behind the action curve and they start ahead. A semi-auto pistol, with which you are very familiar (and have trained with), will give you a far better chance of catching up than a 6 shooter that is only as fast for the first shot.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Please forgive, but I must disagree.

Carrying when not proficient with the qualities required for successful self defense is a recipe for tragedy.

I would not recommend the OP drawing if compliance will get him home alive.

If he does draw, may the force be with him him.

I can get next to that sentiment.


But [almost] any gun is better than a sharp stick