Getting Old Sux

[Gunmeister]

Some of you will understand my problem, others may find it a bit humerous.
As the title of this thread indicates, "Getting Old Sux". As I age, approaching 70, I find that carrying my favorite "heavy" guns is no longer an option. I have carried legally for about 10 years and illegally for about 40 years before that. I have always had large caliber, heavy handguns, i.e. Colt 1911 GI service type, S&W 686, Ruger SP101 and the like. I have always carried IWB but now my doctor tells me that the weight of a heavy pistol carried IWB and having to cinch my belt down to support such weapons is reducing blood flow to my legs causing pain in the hip and legs. Wearing outside the pants in a belt holster won't work because I can't always wear a jacket to hide the gun (Florida's hot most of the time).
I have a really nice Kahr MK40 elite that is also too heavy. After a lifetime of carrying fine firearms and at a time in my life that I'm too old to run from a BG and too old to fight the SOB, I have to stand my ground and rely on my pistol to protect my wife and I, and the Doc says don't carry.
In my opinion it's worse for my health NOT to carry than TO carry. So I am relagated to carrying the smallest gun in my tiny arsenal, a Kel-Tec P32. To be honest, I don't feel adequatly protected. It has 8 rounds, the one in the pipe and the top one in the magazine are Speer Gold Dot HP's the remaining six are FMJ to prevent rim lock. I have smoothed her innards and lubed it properly and it runs reliably so that's not a problem. I still have good eyesight and shoot my guns frequently and I am a reasonably good shot.
Am I just paranoid and not confident in the .32acp cartridge? Or do I have a genuine reason to be concerned? As the years went by I never had cause to pull my gun but my fear is now that I'm getting older, there are BG's out there who prey on old folks and I want to surprise the SOB if chooses me as a target. Will a well placed group of 8 .32acp's do the job or should I put up with sore legs and carry the Kahr .40cal? Comments?
Getting Old Sux!!!!

 

[Hal]

Getting Old Sux!!!!Comments?

Wrong my friend - getting old has been a ball - being old is a different story ( I ache in places I didn't even have PLACES last year)- - and I'm only 52.

BTW - Welcome to The High Road

8 rounds of .32acp beats a sharp stick any day of the week. Sad fact is, that even a .32acp is going to be more than a BG is going to want to deal with and they'll beat feet for easier pickings. (ie: another senior that's unarmed).

 

[Gunmeister]

Hi HAL, Getting old for you may have been a ball for you and it was for me at 52 when everything worked but let's see how you feel 18 years from now at 70 (LOL)
Thanks for the welcome, my son told me about this forum and said it was full of good old boys and gals. I look forward to being a meaningful contributor and will refrain from being a curmudgeon.

 

[shooter58]

Funny, I was just recently discussing the same basic problems with a buddy. I'm 60 and have noticed that I just am not comfortable carrying as heavy a gun as I used to. One solution I found is one you might want to look into.
I carry a Kel-tec P11 in 9mm. With one in the spout, I have 11 rounds of 9mm hollowpoint. I polished the ramp and throated the barrel. It feeds anything I want to put through it.
I took one additional step...I ordered the little side clip from the factory. I now just slip it inside my waistband with the clip over the waistband of my pants. The gun is light enough that I can forget it's there, yet rides very secure. This mode also works well in warm weather as I can use it with shorts and a t-shirt. It is just undetectable. Look into it. Good luck.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

First off Gunmeister let me join my friend Hal in
welcoming you to The High Road. Its really a great
place to come for firearms knowlege, wild stories,
and damn good people. Lots of good information lies
within these threads; as contributed by folks with a
vast amount of experience.

Now, as to the .32 ACP? I've never owned one myself,
but I have talked to people that have. Although none
of them were Kel-Tec owners; as they seemd to like
the small Beretta TomCat a litle better. I think for an
up close and personal firearm, the .32 ACP loaded
with W-W Silvertips would serve in a CCW capacity
well. Certainly, it would be very easy to conceal.
And with a TomCat, one could make an arguement
as a like for an "always gun".

My personal choice for an "always gun" has been,
and continues to be a NAA .22 magnum with the
1-1/8" barrel. With five rounds of .22 magnum
firepower, its a comforting thought to know its
always at hand.

PS: Yes, growing old has its ups and downs! I
will be 57 next month; and I find myself down
more than I do up. Just thankful to be here
after that near fatal MVA on 16 March 1998.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[pax]

Gunmeister,

That does stink.

If it were me, I'd probably trade the P-32 in for a P-3AT. The two guns are almost exactly the same size and weight, but the .380 is just a leetle bit more powerful than the .32. The price for that trade off is that the .380 carries 6+1 rounds instead of the 7+1 of the P-32. To my thinking, the .380 is enough more powerful to make the trade worth it, but YMMV.

Either way, carrying an extra mag or two is a really good idea.

pax

You know you're getting old when the candles cost more than the cake. -- Bob Hope

 

[4v50 Gary]

I use to carry a 6" heavy barrel revolver, metal flashlight & baton and now I've gone lightweight. Getting old is learning to cope with the changing body and not exceeding new limitations.

 

[XLMiguel]

Welcome to THR, sir. I hope you will have a ball sharing, learning & teaching here.

Re: proper armament, the conventional wisdom and doctrine is that shot placement is more important than caliber, as most would agree that a .32 in the eye will stop a fight quicker than a .45 in the toe. That being said, there is also validity to the notion that BG's bleed faster from bigger holes than smaller. You said you still have good eyesight and practice regularly, it sounds like you can put them where you need to, so a .32 will probably do, but I can undersand your desire to do better than 'propbably'.

I think you have half your answer in your armory - Have you considered replacing Kahr .40 with a PM-9? Polymer frame, stainless slide, 7 rnds of 9mm in a package only slightly larger & heavier than your Keltc. +P rated. Small enough to be a comfy pocket gun, but maybe also light enough with a kydex holster to let you get back to carrying on your belt. YNK, my $.02

FWIW, I have a Beretta Tomcat that I grab for quick runs to the grocery, etc., and I feel adequately armed.

BTW, we do have a few staff crumudgeons here, I'm sure you'll figure them out after you've been here a while. Most of the grousing is issue-driven, but somethimes we find a bit of social obsevation/prognostication from a more 'geezerly perspective'

 

[Gunmeister]

You guys are great, I am pleased that I found this forum.
I sincerely appreciate each and every comment.
Yes Mike, I have considered a polymer version of the Kahr but hate like the devil to part with my Kahr MK40 Elite, she has polished slide and frame with Hogue wood grips and is just down right nice to look at. On a fixed income, new guns are a rare comodity and I'd have to sell my MK40 to get close. Gun shops around these parts are a rip off and won't give you beans for your trade in regardless of condition. Every dealer starts out with, "well I can't allow you any more than what I could buy one like this from the wholesale distributor" Even if your about to trade against a $1200 Kimber on which he will probably realize a profit of $400 to $500 they won't allow you beans for your gun. But after they get your gun you should see the price they ask for it, worse than used car dealers.
Newspapers in Sarasota won't accept ads for hand guns anymore since one of them got sued for acting as an agent in connection with a gun that was bought through their want ads and used the day the perp bought it to murder someone. The judge found for the plaintif and the newspaper had to pay. So they no longer accept want ads for guns which leaves hobbiests like me at the mercy of unscrupulous local dealers. These same dealers charge anywhere from $30 to $40 plus shipping to do a transfer if you buy a piece via the internet.
Time to jump down off my soap box.
Thanks again for the welcome and good advice.

 

[P95Carry]

Gunmeister .... another welcome for you! I am a mere three weeks away from 59 (ouch) tho I guess to you I am still ''young varmint'' category! Indeed, getting older sux .. things bodily keep screaming out .. ''hey, back off .. easy - slow down a bit''!!

Always too that feeling of - ''If only I knew then - what I know now'' .... etc.!!

Oh well ..... as for ''curmudgeon.'' factors ... fear not .. there are quite a few of us ... but for the most part practice (try to) a morsel of restraint .... sometimes!

Hope you enjoy - I think I can tell straight off .... you will ..... and already are!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dang .. clear forget to address the carry matter! In fact Hard to come up with a solution per se ..... but would suggest considering P3AT as a replacement for P32. The IWB advice should I think be heeded ... but somehow still find an answer.

Not sure if SmartCarry has been suggested .... just another option that might help.

 

[Johnny Guest]

Another welcome aboard - -

Gunmeister. Hope you contribute often. I fully empathize with your packin' problem, being but a few years younger than you.

Several years ago, I began having problems with hip and leg numbness, carrying a pistol IWB. Now I usually carry in a belt slide or a smaller handgun in a pocket holster.

Unless I wear pants with really spacious pockets, I find that a Colt Agent or an S&W model 37 are the best compromises of power and compactness available. I use a DeSantis Nemesis model pocket holster in the front pocket of khaki or chino pants.

Best of luck - -
Johnny

 

[Brian Williams]

Suspenders...

Go to The firingline.com and do a search for C. R. Sam, someone who can carry a brace of N frames and has been described as a skinny Santa

 

[Atticus]

Hello Gunmeister. How's life in Sarasota these days? I used to live down there. The warm sunshine sounds kind of appealing about now. Have you considered a Bersa .380? Seems like about everyone is selling them at or below $200 these days. Gander Mtn .was running a special last week at $179.

 

[dairycreek]

Hello Gunmeister!!!!

Glad to see another "senior citizen" [a term I have come to loathe] on board. I'm 67 and toting a heavy gun is not for me either. I carry a S&W 386 which is a 7-shot TiScan in .357 (or 38 special if you choose) and carry it with an IWB clip holster by FIST. The 386 weighs in at about 18oz. "dry" and is a pure pleasure to carry. Don't have to cinch the belt down so that it is tight and uncomfortable. It is true that, shooting 357, in a TiScan results in pretty stout recoil. But, 38 and 38+P are IMHO easy to handle and, with a little practice, one can get downright competent with the 386.

A personal word about the Kel-tec P11 in 9mm. I often carry this pistol with the side clip that you can get with it from Kel-tec. Just stick it in the waistband of whatever you are wearing (pants, sweats, even shorts) and it too is a very comfortable, reliable carry option. And, IMHO, 10 + 1 of 9mm is not a bad option.

Just remember that getting old ain't for sissies!!! Good shooting

 

[Gunmeister]

Hi ATTICUS, weather here is great, little rain today but in the high 70's and low 80's. I'm a rare native Floridian so I'm spoiled to warm weather.
I put my beloved Kahr MK40 Elite up for sale or trade in the Buy, Sell, Trade column. Hated to do it but need something lighter. Looking for a Kahr PM9 or a S&W Airlight or Airweight revolver.

 

[Gunmeister]

DAIRYCREEK, Loved that statement "Getting Old Ain't For Sissies" so true.
Everyone here has been so polite and helpful, I really appreciate every single post, Thanks very much.

 

[Smoke]

Welcome. Since several members have suggested stepping up to the .380, may I suggest this thread here

Several nice examples.

I'm a wee little lad of 38.... But I always liked a curmudgeon.

Smoke

 

[Moparmike]

I realize that concealing this might be a bear, but have you considered a shoulder holster? It will be easier on your body, I would think.

Besides, you shouldnt have a problem concealing that with all the large Hawaiian shirts you old farts wear...

 

[Gunmeister]

Yep, I'm an old REDNECK fart, wouldn't be caught dead in a Haywhyan shirt. I'm still in fair shape and my uniform is still Levis, T-shirts and deck shoes with NO socks. You'll never see this old fart in plaid pants pulled up so high his nuts are hanging over on one side . You'll never see me in shorts with black socks and dress shoes either (LOL) or a T shirt that says Florida all over it
Wouldn't be caught dead in a MOPAR either sonny, Ford rules in this neck of the woods.
I thought about a shoulder holster but then I'd have to wear one of them God-awful flowery shirts that you yankee tourists like to wear when you invade us. .
By the way, a Kel-Tec P32 fits right in the watch pocket of your Levis. For you youngsters, the watch pocket is that little pocket over your right front pocket. Years ago, cowboys, real rednecks and people who worked for a living carried pocket watches in that little pocket you carry your change in.
Love all your comments, keep 'em comin' Thanks.

 

[JohnKSa]

The Winchester Silvertips seem to be very reliable in the P32 pistols. That would give you a step up from the FMJ rounds you're using.

My wife carries a P32. It's not my first choice, but she likes it and ALWAYS carries it. I've not found anything else that she will commit to carrying yet. Hers has never choked on a Silvertip.

 

[Old Dude]

Two months shy of 60

Fairly new to handgunning (took a basic handgun class in October, carry class last month--and waiting for my carry permit). I guess I don't have the problem of weight since my handguns are all Glocks (17, 19, 21--the odd-number starter set).

I hate it when doctors preface any comment with, "Well, at your age..."

 

[P95Carry]

Hey Old Dude ..... welcome to THR (and the inner sanctum of the Curmudgeons!)

Glad you have your CCW on the way ..

 

[M1911]

I agree that getting old sucks, but you've got to admit, it does beat the alternative.

 

[Old Dude]

I work as the greeter at a big city welfare office. People walk in, and I am supposed to tell them where to go. How can you beat that--getting paid to tell folks where to go? Anyhow, the sign behind my desk says: "The Old Dude." No name--just The Old Dude.

Glad to be here. And you are right, getting old ain't much fun, but being dead is even less fun.

 

[cslinger]

Well I am a dowright wipper snapper compared to some and probably have quite a bit less wisdom than most but here is my two cents.

I have a bunch of guns that I can and do carry (legally, or course). Everything from a SIG P220ST, the finest combat handgun ever designed, but I digress, to a whole series of small compact semi autos.

All that being said do you know what my most carried handgun is and the one that is at my side as we speak..................a Smith and Wesson Lady Smith M60 J Frame. Ok I will give everyone a moment to make a few jokes at my expense. Got that out of your systems? Good

I really think a light weight snub nosed revolver is the ultimate civi carry gun. I don't like the uber light weight scandium, magically light guns but the Airweights rock and at 15 - 18 oz they are forgettable in a pocket. You get 5 rounds of a very potent defensive caliber and as a rule rock solid reliability. They are also instantly recognizable by a bad guy and let 4 of your evil little hollowpoint look back at him. They are easy to unload for for the mandatory wipe down at the end of the day, safe, lawyer resistent and easy for someone else to use if need be.

8 rounds of .32 is nothing to scoff at especially if a few of them are in the face but a 5 shot .38 or .357 revolver is just about the perfect mix of power and utility as far as I am concerned.......even if it doesn't say SIG on the side of it.

That is my story and I am sticking to it.

Yeah I keep my Ladysmith in my purse too. Ha ha.

Chris