"I Feel Comfortable with My...."

[Kleanbore]

When I started carrying a concealed firearm in 2008, I carried a 5-shot Model 642, in a jeans pocket. I felt "comfortable".

I knew how to shoot it reasonably well, but I knew next to nothing about self defense.

Now, I carry a 9mm pistol with an eight round magazine, in a good, accessible OWB holster. I can carry it all day without discomfort, but I would not say that I really "feel comfortable".

We hear often that someone "feels comfortable" carrying a particular firearm.

That may or may not be justified. Without giving the impression that we think that anyone else is better qualified to judge, I strongly suggest that everyone who believes his or her carry habit should really provide a feeling of "comfort" consider and challenge the assumptions that have led them to that conclusion.

Some thoughts:

• Has the person based his impressions on what he might encounter in the gravest extreme on his experience shooting slowly at a stationary target at the range, or on screen fiction in which the action is deliberately slowed so that the audience will not miss anything?
• Has the person ever tried drawing quickly while moving after having been ambushed, and firing within, say, a second and a half, as in a Tueller drill?
• Considering how quickly that situation might unfold, does the person believe that he would also be able of shoehorn the time need to perform a couple of reloads into that short time interval?
• Has the person really studied enough about handgun wounding effectiveness and the human anatomy to understand that two, three, or even more hits may not effect a timely physical stop, because none of the key internal "stop buttons" were hit, even though screen fiction or shooting at jugs of water might lead us to believe otherwise?
• Has the person concluded, for some reason, that if the perceived likelihood of an attack occurring may be very low, that tat is a basis for concluding that what would be needed to stop an attack, should it occur, would therefore be reduced?

It is likely, I think, that considering those things objectively might lead one to feel less comfortable carrying a five shot revolver or a tiny pocket pistol.

It should also make it clear that, absent the proper mindset and skill-set, no firearm should really make anyone "comfortable" by itself.

I have often emphasized the desirability of good defensive training. Not everyone can undertake that, and I would suggest looking at websites, such as that of I. C. E. PDN, for training videos, home study plans and materials, etc, that can help.

Why do I not feel "comfortable"? Well, I'm getting older and less fit, the wold around me is becoming more dangerous, and I know that my gun cannot make me safe.

I hope this proves useful.

 

[skoro]

Like you, I'm now an older "senior" who despite regular exercise, find my physical capabilities deteriorating.

Still, I continue to carry the same 642 that's occupied my front pocket for the past dozen years. Each of us has to evaluate our individual circumstances and prepare for the critical encounter we expect might develop some day. My 5 shot snub isn't ideal for many, but if I ever face a life-threatening confrontation, I won't be an unarmed victim. I don't feel "comfortable." I feel confident.

 

[earlthegoat2]

The very fact I feel the need to carry a gun makes me uncomfortable enough.

So to make sure I carry it all the time, I make sure it is comfortable.

 

[Kleanbore]

So to make sure I carry it all the time, I make sure it is comfortable.

Me too.

 

[Kleanbore]

Each of us has to evaluate our individual circumstances and prepare for the critical encounter we expect might develop some day.

One's individual circumstances may certainly influence the likelihood of an unlawful vilent attack, but I cannot see how they could define what "we might expect some day" in a manner that would enable us to prepare differently for it.

 

[unclenunzie]

Of late I have not been comfortable without a 9mm IWB, 10-15 rounds. I don't travel much but going into a mid size town for shopping I will sometimes add a pocket 9mm single stack. I like having the option of hand on gun in pocket. I suppose a J frame would fill that role (and has in the past) but the commonality of ammo is a point in favor of the pocket 9.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

It's been my experience that no handgun really feels like enough when you're defending yourself.

I don't know about "comfortable" but I feel adequately armed with a Glock 26 with a 12 round magazine.

 

[.38 Special]

Two separate issues, maybe. Physical comfort, and "emotional" comfort.

I'm "emotionally" comfortable carrying a K-frame .357 Magnum. I think it is an effective cartridge and I believe I am extraordinarily unlikely to get into the sort of fight which requires a dozen rounds.

Physically, it is comfortable enough, but not as comfortable as would be, say, a 340PD. But I can't hit with those things worth a damn, so back to "emotional" comfort.

My real source of discomfort is that I haven't had any hands-on combat training since all this Covid nonsense started. The best gun in the world isn't going to do me a bit of good if I can't get to it while I'm on my back being pummeled.

 

[somethingbenign]

The distinction needs to be made between physically comfortable and mentally comfortable. It is often a sliding scale where one comfort increases at the expense of the other. I would be most mentally comfortable wearing armor plates in a carrier with a rifle/shotgun slung but that is a bunch of weight and stuff to get in the way to go about my life. Physically comfortable is no gun (or pants if we are really getting cozy) at all. While I understand you mean the mental comfort I could see this getting into an argument over the two comforts.

Personally I don't think the gun should bring a level of comfort. Confidence in your ability, awareness, and situation is where comfort should be found, not the tools at hand exclusively.

 

[Kleanbore]

I'm "emotionally" comfortable carrying a K-frame .357 Magnum. I think it is an effective cartridge...

Terminal ballistics are overrated in measuring defensive "effectiveness".

I believe I am extraordinarily unlikely to get into the sort of fight which requires a dozen rounds

What kind of fight might that be?

How many shots, stated in terms of a reasonable range, would you expect to fire at one fast-moving attacker very rapidly in the time available, in order to have a high likelihood of stopping him timely?

How many of 'em do you want to be able to stop?

Personally I don't think the gun should bring a level of comfort. Confidence in your ability, awareness, and situation is where comfort should be found, not the tools at hand exclusively.

You can say that again!

 

[Old Dog]

I believe I am extraordinarily unlikely to get into the sort of fight which requires a dozen rounds.

Likely or not for me (although under some circumstances it could happen to me in a work-related situation), that is precisely the sort of fight that I will continue to plan for and train for. So that any fight that may be brief and/or not require multiple rounds fired would be more easily settled.

Like the guy in the classic flick Zombieland said, "Rule # 1: Cardio!" I do feel comfortable about my ability to run away really fast (not just for my age group, either) if need be; as we used to say, "Employing the Nike defense -- running like hell in the other direction."

I feel my situational awareness is still pretty keen, my marksmanship and tactics sound, my firearms training extensive and current, but with two wrecked shoulders, a bad wrist and a couple screwed up vertebrae (not to mention my eyes aren't what they used to be), I don't feel too awful comfortable anymore about the possibility of going hand-to-hand with anyone a lot younger or stronger than myself. I still hit the heavy bag and the speed bag (not the dojang anymore, sadly), but I keep in mind the immortal words of the legendary Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry: " ... and a good man's gotta know his limitations."

 

[Hangingrock]

I don't live in the past, thus in my seventh decade I realize, thus acknowledge my limitations. Avoidance of stupid people, places, and things is a theme that we practice 24/7. At this point I'm not limited in my physical activities. When you have acreage you have to maintain it, but it takes longer now. We reside adjacent to a recreation area which draws cross sections of the general population. Some times we encounter lost souls that need assistance in ascertaining their location and give them directions. So far no incidents worthy of mention. Yes we go armed with a S&W Shield 9X19mm and occasionally also a S&W M640 38 Spl. Being armed is for when all else fails! Also there is the realization if there is a confrontation it may not be your day.

 

[.38 Special]

Likely or not for me (although under some circumstances it could happen to me in a work-related situation), that is precisely the sort of fight that I will continue to plan for and train for. So that any fight that may be brief and/or not require multiple rounds fired would be more easily settled.

Like the guy in the classic flick Zombieland said, "Rule # 1: Cardio!" I do feel comfortable about my ability to run away really fast (not just for my age group, either) if need be; as we used to say, "Employing the Nike defense -- running like hell in the other direction."

I feel my situational awareness is still pretty keen, my marksmanship and tactics sound, my firearms training extensive and current, but with two wrecked shoulders, a bad wrist and a couple screwed up vertebrae (not to mention my eyes aren't what they used to be), I don't feel too awful comfortable anymore about the possibility of going hand-to-hand with anyone a lot younger or stronger than myself. I still hit the heavy bag and the speed bag (not the dojang anymore, sadly), but I keep in mind the immortal words of the legendary Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry: " ... and a good man's gotta know his limitations."

I will not argue with any man who is preparing as he sees fit.

For myself, I do not see a scenario where I can win a fight, outside of my home or business, against more than three or so attackers, if they all mean to win it themselves. In other words, in a street fight against three or more attackers, I may have a legitimate chance at perforating two of them. If that does not convince the rest of them to be somewhere else, then I am likely in trouble regardless of how many rounds are in my gun.

 

[.38 Special]

At any rate, it appears to me that the "typical" fight between a criminal and an innocent starts at contact range and is short, violent, and ugly. I anticipate needing to "earn my draw", as Michael Janich often puts it, by using unarmed force to buy space and time to get to my gun. That is much more of a concern to me than is anything to do with guns, cartridges, or what my trigger face looks like.

And again, my imaginary fight is not any more or less valid than anyone else's imaginary fight, so I won't argue or insult anyone else on the topic.

 

[Kleanbore]

For myself, I do not see a scenario where I can win a fight, outside of my home or business, against more than three or so attackers, if they all mean to win it themselves.

That may well be a realistic assessment for most people.

However, I don't see how it relates to the subject of the thread.

And again, my imaginary fight is not any more or less valid than anyone else's imaginary fight, so I won't argue or insult anyone else on the topic.

Preparing for an "imaginary fight" without challenging and reflecting upon the underlying assumptions RE: how to survive it is not a very prudent way to prepare for self defense.

That is the subject of the thread.

"[For my imaginary fight,] I feel comfortable [or confident]...."

 

[lemaymiami]

All of my handgun experience was in the context of police work (all those years ago...) and like most young cops my first off-duty weapon was a five shot snub-nosed revolver (an airweight Smith and Wesson) - over the years as I learned more I went to a standard weight five shot Chief's special - then a six shot model 64, round butt, 2" - all in 38 caliber since that's all we were authorized to carry - and carry it off duty in every waking moment seven days a week when I was out and about was my routine. As I matured and learned more about what you might really need that finally changed to an early compact 9mm Smith when we were finally allowed to carry something other than a 38 - that I even carried on my ankle as well as inside the waistband for casual carry (no holster) or outside the waistband with holster. In my final years on the job I came full circle to the belief that if I ever needed a weapon off duty - it had better be the most I could carry instead of the least.... That lead to my decision to always carry my duty weapon (a Sig Sauer P229 in 40 caliber)... The idea was that if I ever really needed a weapon I'd better have the power on my side of the equation and that's where it stayed until I retired out. I even carried that Sig on an ankle holster when needed (but down here in south Florida we wear shorts as much as possible so I was mostly carrying inside the waist band or outside with a holster while wearing loose fitting outside the waist band shirts like the Guayabera which was common down here in paradise back then...).

Comfortable? Not exactly - but knowing that I was well armed if needed off duty was the driving force behind my decision to carry something substantial instead of comfortable. This from a guy that always thought a handgun was what you used - if nothing better was available in that moment. On duty, any hot call would find me with a shotgun in hand, period...

Funny thing... All of my weapons experience was before the rise of the armed citizen movement down here. When I retired out in 1995 I quit carrying any handguns at all (even though a concealed carry permit was part of my retirement package). Very glad I made that choice all those years ago (even though I've carefully renewed my carry permit every five years since retirement - in case I had to take a job that required weapons... If that's been a mistake - I'll be the first to know about it... I'm not a complete fool. I don't carry a sidearm but always have a firearm close by if needed. Thank heavens I've never needed one these past 25 years.

 

[mavracer]

Yep still comfortable with my choice.
The harsh reality is all the scenarios you come up with to pound into this board that a 5 shot snub isn't enough will very likely overwhelm your 8 shot 9mm.

 

[CDW4ME]

Someone may "feel" like 32 acp is adequate for SD, but they have never used it in SD.
feel =/= penetrates at least 12'' and consistently expands
"Feeling" like a 38/380 snub is sufficient in a "good" area, but carrying a 9mm/45 elsewhere also makes little sense.
Of the concealable pistols owned, strive to carry what you would want anywhere, everywhere. (Yes, even for a quick trip to the store or walking the dog)

 

[Kleanbore]

The harsh reality is all the scenarios you come up with to pound into this board that a 5 shot snub isn't enough will very likely overwhelm your 8 shot 9mm.

Why would you think that?

Take a look at this. If you do not like the assumptions, choose your own and run the numbers yourself.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...multiple-assailants-hit-rate-capacity.665883/

3 may be sufficient--some of the time. 10 may not cut it--some of the time.

 

[bikerdoc]

Clint said, "a firearm should be comforting, not comfortable!

That said, I'm in the 3/4 century club and not all that healthy.
I still think I'm the romping stomping airborne trooper and big city cop, but the wrinkles, gray, and infirmity say different.
I feel I'm reasonably more well trained than the average citizen and situationly aware, but I carry 1911 officer model or a CZ compact inside and outside the house.

 

[magyars4]

I've been a 1911 fan since the early 80s. Taken a couple combat pistol courses and have a range on my property.
I seldom carry anything other than my commander in a galco combat master holster and an extra mag.
I feel comfortable with this set up and while I am aware there are many who are more accomplished than I. I suspect most bad guys don't put in the time to become proficient...more than likely they will commence thier dirty deeds from ambush.

 

[waterhouse]

I’m comfortable with my mindset and skill set to be comfortable carrying a gun, but I’m not so stupid to wish to be in another gunfight and I realize that bad luck can erase a ton of skill very quickly.

 

[huntsman]

My physical comfort is met by a Shield, either IWB,OWB.

CC with a M&P9C is slightly more tiring after a few hours on the belt.

I met my psychological comfort with .40S&W over a 9mm, that decision was made strictly between the ears and is subjective.

The one thing I can say unequivocally is I carry a gun at ALL times.

 

[mavracer]

Why would you think that?

Take a look at this. If you do not like the assumptions, choose your own and run the numbers yourself.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...multiple-assailants-hit-rate-capacity.665883/

3 may be sufficient--some of the time. 10 may not cut it--some of the time.

40 years of life as a gun nut.
Yes the raw math says that you might maybe get another hit with those 3 extra rounds however an ~80% survivability rate combined with stuff that I've seen like a 200lb boar run 200 yards after having it's heart and lungs turned to cherry Jello. I'm under no delusion that running into the 2-3 determined attackers that you do all this hand wringing about denigrating people who chose to "pocket carry a 5 shot snub" that I'm in deep fecies even with a full size high cap.

You're free to do you and dream that the one in a million scenario where it's # 6,7 or 8 that does the magic. I'm gonna stick to being comfortable with my LCR when I don't feel like having my Hellcat slide banging my kneecap.
Heck I guess I should be in a tizzy right now cause my LCR is 100 yards away locked in my car on the other side of the fence.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

The bare minimum that I will carry is 10 rounds.

I made that decision based on my experience. Even in non violent confrontations that I've had as a security guard there have been entirely too many times that I've walked around a corner and I'm faced with two people.

Based on my experience I'm just as likely to have two people to deal with as I am to have one person to deal with and in reality under those circumstances I really don't even think 10 rounds is adequate. It just happens to be the bare minimum that I'll carry.

I really don't care what other people carry I'm not going to live or die based on your decisions