Talk me out of going all SA only...

[sidheshooter]

One of my main squeezes is an old series 80 commander with nite sights, ambi safety and a reliability job/action hone on her.

I'm also fervently looking for a pocket/BUG; right now the contenders are the kahr P380 and the SIG P238.

I'm also loosely thinking of grabbing another 9, for the range, and for cheap ammo...

Here's my thought:

Jettison some other iron (mostly wheelies) in favor of scoring a P238 and an EMP Springfield in 9mm.

That would give me the lightweight 4 1/2-inch .45, the sig .380 for light duty, and the EMP to burn rounds and split the difference between the big one and the tiny one; all with the same MOA.

Only downside I see is stocking 3 flavors of ammo in respectable ammounts.

Am I missing something, or should I just go all-in on cocked and locked?

signed,

Almost single action in America

 

[Oldnoob]

In semi, I don't see anything wrong with just stick with SA. Whatever mode you feel like to focus in.

In SA semi though, Hi Power is also a great pick for 9mm. Personally, I will get a BHP over EMP any day. But that's just me liking full size over compact.

 

[CPshooter]

I think there's nothing wrong with a little variety (in both caliber and action type). Some people like to stock only one caliber of ammo, but I feel that having at least two popular calibers is smarter. For example, I have a P2000sk 9mm and a USP.40 Compact. These are my #1 and #2 go-to defense pistols. I only buy ammo from Walmart because that's the only place where ammo is reasonably priced these days. They are usually dry of one or the other, but rarely both (except for a short period of time right after the Obama frenzy). Lately, they have had no 9mm, but tons of .40s&w. If I only had guns chambered in 9mm, I'd be screwed.

As far as trigger actions go, I think DA/SA or DAO is the only way to go for concealed carry. I prefer the accuracy and fun that SA provides at the range, but for serious self defense purposes I don't want a manual safety on my pistol. A safety leaves more to go wrong if I ever needed to quickly use my pistol for self defense.

I like the Variant 1 trigger on my USP.40 Compact. I can carry cocked and locked (SA), or DA with or without the safety on.

I think it's good to have a variety of pistols with different trigger options. That way you are g2g for concealed carry, home defense, range duty, etc.

 

[blitzen]

Big fan of SA only pistols here. It's what I carry 27/7 (BHP flavor). However I would be a little shy about putting a Sig P238 in my pocket. The safety gets rubbed off and now you have a gun with a light triger pointing at your junk. No thanks. Maybe they make a proper pocket holster for it otherwise I'd go DAO (like Kahr) for a pocket gun. I also done away with the .380, for logistics as much as anything.

 

[usp9]

I'm not fond of a SA gun in my pocket either. It also goes against my no-safety carry gun philosophy, but that's me. SA is OK otherwise, just not in a pocket.

Sounds like you're after a CCW, a Pocketgun and a fun/cheap Range gun. Nothing wrong with that combination...makes a lot of sense. It makes sense to keep them all fairly similar in their action type too.

 

[iblong]

I love single actions and thats what I carry,But if pocket carry is what you plan on it would not be my choice.For that duty Its a J frame or Kahr pm9
for me.
Bob.

 

[Pilot]

I have no problem carrying an SA only semi-auto and do carry a BHP or 1911 sometimes.

 

[franconialocal]

Sorry if this casts any more doubt about your decision, but being a proud owner of an EMP (off duty CCW and on duty backup) I can say with confidence that you will LOVE this sidearm.

I've had more fun with this sidearm than probably any other I've owned. Two thumbs up...way up.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Am I missing something, or should I just go all-in on cocked and locked?

I won't discourage you. There is a lot to be said for commonality and consistency of operation between different guns.

 

[j21blackjack]

I wouldn't worry much about rubbing the saftey off in your pocket (P238), it takes a good bit of force to take it off. I feel completely comfortable with it in my pocket. My RKBA pocket holster is also molded around the safety so that it is protected from getting knocked off on accident.

 

[MCgunner]

I stay away from SA guns because I love my revolvers and carry them a lot. I don't feel that it is wise to mix action types in training and carry, frankly. So, all my autos are DA at least on the first shot. I do quite well with my Ruger P guns, too, against SA guys. Sometimes it's the shooter, not the gun. Particularly my P90's transition from DA to SA is really smooth and the trigger, in both modes is fantastic. I ain't as in love with my P85's trigger, but it works. I carry the P90 some this time of year. The P85 is mostly a range gun. My .380 and 9x19 pocket guns are revolver style DAOs.

So, anyway, you want MHO, if you're going to carry an SA, become a 1911 snob. Carry ONLY SA, keep the training simple and when the time comes that you need it, you will revert to your training. Me, nope, I cannot give up my revolvers, just can't do it.