Viability of *Real* Pocket (And Micro) Handguns in Today’s World

Status
Not open for further replies.
PzGren said:
Both my sons carry Ruger LCPs as gym guns, mostly for the short distance from the gym to the parked car. Imagine, you'd work night shifts in a work environment in downtown Cleveland, where firearms are not allowed to be brought inside but the parking garage is a couple of blocks away. Wouldn't a Ruger LCP in .380 ACP feel better and add more reach and punch than a clenched fist?
Click to expand...
Yes, it would.

As a guy that goes to the gym, I've always wondered how people carry in the gym. Do they put it in the locker? Keep it on them?
 
bdickens said:
Holy cow.

I'm a "carry all the time" kinda guy but jeez! Do y'all have shower guns too?



Sez you.
Click to expand...
Can't speak for others but, I do kind of. Do have a pistol that sits on a shelf outside the shower. Figure If I am in there relaxing and the fur alarms go off telling me someone is coming in I want something I can grab while still in the shower. :D
 
Alex Clayton said:
Can't speak for others but, I do kind of. Do have a pistol that sits on a shelf outside the shower. Figure If I am in there relaxing and the fur alarms go off telling me someone is coming in I want something I can grab while still in the shower. :D
Click to expand...
I'd do that, but I worry about the moisture and the gun? Maybe I can delegate a least favored, cheaper handgun for this?

I
 
trackskippy said:
LOL. That sounds like a normal day at work. :)
Click to expand...
Yeah, but the gym isn't the same. I'm generally wearing thinner, more minimal clothes in the gym, such as exercise shorts with no belt, a t shirt or even tank top, etc. Unless someone is doing some serious manual labor, they aren't doing the same intensity or range of movement, combined with the fact they likely have more substantial clothing, bags, belts, etc on them while working.
 
Like I said, sounds like work.

For some of us, thats a 10-12 hour day of light gym work, without the sights. :)
 
trackskippy said:
Situational awareness is just part of the whole package. Avoiding the fight is always the goal.

As much as we might like to think we are always situationally aware, we are usually far from it. Thats just living life. You try your best to be, but anyone being the least bit realistic with themselves knows, its not possible to live your life and be completely aware. Just not possible, gun or not.
Click to expand...
I've literally heard people say out loud that they would be more situationally aware in the first place and not even be in a serious situation. lol And they literally believe themselves when they talk. And my back and forth with these people is not to ridicule them despite them literally mentioning other incidents where people were killed, and in a demeaning manner, state the victims should have been more situationally aware. You can't make up the bizarro land stuff that goes on in some people's heads. lol

I consider myself situationally aware, but I have the weapon for when I need it, regardless of if I think I am the most gifted situationally aware person on the planet.
 
Autodidactic said:
Yeah, but the gym isn't the same. I'm generally wearing thinner, more minimal clothes in the gym, such as exercise shorts with no belt, a t shirt or even tank top, etc. Unless someone is doing some serious manual labor, they aren't doing the same intensity or range of movement, combined with the fact they likely have more substantial clothing, bags, belts, etc on them while working.
Click to expand...

Some days, especially during equipment moves, I use as much muscle, and sweat as hard, as if working out.

However, I don't quite use the same range of motion on the job. One thing is for sure, I don't do many sit-ups at work and I can't keep a gun on me while doing reps of sit-ups. Damn thing restricts me and when I push past that restriction, it's like hitting that part of my body with a hammer. Small of back carry sure isn't an option.

Back when I played soccer as an adult, I did carry a gun in a fanny pack while jogging between practice days. But there was no way I could pull off carrying a gun while in practice or playing a game. The gun would simply be in the way and slow me down. I can imagine doing a sliding tackle with a hunk of gun on me. Nope, just nope.
 
Last edited:
armydog said:
I've literally heard people say out loud that they would be more situationally aware in the first place and not even be in a serious situation. lol And they literally believe themselves when they talk. And my back and forth with these people is not to ridicule them despite them literally mentioning other incidents where people were killed, and in a demeaning manner, state the victims should have been more situationally aware. You can't make up the bizarro land stuff that goes on in some people's heads. lol

I consider myself situationally aware, but I have the weapon for when I need it, regardless of if I think I am the most gifted situationally aware person on the planet.
Click to expand...
I think that "situational awareness" obviously has its limits, and people still get targeted who are street smart.

However, like anything, it is one major preventative measure but not the be all end all. I absolutely know some people who are oblivious in public and not street smart. They are relatively more of a target than those who are highly aware.
 
chicharrones said:
Some days, especially during equipment moves, I use as much muscle, and sweat as hard, as if working out.

However, I don't quite use the same range of motion on the job. One thing is for sure, I don't do many sit-ups at work and I can't keep a gun on me while doing reps of sit-ups. Damn thing restricts me and when I push past that restriction, it's like hitting that part of my body with a hammer. Small of back carry sure isn't an option.

Back when I played soccer as an adult, I did carry a gun in a fanny pack while jogging between practice days. But there was no way I could pull off carrying a gun while in practice or playing a game. The gun would simply be in the way and slow me down. I can imagine doing a sliding tackle with a hunk of gun on me. Nope, just nope.
Click to expand...
That's what I mean. Some workouts sure. Some it just doesn't seem workeable, or would be difficult. People will say "dress around it." I'm not dressing for the gym just so I can carry securely and comfortably, lol.
 
trackskippy said:
This afternoon, you will be in a gunfight of someone elses choosing. You have a pick of two guns, A SIG P226, or a Ruger LCP. What do you choose?

Careful, its a trick question. :)
Click to expand...

First; I choose not to be in a gunfight.
Second; I choose both guns.
Third; I choose the LCP, because I've never shot a P226.
 
I really like the smaller 32s, but some 380s are the same size or smaller.

I pocket carry a lot, but today with the belly bands and kangaroo t shirts and the rock n roll…..you can carry a much bigger weapon in different ways than traditional belt carry. Hell, mention shoulder holster and everyone freaks out like someone dropped a Sig P320 in the locker room! LOL
 
crstrode said:
Just having a gun is much better preparation that just not having a gun.

"Being prepared" depends upon what the definition of what "being prepared" is.
Click to expand...
My point is, having the gun without having the skills and experience (preparation) to use it, isnt being prepared. You simply have a gun.

crstrode said:
First; I choose not to be in a gunfight.
Second; I choose both guns.
Third; I choose the LCP, because I've never shot a P226.
Click to expand...
First, if possible, so do I.

Second, If I had to make a choice for a coming gunfight, with no hesitation or question, my choice would be the 226.

Third, if all that youre familiar with and are capable with is the LCP, then that would probably be the better choice, for you. Sucks to be you, but its what you know. If it were all I had, Id be glad I had it, but it wouldnt be my choice, if a choice were available.

Something that never seems to be addressed here with these little guns is, and contrary to what many seem to believe, they are NOT beginners or inexperienced shooter weapons. They require a lot more from the user than the larger guns, and thats basing things on an experienced shooter. Yet they seem to be constantly recommended to people who are inexperienced, and/or wont practice with them, as a valid choice.

And the one question that really seems to piss the people off who insist they are a viable primary weapon is, when you ask, since you carry it, how much time and effort, in regular and realistic practice, do you put into being competent and proficient with them. The answer is usually crickets.

By all means, carry what you want and are good with, and in any way you may be called on to use it, but for your sake, and ours, be realistic in your assessment of what "good" is.
 
I always have a gun in my pocket. For years it's been a P3AT, then a LCP.
I retired the LCP for an LCP Max. 12 rounds of hot 380 should discourage all but the most determined. It's a bit bigger but still fits in jeans pockets. Good enough for my low-risk lifestyle.
In my cars I keep G19s with a slip-on holster. The truck has something in .223, all with extra mags.
Close to the house or around the yard, I'm usually carrying a P32 or a Black Widow WMR with rat shot.

Like most of you I have lots of bigger & cooler choices. I just can't carry in a belt holster without my pants dropping to my knees. Much as I love my 1911s, I doubt I'll ever carry one.
 
Autodidactic said:
I'd do that, but I worry about the moisture and the gun? Maybe I can delegate a least favored, cheaper handgun for this?

I
Click to expand...
The one I use for this is a small pistol that is super easy to clean for just that reason. KT P-32. It does get more than damp. I tend to like a HOT relaxing shower. So I use a small, light pistol that is not much but, the old better than nothing. Idea being get me too better. After shower I wipe it and toss it in one of the safes for the descant to dry things. Strip it every couple weeks to clean. So far no major rust. I would of course not do this with something "nicer" for just that reason. Even nicer would be of course doable as long as taken care of. The one I use is not but, something polymer and stainless would be great for this. The stainless used in firearms will corrode of course but, the kind of moister from the shower is nothing like the moister from carrying close to the body. The ammo itself being brass and lead seems to not care. :D
 
Alex Clayton said:
The one I use for this is a small pistol that is super easy to clean for just that reason. KT P-32. It does get more than damp. I tend to like a HOT relaxing shower. So I use a small, light pistol that is not much but, the old better than nothing. Idea being get me too better. After shower I wipe it and toss it in one of the safes for the descant to dry things. Strip it every couple weeks to clean. So far no major rust. I would of course not do this with something "nicer" for just that reason. Even nicer would be of course doable as long as taken care of. The one I use is not but, something polymer and stainless would be great for this. The stainless used in firearms will corrode of course but, the kind of moister from the shower is nothing like the moister from carrying close to the body. The ammo itself being brass and lead seems to not care. :D
Click to expand...
I remember reading some folks talking about buying Hi points for just this sort of thing. Throw away, cheap pistols.
 
Autodidactic said:
I remember reading some folks talking about buying Hi points for just this sort of thing. Throw away, cheap pistols.
Click to expand...
One of my early "micro pistols" was bought with the same idea. Davis .380. At the time we could not get a CC law passed but, glove box carry was fine. I saw one of these in a shop for $50. Even back then that was not much cash so I bought one. Damn thing worked so it went with me. I kept it where when I left the vehicle some scum would have to really tear vehicle apart to find and figured if it got lost who cares. Again not much of a pistol or caliber but the old "better than nothing" came to mind. I sold it decades later for more than I paid for the damn thing or it would make a great "shower pistol". The "pot metal" they were made of was fairly corrosion resistant.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

cluttonfred
  • Locked
A wallet size pocket pistol?
2 3 4
Replies
82
Views
6K
orionengnr
O
M
  • Locked
Which Pocket Auto?
Replies
23
Views
2K
Randyc74
Randyc74
K
  • Locked
review my letter concerning ccw for friend...
Replies
8
Views
546
kir_kenix
K
C
  • Locked
In praise of .22s
2
Replies
30
Views
2K
TimboKhan
TimboKhan
C
  • Locked
REVIEW - Smith and Wesson M&P Shield .40 Caliber
Replies
6
Views
2K
jfrey
J
Back
Top