A question for the lightweight aficionados

S

SIGSHR

New member
I will preface my question by stating that:
1. I realize this is matter of personal preference.
2. I have no CCW and live in a state where getting one is extremely difficult.
3. At 5"10" and 210 muscular pounds-more or less, I am not that weight sensitive and like the old Steel Pot in the Army,I find that when you wear it often enough you get used to it.
As a Life member of the SNM-Sons of Neanderthal Man-I find I have never developed a liking for aluminum/scandium/lightweight revolvers and pistols
and really don't see what niche they fill. Yes, easier for the manufacturers, compared to steel aluminum cuts like butter, and in the case of the Colt & S&W Airman revolvers the ideas was to conserve precious fuel. Otherwise I really don't see the value of "lightweight" handguns. If I did have a CCW I would practice more regularly and AFAIK steel holds up better to prolonged use than lightweight materials, and I personally find recoil dampening weight makes for more comfortable shooting. Target shooters have always preferred steel frames for their recoil dampening effects and like other tools, I have never understood the concept of "Light Duty"-I always have thought you buy the best you can because it will hold up better.
TIA.
 
I shoot 1911-style pistols almost every weekend, so am always "current" on that type. At the same time, I see no reason to carry 40+ ounces of loaded Government Model, when a 30oz Commander will do. The Commander gets shot enough to confirm that it works, while the heavy miles go on the all-steel guns. This concept allows me to buy more guns. ;)
 
In pocket carry a few ounces is a lot,,

I usually carry a Model 36 snubbie,,,
Most of the time it's nestled in my front pocket.

I'm getting older and quit smoking last year,,,
The quitting smoking resulted in 25 lbs of fast weight gain,,,
Now I have a belly and am starting to use suspenders for trouser support.

Last year the weight of the steel snubbie didn't matter much,,,
My pants still rode where they were supposed to.

Now that I don't have the "waist" anymore,,,
I find the weight of the all steel gun makes my pants want to slip down.

Stop laughing! :o

I'm thinking a Model 442 might be in my future,,,
It's only 15 oz versus 20 ounces,,,
Might make a difference.

.
 
Well, I am sort of old school and enjoy my 1911, 92FS and steel framed revolvers as much as anyone. I do tend to shoot them more at the range because I simply think their more fun. I also often will carry one of them when the situation allows. However, like most folks I end up carrying one of the smaller aluminum or plastic framed guns simply because they are lighter and easier to conceal.
 
I don't get the light weight thing either. I'll take solid steel over anything else, anytime. A pound or so difference, at most, is nothing. It's less than 1/2 of one percent of your body weight!
 
I have a 340 PD and carry it A LOT!!! It is so light and easily concealed there is no excuse to leave it in the safe. Even the lightest shorts the gun doesn't make the shorts sag. Shooting it, on the other hand, is not pleasant.
 
I don't think the average shooter will wear either one out. I shoot my steel frames but my LTW Commander and Defender got the work out also. I would rather carry the LTW Commander now that Iam old When young steel all the way.
 
I am able to shoot my full size all steel 1911 well, which is why I carry it. When trying to go more "lightweight" I switch to my SP101. Weight doesn't have much to do with my choices. The only apparent downside to concealing a 5" 1911 is the length of the pistol itself.
 
1st off... I'm a pretty big guy... so if the "Neanderthal shoe" fit's, I wear it... I can't really talk autos here, only that I occasional carry a CZ-75 compact, as opposed to a CZ - 75 full sized... in this case, the gun is made of the same materials, only smaller & more easily conceiled... I do have a "plastic gun" but that's a FN five seven & that's a bigger gun & wears a rail mounted light, not really a CC kinda gun...

I am, however more of a revolver guy ( maybe it's the Neanderthal in me ??? ) & I do own & used to carry regularly 2 light weight guns, a S&W Air Weight J frame in 32 H&R Mag, & a S&W Air Lite L frame in 44 special... while I find the weight of the gun helpfull ( I usually have a ton of stuff in my pants pockets, & as a "normal middle aged big guy" my gut is at least as big as my hips, any weight savings there helps keep the pants from riding at the new inner city youth, low ride position ( which I find both offensive, & uncomfortable, especially on me )

butt... the size of the gun is more important to me for daily carry, than the weight... however... I look for weight savings when ever I can, just to keep me from looking so "getto"
 
I'm a big guy myself 6'2 195lbs, and I carry a stainless N frame snubby on a daily basis, with a full size stainless 1911 as a BUG. I only buy fullsize as I have large hands and nothing else "fits".
 
I'm 5-10, like the original poster, but a more svelte 160, and handgun weight is important to me. My main carry choices are a Kahr PM9 for pocket carry at 15oz and a Kimber UCII at 25 oz for belt carry. The Kimber is at the outside of weight I feel comfortable with; after a few minutes, I forget it's there. I've tried holstering a full-size 1911, but it pulls on my pants and is very uncomfortable. If you can pull off a 40 oz autoloader or revolver, more power to you ... but why buy a gun for carry when its weight means the odds are you won't have it with you when you need it?
 
I'm built just like bikerbill, and carry very similar guns. An LCP, a PPS, a 640, and an original stainless Ultra. That's my current carry lineup. I've tried lots of carry guns and these are the few that fit me and carry well for me.just my 2cents.
 
A lot depends on the method of carry. I'm 6'4" and knocking on 300lbs, so I fit fairly well into the neanderthal/gorilla body type. If I'm carrying with a good belt or shoulder holster, I have no need for a lightweight (I find IWB to be horribly uncomfortable with any gun). In the winter when I can justify wearing a jacket to conceal it, I can quite comfortably carry a 40+oz S&W N-Frame revolver. However, if I'm going for pocket or ankle carry, weight begins to make a difference. I've tried to pocket carry a Taurus 445 (28oz empty) and to ankle carry a Walther PP (25oz empty) and in both cases, weight became an issue. I've found that, for pocket carry, 20oz is about the maximum that is still reasonably comfortable, for ankle carry the weight threshold would be less.
 
If you were in a position to carry a gun, i.e. lived in a state that has "shall issue" concealed carry laws, then you would IMO quickly understand why lightweight handguns are so popular. They simply carry very much easier for many people than heavy handguns.

Some folks will carry a heavy handgun, like an all-steel 1911 all day long, but many simply won't. I used to, but now I carry Glock 9mms and airweight j-frames.

A lightweight handgun may not last as long as an all-steel version but for many folks the additional ease of carrying is more important than long-term durability.

IMO guns are tools; if they wear out I'll just get more.
 
The weight of the gun isn't too heavy to tote,,,

It's often too heavy to wear with the clothing the weather requires.

Heavy guns require a heavy belt to support them,,,
I wouldn't think that heavy belts would go too well with Bermuda shorts.

I can't imagine carrying on a daily basis in Florida,,,
I would think that IWB holsters would sweat like crazy.

If I lived in an open carry state I would probably carry my CZ-75B a lot more,,,
Again, I don't mind the weight of the gun itself if my clothes support it,,,
I primarily wear blue jeans of one brand name or another,,,
Heavy belts are okay even in Oklahoma heat.

Since I rarely wear a jacket,,,
And almost always wear my shirts tucked in,,,
Pocket carry is about all I am going to be left with,,,
And my all steel Model 36 is making this fat old man's pants sag.

.
 
I will preface my question by stating that:
1. I realize this is matter of personal preference.
2. I have no CCW and live in a state where getting one is extremely difficult.
3. At 5"10" and 210 muscular pounds-more or less, I am not that weight sensitive and like the old Steel Pot in the Army,I find that when you wear it often enough you get used to it.
As a Life member of the SNM-Sons of Neanderthal Man-I find I have never developed a liking for aluminum/scandium/lightweight revolvers and pistols
and really don't see what niche they fill. Yes, easier for the manufacturers, compared to steel aluminum cuts like butter, and in the case of the Colt & S&W Airman revolvers the ideas was to conserve precious fuel. Otherwise I really don't see the value of "lightweight" handguns. If I did have a CCW I would practice more regularly and AFAIK steel holds up better to prolonged use than lightweight materials, and I personally find recoil dampening weight makes for more comfortable shooting. Target shooters have always preferred steel frames for their recoil dampening effects and like other tools, I have never understood the concept of "Light Duty"-I always have thought you buy the best you can because it will hold up better.
Click to expand...

You start by saying you realize it's preference.

Then you say that you've never carried a concealed weapon on a regular basis.

Then you state that you have a muscular build

Then you start knocking a type of firearm that many people enjoy carrying?

Not everyone is you, and many want to CCW. They may or may not have your "muscular build", but they're still people who have their own choices and desires.

I went through my own health issues in my life. I'm fairly able these days, but there have been times when I wasn't. I can empathize with those who want a lighter, easier to carry firearm.

You are certainly entitled to your opinions and choices, but don't knock what others decide to carry. I have a full sized Ruger Vaquero that weighs in at a little over 50 ounces fully loaded. I stand 5'7", and weigh 140. I'm not sure I'd like to try to CCW that thing, and can't see the purpose in trying if a J-frame S&W or a Glock compact will do the job just as well, or maybe better. That said, I open carry it easily enough while outdoors.

Different strokes for different folks, and different guns for different needs. It all works.

Daryl
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top