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Concealed handgun that does everything.
- Thread starter Recoil spring
- Start date
What I was trying to point out is that having more ammo isn't going to make you safer.
Having more ammunition will make you "safer" if you need more ammunition.
This isn't me saying you're wrong to carry a smaller pistol. This is me saying you're making a trade off and you have to deal with that trade off.
This is a salient point. Though I usually carry a SIG Model 227 concealed iwb, the times that I opt to carry my Ruger LCP concealed is a negative trade off in terms of self-defense; one that I acknowledge but one that I choose to deal with. Carrying small guns, with small capacities and small bullets, can have big and sometimes bad consequences.
The other side, and probably more relevant, side of the coin is the oft-made argument that it's far better to have the little .380 in your hand when things go south than it is to have the big .45 in your safe at home and not in your hand.
When looking for the "concealed handgun that does everything", it's best to accept the reality that there will always be trade offs, including different climates you have to dress for, degrees of danger the immediate neighborhood poses, the social circumstances you might find yourself in, the laws of the jurisdictions you have to obey, etc.; and it's prudent to know which ones you're willing to accept and the reasons why.
Glenn E. Meyer
New member
I think that is an excellent statement for a close. I won't close it as I don't feel arbitrary but I caution against more bickering about the five shot, one bad guy always happens crowd vs. the full size semi and 5 extra mag foiks - implying the other group is nutsy.
PS - I came across two links that compared and test small guns vs. full sized.
Interesting reads as to the performance deficits and good points about the need to achieve competency with the smaller guns and problems with that.
http://www.thetacticalwire.com/features/231929
http://blog.krtraining.com/defensive-pistol-small-gun-class-7292017-aar/
I note that since I sometimes carry a smaller one due to dress concerns or sloth - I've taken the time to train with snubbies and shot a snubby or G42 in IDPA or specific close range matches.
Here's my experience AAR.
http://blog.krtraining.com/186-2/
PS - I came across two links that compared and test small guns vs. full sized.
Interesting reads as to the performance deficits and good points about the need to achieve competency with the smaller guns and problems with that.
http://www.thetacticalwire.com/features/231929
http://blog.krtraining.com/defensive-pistol-small-gun-class-7292017-aar/
I note that since I sometimes carry a smaller one due to dress concerns or sloth - I've taken the time to train with snubbies and shot a snubby or G42 in IDPA or specific close range matches.
Here's my experience AAR.
http://blog.krtraining.com/186-2/
Carl the Floor Walker
Moderator
I have to say, that I simply enjoy shooting pocket guns. When I first shot the LCP, 10 years ago, I was terrible. Hated the High Five Slap of recoil etc. But it also represented a challenge. Thus began a journey that found a true love in shooting them. I shoot often, usually around twice a week, at least once a week. Every range day I will bring along the pocketgun. Alway's setting goals and naturally improving in consistent manner.
I am a big believer in training and part of that training is Drawing the gun from the holster etc. It does pay off. I went through 4 LCP's and other pocket guns. I also train at home BB and Pellet pistols etc.
I personally like a set of good sights on my Pocket guns. They aid greatly in fast point and shoot training. I have moved on from the LCP to other pocket guns, but they gave me the first start in this journey.
About two years ago, I purchased a LCR9mm. Once again a new challenge. Terrible at first but so many thousands of rounds later, huge improvement. AND SO MUCH FUN TO SHOOT TO BOOT.
Pocket guns, my revolver,and my sub-compacts. These are the guns I carry and they get 95% of my training.
I also shoot the heck out of a Ruger LC9S. A fast gun to target at 15 yards. It also carries so nicely in my Mitch Rosen belt holster. Light weight, close to the body, and extremely reliable.
Everyone is different in what they like to shoot. Carry a 1911, that is fine. Carry just a pocket gun, that is fine as well.
I usually carry the LC9s, along with a Pico. In the summer, I will end up with just the Pico. I feel secure with it, and I shoot it so well.
The gun you carry should also be a gun you have fun with at the range. No matter what you carry, train often.
Ps. One gun that I use often for training with the Pocket guns is the Phoenix HPA 22.cal. Surprisingly a gun that runs very strong. I use it for point and shoot skills. I take a standard range target and then place 10 small glow 3" targets on it. I will then quickly try and nail as many as I can in rapid fire.
Once again, lousy at first, years later and the results are more than surprising.
I am a big believer in training and part of that training is Drawing the gun from the holster etc. It does pay off. I went through 4 LCP's and other pocket guns. I also train at home BB and Pellet pistols etc.
I personally like a set of good sights on my Pocket guns. They aid greatly in fast point and shoot training. I have moved on from the LCP to other pocket guns, but they gave me the first start in this journey.
About two years ago, I purchased a LCR9mm. Once again a new challenge. Terrible at first but so many thousands of rounds later, huge improvement. AND SO MUCH FUN TO SHOOT TO BOOT.
Pocket guns, my revolver,and my sub-compacts. These are the guns I carry and they get 95% of my training.
I also shoot the heck out of a Ruger LC9S. A fast gun to target at 15 yards. It also carries so nicely in my Mitch Rosen belt holster. Light weight, close to the body, and extremely reliable.
Everyone is different in what they like to shoot. Carry a 1911, that is fine. Carry just a pocket gun, that is fine as well.
I usually carry the LC9s, along with a Pico. In the summer, I will end up with just the Pico. I feel secure with it, and I shoot it so well.
The gun you carry should also be a gun you have fun with at the range. No matter what you carry, train often.
Ps. One gun that I use often for training with the Pocket guns is the Phoenix HPA 22.cal. Surprisingly a gun that runs very strong. I use it for point and shoot skills. I take a standard range target and then place 10 small glow 3" targets on it. I will then quickly try and nail as many as I can in rapid fire.
Once again, lousy at first, years later and the results are more than surprising.
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All handguns are relatively poor 'stoppers' regardless of caliber or bullet used. Shot placement and sufficient penetration are paramount, all else is secondary.
Barring a hit to the CNS, the only way to stop a determined & aggressive BG is shutting down the brain from oxygen deprivation caused by blood loss.
However, even a solid hit to the heart can leave 10+ seconds worth of oxygen in the brain, plenty of time for the BG to plant daisies in your hair. Caliber/expansion doesn't matter *unless it can alter the outcome of the encounter in your favor*, causing incapacitation fast enough to prevent the BG from inflicting serious/lethal damage. It's moot if the difference between calibers/bullets only means incapacitation occurring in the ambulance instead of the ER.
With that being said, use the handgun/caliber you shoot best as long as your chosen caliber can achieve sufficient penetration. All handguns underperform, some underperform worse than others.
I carry 2x8rd reloads for my Shield besides my 10+1 primary mag. Why? Because it's very easy to do and I'd rather have more 'underperformers' than I need than too few.
Best friend is retired LEO, he once told me that no cop has every complained after a gunfight about having too much ammo.
Tomac
Barring a hit to the CNS, the only way to stop a determined & aggressive BG is shutting down the brain from oxygen deprivation caused by blood loss.
However, even a solid hit to the heart can leave 10+ seconds worth of oxygen in the brain, plenty of time for the BG to plant daisies in your hair. Caliber/expansion doesn't matter *unless it can alter the outcome of the encounter in your favor*, causing incapacitation fast enough to prevent the BG from inflicting serious/lethal damage. It's moot if the difference between calibers/bullets only means incapacitation occurring in the ambulance instead of the ER.
With that being said, use the handgun/caliber you shoot best as long as your chosen caliber can achieve sufficient penetration. All handguns underperform, some underperform worse than others.
I carry 2x8rd reloads for my Shield besides my 10+1 primary mag. Why? Because it's very easy to do and I'd rather have more 'underperformers' than I need than too few.
Best friend is retired LEO, he once told me that no cop has every complained after a gunfight about having too much ammo.
Tomac
In fact, a friend from FL who is just experiencing her 2nd MD summer is convinced it is more humid here than where she is from, and almost as hot.
I also live in FL; it's been 90+ with heat index running over 100 since the beginning of MAY, and we have another 1-2 months to go. With 5 months + of brutally oppressive heat and humidity, pocket carry is a nice way to go with the lighter summer wear of t shirts and gym or cargo shorts.....
I can, and usually, carry a J frame, a Kahr 9mm or a LCP in my pocket.