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Hey I'm here to learn !....What do "you" carry and why ?

I usually carry my Glock 27. Why? Because it packs a decent punch in a relatively small package. Plus, I have night sights on it as well as several magazines. I'm not likely to run out of ammo with it. Its very accurate as well, particularly when you consider its size.

Occasionally, I carry Mexican with my Colt Officer's model just for a change of taste. And, I have a Detective Special that I've carred twice - its pretty doggone concealable as well. They both shoot reliably, but I'm not as accurate with either one of them.

Well brother Squantos, I carry a Hi-Power loaded with Cor-Bon 124 JHPs, followed by Ball, and a .357 snub. If I still had a 1911, which I intend to replace, I would certainly know I was well-armed. I would also be carrying lighter bullets, for more reach and penetration, then Ball, of course. I HAVE the Browning, and it is a 1911 type mechanism, which I have confidence in. After penetration tests, we found that the "European Policewoman's Round" 9mm would zip right into the "bullet resistant" steel we were using for a particular municipal project, and the .45 would barely make a dent. Add to that the flatter-shooting quality, and the accuracy of our even fixed-sighted Brownings, along with capacity, and ammo insensitivity...we carried them on-the-job in warehouses, and when anticipating vehicular situations, so now it is my SOP. I just do not consider it a "stopper" without jazzy JHPs, which are inconsistent from reports I've read...but I consider it a penetrator, and a sniping-from-cover tool, like a carbine. I would really like to find 124gr. +P Ball, however, and if anyone has any leads, I'd appreciate it. I do NOT use 110gr. heads, at all. I hate even thinking about our troops being so undergunned in real harm's way. Cringe.

There is a 7-shot S&W L-Frame .357 I am very interested in, and would like in 3 1/2 to 4" barrel. Since I often carry a 4 5/8" .357 SAA for coyotes etc. on our rural property, I guess you'd say I am a fan or the little round...although the .44s still rule, and I find it hard to fault the .44 Special for any reason except bullet drop, but then, my .44 revolvers are .44 Magnums, so the longer-range potential is there. I favor the L-Frame on advice from our pal Paco Kelly, which he says has a longer cylinder than the N, so can be loaded with heavier, longer bullets...where the .357 really shines. It's kind of a squirt in the fightin' woods with 158grs.

My point is, our popular pistols are largely underpowered, close-range affairs...and in one-gun survival scenarios, or real stoppin' nightmares...they don't usually come anywhere NEAR a rifle or shotgun. When one desires a handgun to do a rifle's job, we'd better leave our comfortable to carry .45-9mm autos at home, and grab a longer-barreled magnum (or .45 Colt) revolver, and too much ammunition, as we bug out. Practice to be fast and accurate with a powerful handgun, and you have a fight-stopper, and also crowd the carbine's space. This could prove useful. If I could not hit a pie-plate at 100 yards with my Browning, kneeling (although I don't think it has much remaining power there), I would only carry .357/.44 revolvers. May even consider a Desert Eagle, for firepower...until it jammed !