Thoughts on a good carry gun (caliber, make) and holster type.

Vanity | 8/13/10 | Me

[Pessimist]

Hey All!

Seems like a bit of a slow news day, so I thought I'd crank out my first vanity.

I've been shooting for a couple of years now (since around October of '08 - go figure) and I'm looking at getting my CCW. I'd like some opinions of caliber / make and also holster options and ramifications.

[Candor7]

Onee of the best buys on the market, the Ruger .380 with crimson trace.

You have all the heavies you need, try this for when you need to wear for long.

Get two even and learn to go lefty and righty!

A 12 gauge pump in the trunk doesn't hurt any either, along with a case of ammo.

[Vaquero]

Glad to see someone else who can appreciate a .380.

it is enough to stop most homosapiens...(granted not all especially if shot placement is off...)

I have a safe full of weapons and it is the only one that I dont mind lugging around all day....

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"So where do you wear such a holster?"

I wear mine right on the side. In the summertime I carry a Ruger SP101 in .357. It does not stick out for me. Of course if you wear your t-shirt tucked in it would but I wear my t-shirts hanging over my shorts and it doesn't show.

[Gaffer]

After years of semis and rifles, I only had one revolver - a pristine S&W Victory Model 38 with original holster. I always like the feel and action so I began looking at them in earnest a year ago.

Since then, I've purchased a Model 22 (1917 45ACP revolver -remake), a 1917 US Army 45ACP (real), and a Model 10 38 Special +P...I really love the Model 10. I have a good old style holster where the flap folds back around and through the belt and snaps around the front body of the holster (doesn't require removing your belt). The Model 10 comes with a factory installed Hogue Rubber Grip - nice. This is the one I carry in my glove box with about 4-5 quickloaders nearby...

[Pessimist]

You bring up another point: cleaning.

Thus far I strip and clean after each trip to the range. That can get tedious sometimes.

I usually shoot once a week. I wonder if I could stretch the cleaning to every other week.

[RobRoy]

What’s a 1911? My wife is looking for a self defence pistol and we saw some 380’s that felt good to her. One was a Kel-tek.

[surfer]

Btw...I find the Kimber clips to be unmatched. They are truly awesome.

[Kenny Bunk]

Devil Dog, way back in the olden days my grandpappy gave me a S&W Revolver in 32Long. 7 1/2 inch barrel. I got very very accurate with it. Of course, I never tried it on an enraged wild boar, or the urban equivalent.

I recently got a Ruger 3101 in 327 Mag. and lemme tell you, this thing is definitely worth considering. No big recoil;, very little muzzle blast, and at 50 feet, you can put 6 in a hole no bigger than a silver dollar. The numbers are impressivel, putting out the same energy as a 9MM .. and you can shoot any .32 in it, Long, S&W, HR 32 MAg, for cheap practice. And it’s very concealable.

OK, it’s not a .50 Desert Eagle, but I’m telling you it’s ....Way cool... and ought to be a good defense weapon. Decent, controllable power.

[Pessimist]

“Special purse with quick access flap?”

I don’t swing that way!!! :)

[stockpirate]

It has a round with 5 lead balls, at 10 feet the person is DOA.

I’d use slugs myself.

[dirtboy]

pristine S&W Victory Model 38 with original holster.

I have one of those myself, got it from my grandfather, but it sure as heck isn't a carry weapon, IMO.

Great shooting gun, though.

[stockpirate]

Also, if you go to the website you will see it has several barrles that are interchangable, .45, .38.

[Gorzaloon]

The .380 requires you hit them with the weapon after you expend all your rounds. ;-p

ER stats have contradicted this. Yes, my favorite Carry piece is a Colt CC MKIV in stainless. But in Summer, it's the Sig 232 w/ Hydrashocks. I just cannot hide the Colt well, and it gets tiring after the major part of a day.

The jokes about "File the site off so after you shoot the perp, and he gets mad and stuffs the gun up you, it won't hurt as much" are really for the .25 and .32.

[taxcontrol]

The BEST carry gun and holster is the one that you can:

1) get to quickly
2) hit a 2” target consistently at 10 feet (if you cant, you need either a smaller gun or more practice)
3) and perform #1 and #2 under high stress

A .22 revolver that is fired accurately at a vital spot is a whole lot more devastating to an opponent than a .50AE or .45ACP fired in the wrong place, or misses entirely.

Other additional considerations:
weight
comfort
conceal-ability
reliability
cost

[newnhdad]

How do you plan to carry? All the time, for work, weekends, restaurants? It’ll make a difference on what and how you carry. I used a .38 S&W snubbie with a modified hammer and a paddle styled holster. I actually liked carrying the Beretta 92 and the compact EAA .40 better but the snubbie left less of a bump for concealment purposes.

Think about why/what purpose you want to carry and go from there. It might make sense to get a smaller gun. Then find a comfortable holster (you very well could go through a few before you find one that works.)that fits your body and allows you to draw safely. I always loaded self defense ammo and my buddy used the frangible stuff for his .40

Suggest to look at the entire decision pragmatically and not get too hung up on caliber and looks but focus in your own comfort and security and confidence. A .45 is a great caliber but it does you no good if you miss and hit a kid in the next room. Dead from a .38 or 9MM to the sweet-spot is the same dead as from a .45 or larger. I’m no expert but my dad was (Army MP and NYPD weapons instructor)and that was the advice he gave me.

Good luck..

[absolootezer0]

once you start carrying one all day, everyday, you may start to appreciate the lighter weight.

as for holsters, i like desantis.

[Pessimist]

A 1911 is a model of .45 semi auto pistol. The Army commisoned them in 1911, I belive, hence the name.

Several manufacturers make them. They are tried and true to this day.

Try one!

(Admittedly, it’s kind of a cult thing too!)

[Spok]

I carry an S&W model 36, which is a 5 shot with a 1 3/4” inch barrel. If I use a holster, it’s an inside the waistband, but the gun fits nicely in a pocket where I can put my hand on it without drawing any attention. The FBI says most gunfights involve fewer than 3 shots at less than 7 meters.

[Cuttnhorse]

I was just checking this out at a local gunshop - SigSauer P238 in .380 cal.

I plan on an inside the belt back holster for summer wear. For winter I have a tactical jacket with a velcro inside pocket that easily handles my 1911, two mags, a novel, and a turkey sandwich...or two.

[ezo4]

pistol
http://www.theprepared.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=90

holster
http://carteach0.blogspot.com/2010/05/torture-testing-blackhawk-serpa-holster.html

Glock 30 45acp and sherpa holster for me