Posted on 05/20/2021 3:51:28 AM PDT by COBOL2Java
However, people who buy small guns often quickly discover how difficult they can be to shoot. Why is this? It’s Newtonian physics: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The bullet goes downrange and the gun recoils. The amount of felt-recoil depends on the mass of the gun. Less mass equals more felt-recoil. Therefore, a smaller gun is going to "kick" more than a larger gun in the same chambering, making it more difficult to handle. So while a smaller gun may sound appealing, shoot it first to be sure it’s really what you want.
There are only a few guns for which a manual safety is an integral part of design and function. One of those is the 1911 platform, because the single-action trigger is extremely light. Folks who carry 1911s typically train on how to engage and disengage the manual safety as part of their regular range activities, so the motion is committed to muscle memory. For the rest of us, a manual safety is not vital, though there's certainly nothing wrong with having one on your gun; just remember to practice disengaging it and engaging it.
First, are you certain you will have both hands free to charge the pistol? Can you chamber that first round with one hand, especially if your other hand is occupied fending off an attacker or corralling a loved one? Just like with a manual safety, adding another step to deploying the gun complicates things, increasing the odds we will not get the gun into the fight when it’s needed.
Second, carrying with an empty chamber cheats you out of valuable ammunition. By keeping a round in the chamber, you can replace that round in the magazine with an extra. If you have a 10-round magazine, for example, you can carry 11 rounds, usually expressed as 10+1. Wouldn’t you want to carry an extra round? I certainly would!
And then there are belly bands, an option for athletic wear or any time your wardrobe doesn’t include a belt. Belly bands are self-contained holster systems that wrap around you and include a holster for your gun and sometimes places to add accessories such as spare magazines, a knife, pepper gel, and other carry items. Belly bands are a secure way to hold your gun without a need to significantly alter your wardrobe. Be sure to look for one with a reinforced area over the trigger, though.
With a waistband-carry position, you can reach your gun whether standing, sitting or lying on the ground with relative ease. With an ankle rig, you must bend over or lift your leg to retrieve the gun, often requiring you to take your eyes off the target while you fumble to get the gun out. If you’re moving, as is often the case in a defensive scenario as you seek cover or concealment, you can’t get the gun out of an ankle holster until you stop. This puts the odds against you from the start, and you may not get a chance to even them out. So while carrying a gun in an ankle holster beats not carrying a gun at all, it’s a less-than-ideal solution.
If you do manage to pull the gun out, there is a good chance the holster will come out with it. In theory, the holster is supposed to stay in the pocket, but in reality that only works about half the time. Which half will it be in the moment? If the holster comes out with the gun, now you must ditch the holster before you can use the gun. Not a great way to start a life-or-death encounter.
Take your training one gigantic step forward by adding dynamic movement to your shooting. Most indoor ranges will not let you practice this because they require you to stay behind the bench, so you will likely need to move to an outdoor range or find an indoor range that allows it. Also, seek out qualified instruction from someone who is well versed in dynamic encounters and can help you in a safe and effective environment.
I'll accept the difficulty of access when seated, just as I have accepted the compromise of .380 over 9mm and 6+1 over 10+1 rounds.
Yep, when available I use the handicapped stall. I carry IWB and don't print, so at least so far no freakouts from Karens.
I am a fan of manual safety and it’s because I carry with one on the chamber. I figure if I need it then I need it to go bang ASAP. I love my glock but always in fear I will make myself a second butt crack. I know it likely won’t happen but it’s the thought of it drives me nuts. I am currently looking at another carry gun. Currently carry Taurus 709 slim and hate the trigger. It breaks way to far back for me. I should have played with it before I bought it. And there is no trigger work that can be done on it. Looking at the sig 320.
“Smaller Guns are Easier to Shoot”
For people with smaller hands, this is likely to be true. It’s awkward having a finger off of the grip. I have medium width hands and long fingers. It feels like my hand goes around my wife’s Glock 42 almost twice, and my right pinky is entirely off the grip. That is awkward. I wouldn’t want to have to draw that pistol. I would think that small hands shooting a larger weapon would be similarly awkward or worse. How a pistol feels in the hand is probably the most important factor (next to price). If kick is a problem, strengthen your forearms/grip.
Finding a holster that doesn’t require a belt is a challenge. Shoulder holster under a t-shirt isn’t really an option. Wearing a belt seems to be the way to go. Some have their own belt; cost under $50. Father’s Day is right around the corner. Hint for anyone who might see this!
and an OWB Sneaky Pete.
The Urban Carry is very comfortable and doesn't print. The Sneaky Pete of course, is OWB and looks like a smart phone case. I've drilled with the Urban Carry and it works well.
I might have to get a Sneaky Pete just because I liked the television show!
I do not carry smaller than .45. i do not care if i print. favorite carry is front left crossdraw owb. i like one shot one kill.
I use the Alien IWB for my Kimber .45. I can use it with pretty much any pants or shorts without a belt so long as there is a drawstring (mainly for shorts). Really good holster. I print like crazy with that big ol’ gun when wearing athletic shorts, but I really don’t care.
ImVho, small handguns are so much more difficult to shoot well & generally such POOR STOPPERS that I have returned to a FULL-SIZE Model 1911 for EDC & am about to buy a FULL-SIZE S&W semi-auto in .40 S&W caliber, too.
IF that “VERY BAD DAY” arrives, when you must defend your loved ones/yourself with DEADLY FORCE, it is well to have a firearm that will DISABLE the PREDATOR quickly.
A heavy-duty gunbelt & a quality OWB holster is the solution to carrying a FULL-SIZE handgun easily.
(NO “mouse guns” for me. Make mine a .40 S&W or a .45 ACP & in a handgun that is the size/weight of a Colt’s COMBAT COMMANDER or larger platform.)
Just my OPINION, ex-cadet
USAMPR, Retired
I think the next holster I’ll get will be an Alien Gear for my H&K VP9.
Say what...?
disagree with the empty chamber advice. there are tons fo stories about children shooting guns because there already was a round in the chamber, often with tragic results. unless you’re a cop, my advice is nothing in the tube
Summer, is shorts and polo's for guys, and that means pocket pistols, because carrying any sized 1911 is not really practical in 90 degree/85% humidity weather.
There are a plethora of small, pocketable pistols in calibers from .22 to .45 available. So power is not the issue in pocket pistols, but recoil is harsher.
And don't forget revolvers. They rarely fail, better power factor, 5-6 shot, and you can still carry in a pocket.
Remember, you're not out to fight a war, but to give yourself an opportunity stop a bad situation from getting worse, and living to tell about it.
If you have never been in a personal confrontation where having a weapon kept you breathing, be glad for that. Because everything that happens AFTER that is where the nightmares begin.
And the number one rule of carrying concealed,
DON'T CHECK THE WEAPON EVERY 5 SECONDS.
If I had a dime for every individual carrying that I knew of simply by the continual weapon check, I'd have more money than Jeff Bezos.
If the pistol is in your pocket and was secure when you left the house, LEAVE IT ALONE.
If you are holster carrying, and it was secure when you left the house, LEAVE IT ALONE.
Do some observation while out at the stores sometime, see if you can pick up the folk that carry.
My holster-drilling instructor carries two guns, an OWB Glock 22 and an ankle-holstered Beretta PX4 Storm Compact.
Above is a plug for a group called Action Shooting International. Very relaxed “move and shoot” group that runs sessions at various gun clubs. Is not the pro-level stuff, but you can practice shooting at various targets while moving, changing magazines, shooting around obstacles, etc.
Affordable too. Sessions are something like $20 only. After the first session they want you to join for another $20. It is not instructional, just getting to shoot while moving. Well, they give you some shooting tips. Safety rules are taught without making one feel like an idiot.
Obviously not concealed carry.
NOT Concealed carry when printing.
Let me just say ... there’s no logical conflict between belt, pocket and ankle ... all three.
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