Posted on 07/01/2021 3:30:10 AM PDT by COBOL2Java
Some folks associate violent crime with certain parts of town. And, it could be that they think that if they just stay out of certain bars and pool halls that the chance of a violent encounter doesn’t exist. Clearly, they are not watching and reading the same news reports that I am.
Yes, there are certain locations and events that we just simply avoid if we have any sense at all. But it is also important to realize that violent attacks can occur anywhere at any time. That includes our nice neighborhoods, the little convenience store down on the corner or even our own homes. And we have found that our churches, movie theaters and sporting events are not completely immune, either.
It is not the obvious situations and locations that are the real danger, because we can simply avoid those. What will get you are the surprise events. Those of us who have had to deal with dangerous encounters know that they can occur at any time or place and with relatively little warning. Those are the real problems, and those are the reason that we carry a defensive firearm.
I have a friend who was given a double-action revolver for personal defense. I’m not sure he ever shot it. But, wanting to be with the in-crowd, he sold that and bought a polymer-frame, double-stack semi-automatic. He has probably never shot it, either, and he certainly hasn’t ever gotten any defensive training. The gun stays under the seat of his car or in the bottom of his bag while traveling. You can imagine how much help he will be to himself, or anyone else, should he one day be confronted with a violent attack.
Not being able to predict when violence will visit us is the reason for the defensive handgun. If we absolutely knew that we were going to have to face trouble, we’d either go the other way or arm ourselves with a rifle or shotgun. But the handgun is not a magic wand. If you don’t have it on you and know how to use it, it is absolutely useless.
Years ago, Col. Jeff Cooper said, “If you are reading this and can’t put your hand on your defensive firearm, all of your training is wasted.” I think that about covers it.
As the saying goes, it's not supposed to be comfortable, it's supposed to be comforting.
“Carrying a weapon is a burden.”
In more ways than one.
L
“I’ve been hauling around a Springfield XD40 subcom for years,”
Check out an XDS. I don’t believe they’re available in .40 but 9mm and .45 are. Great little single stack pistols.
Love them.
L
I can't carry at work - yes they randomly check and violating it would have me in cuffs, fired, and probably prosecuted. I'm not a Clinton after all. However, I do carry everywhere else. Everywhere. That's why it's called concealed carry. In my state, if discovered on business premises they can ask me to leave and I must (else be charged with trespass and or causing a disturbance). But I conveniently "miss" seeing any signs saying "no firearms"... Although if possible I don't patronize such businesses anyway.
I do love Springfield. They make solid firearms. I’ve not gone over to Glock yet, but I suspect the 9mm carry I choose in the future will be a single-stack. Thanks for the advice. I’ll check out that series.
That’s why you need a summer gun and a winter gun!!
Wife used to carry in here purse... until a no gooder tried to take her purse while she was in Wal-Mart. Had it in the cart and dude came up and just grabbed it and started walking. She yelled, he dropped the purse and took off.
She carries on her body now.
“I’ve not gone over to Glock yet,”
You have no doubt found that the grip angle on the Glock differs just enough to require relearning all that muscle memory when you aim it. Being an old(er) 1911 guy I hated that.
But when I picked up my first XD I found that it’s almost exactly like a 1911. That sealed it for me.
Look for a used one if you can find it. When I got Mrs L her XDS it was the bi-tone model also in .45. I picked up the complete package including the hard case and extra mags for around $400 IIRC.
What a bargain.
Good luck.
L
Too old to take an ass whoopin’ and too young to die.
Mr. GG2 got weary of carrying his XDM .40 and switched to the XDS in .9mm. Much lighter carry weapon.
Once I'm done for the day, I have a pocket pistol I carry. The bride also has her CCW but I can't convince her to carry every day, or when she goes out. She's a revolver fan, and even the smallish pieces are still quite bulky for her small frame.
I picked up the identical gun that your Mrs. has about 8 years ago. It is a good gun.
MFO
Mine does as well, but I bring it anyway. We are in a somewhat high crime area, and I don't want to leave it in my vehicle to be stolen. When I get to my office, I unload my lunch box and put the contents away and put the pistol in the lunch box until I leave.
We haven’t had a single failure with ours. Not one.
They’re so reliable is silly.
L
or 2 to keep you balanced
Most medical offices in Oregon have signs saying no firearms...I know an old lady who ignores the signs.
But (as the author notes) "violent attacks can occur anywhere at any time." Your life is valuable, and you do NOT want to be under-prepared!
;^)
This little episode happened to me when I had just acquired mine.
My wife and I were driving down a lonesome highway in SE Colorado and we came up on a badger on the side of the road. Being from a Ranch family, we don’t take kindly to badgers so I stopped and got out to shoot it.
In the heat of the moment, I didn’t properly grip the gun and the slide came back and laid a nice little gash between my thumb and index finger :(. But, I did get the sucker shot at @ 25 yards.
And then there is this little story which involved the TSA and the KC airport :( Fortunately, everything came out positive.
MFO
I had a Browning Buckmark lay the web of my hand open pretty good once. Taught me a valuable lesson.
L
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.