So... any of our members here have an interest in firearms?

noelekal

I tend to gravitate to medium-framed all-steel handguns for personal defense carry, mostly in the form of K-Frame Smith & Wesson revolvers or the full-sized Colt Government Model .45. I appreciate their weight and balance and a quality gun belt makes totin' them a breeze. Both inside-the-waistband and outside-the-waistband holsters are available to conceal them depending on circumstances, apparel, and of course in Texas, the weather.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 Heavy Barrel .38 Special 4-inch with a Bell Charter Oak Mae West IWB holster.


The ol' faithful Model 10 with a Bucheimer Federal Man "high-ride" OWB holster.





Colt Government Model .45 with a custom IWB holster.


The Government Model also with a Beucheimer Federal Man for OWB wear. I liked that holster design in its day so use it still.



For the infrequent times I also carry a back-up, or when I can't contrive to hide anything larger, I most frequently carry this Smith & Wesson Model 649 .38 Special, in a De Santis Nemesis holster. Before retirement I was totin' a Colt Detective Special, also in a Nemesis. The adption of casual dress in the lobby at the last bank for which I worked compelled me to shed my much preferred larger side arms.





The Colt Detective Special, without its Nemesis holster. I like the Detective Special for its 6-shot capacity while still being effectively as compact as a J-Frame Smith & Wesson. The Detective Special handles more like a service revolver and it is more accurate for me than the stunted Smith & Wesson J-Frames. I just came to regret putting wear on the vintage Colt's blue finish so adopted the stainless steel Smith & Wesson Model 649 Bodyguard after I retired.


Those ricochets can be dangerous Wryfox. I think I already related the story here about how a .30-06 ricochet came straight back and struck me in the head. Some of the bullet jacket is behind my left eye yet.

noelekal

"To be honest, being young and stupid as I was I shouldn't have made it this far."

^This!^

voere

For 1911's I like this owb holster. As long as I use a good stiff holster belt this holster works great.

MikiJ

My 1911 is my favorite carry piece. I always carry mine with a round up, hammer back and the thumb safety in place.
I'm comfortable carrying this way because of the additional grip safety.

Prior to Colt's 80 series there was an issue if the pistol fell with the hammer back a round could discharge. No more 😀

larryganz

I used to carry a Kimber compact CDP this way, in an Alessi talon holster. I switched not due to safety concerns of cocked and locked, but because I couldn't get some of my family to be clear on how my single action cocked and locked firearms were different from my double action firearms.

I didn't want to be down or unavailable and have them pick up my firearm in a crisis, and not know about the safety or need to be cocked on one and not the other - so I switched everything to DA on the first shot (whether striker fired or Sig and Beretta DA/SA with hammer down). Now if there is a fight they can pick it up and pull the trigger without thinking about what kind of firearm they have.

But that still leaves the issue of them getting confused after the fight, with my Sig 229 and the hammer de-cocking lever, my Beretta DA/SA 21A with thumb safety and hammer, or my FNS-9 with striker and thumb safety. So those are usually locked up and I only carry my Glock, Kahr, Sig P365, or a revolver.

voere

Larry

The reasons you mentioned about handgun operation. Around my home I use the KISS theory. Everyone of my family members knows how to use a revolver. that is the handgun of choice for them. Hey if something would to ever happen “God forbid” at least they know how to operate the handgun and are proficient shooting them.

Pistols are another ballgame safety’s, de cockers, de cocker only and such leave a lot to be desired for someone that does not know or understand the functions and operation of the firearm. It complicates the sitsuation.

voere

My Father passed away when I was sixteen years old. He had a bad heart valve. After that ordeal I never thought I would live past my thirties. When I was young,dumb and full of C*m. I made damn sure I had a good time. Plus I was plenty stupid. However it was fun.

The Father

Safeties on a weapon are double edged sword I would.
Have the experience of “getting it on” and mates more than once forgot about the safety thought their weapon was malfunctioning. Scary stuff when all you need is a flick of a lever and you panicked. Not enjoyable. That is why a prefer Glock as a sidearm.

voere

We all have different thoughts on how to best protect our loved ones. Or at the very least give them the tools to protect them self. I would much rather have them dial 911 and not have to resort to firearms for protection. Sometimes that may not be possible. Training is key several times per year we all go out to our family range for safe firearms handling and target shooting.

Wryfox

Fighting effectively means that you are able to inflict a level of injury on your opponent that he is no longer physically able to continue the battle. It means doing some really extreme things….severe blood loss, unconsciousness, major bone injury. It doesn’t mean whacking him once, but enough till he is permanently no longer a threat. Temporarily disabling an attacker is unreliable and will get you killed.

10mmauto

The discussion about carrying a gun can certainly invoke very strong feelings. Therefore I only speak for myself. I am now retired from my primary profession, but when I was working, it included 22 years as a principal firearms instructor for a federal law enforcement agency. I have been carrying one (or more) guns more or less every day for the last 39 years. My preferred method of carry has always been strong side carry in either a belt slide holster or a paddle holster when possible. These days I prefer a kydex paddle holster. In those situations where that is impractical I resort to either an ankle holster or (less preferred) a pocket holster. I've never used an IWB holster. These choices have evolved over time as my mode of dress (suit and sport coats) and the size and weight of the weapons I've carried has changed. Today for my trip to the bank and the hardware store it is an ankle holster.