Off Topic, what should I get for CCW?

So many choices! The Kahr K9 and K40 are very goodguns. Small and very accurate. The baby Glocks are also cute (Glocks: 26, 27, 30, 33, and 36), but for me I still favor large handguns. My department issues semi-autos and every one believes that the revolver is out dated and ineffective. Even though I like semi-autos, I recently started to carry my S&W 625-2. This seems to be a big gun to my co-workers, but it just fits me. Hell, my first handgun was a S&W 29 in .44 Mag. My 625 has a fully lugged 5" barrel and built on the frame as my 29 ( N frame - S&W largest). My co-workers freak out when they see me reload my 625! Since, I use full moon clips for the .45 ACP, it's like a built in speed loader. Jerry Miculek broke a record recently using a 625. He fired six rounds, reloaded, and fired six more in 2.99 seconds (all in double action)! So far, I can't go below 4.5 seconds. I need more practice!

Many here suggested for you to visit a range and rent some guns. I think that is a good idea. A test drive before you buy is great advice.



[This message has been edited by Broken Arrow (edited 11-23-2000).]
 
Yvsa- Glock 23, Trijicon night sights, pre-ban hi-cap mag,Corbon ammo, and a Kramer IWB holster.Don't neglect the holster and belt choice. This combo does it for me. DaveAZ
 
I'm a revolver man(the only semiauto I have is a ruger carbine) and think that a great fight stopper is a 5 shot 2 or 3" 44 Spl. I suggest you practice with it a lot and buy some quality, lightweight, high velocity ammo! I'm biased by the minimum hole it will put in your target. The intimidation factor of seeing that large hole in the muzzle end and the business end of the waiting bullets in the other chambers can not be discounted either.
No matter what you use-Practice, practice, practice.
Good luck
 
Sutcliffe,

I'm glad you said that. The only reason I didn't bring it up is because Yvsa wanted an auto. You could always borrow one for the class you know! Anyway I like .44 Special as well. One of my cars has the S&W 640 .357 in it, the other one has a Rossi 720 .44 Special. It is available in either fixed or adjustable sights (the models have some other differences). I was looking through Shotgun News the other day and saw a wholesaler offering the fixed sight version for $170! Highway robbery. I love mine. I bought it close to ten years ago for $205. It is a surprisingly accurate gun. If I had to shoot one of my snubbies for group, this would be the one. And that's with "carry ammo." The only choice I can see is Cor-Bon 165 JHP. Very little flash and a good solid thump on the target. I like that gun a lot. They aren't light though, something like 27 oz if I remember right. Solid chunk of stainless steel. I'm intrigued by some of the new Taurus "Totally Titanium" revolvers. A 2.5 inch barrel .41 Magnum that weights 20 oz. Ported barrel and "Ribber" grips are supposed to make recoil not so bad. I also saw a 4" version of it on the cover of this months "Combat Handguns." I would like to have one of those for a "wear around the farm gun." Can't rust but can easily drop a deer or coyote.

Yvsa, I've read through all these posts. I'm excited to see how many gun people we have on this list. I noticed several people mentioned the medium size Glocks with a majority mentioning .40. I don't know. My feelings on the .40 S&W started out very high and have slowly declined. Somebody else mentioned that there have been some Glock "blow ups" with .40 and that is true, I've seen the pictures. I just don't think you gain that much from it over a 9mm and with pre-ban magazines you give up one or two rounds for it. Mike L. mentioned carrying the .40 with 135 gr. bullets. Got to www.corbon.com and compare them. A .40 with 135 gr exits at 1325. A 9mm with 125 gr. exits at 1250. 75 fps, ten grains more lead, and a .400 bullet instead of .355. I would rather have two more rounds. 10mm is a different story. I like that round a lot but the guns go and get big. Glock does make a small version, Model 29. Anyway, I went and got long winded again. I just wanted to say that if you decide to go mid-frame Glock, I would go 9mm and go with a Model 19. You can find pre-ban magazines for them and Model 17 mags will fit as well (they just stick out a little at the bottom). And I agree with what Dave said, spend a decent amount of time and money picking a holster and belt. That makes all the difference.

Rusty,

I thought of you and your .45 SAA today. I have a Ruger Bisley/Vaquero with 5.5 inch barrel. It can shoot the new Corbon .45 +P (box marked .45 Colt Magnum) bullets. The 265 gr bullet moves out at 1350 fps. There is a 300 gr. at 1300 and a 335 gr. Hard Cast at 1050 fps! That's solid .44 Magnum country. I loaded up the 265 gr version this afternoon and went looking for a deer. I jumped a little herd of five right up under my feet and things were exciting for a minute. My eyes quickly looked them over though and ..... no antlers. Can't shoot a doe until the weekend. But I agree a .45 Colt SA has some appeal for a self defense gun. I've eyed my Ruger a few times and thought about the eyebrows I could raise. And it safely carries six rounds. The only thing that has kept me from doing it is that the cylinder is pretty darn thick. I would probably have to go shoulder holster to really conceal it and I really don't like those things. It's fun to dream though. If you ever had to use it (and lived) it would be a lot of fun to see the cops write it up. For self defense, Cor-bon makes a 200 gr JHP at 1100 fps. That should work.

Yvsa,

Back to you. I'll shut up now. I want to share a URL with you. I don't know where I found this guy's web page in the first place but there is a lot of good "hands on" information here. http://www.piedmont.org/page2.html

Gregg
 
:
Thanks Guys and Gal!!!!
biggrin.gif

I appreciate all the replies and should anyone think of anything else please post it or e-mail me again like so many of you have done.

And I do like the Wheel Guns, just thought an auto might be the thing to have with the improvements over the last several years.
And with an auto I would really prefer one with a cocked, loaded single, double action.
And that's another reason I thought an auto might be better, because after the 1st round is fired it is more like a single action with a lighter trigger.
Any comments on this? Pros and cons?

I realize that single action is generally slower and that everyone needs to be able to use a pistol either way. I do pretty well with the .357 on double, but I can't "walk the can" like I can on single action.
I don't like the heavier trigger pull most wheel guns have on double action, unless that's been improved over the years as well?
And if it hasn't can this be worked on by a good
gunsmith? Jerry?

I see where some quality leather and quality holsters are also recommended. I don't know about an IWB as there is just about only room for me in my jeans.
smile.gif


So the question to that is, can an old fat man actually carry IWB?
(If there was such a thing as UTB, Under The Belly, carry I would have it made.
eek.gif
smile.gif


Remember that I also have limited movement in several areas, trying to reach a SOB carry would be impossible for me for instance.

I am also prone to sweating when othe people are cold so although there are times I could do a shoulder holster some of the time I don't think it would be practical.

My usual dress is jeans and loose, floppy t-shirts. And I don't like real tight fitting jeans anymore, and when your my size the waist may be a bit snug, but the rest of the pants are gonna be kinda loose anyway.
smile.gif


Any Brand Names and/or models of holsters would also be appreciated!
smile.gif


And Gregg if you get to make it to Terry's on the 28th I would appeciate looking at some of your arsenal if you wouldn't mind.
smile.gif


Thanks again Guys an Gal!!!
I do appreciate the help.


------------------
>>>>---¥vsa---->®

Each person's work is always a portrait of himself.

---- Samuel Butler.

Khukuri FAQ
Himalayan Imports Website
 
Yvsa,

I didn't know about the get together?! Is it buried in some thread I didn't read? I saw Bill was in Kansas but that thread doesn't seem to say anything about an Oklahoma get together. The 28th is Tuesday? So Bill is going to go by Claremore again on his way to the airport? What kind of time are we talking about? Tuesday is a work day for me but I could always leave early.

Assuming that I can come, what do you want to see? I want to see the new knife of course but I also want to see the one that you "finished." I would also like to see your 18th Century. I could bring a Glock 17, S&W 640, Rossi .44 Special, Ruger Bisley/Vaquero .45 Colt, my Security Six, and maybe even my Ruger Super Redhawk just so you can see what a "real revolver" looks like. Any rifles or shotguns that you want to see? I've got a side by side 12 gauge with hammers that I'll have to throw in. That's my "ace in the hole" home gun.

Oh yeah. One more thing that could be good for everybody else on the list. I have access to a really nice digital camera this weekend. I have to take it back in to work on Monday but there should be a good chance that I could bring it on Tuesday. It takes beautiful close ups. Maybe we can get some really nice pictures of those new knives! Just what Bill needs, increased demand!

Gregg

Edit: two things. One, Tom I bought a Gelbu Special from Uncle Bill awhile back. I've fiddled with the edge but I'm nowhere near happy. There is one place out toward the front of the curve that is so hard that nothing I have is making any difference. You can just feel carbide steel or even Spyderco Sharpmaker sticks just "slide" when it get there. Can I bring it for a sharpening lesson? Do you have something you use for really hard ones?

two. Somehow forgot a favorite. I'll bring my S&W Model 27 .41 Magnum as well.

[This message has been edited by tulsamal (edited 11-24-2000).]
 
Yvsa,

I like to use three brands of holsters. These are real important when you want to conceal firearms. With a great carry rig, you can conceal guns that people would say that they are too big. My HK USP is a real big gun as well as my S&W 625-2.

The brands that I use are: Kramer horse hide leather holsters, Mitch Rosen Leather rigs, and Blade-tech kydex holsters. For inside the waist band (IWB) rigs, I like to get my pants one size bigger. On some of my pants that are more fitted, I like to use a simple pancake type rig that rides on my hip. Many people try to fit the carry gun into their wardrobe, and this will limit your carry options. If you were to fit your wardrobe around you gun, then concealing one is easier. When you start carrying you will find that you will have several different rigs for various occasions or clothing style.

As far as sweating goes, the Glocks tennifer finish holds up very well against corrosion, also the HK H.E. (hostile environment) finish. Hard chrome, Nickel, NP3, Roguard, are very good too. Stainless is alot better than blue steel, but if your sweat is very corrosive like mine, blue steel sucks. Looks good, but sucks. Hope this helps. Take care and good luck!
 
:
Gregg please check your e-mail.
smile.gif


I would love to see the pistols and any carrying gear you have.
I will also bring my 18th Century, YCS and the Chainpuri blade I finished.
And I will bring the sharpening tools along as well. There isn't a steel knife made that will resist the DMT Duofold's!!!

Thanks BA!!! When I purchase whatever pistol I choose I will also take everyone's advice and get a good carry rig to go with it.
I know the value of good carry systems have due to making some knife sheaths over the years!


------------------
>>>>---¥vsa---->®

Each person's work is always a portrait of himself.

---- Samuel Butler.

Khukuri FAQ
Himalayan Imports Website
 
Don't feel bad. I've been trying to figure it out ( what to carry ) for months. Finally found out you have to list and qualify with only two guns, listing Make, Model, Finish, Caliber, but not barrel length or serial no. Which means if I pick up a pair of each gun...
 
Rusty,

So are you saying that the Nevada CCW is "gun restrictive" i.e. you have to have what specific gun you are allowed to carry on the form? That's no good. If they license you to carry a gun that ought to be good enough. What if something better comes out next year? Like Yvsa said, OK is only restrictive by "type." If you qualify with a revolver then that's all you can carry (and single/double types as well). Any revolver, but not an auto. If you qualify with an auto then you are qualified to carry anything.

BA (or anybody else that wants to chime in),

I've got a 4 inch S&W Model 57, .41 Magnum. I can't believe how hard it is to find decent holsters for a N frame Smith. I don't want to carry it concealed! I'm just looking for a good solid strong side belt holster. Almost like a duty holster. Something I can carry it in when I'm out walking the property. I sure would like to get something decent in leather instead of shoving it into nylon and watching it abrade away the bluing. I looked at the Kramer page but they only listed six inch in M57. Anybody with a four inch N frame that has a favorite non-concealment holster to recommend?

Gregg
 
Gregg, that is pretty much right. You must show ( by a certificate from a trainer ) that you can safely handle and fire the two guns listed on your permit. Apparently they don't want someone taking an eight and 3/8ths" K-22 to the range to qualify with and then carrying a 3" 44 mag stoked with full house loads.

But I'll email Yvsa more maybe tomorrow. Maybe we could talk about knives instead?
biggrin.gif
 
Tulsamal

Kramer can make one for you in 4" also. That's the beauty of custom holser makers. They custom made me a IWB holster for my Glock 24 (6" barrel, .40 cal). Kramer also custom made a 3" belt scabbard for my 3" S&W Back Packer .44 mag. Give them a call.

[This message has been edited by Broken Arrow (edited 11-26-2000).]
 
Hey Yvsa,

Don't have any advice for ya, cause I'm in the same boat as you! I just got my CCW permit and I'm trying to decide what to carry. Kinda leaning toward the Beretta 9000s in .40 SW, or the Glock mod 27 in .40, or glock 36? in .45 acp. I own a Beretta 92fs and love it, but it is a little large sometimes.
Maine is much less restrictive on thier CCW permits. We don't have to qualify on any guns, just take a course on gun safety--which I don't think is enough.. I think you should have to show that you can handle various handguns before you carry them around. Maybe they should let you qualify with 4 or 5 guns of your choice?
Good luck with your decision--its a fun problem to have! Choices, choices and so many guns to drool over
smile.gif
wink.gif

BTW, anybody got any IWB holster recommendations for the Beretta 92fs?

Thanks
Rob
 
MauiRob,

Your Beretta 92 is a big gun for concealment. With the proper IWB holster it can be done. I like to use my own 92 with a Mitch Rosen Arg (Ayoob real guard) IWB holster. Kramer's IWB is also great. Since Blade Tech came out, I have been using their kydex holsters more and more. Their IWB model is very secure, very thin, and very affordable. Try them out. You can reach them at: www.blade-tech.com. Hope this helps.
 
Hey BA, great to talk to you again! Thanks for the advice, I'll check out your recommendations. Yeah, the 92 is large for concealment, but its cold alot of the time up here in Maine so its not that hard! Like I said, I will probably opt to carry one of the compact Glocks or the Beretta 9000s in .40 S+W. What do you think of that caliber BTW? I don't know a whole lot about it except I've heard that its got higher ft/lbs energy than the 45 ACP w/o some of the recoil. Anyone care to address this topic? Many thanks in advance!

Rob
 
Got to spend some time with everybody in Tulsa (Claremore) tonight. I took 7 different handguns for Yvsa to check out. He's kind of a hard one to fit. His hands are hard to describe. They are good sized but the fingers are thick and not very long. The combination means that he has trouble getting a solid grip on a thick handle. I don't think of my Glock 17 9mm as being thick (rather the opposite compared to the Ber 92) but it just didn't fit Yvsa's hands. I have medium Pachs on my S&W M57 .41 and he liked the feel of it. They are the gripper models though and aren't very thick around. He also like the feel of the factory grips on my Ruger Bisley/Vaquero .45 Colt. But the winner in his mind was my S&W 640-1 Centennial, .357 Magnum with the factory rubber grip. He kept coming back to it and also passed it over for the wife to try.

Carry is also going to be a problem as Yvsa has already pointed out that he can't reach anything on his back. He could use a strong side belt slide holster if he wanted to wear some outerwear to cover it. With that little S&W 640 there are a lot of possibilities. I showed him my little pocket holster for it. You can just carry it in a front pocket or the pocket of a jacket. He could also do some kind of "off body" carry. I don't like a lot of the "fanny pack" holsters but that's because everyone wants to buy one big enough to pack a 1911 in. If you buy the smallest one they make, the Smith would still fit it fine. You have room for your wallet and keys and you are off and running.

Gregg
 
Yvsa, if you like the Centennial, check out the Bodyguard, which has the humpback shroud on either side of the hammer. Either the aluminum frame Airweight Bodyguard ( model 38 ) or the steel framed ( model 49 ) Bodyguard.

Either way, I like the fact it fits my hand, it's small, double action, but has a little nub of a hammer that you can use to thumb cock to fire single action.

Since I can only list two guns ( but don't need to give them serial numbers ) one will be a Browning model 1955 in .380 caliber ( mine were made shortly before the GCA of '68 ). The other I plan to be a blued Airweight Bodyguard as soon as I can find one ( hopefully the older pinned barrel )for a spare. Unless I find another new Cobra first.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top