BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[remington]

So what gun to you CCW carry the most? This is not ment to be a caliber debate or maufacturer thread. Just curious what ya'll are packing. I carry several. Generally a 1911 (on duty and play) but most recently a Kel-tec 32 (proven reliable) with the 10 round mag extention. I have a baby fobus holster and truley forget I'm carrying it because it's so light. I carry a couple extra mags in my pocket and off to play. Granted I'm not going to fight the talaban off in a war zone batle but that's not what a CCW is for.

[ADKBEAR]

Well I love my 1911-a but at times it is a little to big for comfy concile carry so most of the time I pack my Colt Mustang in 380 auto.
The rest of my handguns are hunters or target shooters and not the CC type.

[hoby]

I carry a Kahr K40 Elite 2003 with night sights, which is a 40 smith and wesson. It is compact and reliable.

[cowgal]

For CC I like my S&W .357 mag revolver in a J frame with a fully enclosed hammer. Not as compact as some handguns, but its currently my favorite.

[ADKBEAR]

Cowgal
Do you load that gun with 38's or put 357 cowboys in it when you carry? I am looking at geting my wife a smith airlight snubnose in 357. The J frame packs more weight to offset the recoil but what is the kick like with 357's?
She has a S&W model 10, 38 cal right now but it has a 4 inch bull bbl and with the external hammer it is not much of a CC gun.

[Hunt4Elk85]

I carry a Sig Sauer Sig Pro 2340 in .40 S&W, been really looking at buying a kahr arms compact .40 because the sig can be difficult to conceal in warmer weather under lighter clothing.

[CVC]

I am looking at a kel tec .380. Nothing fancy, nothing pretty, but flat and small.

[cowgal]

ADKBEAR,

I carry it with 357s, but have shot both 38s & 357s at the range. The 357s do snap my wrists considerably. Its not a good handgun to shoot for fun. When I was shopping for this gun I was undecided between the airlight, ladysmith & this J frame model. But I found this good used Model 640 and it does weigh more than either the airlight or ladysmith. I may still buy one of the airlights one of these days, they only weigh about 12 ounces vs 23 ounces that mine weighs. The model I have has a bit more of a handle to grip as well, which is something to consider when shooting 357s.

[Don Fischer]

ADKBEAR,

I'm not a handgun freak but do like plinking with them. When I drove 48 states for a living I carried everywhere. What I liked was a Colt Trooper 357 4", with 125gr as fast as I could get them without locking up the cylinder. But times have changed and although I keep a Ruger P-89 loaded and close most of the time, I think the best was my old Trooper with a 4" barrel and loaded with 38 Spec. and 148gr wadcutters. The 357 frame and 38 Spec target loads are real easy to shoot well. It would also take one hell of a man to catch a couple of those in the chest and keep going.

I'm not sure it's a good idea to comtemplate shooting someone with a hand load but, you don't get a day in court if your dead. I tried the same loads in a Colt Diamondback years ago and it was very nice to shoot but being younger I felt I needed more. I'd trade that P-89 off on another Diamondback in 38 in a heart beat today. then I'd load it with those 148gr wadcutters. The Trooper was a heavy gun.

2.5gr Bullseye, 148gr wadcutter = about 725fps 8' from the muzzle. really nice to shoot.

[ADKBEAR]

Thanks for the feed back cowgal and Don. My dad has an old Trooper with a 6 inch barrel when I was a kid we would go down to the sand pit to shoot and when he brought the trooper he would load it with five 38's and one 357 just to keep me on my toes. Good times.
I agree that the 38 is a great defence round. The mod 10 my wife has is just to big and heavy for her (go's about 115 soaking wet) to shove in a hand bag and go. She has been carrying a Beretta Tomcat .22cal for some time now because it is small, light and easy to shoot. I have finally convinced her a bigger gun is in order so she dosent just piss someone off if she has to shoot them. So like I said I am looking at a Smith airligh in 357 mag. It has a 5 shot cylinder and internal hammer and weighs next to nothing. I figger, fill it full of 38's and the recoil should still be manageable. There is a Gander Mtn. near me that has one right now with a laser sight installed on the handle awsome little gun, kind of pricy tho? Here in NY school taxes are due right now so money is a little tight at the moment.

[cowgal]

ADKBEAR, if you get the Smith airlight, let me know how your wife likes it.

Around here I watch the pawn shops and gunshops for used handguns. Good ones come in from time to time. Do you have stores that sell used in NY? If yes, you might let them know what you're looking for and tell them to give you a call when something comes in. All the Smith models come up for sale here from time to time.

I know you can find a lot of used handguns online, however I like to actually see and handle the gun before I buy it.

[Don Fischer]

I'm not sure I'd go with the lazer sight unless it's really out of the way. Anything at all that might hang up on clothing or things in a purse would be detrimental. For the ,,,,work you'd be asking, your talking 8' to 10' and shooting at the center of the chest. Smooth and fast trumps great sights. If she really had to use it, she'd likely not have time to take aim, just point and shoot.

[buckrod73]

I carry either a Para-Ordinance P-12 with Winchester Rangers or a Glock 40 S&W with Rangers. On the hip in the pants.

Buck

[ADKBEAR]

Will do there cowgal. There are a few pawn shops around Syracuse, don't really know if they sell guns or not? There are a few gun shops around and that is where I do most of my shopping. And I agree with you 100% about buying guns unseen, not an option for me.

Don yeah just another gizmo to break. At the range she would be shooting at someone the muzzle blast from a 2 inch barrel would knock someone down even if she missed them.

Money is tight right now, we shall see.

[ADKBEAR]

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