How many people CCW here?

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Originally Posted by Bergstedt

But ok, enough of derailing of this thread. Thanks again. :)

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I too will say that reasonable questions of understanding are NOT offensive. Different counties have different habits/traits. Here in the U.S.A., different states have different habits/traits. Understanding is a universal quest.

I frequently CCW. When I was a young child, my parents helped to prosecute some "bad people". There were credable threats to my safety as a young teen. I learned how to use my environment for safety (no I did not CCW as a teen). When I was old enough, I learned to handle weapons safely and to treat them as tools. Handguns have a purpose, much like a hammer or a knife. If used safely/properly they all serve a purpose. When used foolishly they can harm people. No newspaper will lead with a story about someone smashing their hand flat with a hammer because they did not respeect the hammer....

As an adult, I CCW because of some of the environments/neighborhoods I have to travel through (not always by choice but necessity). I train not only on a "square" range, but on "360" ranges. I train with situations too.

Shooting is a skil set. Much like bowling or golf. If you let your skills slide, you loose them.

CCW is a personal choice and (it should be) a lifestyle choice. It (should be) a commitment to learning your trade craft.

I personally appreciate inteligent questions of understanding and welcome them! Understanding leads to a beter life for everyone. Thanks for asking your question.

Sorry I did not get into this thread sooner.

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Originally Posted by tom475

I too will say that reasonable questions of understanding are NOT offensive. Different counties have different habits/traits. Here in the U.S.A., different states have different habits/traits. Understanding is a universal quest.

I frequently CCW. When I was a young child, my parents helped to prosecute some "bad people". There were credable threats to my safety as a young teen. I learned how to use my environment for safety (no I did not CCW as a teen). When I was old enough, I learned to handle weapons safely and to treat them as tools. Handguns have a purpose, much like a hammer or a knife. If used safely/properly they all serve a purpose. When used foolishly they can harm people. No newspaper will lead with a story about someone smashing their hand flat with a hammer because they did not respeect the hammer....

As an adult, I CCW because of some of the environments/neighborhoods I have to travel through (not always by choice but necessity). I train not only on a "square" range, but on "360" ranges. I train with situations too.

Shooting is a skil set. Much like bowling or golf. If you let your skills slide, you loose them.

CCW is a personal choice and (it should be) a lifestyle choice. It (should be) a commitment to learning your trade craft.

I personally appreciate inteligent questions of understanding and welcome them! Understanding leads to a beter life for everyone. Thanks for asking your question.

Sorry I did not get into this thread sooner.

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Well put and well explained. I really like the analogy with the hammer. Thank you for your answer. :)

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Originally Posted by Bergstedt

Well put and well explained. I really like the analogy with the hammer. Thank you for your answer. :)

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The hammer analogy made me think of the lyrics to an old Simon & Garfunkel song that sort of answers the question nicely .....

"I'd rather be a hammer than a nail." :)

Uh, it may be small for some people, but I guarantee, if I pulled it out on a scumbag, he/she would most likely run, if they were smart and/or convinced that I had every intention to use it. If they tried to call my bluff, they would catch quite a few hollows in the face, crotch, wherever I decided to hit them. It would kill you from the internal bleeding pretty quickly. I carry nasty rounds to make up for the size.

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Originally Posted by Flatire67

Nice, but a 32 is a bit small for my liking. I have a couple Sig P238's but they are as small as I will carry and carry them very little

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Center mass, center mass ,center mass.....I always train for center mass in my primary training this reduces the likely hood of a malicious intent civil suit.cheers -CAM-

The choice of what to carry is a personal choice. If you are uncomfortable with the tools you carry, the tools will do you no good (no matter how large or small). While I will carry a full frame 1911, I am taller than "normal" and larger bodied than most (62" long suit coat). I have ham hocks for hands.
For some people, simply due to physical size not skill set, a 1911 will be too much. Their physical size will not CONCEAL a 1911, defeating CCW. Other people are simply not comfortable with a 1911.
I have a friend that can shoot out the center of a target at 20 yards with a 9mm but he struggles to hit the paper with my 1911. I would much prefer he carry a 9mm rather than a 1911.
I am able to carry a larger frame gun and am more comfortable with a larger frame. I will use what I am comfortable with. While it is obvious a .32 will do less damage when compared to a .45 (hitting the same body mass area), hitting with a .32 is much better than missing with a .45.
Using the right tool for the job at hand and wisely controlling your tools is the first step in CCW.
Choose wisely, train wisely, act prudently.... Have a much better 2015 than 2014 and may 2016 be better still

What would you suggest for the financially challenged but in need of a CCW. A coworker as recently been elected president of a couple political organizations (yes he's crazy but two presidencies and a board member at the same time), and because of it has received several threats. He's a mostly retired disabled vet and funds are very tight. His experience with firearms extends to hunting rifles from the early 1980's so he asked for suggestions on budget firearm for self defense, and possible CCW. His budget is under $300, reliable, readily available ammo, and arthritis friendly controls (recoil he's fine with but some safeties and take downs can be problematic). I suggested a used S&W J frame, the Taurus 85, possibly a used glock, and possibly the SCCY. Is there anything that you'd suggest him checking out that I have forgotten?


DISCLAIMER : The police have been notified of the threats, and he is taking as many steps as possible to avoid undue risk. He has taken his CCW class and license should be available early January, he is proficient but inexperianced with firearms. As for budget he'd like to spend more but unfortunately on his small fixed income it he is unable, though he does plan on purchasing a better ccw once he's had some time.

New Taurus 38 snub nosed revolver

2-850029fs m85fs m85 85 38sp 2ss ss fs 5rd taurus : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

I too would suggest a revolver in 38 spcl. They are simple with no extra gadgets/gizmos. A Glock does not have a safety to try and get hung up on but a good used Glock is not really inexpensive. I would try and avoid models such as Beretta's with the external mechanical safety. One more thing to try and manipulate.

While I know many people have had good luck with Taurus handguns, I would encourage a trusted gunsmith check battery on any Taurus bought. I would offer the opinion that battery be checked yearly. I have seen a couple of Taurus revolvers that have gotten out of battery.

38 and 9mm are about as easy to find as anything. 22 is not cheep any more and I would rather a vet be able to properly defend himself.

Does your friend have access to guns to try out at a range to see what he likes and is comfortable with? This might also help him make a choice. Feel free to PM if you have more (specific) questions. I will be happy to try and answer what I can.

As with most opinions: most of them smell like armpits and the bottom of feet and mine sometimes stink worse than others. :gl:

Some good points made. If arthritis is an issue I'd also opt for the snub nose revolver. Something like a hammerless S&W that won't snag a pocket. Used of course. I'm sort of prejudiced against Taurus because of the lack of QC in past years, I suppose they've improved over the past decade though.