Our Decision Process for CCW Handgun: First Learned First Remembered

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JPK

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I’ve been looking for a place to drop this collection of thoughts on the subject of choice of handgun for CCW.

If I knew then what I know now --- I would not have bought that 1911A1. It would have been a .357 DA / SA wheel. Like a Ruger GP100 or SP101 in 357 with a 3" or maybe 4” bbl. In Oct ’09 I took the required class and demonstrated the required skills and received my OK CCW in JAN ’10 and am now allowed to carry a derringer, revolver, and / or semi.

Long story short: I let myself get romanced by the notion of a 1911A1 for a CCW; magazine fed; rapid reloads; sights and 3 extra magazines; the Dillon 550B conversion kit; bullets & brass; jambs and hot brass down my shirt; pinching the web between my thumb and index finger; spent some extra $$ on action work, had some action work done; took it to the range several times and hundreds of rounds - but just could not get comfy with it for a carry gun – too many things to go wrong and now the extractor boogers up the rim; I also wanted to be able to go CAS-Wild Bunch.

Me ‘n’ the missus are wheelies. We both learned pistol shooting with wheels and are quite comfy with that technology. She on DAs and me on SAs. Both of us big into CAS for many thousands of rounds in SAs. Should have known better. Could have bought that Ruger or a pair of ‘em, new, for the $$ that I’ve spent on that 1911 so far. Coulda, shoulda, woulda - but live and learn.

I’m not saying that we are to too slow /stupid to learn a new shooting iron. We are just not all that willing to put in the effort when a wheel will probably meet practical needs.

Lately I’ve been thinking and reading A LOT about what would be a practical SELF DEFENSE HANDGUN. I got to thinking about overall length; weight; concealability; caliber / cartridge / energy / stopping power; reliability (jambs and clearing); how far would I be actually shooting; where I usually go on a regular basis; reloading if in a real self-defense situation; how you plan to conceal in hot and cold weather; time and ease to retrieve from concealment to on target; what if the Missus were to get her CCW; weight when out and on foot for a long time; spare ammo; comfort; holster style; where to carry; etc.

The orange ruler is 12“ long.
Top is a S&W Model 14-3 Masterpiece; .38 SPL S&W CTG, 6” bbl; 38 oz empty
Middle is the full size 1911A1; 40 oz empty
Bottom is a Cimarron / Uberti Single Action .38 SPL with a 3.5” bbl; 28 oz empty and kind of representative of the relative size of the Ruger GP100 / SP101

Specs for Ruger .357 GP100; .38 / .357; 6 rounds; 3” bbl; 36 oz; OAL 8.5” bbl
Specs for Ruger .357 SP101; .38 / .357; 5 rounds; 3” bbl; 27 oz; OAL 8.0 “ bbl – I’m thinking this is the one!
 

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Soulman

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Guess it depends. My conceal carry of choice is a full size springfield 1911 .45acp and/or a S&W 36 .38spl. I have carried a Glock 19 and a S&W M&P 9c in the past, but came back to the 1911. I like the 1911 and I shoot the 1911. It all comes down to what you're comfortable with and practice with the most.
 

NikatKimber

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Get a Glock 19, S&W M&P, or XD.

The Glock 19 (my personal choice of the three) weighs 21oz unloaded, almost half the weight of the 1911, weighs ~30oz loaded with 15 + 1 (!!!!) rounds of 9mm, and has fewer controls than the 1911. That is six ounces less than the SP101, and 3 times the ammo capacity. Sights are easily changed, and easily available. They are reliable, and cheap. Parts are cheap, mags are cheap, ammo is cheap.

Also, get a good belt and holster. I've carried an all steel 1911 in a cheap holster with a cheap belt, and it was downright painfull if carried all day. Got a good (stiff) belt, better holster, and could carry it all day without discomfort.

I owned a Ruger SP101, great gun. Sturdy, and good shooting. I sold it because I couldn't justify a 5 shot revolver when for the same weight I could carry a 15 round 9mm. Also, with full .357 magnum rounds, it was a blast (literally, not in a fun way) to shoot. Recoil was manageable, but had to be managed, meaning I worked to get back on target quickly. Muzzle blast was deafening, and the flash was visible in the daylight. Try finding night sights for a fixed sight wheelgun.

Now don't get me wrong, I love my wheelguns. I have several, and my wife loves them. I shoot them well, they have their place. I even carry one on occasion. But there is a reason (a lot of them actually) that most LE agencies have gone to a double stack semi auto.
 

saddlebum

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nothing wrong with a wheel gun, it will do the job. there are alot of guys that can bare the tought of a round gun in a spring loaded society
 

Zombie

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I've carried a 1911 and liked it but cost of ammo (I don't reload) became a factor and I swapped to get a Ruger SR9C...I wouldn't mind a nice j frame for an option on occasion...I've had a few 38s now and always seem to sell em.

If I wouldn't have bought some of the weapons I have...or shopped around early on I would have saved a bunch and could have a nice 9mm 1911 as an option
 

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