What is your preference for a concealed carry weapon?

[Locust Cutter]

On a different note, my Church has recently decided to form an armed security team, so I may be investing in a more concealable piece. I'm not sure yet whether they're intending to work concealed, open, or a mixture, but they're looking to take on training, which can only be a good thing, with a few of us either being either current or former Military/Law enforcement. I think that a subcompact 9mm, and a RMR'd 9mm, 10mm or .45 full-size will be in my future.

 

[Funky sawman]

My favorite auto loader caliber is 10mm. They have been proven to take even grizz with a good shot and the right bullet. Very versatile round I would say.

 

[Locust Cutter]

The only 10mm I've shot was in a Glock 20. I'm not fond of the glock grip, nor the slopp(ier) tolerances which promote good functioning. BUT, I did shoot it quite well and the recoil was surprisingly mild, given that I was shooting a mixture of Buffalo Bore, CorBon and handloaded ammo. I'd really like to try it out of a decent 1911, or full-sized Sig Sauer, but if my late friend's Widow still owns the gun, I ma buy it off of her, simply because it was His, and I would think of Him every-time I shot it.

 

[FergusonTO35]

There is quite a difference between full house 44 mag loads and 454 casull. I prefer the 45 cal because long colt ammo is easier to get that shooting the 44 special in a 44 mag.
I dont shoot that hand cannon much, especially with full bore 360 grain hard cast at 1300 fps with a 2.5 inch bbl. It's actually really hard on the ears. I put down a deer last year with it and my ears still ring!
I really like the chest rig, even use it when sawing sometimes when I have to clear trails on foot for miles in grizz, cougar, wolf and moose infested forests

Or, you could get the exact same performance with a .45-70 carbine and trapdoor level loads. This is where the Marlin Guide Gun really shines, gonna git me one someday.

 

[FergusonTO35]

My favorite auto loader caliber is 10mm. They have been proven to take even grizz with a good shot and the right bullet. Very versatile round I would say.

The 10mm is cool, and Rural King has a really sweet Ruger 1911 so chambered under the glass. That being said, .40 S&W or .45 Auto are pretty much the top of what my arthritic fingers can handle so I'll leave it there. If I had to use a handgun to protect myself against dangerous game I would choose my Glock 22 .40 with my own ammo. Basically a 15 shot .44 Special!

Alaskan guide Phil Shoemaker has taken a few with the .40 S&W and even 9mm. Not something he set out to do, but the situation was shoot or get bitten, a pistol was all he had at the moment, and it got the job done. A hard cast lead or FMJ bullet with good sectional density will penetrate well, and if you put it in the right spot (as Phil has done many times) then you have a good chance of surviving the incident. In the article below, he makes mention of the fact that he was able to make quick and accurate follow up shots with the 9mm which put the bear out of commission reasonably fast. With a hand cannon or even the average .44 Magnum that would have been considerably more difficult.

https://www.wideopenspaces.com/alaska-man-kills-charging-brown-bear-with-a-9mm-pistol

 

[Locust Cutter]

A 460 Rowland would also be an effective tool, especially in a comped Glock, XD, or 1911.

 

[onlybrowning]

I have a Magnum Research BFR in .475 Linebaugh (7.5” barrel) with a 2x Leupold on it and it is more comfortable to shoot than any Smith .44 I’ve had and even my Super Blackhawks with “full power” loads. More push than snap...




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[Locust Cutter]

I may have to test drive one someday.

 

[Funky sawman]

Or, you could get the exact same performance with a .45-70 carbine and trapdoor level loads. This is where the Marlin Guide Gun really shines, gonna git me one someday.

I have a rifle for hunting. You cant saw very easily with a rifle on your shoulder. That's the point of having the handgun

 

[Locust Cutter]

Or go fly fishing...

 

[Dustin4185]

On a different note, my Church has recently decided to form an armed security team, so I may be investing in a more concealable piece. I'm not sure yet whether they're intending to work concealed, open, or a mixture, but they're looking to take on training, which can only be a good thing, with a few of us either being either current or former Military/Law enforcement. I think that a subcompact 9mm, and a RMR'd 9mm, 10mm or .45 full-size will be in my future.

I carry a G19 with a RMR when off duty. I like the extra capacity and it shares mags with the wife’s. I am also on a church security team and was the head guy until I gave up the position to someone that was also full time LE but lived closer. I do carry a rifle caliber pistol with side fold brace in my “church bag”.

 

[Locust Cutter]

Time will tell. I know that my Pastor carries daily. My daily (when not on base) is a Sig P250 Compact in .40, because I like the grip better than many, and being a predominately revolver guy, the DAO trigger doesn't bother me. It takes a deliberate trigger pull to go, and there's always a re-strike ability should you need it, though I'm pretty sure I'd simply rack the slide and go again.

For this job though, I figure that I'm either going smaller for easier concealability, or larger for better control/handling. I grew up on a 1911, and have a fair bit of time behind the M9, but really like the Sigs, XD's and M&Ps. I absolutely respect the reliability of a 9mm Glock, I just can't make myself like it. I even had a GenIV G23 for about 4 years as my daily, but never did care for it. I could see getting a 5.25" P320 simply for familiarity in the manual of arms, minus the striker trigger. I could see a braced PCC with a RMR or micro red dot being in an inconspicuous place, or something similar.

 

[Dustin4185]

Time will tell. I know that my Pastor carries daily. My daily (when not on base) is a Sig P250 Compact in .40, because I like the grip better than many, and being a predominately revolver guy, the DAO trigger doesn't bother me. It takes a deliberate trigger pull to go, and there's always a re-strike ability should you need it, though I'm pretty sure I'd simply rack the slide and go again.

For this job though, I figure that I'm either going smaller for easier concealability, or larger for better control/handling. I grew up on a 1911, and have a fair bit of time behind the M9, but really like the Sigs, XD's and M&Ps. I absolutely respect the reliability of a 9mm Glock, I just can't make myself like it. I even had a GenIV G23 for about 4 years as my daily, but never did care for it. I could see getting a 5.25" P320 simply for familiarity in the manual of arms, minus the striker trigger. I could see a braced PCC with a RMR or micro red dot being in an inconspicuous place, or something similar.

Definitely get what you are used to. I was never a Glock fanboy and still don’t love them, but it’s what I have to carry on duty. I have several 1911s, a couple Sigs, and Smith M&P. I also like wheel guns. BUT if the poop hits the fan, the Glock is what I know the best. To the point that when a draw a pistol with a more conventional grip angle, they are always low now, lol!

 

[srb08]

I wondered, given the Casull's operating pressure, and pressure spike. I think I'd rather have it in either .44 or .480, unless I was gong to do you like you do and usually run .45 Colt. Given that I handload, the cowboy action loads will get the point across, but the 2nd loading tier (Ruger/Freedom Arms/Magnum Research) Colt loads are where that cartridge comes alive. I could be wrong, but I don't think that the Casull would be fun out of less than an 8" barrel, and then either in a Bisley Grip Frame, or a Super Redhawk. Someday I'll have to test that theory.

I have a 4 3/4" ported Freedom arms in .454 Casull, that's like shooting a hand grenade. Absolutely the most ill mannered handgun I've ever shot. With 300gr full house loads, it borders on painful.
I have a 5 1/2" SRH Tolkat, in .454, that I can shoot all day.
I also have a 6 1/2" Bisley SBH in .480 that's not bad at all. I load a 412gr cast bullet that will kill anything with blood in it.
If you're close, come on by, you're more than welcome to shoot them.

T-B
.480 Bisley SBH
FA .454 Casull
Ruger SRH Toklat
5 1/2" Ruger Red Hawk in .44M

 

[Funky sawman]

Ooooo man that 480 super blackhawk is one fine revolver!

 

[srb08]

Well not an actual conceal carry unless I'm wearing a coat lol. Redhawk alaskan 2.5 inch 454 casull. That's big, dangerous game backup cause we gots grizz here in my back yard. View attachment 215271

Is that a Diamond D chest rig? Looks really nice!

 

[FergusonTO35]

My biggest like about Glock is not the guns themselves, but the fact that parts are dirt cheap and available anywhere. My 19 needed a new trigger spring the other day. I installed one from my stash of parts, then ordered 3 more to replace it for 14.00 delivered. Im sure HK, Steyr, Walther, and other marques make good guns, but where are you going to get parts other than the manufacturer-who may decide that they aren't going to sell you parts and want you to send the gun in to them?

 

[srb08]

Was at my LGS earlier today and they had a bunch G42's & G43's, for a good deal.
I picked up a G43.
For those times that a G19 is too large, it should do nicely.




I'll hopefully get a chance to start working with it tomorrow.

 

[Locust Cutter]

A good friend bought the G43, and we changed the sights out to the XS Tritium Big Dot Front, and Wide V rear. The target acquisition is instant, and it works. Not the best for longer distance (in my hands), but it definitely works and hasn't had any failures in roughly 500rds.

 

[Locust Cutter]

I have a 4 3/4" ported Freedom arms in .454 Casull, that's like shooting a hand grenade. Absolutely the most ill mannered handgun I've ever shot. With 300gr full house loads, it borders on painful.
I have a 5 1/2" SRH Tolkat, in .454, that I can shoot all day.
I also have a 6 1/2" Bisley SBH in .480 that's not bad at all. I load a 412gr cast bullet that will kill anything with blood in it.
If you're close, come on by, you're more than welcome to shoot them.

T-B
.480 Bisley SBH
FA .454 Casull
Ruger SRH Toklat
5 1/2" Ruger Red Hawk in .44M

View attachment 220146

I remember you posting about those before, and I WILL be taking you up on that once a I get a bit of time, and heal up from a pending shoulder surgery. I did just plunk the $$$ for a friend's 90-95% condition IMI Desert Eagle 50, w/original box and paperwork, 400 rounds, dies and components to load 600 more for $1200. Not a bad deal! I've already shot it, and was ringing 6" steel plates at 40 yards pretty easily... It makes me giggle like a child shooting it! I should have it in the next couple of weeks.