EDC question ( Asking for a friend)

[jimh406]

which color tractor is better

That's weird. I thought everyone here knew Orange was better.

 

[Elliott in GA]

I do understand a question like this, is subjective at best. Like an oil question, or which color tractor is better, each have good and not so good points, and fan boys that will follow and defend till they drop. I truly thank you guys for taking the time and to include friends toys and view points.

FWIW, I retired as Federal Agent after 30 years. During my 30 years, I carried the same Sig P226. If I was going out on enforcement actions, I always had two weapons my P226 and either a shotgun/AR-15 (high threat) or my S&W 649 (low threat).

In retirement, I do not carry in low threat (daytime safe) areas. In medium threat areas, I carry my 649, and in higher threat areas (especially at night) I carry my P226. I rarely venture into higher threat areas.

A typical shooting is at less than 10 feet (often much closer - reflexive shooting/no aiming), and it is ended with a couple of shots.

Unless your are trained and/or highly proficient with regular practice, you are much better off with a revolver. You will not be able to clear a jam of misfire under extreme pressure; nor can you reload without undue fumbling.

The S&W 649 is very concealable and comfortable to carry. It can go years without being cared for/shot, and it will shoot.

The current model is a 648 (AL frame versus steel of the 649) MSRP $539.

 

[Code]

This is a very personal question and you'll get a ton of different answers, and the right answer is what works for you. What works for one person might not work for others, etc. I used to carry a S&W Shield. Still have it but don't really carry it anymore unless I want something really concealable. Have plenty of other pistols including 1911's, Berettas, other Glocks, S&W Revolvers, CZ's, etc. But these days I carry a plain 'ole, unmodified and un-messed with, bone stock (aside from he added optic) Gen3 Glock 19 in a Tier1 appendix holster with a spare mag. Works great for me, is super comfortable, but may not work for you. Even when renovating my place and working outside in the yard or on the tractor I usually have it on me. Comfortable enough to wear all day and not cause any problems. Have been running this set-up for the last two years with no complaints.

It looks big and cumbersome, but you'd be surprised how comfortable it is, and having the spare mag is something everyone should have on them but many I know don't. I don't carry it for the extra capacity, but if yoou have a situation where the mag in the gun takes a crap on you, baseplate falls out and you lose all your rounds, have a stoppage, etc.

Small pistols just suck. Great to carry but garbage when it comes to actually using, comfort in hand, accuracy, capacity and are no fun to shoot. Big guns are great, but heavy, and as awesome as 1911's are (I love mine) they just can't compete with pistols that are similar in size but lighter with way more capacity. For a carry gun I want it to be first and foremost reliable, then affordable, super simple to run and easy to replace. Not going to carry some super expensive piece that will get confiscated if I every am involved in a self-defense situation where I had to use it and probably need see i again. Also never understood the extended mag thing. By the time you add the extended mags you might as well just step up to a compact instead of running a subcompact with an extended mag.

For classes I have a pair of identical G17's that I'll travel with. Try to keep it simple and if one goes down (never had that happen) I can easily pick up the spare and keep going in class. Have a buddy who always likes to bring different stuff to classes and he's always adjusting or tweaking stuff, and I swear he misses out on a lot of stuff they're teaching because of all the fiddling he's doing. I've shot all my pistols in classes I've taken and just decided the Glock is the way to go for me. Easiest to run, no sharp edges, parts are cheap and easy to get and replace when they wear out, and those guns will run forever. These days my nicer pistols are there just to have or to have fun with at the range now and then.

Again, this is what works for me and my body type, and can wear this with jeans and a t-shirt, but might not work for you.


View attachment 161377

Thats basically my exact loadout.

 

[skeets]

FWIW, I retired as Federal Agent after 30 years. During my 30 years, I carried the same Sig P226. If I was going out on enforcement actions, I always had two weapons my P226 and either a shotgun/AR-15 (high threat) or my S&W 649 (low threat).

In retirement, I do not carry in low threat (daytime safe) areas. In medium threat areas, I carry my 649, and in higher threat areas (especially at night) I carry my P226. I rarely venture into higher threat areas.

A typical shooting is at less than 10 feet (often much closer - reflexive shooting/no aiming), and it is ended with a couple of shots.

Unless your are trained and/or highly proficient with regular practice, you are much better off with a revolver. You will not be able to clear a jam of misfire under extreme pressure; nor can you reload without undue fumbling.

The S&W 649 is very concealable and comfortable to carry. It can go years without being cared for/shot, and it will shoot.

The current model is a 648 (AL frame versus steel of the 649) MSRP $539.

Very true, I was trained back in the day 2 to the chest 1 to the head,, but now I figure 2 to center of mass is good While the 320 is a 9, and will most likely go back to a 9, but that 45 still holds my soul, if you know what I mean

 

[Mustard Tiger]

Very true, I was trained back in the day 2 to the chest 1 to the head,, but now I figure 2 to center of mass is good While the 320 is a 9, and will most likely go back to a 9, but that 45 still holds my soul, if you know what I mean

My personal opinion is caliber is irrelevant for the most part. What matters is being able to shoot accurately and be consistent and be able to do it when you’re crapping your pants. Way different than going to a range and shooting at a static target while standing there.

I have buddies who swear by 10mm and .40, but can’t shoot them accurately consistently when it matters.

Now the conversation changes on caliber being irrelevant when you’re dealing with things like body armor, but two to the chest and they don’t stop because of armor, being high on drugs, etc, any caliber placed properly to the dome is going to stop them.

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

I'll be your friend.

 

[WFM]

You don't need to carry a cannon to be effective.
This drops into my front or back pocket, has a fantastic grip. Low recoil and will kill or stop a threat.

 

[Mustard Tiger]

You don't need to carry a cannon to be effective.
This drops into my front or back pocket, has a fantastic grip. Low recoil and will kill or stop a threat.

You should never carry a firearm loose in a pocket. should always be on some sort of holster that secures it. Also not a great idea carrying it in a back pocket for a few reasons, one being you get knocked back on your a$$. not so easy to reach back and get a hold of the firearm. Also, falling back on a firearm can also injure you. Even worse, having an unsecured firearm (no holster) in your back pocket is a great opportunity for someone to come up and take it from you.

 

[WFM]

I rarely do stuff correctly. Its what I've done for yrs and seems to work for me.

 

[Mustard Tiger]

I rarely do stuff correctly. Its what I've done for yrs and seems to work for me.

Until it doesn't, or worse it ends up hurting someone else.

I also don't always do everything by the book all the time, unless it can potentially affect others. If I cut corners and know it can only hurt me, then that's fine. Just like someone who drives buzzed and says they've been doing it for years without killing someone else, until they do.

I guess I just take firearm ownership more seriously than others. I try to be responsible and a good steward, especially in today's world when liberals are trying to take away our rights to own firearms more and more, I don't want to be the one that contributes to them having more fuel to get their agendas passed.

 

[Greenhorn]

I don’t carry everyday per se. I keep an AR 15 in my work van very discreetly because I will get home. Mags stored outside the van in one of the tool compartments but accessible if I get out which keeps me legal. When I’m out on my property I keep an H&K VP9 tactical carrying open for anything that may approach me. Got my trusty Springfield service .45 as a barn gun cause it works well.

No matter what you choose to defend yourself with be good with it. Also don’t be a slob. If you’re not in at least decent shape good luck doing anything to help yourself or others unless you have the benefit of surprise. Try a few lite Jiu Jitsu lessons.