So I have finally decided to get my CCW and to carry a personal defense weapon. It’s been in my mind for a few years, but recent events have got me on track. So what to carry? Revolver, large frame, small frame, what caliber? You could spend weeks trying to search for the right answer. Problem is, only the individual who is going to carry a weapon can make the choice for them. So I looked at various makes and models for my decision. Some folks say bigger is better, and I tend to agree to some point. Others say don’t use anything less than a certain caliber.
Where will it be carried? Carrying concealed is a life changer. Your wardrobe must change, and most importantly your mind set has to change. Well, my mind is squared away. I have been on a few deployments, so I know what it’s like to be out there with a weapon and a combat load. Being aware of your surroundings, looking for that one guy who looks out of place is part of the program out there.
So what’s my weapon of choice here? I was looking for a small 9mm semi-auto, maybe a snub nose revolver, or even a .380. My first thought for a good pistol to carry was a hammerless snub nose. A small, concealable, and reliable piece of hardware. Outside or inside a pocket it will go “BANG”. No snags and worry free. A semi-auto fired from inside a pocket is a different story. Will the material snag after the first round is fired off? It may get stuck with the slide pinching the material. Now I for one don’t want to look goofy with two hands inside a pocket trying to get my pistol out.
So the conclusion I came to was this…. I have a very active lifestyle. From just getting up and going to a store to fitness trails, my family and I are always on the go it seems. I understand that carrying a weapon takes a lifestyle change, a wardrobe change, a little bit of a different mindset and the taking care of not printing that weapon. I choose the smaller LCP .380 over a snub nose, baby Glock, the LC9, and the Keltec PF9.
These were just a few of the weapons I considered. The LCP can fit just about anywhere. A good pocket holster and a dedicated pocket for my new pistol fits MY style. Again, MY style. It’s a personal choice altogether. With the varied holsters these, I will have no problems with putting this in a front or back pocket, appendix carry or even a cargo pocket. Again, this fits my life style with the ability to carry some rounds that will stop or slow down a bad guy. Besides, this is the weapon I choose to carry on me. It is main intention is to allow me to get back to my vehicle where more fire power will be! But that’s a different article altogether.
At the range, I only had the one factory magazine. It’s easy to load and I ran PMC 90 gr. FMJ rounds. I fired off the box of 50. I had one fail to eject, two that stove piped on me. Still not sure why that all happened. Temp was 27 degrees, a slight wind. It was my first time shooting this small of a weapon. I set up a target at 7 yards, loaded up a magazine and fired away. No rest, just two hands. It shot true to where I aimed it at that range. After two magazines and a learning curve on how to shoot this smaller pistol, I was feeling pretty comfy with it. By the end of my shooting time, I was popping steel targets fairly quick and I was pretty impressed with this small caliper gun and how it fit me once I learned to hold it in my big meat hooks. So I’ll continue to practice drawing it from different holsters, and shooting with it. I’ve already bought some accessories like Pierce grip extensions and a Hogue wrap around grip.
So far I enjoy my new pistol. It’s very light, compact, and it fits MY lifestyle. What fits yours?
By: Ron Burke
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Thanks, Ron. Good general advice. Helped me make my 1st CC gun choice.
Thanks for the tip on polishing the face of that extractor. I think I’ll do that. I’ll buy some other ammo, if I can find any, and try that out. I was pleased with my second outing and only one failure to eject. I just figured it needed broke in some.
Ron, good to hear. Still though you shouldn’t have had any failures. I looked up PMC ammo velocity and it was the slowest listed at 920fps, all the other brands were faster. Maybe with a tight new gun it just isn’t enough “ooompf” yet and the gun may loosen up with some use. I’d try another ammo and check that extractor too. You can polish the face of the extractor and allow it to slide over and grab the rim of the case as it should more smoothly. I really want your gun to work 🙂 I can’t stand to read “Ruger” and “failure” in the same sentence LOL.
Hi Ron, I was surprised to hear about your malfunctions. While I have alot of PMC ammo stock piled I must admit none of it is 380. I trust that ammo though…then again I trust Federal but their cheapy 9mm ball causes me trouble too. Anywho I guess I would try some different ammo and see if you got the same thing. If you do I’d start looking at the extractor for a possible burr or not enough tension. It could possibly be letting go of the rim to soon. Even though I’ve never had an issue with either of my LCP’s I might try another mag too. Let us know how that works out?? Good article. C.
My second outing to fire the LCP faired out a lot better. Another 75 rounds or so and only one issue with a failure to eject. I still used the same ammo. Maybe she just needed broke in. Anywho, after the first test run I took her home and scrubbed her good. I semi polished the feed ramp before the second outing and have completed that task now. I added a piece of grip tape for my left thumb to catch, and it works for me.