Wasn’t sure where to post this, the Lounge or here, but since I am talking about “outdoors” in a way and “bullets” …

Talk about guns has me wondering what others here carry for CCW - (those living in states where it’s possible, anyway). Virginia is still a pro-2A state for the most part.

I've never fretted too much about “stopping power.” In fact, in my car, I’ve forever kept just a little ‘80s Beretta 21-A with a 7-rd. backup magazine, wood grips, a classic little gun. (I love the pop-up barrel—makes it easy to clear).

On my person, over the years, I've tried everything from .380 to .40 in semiauto and up to .357 in revolvers, but none of those for very long – just always too heavy and bulky for me. For a few years, it was my Beretta Mod. 70-S in .380 – small enough (and so darned sexy), but a bit on the heavy side. It just became too cumbersome. Then on to tiny compacts like the Glock 42.

But I’ve landed now, for the last several years, on an old-school Smith & Wesson Mod. 37 revolver “Chief’s Special Airweight” in .38 Special. A great little J frame and *very* lightweight. Limited to 5 rounds chambered but I usually carry a 6-rd backup strip. (This revolver is lighter than most of the modern-alloy Lightweight .38 revolvers being made today – I find that amazing. With the standard wood grips, it weighs just 13.3 oz. empty and 15.7 oz. loaded! Decades old technology—go figure).

I keep telling my son (carries a Sig P365 9mm, 12 rd. mag and before that a Glock 17), Once you go wheelgun, you’ll never go back. But he won't hear it – he wants his “stopping power” and “capacity.” And my brother often carries an FN Five-seven! Shee-ite. But for simplicity and ease of use, you can’t beat a revolver. They rarely malfunction: just keep pulling the trigger. I used to love to listen to G. Gordon Liddy go on about the merits of a wheelgun.

Don't get me wrong, I love my semi-autos too—and the bigger calibers. Very much. But for regular carry...

It’s so light and comfortable in an inside-the-waistband holster (just got a new one I really like) I can almost forget I’m carrying it. I usually carry appendix and I can safely move, sit, get in and out of a car or tight restaurant booth with zero problems or discomfort. And it doesn’t print at all.

What do you guys carry? Just curious. Happy to hear your choices and reasoning. I’m probably in the minority, with my small revolver, and it get it; it’s all good.

Thanks! Gary


A few pics.

With Swiss Army Knife for scale:



In holster with backup strip (coins for scale):



And in hand.

Think Coach would agree with me on this one. I carry my BB gun. Bond Arms Snakeslayer with 3" .410 BB. Works on all sorts of critters.

Glock G43.

Sig P938 the picture with the butt up is how it sits on the back of my belt.

Glock 43, and with a few mods from the Glock Store, it shoots with my Glock 19. Love my Glocks. My EDC in the woods is a Glock Model 20sf in 10mm with a Diamond D Guide Chest Holster. Fire power is the name of the game.

Pap

Gary--

An S&W 642 with the shrouded hammer and non-tacky G10 grips weighs in at 15.5 ounces empty.

I guess you have Ed Lovette's book "The Snubby Revolver."

Larry

Gary,
My daily carry pocket rocket is a Sig P 238.Alot of times I also
have my S&W 642 loaded with Federal nyclads.2 is better than 1 and that gives somebody 12 chances to change their mind.

Sig P225 (import from Switzerland) or G43, depending.

Rob
Depending on where I'm going I carry my Sig P 225 too.
They are sweet!!!

Speaking of this thread, friend of mine in Las Vegas has a G43 that he's selling with good IWB holster and a mag or three. So far I know it's the (coyote?) tan color and he had the slide cerekoted to color match.

He's getting me a list of details and his asking price, if anyone is interested.