Ruger Forum

fortenberryshel · October 27th, 2012, 04:45 PM

I carry a sp101 loaded with 125gr golden saber magnums, I do not feel under gunned at all. I practice a lot with this gun and have full confidence in my ability to use it if I need to. I hope I never do. I have a speed strip in case I need it but it would be doubtful the need would arise. I feel if you are going to carry a gun, learn to use it regardless of type or size or caliber. Practice and practice some more, attend a school, join a shooting club, I do not want to get shot as a bystander by a concealed carry holder because they got the permit and never go to the range. Being confident with your chosen gun is priority number 1.

Smithy · October 27th, 2012, 10:54 PM

Just a note to fellow CCW holders and soon to be holders. I have to have three specific firearms listed on my permit (just the way they do it here) and I have four guns to choose from and here they are.

3" GP100 357
2.25" SP101 38 special
3" S&W model 60 357
NAA 1 1/8" 22 magnum, holster grip

or always my wife's Lady Smith in 38

I also have a Ruger Alaskan in 44 mag, but that make's a much better house gun than carry gun. So taking the Alaskan out of the picture, all my other guns are fixed sight (which I prefer since I always overkill in adjustments on adjustable sights). Long story short, neither my son nor I could hit the broad side of a barn at 15 yards (the longest yardage tested for a CCW). Not even one hole in the paper at all. Finally figured out that there was some slop in the grip to gun fit and upon firing the grip held still, but the gun recoiled within the grip and ended up shooting well over the target. I tried an example of this problem by aiming at the floor by the target and by golly, I hit paper. No thank you, I do not want a gun that I have to put that much Kentucky Windage into just to get on the paper let alone within the 8 ring. I've got a pair of oversized rubber grips on the way from NAA so I'll see if the gun is even a keeper, but I do think I'll stick to the two Rugers and the model 60 for carry purposes. How embarrassing to take the CCW qualification test and have one hole out of 30 rounds.

All the other fixed sight guns had their own differences like a little low and to the right or visa versa, but were all close enough at 15 yards that if I aimed for center mass I'd land within the 8 ring and pass. I will certainly take additional time with my most carried piece (probably the SP101) so I'm dead on, but I'll have to remember that when shifting back to a different gun that I need to go back to center mass hold to hit the target. If I'm shooting past 15 yards, I didn't need to be shooting in the first place. Smithy.

old doc · October 29th, 2012, 01:19 PM

I have a few handguns and put most through the carry rotation. I'll carry my XDm 9mm with 39 rounds or the LCR with no extra ammo and never feel under-armed. My other revolver is a S&W M686-plus and if I can't get the job done with seven rounds of .357, I probably was hosed from the get-go.

brimic · October 29th, 2012, 02:06 PM

I carry a S&W J-frame every day with a speed strip for reload, I do not feel undergunned at all.

ExArmy11b · October 29th, 2012, 02:44 PM

Many civilian CC holders buy into the idea that you need to have 3 20 round mags and a semi auto to be protected..........as a civilian, we are not soldiers or LEO's, we don't hunt bad guys and our need to carry a handgun is for last-ditch defense............. and we do not need to carry enough ammo for a sustained hour long gunfight. I know of too many "CC commandos" who carry a Glock 19 and 10 spare mags around..........I wish them the best in court if they ever have to shoot in self defense........

My SP101 holds 5 rounds and is as reliable as a rock, and I carry one speed strip as a reload. If I need to fire the 5 I have in the gun, and then go through 5 spare rounds, again, as a civilian then I am in SERIOUS trouble.

terry_p · October 29th, 2012, 03:12 PM

I don't worry about limp wristing, safeties, semi auto failure drills, just point and pull the trigger. A FTF pull the trigger again on a new round. My goal in a confrontation is to avoid the confrontation and if I have to use my handgun to get away from it as fast as I safely can. I don't feel 5 rounds to be a handicap.

AK107 · October 29th, 2012, 04:58 PM

When I first got my CC permit in 1973 I immediatley placed a order for a S&W 29 44 magnum in 8 3/8. Had to wait a year because of the Dirty Harry craze. I loved that revolver and still wish I had it. Honestly though, the best revolver I had was a Ruger Security Six in 357. Built like a tank and shot very well with it.

mavracer · October 29th, 2012, 05:34 PM

No I usually feel overgunned carrying a 5 shot snub.

Amishman44 · October 29th, 2012, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack D

I chose revolver because of the simplicity of it. Nothing to remember except to aim and pull the trigger. No safety or slide or magazine, to think about.

Yup...what Jack D says! I have much greater 'natural' accuracy with a revolver! I know that with 158 Grain Hornady XTP JHP's .357 Mag...I'll get good expansion and penetration! It's simple...and I usually carry just one (1) speedloader!

Lately, though...I've been carrying a Gen II Glock 23 in .40 S&W...feels good in the hand...natural pointer...getting used to it!

Smithy · October 29th, 2012, 08:30 PM

Quote:

......I wish them the best in court if they ever have to shoot in self defense.......

Exactly not to mention the explaining you'd end up doing for just a six shot revolver if you had a couple of speed loaders. 18 rounds? Just how many bad guys did you think that you'd run into? I could hear it now. And I think the threshold would be removing and installing the very first speedloader. Sounds an awful lot like premeditation. Smithy.

Con 43 · October 29th, 2012, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smithy

Just a note to fellow CCW holders and soon to be holders. I have to have three specific firearms listed on my permit (just the way they do it here) and I have four guns to choose from and here they are.

3" GP100 357
2.25" SP101 38 special
3" S&W model 60 357
NAA 1 1/8" 22 magnum, holster grip

or always my wife's Lady Smith in 38

I also have a Ruger Alaskan in 44 mag, but that make's a much better house gun than carry gun. So taking the Alaskan out of the picture, all my other guns are fixed sight (which I prefer since I always overkill in adjustments on adjustable sights). Long story short, neither my son nor I could hit the broad side of a barn at 15 yards (the longest yardage tested for a CCW). Not even one hole in the paper at all. Finally figured out that there was some slop in the grip to gun fit and upon firing the grip held still, but the gun recoiled within the grip and ended up shooting well over the target. I tried an example of this problem by aiming at the floor by the target and by golly, I hit paper. No thank you, I do not want a gun that I have to put that much Kentucky Windage into just to get on the paper let alone within the 8 ring. I've got a pair of oversized rubber grips on the way from NAA so I'll see if the gun is even a keeper, but I do think I'll stick to the two Rugers and the model 60 for carry purposes. How embarrassing to take the CCW qualification test and have one hole out of 30 rounds.

All the other fixed sight guns had their own differences like a little low and to the right or visa versa, but were all close enough at 15 yards that if I aimed for center mass I'd land within the 8 ring and pass. I will certainly take additional time with my most carried piece (probably the SP101) so I'm dead on, but I'll have to remember that when shifting back to a different gun that I need to go back to center mass hold to hit the target. If I'm shooting past 15 yards, I didn't need to be shooting in the first place. Smithy.

I thought those NAA mini revolvores were not legal in Calif. because of the open trigger. Was I mis-informed or have they accepted them.

rdp357 · October 30th, 2012, 03:57 AM

My SP101 357 3" rides on my hip when ever I go out the door, thats all I need.

Smithy · October 30th, 2012, 04:00 AM

Quote:

I thought those NAA mini revolvores were not legal in Calif. because of the open trigger. Was I mis-informed or have they accepted them.

As figured out in PM's. It's the Wallet Holster that's the bad item and illegal and listed Federally as an AOW (any other weapon). The holster grip with a belt clip is legal as long as you have a CCW permit when wearing the gun clipped to one's pants. Smithy.

Sr40ken · October 30th, 2012, 07:07 AM

I have only one wheelgun. It's a 7 shot Taurus 66 w 6" barrel. Yes i do carry it under shoulder from time to time w a speed loader. No I don't feel under gunned. if I need more than 14 rounds it's time to run for the Mini 14 usually w a 30 round clip installed.
An LCR or other small revolver is in the cards, I wouldn't feel under gunned w any of 'em. What ever ya have think of it as a tool and use the proper tool for the job.

ExArmy11b · October 30th, 2012, 08:18 AM

I read a lot of what Massad Ayoob writes, and he says that no matter how "clean" the shooting is, you will still be in court and there will be a homicide investigation. He advocates strongly for a DAO .38 Special revolver, for civilian CC. He says it's to avoid the "cocked hammer" prosecution. I agree, to an extent, although my SP101 is DA/SA.

My question is, where is "the line" drawn? LOTS of people carry cocked and locked 1911 type pistols, and many, many of the micro 9's like the LC9 and Beretta Nano are sold, with an extra magazine. It all depends on how much the prosecution wants to nail you to the wall and how the shooting went down. I would not want to be in court having to justify why I had 10 spare mags for my Glock for civilian self defense concealed carry.

I do carry an NAA .22 LR Mini often, it's my most carried gun and I have it in my pocket at work every single day. I only carry the 5 .22 Stingers that are in the gun, and that's it. No one can accuse me of having too much gun or too many rounds, the thing is basically a micro pocket pop gun. I feel that in a dire, life or death need, one .22 LR to the attacker's skull should hopefully let me at least escape danger. It's marginally better than a knife, at least.

I also confess, I don't always carry reloads for my SP101, sometimes I just carry it in my IWB holster or in my jeans pocket with the 5 .38 +P Golden Sabers that are in it. Around town, or around my local area, if I meet a threat that I can't stop or deter with 5 rounds, than I'm in some deep trouble. I guess the 6th bad guy is getting pistol whipped

All joking aside, if I'm being attacked by 6 armed and aggressive people I don't think any amount of rounds is going to save me. Having a gun doesn't make you Superman.

I think you should carry what you feel is enough to keep you safe, and the CC law in PA has no limit, as long as it's concealed. I can carry 5 .454 Alaskans and 1,000 rounds in a backpack if I want.........but AFTER a shooting, Lord help me in court.......