Having a gun on your person when you need it, to say the least, is much
better than having one in the car or worse, at home! Why didn’t you
carry it? Is it because it’s too big, bulky or heavy?
Most
people deciding to carry go for a smaller pistol, obviously because of
its size / weight, etc. Ask yourself these questions first. Why are you
carrying a pistol to begin with? Do you feel a need, or responsibility
to carry? If so, what difference does the size or weight matter? If you
need one…carry it!
Sure, a full-sized .44 revolver is hard to
conceal but let’s be real! If you must carry, get a larger shirt, wear
a thick belt, get a good “quality” holster and just carry the damn
thing. If you are just starting out though, it’s a good idea to get a
full size pistol, and learn to shoot it…and shoot it well.
Then learn
to carry it. Carrying involves awareness, personal responsibility and
“good decision” making. Then, after you can carry a full size pistol,
get a small pistol, and learn how to use it…and use it well.
I’ve carried this S&W model 640 .357 mag. as a back-up pistol for about 10 years.
It’s been a great pistol and is quite accurate. Here in Florida, where
the heat and humidity causes me to sweat, the stainless steel
construction is a plus. I’ve come home from work on numerous days, and
when I take the gun off, it looks like I’ve been swimming with it.
However, I’ve found that as I’ve gotten older, and I have arthritis in
my hands, the gun just seems to beat me up, more and more. I got rid of
the rubber grips for a purpose; they get hung up on my T-shirts. I
really like these wooden grips, but it sure does hurt after fifty
rounds or so.
Keep that in mind when you buy a pistol for the purpose of carrying.
Make sure you can handle the gun that you choose! Weigh the pros and
cons against each other for the size gun that you choose. If the pros
win…go for it.
Whatever your decision…make a good, well informed choice, and most importantly, be careful.
* * *
Semper Fidelis.