A Carry Piece for the Mrs. and Son

[smokeywolf]

It's time to start shopping for a carry piece for the adult son who still lives with us and probably will for a couple more years.

Never been a big fan of 9MM. Would like to go with a smaller cartridge than 45ACP for a little better magazine capacity. Conventional thinking would lead one to believe that 40 S&W might be a good compromise or middle ground, but I've read that the recoil is quite snappy.
Around the homestead, Mom is carrying a little North American arms 22 which will probably send a yote or feral dog scurrying off, but just anger a larger and more determined predator. Youngest son, who is 18 and more adult than many 30 and 40-somethings I've known, carries a Colt 38 DS.

It is my intention to buy my son a new carry piece and have Mom start carrying the colt DS around the homestead.

Prefer semi-autos, Son has put maybe 200 rounds through the 1911 and has no trouble with the recoil.

Will likely be shopping for Mom soon, as she'll need a more versatile carry piece when we apply for our CCWs.

Would like to see some suggestions from you kind gentlefolk.

 

[Winelover]

My recommendation would be a 357 revolver.................the reason being versatility. You can use 357's, 38's as well as snake loads. I don't know if your aware but shot loads won't cycle the action of a semi-auto, which makes for very slow follow ups. Venomous snakes are a real threat, here in Arkansas. We have half a dozen, different species............copperhead, being the most prevalent. During the warm months, a shot load is the first up in my homestead carry piece.

A Ruger LCR 357 is in my pocket right now........... and will stay there till I retire for the night, every night. Based on the amount of time I carry, I want light weight and DAO. Hammerless is the rule for carry pieces.

Semi-autos aren't for the novice, anyways. Forget higher capacity, the more bullets the heavier it is to carry, even with 9 mm. If a firearm is too heavy, it gets left behind, rendering it useless. I'll settle for five available shots, rather than the 10-16 that gets left in the house or vehicle.

 

[Bret4207]

Chances are neither of them will ever face off against a horde of mutant zombie bikers intent on eating their brains. A small revolver makes sense. If they want a semi auto, the 9mm will likely work fine, as will a 380. I think we tend to forget that for 2 legged animals it's not what ballistics charts or gun gurus say about the platform that matters. It's what the BG thinks when he sees' a gun pointed in his face as much as anything else. I can assure you that based on personal experience a 22 looks pretty darn big when you walk into one by surprise. If things bigger than snakes in the wildlife category are an issue (feral dogs/rabid animals especially), then I'd want something at least in the 38 Spec/9mm range. And the likelihood of anyone needing a reload or mag exchange while doing yard work are extremely small.

 

[Rick]

I also recommend that you shop for it at Bob's. Great gun store, best around here for sure and if we don't use the LGS we won't have any.

 

[Rick]

I know Winelover carries 100% of the time in this area but I decided to pass on it. Haven't seen a feral dog in 8 years here, one venomous snake and it was under 6 inches long, hear an occasional yote off in the distance but haven't seen one yet. Bad guys? Yeah possible but one of the reasons I moved here is the crime rate as compared to SoCal. Almost got a CCW back when Winelover did but decided again, low crime rate is why I'm here. Just seemed it would be a PITA packing all the time and for what?

To each their own, if ya think ya need a gun to go out into your back yard then ya should probably be packing.

 

[Idaholewis]

I 2nd the .357 Revolver. I to am not a Fan of the 9mm, in fact i won’t own one. The .357 is a SERIOUS Bad Dude if needed. The beauty is being able to Shoot light .38 loads, But having the Ability to Run Full House 357 Magnum loads. A good friend of mine, and 30 PLUS Year Deputy Sheriff and i we’re visiting about Stopping Power, He carries a REALLY NICE Kimber .45ACP on his Side, I asked him how he liked it? He explained that he carried the Caliber due to his Job Requiring him to do so, but that he was FAR LESS than impressed, That he had Seen several Bad situations over the Years with .45ACP and Wounded Animals, He told me a Few Horror Stories that have Stuck with him! He told me on the occasions where he Goes to a Wounded Deer/Animal Call and needs to Put it down, He reached down and Tapped his ankle, In a Ankle Holster he carries a Ruger SP101 in .357 Magnum, He said i grab for this thing EVERY TIME, 1 Shot and it’s DONE, even on less than ideal Shot Placement, The power of the .357 Magnum is VERY Different than a .45ACP, They Can’t be Compared

Opinions will ALWAYS vary on this Subject, 1 persons Bad Experience/experiences, Dislike, etc. for a Certain Caliber/Calibers Doesn’t mean the Next guy’s experience with the Same Caliber is the Same. My personal Experience with the .357 Magnum has been ALL POSITIVE, I Have Owned NUMEROUS Pistols, and Revolvers over the Years in Calibers Ranging from .25ACP to .500 S&W Magnum, EVERYTHING in Between, Even some Cool Obsolete Stuff. The ONLY Handgun i own Today is a Ruger GP-100 6” TALO Version .357 Magnum, From Mice to Moose, The .357 Will GIT R DONE!

 

[Gary]

I really like my SP101 in 357 mag and 3" barrel, but for a carry gun I use my Ruger LCR in 9mm. Moon clip fed so it's easy to load and with Lyman Devastator Hollow Point expansion isn't a problem.

 

[Cherokee]

To the question...what are they comfortable with and will carry ? Its a personal decision for them. I would say 38 or 9 minimum, but 380 beats 22lr.

 

[Rick]

Some people like a 380 for defense, I'm not one of them. I read an article some years back where they had tested the 380 and found that a heavy winter coat was nearly as effective at stopping penetration of the 380 as body armor. That didn't sound very defensive to me.

If you do feel that a CCW and carrying is right for the family I would heed the advice above and forget the semi, a revolver in 357 & loaded with 38's would be more than ample for any possible threats your likely to encounter in these parts. If 5 shots doesn't do it your problem is a lack of practice not a deficiency of firearm.

 

[smokeywolf]

John, hadn't thought about the snake issue. You're right, a revolver for a carry gun around the homestead. We have enough revolvers right now to take care of any snake issues. Not all are the most convenient to carry, but I already have snake shot for the 22s and the 45 SAA. Will have to get some snake shot for the 38 revolvers.

What got me thinking about updating the personal defense tools is; I was driving into town a couple of days ago, College Boy and me. Youngest, Mom and MIL left at home. About a quarter mile down our road a very scruffy individual, all the earmarks of a drug user and was likely at that moment under the influence, was walking up the middle of the road. Not enough of a threat to call the sheriff, but I did call the youngest son, gave him a description and told him to keep an eye out for this individual and if spotted on the property, stay inside and call the SO and me.
Seems the greatest threats to one's security and well-being in this part of the country are copperheads and meth-heads.

Pistol that we're shopping for over the next few weeks is for youngest son, is the likely the handgun he will carry when he turns 21 in a little over 2 years, and is payment from his mom and me for busting his butt with absolutely no complaints whatsoever, helping us pack up the California house and unload all that here.
He outshoots me now with the 1911 and matches me with the Colt DS.

 

[popper]

I've been thinking the LCR hammerless, there is a difference in frames between the different versions. I have the XDs-9 for holstered, I'm decent with it but only 7 shots. XDm40 around the house & woods carry but snake shot stovepipes after the shot. Naa 22lr is nice pocket gun, 2nd shot is slow. If they don't go down at minimum a hit will send to the hospital, whether I survive or not. Neither 40 or 9mm is very 'snappy' for me but I don't load top end stuff.
Was a thread on a site, guy wanted BO pistol with subs for home defense. Really? You hear all this stuff about 12ga, rifles, etc for H.D. - really? Get to dove gun (locked & loaded?) at nite from the bed? In a dark house you first better hit cause you will be deaf and blind for a while. Hornady C.D. ammo seems to be the best all around.
Not much liability problem with woodsy critters, 2 leg variety is different. DA will look differently at shooting in the barnyard.
Many years ago I got a Star 380, she was home, I was working - after an armed robbery down the block. For city dwellers, pretty much meth-heads, car-jack, armed robbery. Not much you can do for drive-by shooters.
Think about situations you might get into as well as what 'works' for you.

 

[smokeywolf]

When I was in law enforcement I was told a story (3rd hand) of a deputy who was handling a domestic and had to stop a large male who was charging him with a knife or club type object (can't remember now). Deputy put six 9MM rounds into the suspect before suspect reached him. Deputy came out of it alright. Suspect lived.
A few years after that incident deputies were allowed the option of carrying 1911 platforms and at least 10 to 15% chose that option.

 

[Winelover]

I've seen more loose dogs, on my acreage than venomous snakes. Don't know if they are friendly or not but I'm not taking chances. I leave them alone...........unless. My neighbors are far and few, between. I have asked some neighbors, in the past if their's are left out to run or if they know who own's the ones I've seen. None recognize them.

One of my neighbors is a deputy sheriff. I met him, inadvertently, when I set off the panic button, on my house alarm (key fob) remote. He got the call to investigate. They come out to check your well being, even if you call them and say you set it off by mistake. We got to talking, I asked if he knew who owned any of the dogs, I've seen. One was a Pit bull that would come down my gravel drive, on occasion. He said that's his daughters dog and he was taking care of it because she couldn't keep it where she live. His response was to shoot it if it was causing problems. Also mentioning that Arkansas has no laws about shooting dogs if they are causing issues.

 

[Rick]

100% of the loose dogs I've seen around here are just that, pets that got loose and are out investigating the neighborhood. It would have to be 110% obvious it was a dangerous K-9 before I would even have the thought of shooting someone's pet.

 

[Winelover]

I don't think the LCR frames are different. The 357 is a little heavier, due to the longer cylinder and stainless frame versus aluminum on the 38's. My 357 LCR, fits in the same molded holsters as the S&W J-frames, I own.

This is from Ruger's site:

• Monolithic frame is made from aerospace-grade, 7000-series aluminum in .22 LR, .22 Magnum and .38 Special models and from 400-series stainless steel in the powerful .357 Magnum, 9mm Luger and .327 Federal Magnum models.

 

[Rick]

This is from Ruger's site:

• Monolithic frame is made from aerospace-grade, 7000-series aluminum in .22 LR, .22 Magnum and .38 Special models and from 400-series stainless steel in the powerful .357 Magnum, 9mm Luger and .327 Federal Magnum models.

 

[smokeywolf]

We're on the same page with regard to shooting a curious K9. Pretty sure nearly everyone on this site knows that our family are dog lovers to the extreme.

 

[Gary]

I'm pretty sure one round of 9mm would put me down.

 

[fiver]

I wouldn't get too worked up about caliber.
projectile and placement is where it's at anyway.

what this country needs is a good 37 caliber semi auto round, with a rimmed twin for the revolver crowd.

 

[Ian]

Also mentioning that Arkansas has no laws about shooting dogs if they are causing issues.

As opposed to Texas where if it doesn't have dead livestock in its mouth OR the owner's "effective" consent to shoot it, you go to State Prison on a Felony.

Your dead two-year-old daughter in its mouth does not constitute livestock and you will go to prison if you kill the dog back. True story.