cthruit

I understand all the above viewpoints.  I truly do.  I also have come to realize that we are at this point in our cultural devolution because backbone is being bred out of us.  If you're a kid and a bully kicks you around any retaliation gets you kicked out of school, put in the legal system and on psych meds.   People no longer want to be involved in standing up for anyone - including themselves or family.  It's just not worth the hassle.  Give this one more generation, and we're unable to stand against, well, anything.   No, I don't want to be led off in cuffs to let a disinterested judge sort things out.  I don't have anger issues or go around looking for trouble.  But we need to question what living in a world where we're scared to interact with someone when there's something wrong for fear we'll "get in trouble."   Don't get me started on how some LE agencies and courts handle situations like the OP's story.

I'd like to second the N82 professional.  I carry a G21 gen4 in jeans and cargo pants/shorts.  Provided you have a decent belt, it's far and away the most comfortable IWB I've ever worn - even with a think, heavy gun.  I now own three of them.  The suede back "grips" the shirt and supports the weight of the gun, keeping it in place.  For me, about a 4 o'clock carry works best.  Your mileage may vary.  

Pre-think your route home.  You don't notice things you drive by every day.  Think about hills, bridges, etc... If you've got more than a few miles, water will be a big deal.  Carrying enough for two or three days may be tough.  Consider a backpacking filter or even survival straw.   I keep coming back to a shotgun being more useful than a small caliber rifle in this scenario.  I'm more likely to run up on an ambush than having to pick off hostiles from any real distance.  I've got a Mossberg 500 in an ATI overfolder plastic stock that will rid completely hidden in a medium sized three-day pack.  Have another in 20 gauge, too.  Could carry a few more SD rounds in 20 ga anyway.   Add to that a reliable SA handgun in a real caliber and that will provide you with some options until you get back to your FOB/house.

A few years back, I was working in an ER..an older black gentleman feeling sorry for himself, had way too much to drink. He decided life was just too much to bear, so he shot himself in the center of the forhead with some kind of little zinc .25 acp. Entry wound with a corresponding exit wound on the back of his head. Powder burns on his forehead, just a little bleeding on the back. He sat and told us all of his problems until he was discharged to family and plans for psych care. The bullet failed to breech the skull, and rode around the inside of the scalp until it broke free on the opposite side. Angle is everything. But I may have seen more deaths from single small caliber (.22 - 9mm) than any group of large calibers. What you hit matters, so long is it gets through to something vital...fwiw, I carry 9's and .40's, with #4 BB at the bedside.

Sorry to hear about the job....but when you can, Fugate's gets my vote...they are great folks to deal with...and the class on Friday nights gets it all done at once...had a family member take it this past Friday...not a true "gun" person, but was very pleased. Tell 'em hello.

Maybe I've missed them, but I haven't seen a lot of representation from SE TN. My favorite shop is Fugate's Firearms in Calhoun, on hwy 11. Small shop but well stocked and and indoor range. Stop by and see Doug or Carmen. There prices are very competitive and staff seems to know their stuff. Also we have Benton Shooters on Hwy 411. They're huge, have tons of stock, but aren't very good pricewise. They do have a lot of guns to handle, so you can try them on and let Fugates sell you the gun with a smile