Luckyforward

Be sure to go see Oprah while you are there . . .

I am continually amazed at the thoughtful knowledge that this site always offers me. Thanks to all!

What are the pros and cons of SA vs. DAO? Also, being a old time "wheelgunner" - the only semi-autos I own are a Browning Challeger .22 and a Browning Hi-Power - please educate me about the difference in "striker" fired guns and non-striker fired. I am totally unknowledgable about this.

+1

I am enjoying looking at all the options offered here, though. Very helpful.

Yes . . . Rotier's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By small enough to carry, I mean something easily concealable

SA/DA

Very well said canyracer . . . rather than get into a one on one situation with an LEO, note what occurred along with a badge number. In my situation, the issue for me was not a matter of my rights or what should happen for me. Think about the issue of the man who owned the restaurant. A patron reports to him that another patron is carrying a firearm. Should the restaurant owner approach the patron with the firearm? Should the restaurant owner arm him/herself? What if the patron with the firearm loses control . . . begins to shoot . . . everyone and everything? Will the restaurant owner be held liable because he took control of a situation from which he should have called an LEO? OR should the restaurant owner call for help from those who are TRAINED to confront situations like this? Of course, the restaurant owner should call a LEO. Get the LEO and any needed backup to deal with the situation. Don't endanger your patrons. Don't allow an unknown person who is known to be armed to control a situation without informed leadership. My entire situation did not last more than 8 - 10 minutes after the LEO arrived. He came to my table, asked to speak with me outside. Showed him the HCP, he looked (and admired my 686), thanked me and told me to return to my meal, and explained all to the restaurant owner. I was not offended in any way, and the restaurant owner simply stated that he hoped I understood the situation, and I did. I won't comment on this again and will let this thread die from my perspective. My only point: think carefully about how you as the restaurant owner would handle the knowledge of an armed person in your place of business. Think carefully about the manner in which an LEO should pursue such a situation.

OK . . . here's the deal. I really want a .45 with the following specs: Small enough for concealed carry Double action Carry as many bullets as possible in the magazine Accurate, easy to shoot, and does not wear you out Is the gun of my dreams out there? Or not? Thanks for your guidance!

You have a wonderful wife . . .

That sounds so good . . . wish I knew of some woods to go pick through!

But the moral to all these type stories are... keep your handgun properly concealed... if someone can see it, your not trying hard enough... especially if its some regular non gun person that sees it. - from Glockmeister And that is the issue - I was not thinking, and although I was wearing a jacket on a cool day, I took it for granted that my handgun was unseen . . . and I was wrong! I stated somewhere earlier here that I did not know how the gun was seen, but that is my fault, not the woman who saw it. I never take concealment for granted anymore. Thanks for the vote of confidence, Glockmeister.

strick called it - not more banning - just more idiots.

LMAO!

I understand your feelings, but I choose to differ. If I am running a business and a customer reports another customer carrying a firearm, I have no idea of what that means. Yes, I would like to assume that the person is legal with a HCP. The question is, do I want to empower such an assumption? The answer for me, is no. I would want to check out the possibility of someone who may confront me with that firearm later. Like I said, we all have to make our own decision about how we would respond in such a situation.

Very, very sorry about your knee . . . good luck, and as hard as it sounds, be patient!

This was my experience and you saw how I handled it. Despite agreement or disagreement with my methodology, use this incident as a means to think about what you might do if it ever happens to you. BTW . . . the LEO was in the parking lot as I left the restaurant. He asked to see my 686 one more time as he thought it was a nice firearm.

Very, very nice . . . I found a deal on a Python a few years ago in about the same shape. You WILL enjoy pulling the trigger on that one! Congratulations!!

Gotcha . . . just trying to get it in my mind.

THAT is kewl . . .

Tell me about the 4" in terms of concealability . . .

Dave - the problem that I was told about was indeed a shop in AR that used to do warrenty service for Winchester on this issue; they alerted me to the possibility of being charged for other things because the firing pin issue is free. If you fail to do the other work, they will "claim" the gun remains unsafe without the additional repairs, and thus, will not certify the repair. Hopefully the gunsmith TripleDigitRide found in Humboldt won't be this way.

For those of you that own this gun, why did you choose it over the compact model w/3" barrel?

I'll let you know the outcome!