papa61

I can't say exactly but once the incisions healed the doc said it would be fine. I'm very happy with the result. Worried I would have trigger control or aiming issues but it seems those worries were rocking an empty chair. You have my prayers and best wishes for quick and successful recovery.

If it works and you're comfortable that's what matters. I'd rather not debate mission, My original post was about finding what works for you. I wouldn't argue caliber here either as it's an individual decision. So any mention below of caliber is not to open debate but to explain why I carry what I do. More bullets is better than less bullets. Sure, to a point. I carry an all steel .45 acp and have only found one double stack that I was comfortable using as a carry pistol. Had an EAA Witness at one time, terrific pistol and a design I truly love. BUT, I had trouble keeping ten rounds in the ten ring at ten yards with one hand. Two handed, it was 10X. So ten rounds vs six or eight wasn't beneficial. We know the farther out the wider it gets. More grip is better than less grip. Yes, if we are talking length and texture. No if we are talking girth. But a carry pistol back when I started had to be concealed. The grip length is harder to conceal than barrel length. That said, grip length is one reason I traded off the micro9, with the flat 6rd mag I couldn't get all three fingers on the grip. With the extended 7rd, the grip was as long as the PF9 I sold to buy it. More light is better than less. Sure. But if needed, I would carry a hand light. only my bedside pistol has a light. Again, I carry an all steel pistol and wouldn't want the extra weight or the bigger profile. Red dots are better than Iron sights. absolutely not for me. I sometimes have trouble picking up the dot on red dots or the crosshairs in a scope. It's something to do with my astigmatism. IDK, always been this way, just read why a couple years back. I carry a pistol to get me out of harms way when I screw up tactically. When things get worse and I feel it necessary, you'd better believe I'll carry a rifle. Weight and balance are very important in a carry pistol whether you have a combat pistol or a defensive pistol. more weight properly distributed means better recoil control. less weight means less fatigue and quicker on target on all axis'. Pocket pistols are purely defensive get off me get me out of here. I have to go places where I cannot carry anything larger so they are necessary. I wouldn't pretend to be able to use one in a protracted gunfight. But after two rounds I'd have an attacker's weapon to continue a tactical retreat. I absolutely understand the comfort area. Back when fanny packs were popular, I would often use one in the summer when wearing shorts that had no belt loops. Took me a while to figure out why I was having backaches.

Actually had a Kimber micro9 that I traded off. Great little pistol but I wanted something else. I've also had a PF9 and really like them. Will pick up another at some point. I'm a hammer fired kinda guy. I have exactly two striker fired pistols and I don't really count the baby Browning, it's just for fun.

That is so cool.

we are forever hopeful. I am excited about the 2K11, it is a big chunk of change so it will not be very soon but I'm putting money back. Hope I'm not disappointed. It was a Rock Island 10mm I looked at and they are just HUGE.

No idea what it will actually feel like. Medium is a good fit on my hands but most gloves will have the fingers too long. I had a Para P14 that I really liked, I've picked up a few other double stack 1911s and said a hard nope. Got all excited for one in 10mm and figured out really quick it would break my thumb since having my finger on the trigger meant the backstrap was in the joint of my thumb and not the web.

This is what I'm getting at. That WOW, this feels good. I think if everyone had the opportunity to train and shoot with any pistol available before we buy there would be a lot less resales. If you look at the classifieds and GB as well as the used section in your local dealer you see a lot of "not quite" handguns for sale. I know there are flippers and collectors who just want a change but we are faced with the constant biggest, best, newest in design, caliber, safety, whatever. Look at the furor a couple years back on the new "carry" caliber. The do all, be all, end all carry pistol bullet. It has dropped off the radar in the circles I travel. My favorite carry pistol is heavy, there was never an option for alloy frame. If it had a polymer frame it wouldn't feel as good in the hand and definitely wouldn't be as easy to shoot. I'd like a bigger mag but that would throw the grip size and trigger reach off. So there we are in the compromise zone again. And I apologize in advance for offending, but the G pistols are, um, ugly. That is MY OPINION not yours, if you like it and it works for you it shouldn't matter. But many will buy what they are told is "the best" by salespeople or buddies or some influencer rather than take the time to shop and find that great feeling comfort zone sidearm. Truly, that is fine with me. It keeps the manufacturers and dealers on their toes to make more. But it's detrimental to the new shooter who may now own something they will never be comfortable with. Yep, I'm a machine nut, I love machines, mechanical stuff. Like Indian Larry I want to see the machanicalness of it. I like metal pistols and wooden grips. I see the beauty in the design and machining and feel the artistry of the build. So while I own and use poly framed pistols, they will never be my top choice. Not going to get into the design aspect here but this is part of why I LIKE what I like. I own better looking pistols than my favorite, I own higher mag capacity pistols, lighter pistols, but the last one you'd want to see come out of my holster if you were a threat is the one that fits me, works, and is loaded with proper ammo. At that point, magazine capacity, weight, looks, style, nothing would make an attacker's life more pleasant. When I grip this one, it falls into place, everything fits correctly. When I squeeze the trigger it breaks clean and consistent and goes bang, every time. It puts the round where I point it. When using the sights for 25 yd shots, it hits point of aim. I've had two of these and both have been just a joy (lost the first one in a divorce). Only one failure which was traced back to dirty ammo. So yeah, I am quite comfy with it. And my little pocket pistol is as good just smaller. If you want to know what handgun is now my newest biggest bestest want to have, see Kimber 2K11. If it fits my hand it could dethrone my current fav but it's doubtful. I'm still saving because I think it's gorgeous.

My sister is 70, has arthritis in her wrists and she ran the CCW course with a 22 and that's what she carries. She also has the top up barrel so she doesn't have to rack the slide. That's just her comfort levels. I would have picked the same pistol in 25 acp simply because it's a little more reliable being rimless. Point is quite relevant from where I sit. I don't see her ever moving up in size or caliber. Getting her to carry is going to have to suffice.

N frame without full underlug, not ported. A lot were 4 inch and most from what I recall issued full power loads. Still a lot of muzzle flash even from a 6 inch. I've owned a 6in 357 and they are a handful 4in was not much worse. I have a Taurus 608 factory ported and it is much easier to shoot but I'm sure those little tiny holes make a lot of flash. Nope, wouldn't want to chance that in a nightfight. I was only recalling what I have read. Lightweight 357s are not fun, I also owned a DAO 2in 5 rounder and hated shooting it even with lighter 38SPL loads. All that and I'd be fine carrying my 608 with full loads during daylight. And with this constant ringing in my left ear I don't think it would bother me during a gunfight. The little Taurus CIA/650 I had would give me pause outside the 7 yard mark with ANY load. I love Taurus but it was not one of their better ones. I also once knew a guy who was a recoil addict. He reloaded some of my spent brass back then. I'd never do that again. Had powder burns up my arm. Point being, everyone has a comfort level. Elmer Keith ran some pretty stout stuff through some relatively light revolvers. S&W Highway patrolman WIKI history

People who live in glass houses should not throw stones. So I have no rocks to throw. I think we see a lot alike here. Different conclusions based on different comfort levels. I'd assume you have larger hands than I. Based on your exclusions and my very small hands. Buying gloves is a test of my very limited patience. Thick hands, short fingers. Grip circumference is very important to me, moreso than any other dimension. Trigger reach is second. Can we start seeing why I prefer shooting SA? I do have an odd view in that I see a difference between a defensive pistol and a fighting pistol. It's a fine line easy to define but hard to put into use.

I will chime in on two points. First is mouse guns. I have small hands so I get a good grip on everything except my baby browning. I consider them as get away pistols, not fighting guns. Second, Although I have zero personal experience with magnums in the dark I have read shooting reports from back when the highway patrol used 357 mag almost exclusively nationwide. Most reported they didn't see a flash nor hear the bang. Physiology experts relate it to the tunnel vision and audio suppression we get in fight or flight mode. If you've ever had the experience you know you ears stop up like you've driven up a mountain. It's hard to train out of but most will blink as the round goes off anyway. I have only read one report of someone being blinded and deafened firing a 357 at night. That was a (foolish) warning shot as the trespassers ran away. OK 3 points. I am really trying to embrace the poly framed pistol. it's fine with the pocket pistols but with a full sized slide it's out of balance. I really want to carry my double stack PT845 but it doesn't feel as good as my 1911. I also want the option of DA/SA with cocked and locked or decock option. I have a PT945 but it has 8 round mags.

We have had some good discussions on add ons to EDC pistols so I thought we could discuss some of the basics. I have my basic points on what is a good carry piece, I'm sure it won't be a complete checklist and to cover all of the details of every point would be too long. But I'm sure we'll cover it along the way. I'm sure there will be some behind the scenes gaffawing and that's ok. What I need to consider a pistol acceptable for personal defense. Fit - it must fit well. in the hand, in your wardrobe, in your lifestyle. but to me how it fits in the hand. When I grip a pistol it should naturally fall into the straight line between the elbow and the end of my pointed trigger finger. Balance - It should sit in my hand in firing position with a loose grip. This has fallen off of most shooters radar as we moved from revolver to auto loader but is still relevant in my opinion. Weight - I prefer the heaviest pistol that I can comfortably carry. Weight helps tremendously with follow up shots. I have of late been going back to a full/mid sized piece since my EDC for quite a while has been a KelTec P32. This is due to wardrobe lifestyle issues. Reliability - If it malfunctions once in 100 rounds and cannot be remedied, I won't carry it. 100% is what I bet my life on. Comfort - Am I comfortable with caliber, round count, aforementioned weight. Is it concealable. Accuracy - Let's be real here. Stats say defensive encounters are about 7 yards, I could put a case of rounds in an FBI Q at 7 yards with the worst pistol I've ever shot. Practice - Practice, Practice, MORE PRACTICE. nothing beats more rounds down range. these all overlap and I couldn't pick any as most important. everything is a trade off, if we knew we for certain we needed a gun we'd take a rifle or stay home. That is a generalization as one might choose a handgun for maneuverability or concealment)

I my two Danes will give me a step or six. LOL

Oh hell, here we go again

I had a co-worker ask if I always had that thing on me. My reply was "there's only one way to find out for certain". He thought for a second and said he didn't want to know I don't shower with one.

Diversity, equity, inclusion.

I think it's good for the newer shooters. Those of us who've been around a while tend to get into the newest, best thing and wind up at the range with some wild ones that are really race guns. The manufacturers love to sell more so they promote them. Can't blame them, they have to sell enough to make a profit on the tool up. Just as an example, I have a new "need" in the Kimber 2K11. I wouldn't EDC it but it would most assuredly see range time along with "yeah it's the baddest thing out now" or something like that. Now it's not comped but it is cut, funneled, adjustable target or optic sighted, two toned, light triggered. I don't compete, I don't need a compensator, but new people don't know they don't need a comp for a carry pistol. As far as opinions, I don't think a carry pistol needs optics. That's my elbow's worth.

Well I was in the Army so, not ALL of it.

I started a spreadsheet, made a few trades and,,, Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

You never cease to surprise me sir. Well said. But we cannot ignore the obvious degradation of our society either. I'm from the end of the boomer generation and I see that the slide has increased dramatically over the last ten years. The upside is that those of us who see things as they really are have become vocal. That is education. "But if this ever changing world in which we live in makes you give in and cry"

Just to be clear, I don't want any add ons on my carry piece. I even prefer fixed sights, no optics, on lights, no comp. Slide cuts maybe, but only factory original. I'm not against some minor internal work, feed ramp, sear. But in a self defense situation one wants the simplest most reliable firearm with no mods to keep the ambulance chasers at bay. And of course,,,work as intended.

to back up my anger, this was just sent. Thank you @Grayfox54 for bringing this to my attention. Were I in Nevada I would be taking things a bit further. Dear Senator Blackburn, Please expedite the solution to food shortages at Fort Carson and investigate whether this is happening at any of our other military installations. Ther is absolutely no excuse for our soldiers to not have sufficient meals. I am not placing blame on you or your office, I am proud of your accomplishments and look forward to the next term. As a taxpayer, voter, and veteran I believe that someone must be held accountable. I wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving. While we celebrate I will pray that our soldiers recieve a good meal. Thank You, Mark Parkhurst

there is absolutely no excuse for this. We have seen many shortfalls in the VA system but for the mess hall to not have enough food to feed the troops is beyond reason. The articles mention the base takes in 22 million but only spent 5 million? I don't care how much you have to throw out, make sure our soldiers have enough to eat. As was once said, "an Army travels on it's stomach". I cannot express my furor.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Wife is humming in the kitchen making stuffing, we'll head to the daughter's for dinner. Just enjoying the day.

You have to go on their site and get the "coupon" for $2-4 off. Oh and check out what a table costs if you wera a vendor. The promoters are getting rich and customers are getting screwed. But I still go sometimes, especially if I need odd ammo or magazines. this is a great reference for where, when and how much Tennessee Gun Shows 2024 | List of Gun and Knife Shows in Tennessee