JReedEsq

I consider the ability to reholster one-handed to be an invaluable safety feature.

I shot a box of 158 grain American Eagle through my new LCR last week and found it very pleasant for a 13oz revolver. I was not really asking about general practice... Just trying to find something light for my wife's first time with a revolver. She has trouble racking the slide on my semi-autos. She also likes the simplicity of the LCR. If she wants it , it will be hers. I got rid of a seldom carried gun to get it, with the thought that she'll let me borrow it for the occasional deep concealment situation.

Reloading would be one more thing that would keep me in the garage, and not in the house helping with my young kids.

Any suggestions on where to find some lighter loads in the Knoxville area?

What is the softest shooting commonly available .38 special load? I know I could order some "cowboy" loads online, but I'd like to find something available on a shelf somewhere that wouldn't be too punishing for my wife to try out a revolver.

My understanding is that .357 in such a short barrel just increases recoil, noise, and muzzle flash.  IMHO there are .38 +p loads that are good enough. 

If I wanted a metal handgun in .45 ACP I wouldn't look past a Sig p220.  I haven't fired one but I've shot Sigs and I would probably own one if it wasn't for the DA/SA learning curve.  I just like to keep things simple with the same trigger pull every time.  If I wanted a hammer fired gun though, I'd start by looking at Sig.  

I've done lot of hiking in both State Parks and the GSMNP in the last few years. I rarely open carry, but I have on occasion and I'm definitely less concerned about concealment when in the forest.  I've never had a bad interaction with a Ranger or other hikers.  I would carry in whatever way is comfortable for you and just drape a shirt or jacket over it if you can.  Being polite and respectful to others goes a long way.  I'm constantly surprised by people who aren't gun people are more accepting about carry if the concern is wild animals with four legs.  Don't get me wrong, I'd definitely protect myself and my wife and my family from a wild animal, but the primary way we do that is sealing our food in plastic bags and making lots of noise.  Personally, I think a good reason to carry when hiking is that it's one of the only places we go with little chance of cell phone service and little chance of LEO availability on short notice.     I recently had a discussion with a lawyer who formerly worked in a Federal Government Agency in a western state.  He said drug growers and labs on public lands are a very real danger that is not often publicized.    

Although I tried not to get hung up on caliber, this cannot be denied.  If you watch any of the ballistics videos on tnoutdoors9's youtube channel, the Gold Dot and Golden Saber .38 Special loads look nearly as good as 9mm.  You can't say the same for any .380 load.   

  This played a role in my decision.  My wife has only been to the range with me a few times but she's showing interest in going a few more times and maybe getting her HCP.  She has difficulty racking the slide on semi-autos and is generally less intimidated by the idea of a revolver.  If she wants the LCR, it will be hers. 

I just shot my LCR for the first time yesterday.  I have owned both an LCP and P3AT.  Both were reliable when clean and lubricated.  I prefer the LCR to either.  It points better for me and my trigger finger naturally falls where it needs to.  With my P3AT, the small size means I have to hold it a little odd in order to achieve a good trigger press.  I love the large XS sight and the simplicity. The only advantage the LCP has is that it is flatter in your pocket.  I not a tight jeans guy so this isn't a big deal to me.  I also considered a Smith J Frame but the LCR is lighter, is available with better sights, and has a better trigger.  Granted, the scandium .357 J-Frame is available with a better front site and there is an Apex trigger kit available for the Smiths but comparing stock guns in the same price range the LCR feels way better to me than a Smith.    

    I seriously doubt it.  The Heller opinion is pretty clear about the state's having the authority to regulate firearms and this opinion (p. 16) suggests that it is reasonable to assume that states can regulate the carrying of arms.  I'll read this thing more closely when I'm not so busy but I find it interesting they use Massad Ayoob as a source.  

Sig P239

[quote name='Hershmeister' timestamp='1353531467' post='849223'] Any tips on decent gun insurance companies? [/quote] You should be able to get a "rider" (supplemental policy) on your homeowners policy. My guns would pale in comparison to most here but I do have a "sports equipment" rider. I have a silly amount of money in bicycles.

[quote name='DaddyO' timestamp='1353531446' post='849221'] If it's safe for you to carry around other people without fear of a ND, I don't know why being around children would be any different. [/quote] Exactly! You should always carry as safely as you would if your kid is in the room.

Guns are dangerous. You should always carry them in a way that is still safe if you were to fall down, get bumped into, have someone jump in your lap etc... Obviously this means using a quality holster (fitted to your weapon with complete trigger guard coverage) and being very careful holstering and unholstering. I have a two and four year old and if you are already exercising proper precaution traveling with your kids really shouldn't change things that much. A few things I've thought about is that when you are constantly chasing around a small child you do have to be more concerned about printing in public since you will be bending over so much. Second, if I have to go into an area that doesn't allow firearms, my pistol immediately gets locked in a trunk or glovebox, period. No stashing it in a bag or under the seat of a vehicle. I don't [i]think [/i]either of my kids can get themselves out of their carseats yet but [i][u]I know[/u] [/i]they cannot unlock the glove box if the car keys are in my pocket. At home I have a small quick access safe that usually has one pistol with an extra magazine and everything else is locked up in a big safe.

I've heard they already own a home in Sevier County. Apparently, he says he'll need $5 million a year and a ten year contract.

Seems like a pretty poor business decision to me. Especially when you consider the fact that the probably the biggest reason another AWB probably won't fly is that are Democrats in rural states that will not support it. 2A issues are often just as much regional as they are "party-line". Just look at NC (Heath Shuler) or AZ and you'll find 2nd Amendment friendly Democrats. Look at the Northeast and you'll find Republicans who favor gun control (Chris Christie anyone?). I think it would be a lot more persuasive to let his customers know that the politicians they support could have an impact on what the items they might be able to purchase in his store. That's the great thing about America though, it is his business and he can run it how he sees fit.

Good luck. I'll just be happy when I can get my Wife to the range again. The only gun she has enjoyed is a Glock with a .22lr slide on it.

Crossbreed Supertuck

Kwe45919 raises an excellent point about retention. That's one more reason I use an owb for hiking. None of my iwb holsters have retention, but I have a leather owb with a thumb strap.

I generally fall on the concealed side of this debate. However, I have open carried in the Smokies and at Frozen Head State Park due to the fact that I was carrying an infant in a pack which prevents good waistband carry. Unless you go out of your way too look like your up to no good, I wouldn't expect any issues with open carry. I've chatted with rangers who didn't even mention my pistol. Lately, I've not been wearing the "kid-pack". My four-year-old son is big enough to hike part of the time on his own and my wife normally carries my daughter so my hands are free to help my son when he gets tired. If I'm not wearing a pack I've gone back to CC, but not my normal setup of IWB and checking for printing when I get dressed etc... When I hike, I carry full-size with an outside the waistband holster with a loose shirt over it. I'm far more concerned with comfort than concealment in backwoods areas. In urban areas I make a much greater effort to avoid unwanted attention or potential problems with a business posting etc...

The magazine drop problem that Keyless mentioned above seems to be fairly common with the PF9. I'm sure it probably depends on the grip of the shooter but I would (at the very least) check your grip on the weapon to see if there is any way it you think it will make the mag drop. Just about all the pocket semi-autos seem to be hit or miss when it comes to reliability... My p3at, (and the LCP I had once upon a time) always work(s) when it's clean, well-lubed, and loaded with good ammo. From what I understand this is the case with most any of the small pocket pistols, even the more expensive ones like the Kahrs and Sigs. You just can't take for granted they will work like you can with a medium to large Glock, Sig, M&P, XD etc....

I love my Gen 4 17. It's just so easy to shoot and really not hard to conceal in the right clothing. I wear suit jackets and/or sweaters to the office in the winter. Personally, the 19/23 size doesn't make much sense for me. I go straight from my Gen 4 27 in the summer to my 22 or 17 for winter carry. If you've already got a compact, I'd suggest picking up a full-size. For me they are a little easier to shoot and you may find they are easier to carry than you think. I want to do more training before buying another pistol, but I'm quite sure my next one will be a Gen 4 19.... or a 23... or the 20... or a 34.... Definitely one of those....

I agree with Chip. I have serious doubts anyone facing a self-defense scenario is going to have much of a conversation... The attacker/mugger might say something to threaten or intimidate but if you're scared for your life I don't think your likely to be standing around throwing out one-liners.