The I LOVE THIS GUN Thread

[RidingDonkeys]

Originally Posted by CodeMonkee

So, if I forget I am even carrying (I don't think about it every minute I carry a gun anymore than I think about the fact that I have a cell phone in my pocket), I subconsciously project some kind of stance or demeanor that I am carrying?

Sorry, but I don't particularly buy into the premise that all people who carry a gun project some kind of "aura" that a trained/skilled/experienced person can detect

Not everyone does project, but most do. Many law enforcement and intel personnel are trained to recognize these signs. And it really isn't rocket science, but just knowing what to look for.

When you fly in Israel, and some other countries, you are likely going to be greeted by someone who will ask you a few questions before you check in. The answers aren't what they seek, they are looking at your body language, eye movements, etc. This is what rouses their suspiscion.

Here is a simple one. A guy carrying IWB gets out of his car at Lowes. He is wearing the usual baggy attire and untucked shirt that makes concealing easy. You already see his pants are 2" too big in the waist. His seatbelt has been hitting his weapon because he's a righty. He steps out and gently nudges his side through his shirt. He could be adjusting his belt monted cell phone case, but he'd probably be inserting his phone, or removing it to check it, if that were the case. The fact that this guy discreetly nudges through his shirt is the tell-tale that he's likely carrying.

It really is that simple.



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[KSJEEPER]

Originally Posted by Ze Red Baron

I live in Maryland, where this really isn't even an option, but I have a question for you guys in states with open carry and CCW. And before I ask, let me make it perfectly clear that I'm in no way passing any judgement

Is daily carry something you see as a necessity due to the likelihood of needing to use the sidearm, or is it because you can (meaning legally can carry openly or CCW). Do you really need to carry when you go to Sears? Again, just asking out of curiousity and not passing judgement.


thank you.

Most who carry will never utilize the weapon. The vast majority. The few who do end up having their asses saved by their CCW, might or might not have needed it in a spot that one would have, beforehand, labeled as 'dangerous'.

I believe that most of us figure that if it does come up at some point, it is just as likely to happen in a 'non-dangerous' location thanks to a nutjob, as it is strolling through the hood after sundown.

Hence the desire to carry, always. If you bother to carry in prep for that eventuality that it comes into play, better to not try to second guess the kooks and decide when and when you do not need to carry. I figure you either always carry, or never carry. You are carrying to be prepared for the world, not for the location.

At least that is my theory...

[acesandeights]

Originally Posted by urbancowboy

how would you know?

unless YOU have x-ray vision or some other talent, how do you know about all the people who are actually carrying concealed, not just the ones who do it poorly?

Since you quoted me, I'll play. I didn't say "all"; however, as stated by someone else, you can often (the word I used) tell if you pay attention. I'm surprised you would think otherwise.

Regarding why daily carry, KSJeeper kind of nailed it. I don't carry tools in my truck only on the days I'll need them, or only carry a cell phone on the days I plan to receive a phone call. Most of the time I don't know when my truck will break down, or when someone might call me. Sometimes you just need to carry the tool(s) you might need, even when you hope you'll never need them.

[ttpete]

I carry always. Most who carry quickly adopt a point of view that's different from what they previously had, in that they react to situations in a different manner. You tend to walk away from a situation that may be aggravating, but is really unimportant because you don't want to become involved in something that could escalate.

That said, there are areas around here where I won't go, places like Detroit proper. The chances of getting into a bad situation are too great. And if I had to defend myself, I'd then have to deal with a hostile police force and a non-existent emergency medical service. I have no real reason to be there, anyway. Everything I need is available in the 'burbs.

I don't really care if someone notices I carry, and I don't waste my time looking to see if someone else does. I just consider everyone to be armed. In MI, we have well over 300,000 licensed to carry, and should hit 400K next year. Most are in the SE MI area.

[GoGo Gadget]

Originally Posted by Ze Red Baron

. Do you really need to carry when you go to Sears?

Nope. Don't really need car insurance, health insurance, a first aid kit,a fire extinguisher or scores of other things either.


Until I do.

Semper paratus.

[EvilGenius]

Originally Posted by KSJEEPER

Most who carry will never utilize the weapon. The vast majority. The few who do end up having their asses saved by their CCW, might or might not have needed it in a spot that one would have, beforehand, labeled as 'dangerous'.

I believe that most of us figure that if it does come up at some point, it is just as likely to happen in a 'non-dangerous' location thanks to a nutjob, as it is strolling through the hood after sundown.

Hence the desire to carry, always. If you bother to carry in prep for that eventuality that it comes into play, better to not try to second guess the kooks and decide when and when you do not need to carry. I figure you either always carry, or never carry. You are carrying to be prepared for the world, not for the location.

At least that is my theory...

I concur.

As Miller says, if you're going to go somewhere expecting the need for a gun, you're better off bringing a rifle and a bunch of friends with rifles.

Meaning in a round about way that you can't predict when or where its gonna go down. Because if you could you'd probably be packing more than just a handgun.

[KSJEEPER]

Originally Posted by EvilGenius

I concur.

As Miller says, if you're going to go somewhere expecting the need for a gun, you're better off bringing a rifle and a bunch of friends with rifles.

Meaning in a round about way that you can't predict when or where its gonna go down. Because if you could you'd probably be packing more than just a handgun.

Yup, a handgun is like a multi-tool. You carry it just in case. But if you were expecting your truck to leave you stranded, you'd take way more than a Leatherman.

Sort of a 'minimum' state of preparedness. Handgun and a leatherman

Truck running rough? Think you will be getting in a gun-fight later? Take more

[Andyinhilo]

Originally Posted by ttpete

For a .38 special, the one to get is the M-15 Combat Masterpiece. Think of it as a 4" M-14 K-38. They also made a .22 version, the M-18.

The K frame guns are quite durable, even in .357 unless one intends to run a LOT of rounds through it. The M-19s were designed as a duty gun, not as a range/competition gun.

I have an M-19, an M-18, and an M-66, all are great guns. They are durable, but not "overbuilt" like the OPs Ruger GP-100. I did not mean to infer that they are not, but I have seen several K-frame .357s that have been beat up through mishandling, too many hot loads, and other abuse.

I generally prefer adjustable sights on revolvers, but I did have a 4" HB Model 64 that was the best shooting and handling gun I ever owned. I let it get away in some sort of foolish trade, and miss having it. I really think, for me, the one revolver I would like to have would be a 4" M-65. Nice smooth no-snag for carry, and shoot .38s for practice, and .357s if needed.

[urbancowboy]

Originally Posted by acesandeights

Since you quoted me, I'll play. I didn't say "all"; however, as stated by someone else, you can often (the word I used) tell if you pay attention. I'm surprised you would think otherwise.

"Not that they are all open carry, but most of the time you can tell when someone is carrying concealed. "

my argument isn't political, it's a problem i have with your logic. by using the word "most" you are assuming you know the total number of people carrying concealed.

if people are carrying concealed in obvious ways, then i would agree. but i don't think you can spot the majority of people who are really trying to conceal a small handgun. pockets, bags, etc.

[El Guero]

Originally Posted by Andyinhilo

I have an M-19, an M-18, and an M-66, all are great guns. They are durable, but not "overbuilt" like the OPs Ruger GP-100. I did not mean to infer that they are not, but I have seen several K-frame .357s that have been beat up through mishandling, too many hot loads, and other abuse.

I generally prefer adjustable sights on revolvers, but I did have a 4" HB Model 64 that was the best shooting and handling gun I ever owned. I let it get away in some sort of foolish trade, and miss having it. I really think, for me, the one revolver I would like to have would be a 4" M-65. Nice smooth no-snag for carry, and shoot .38s for practice, and .357s if needed.

Have you had any range time with a SP101 though? A 6-shot revolver with a 4" barrel will just be a range toy, but that's probably 99% of what it needs to do. If a SP101 is as much fun to shoot, I'd rather get one of those so I can have a little more function.

If I got a S&W it would be one of these:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...s_id/411545790

[acesandeights]

Originally Posted by urbancowboy

"Not that they are all open carry, but most of the time you can tell when someone is carrying concealed. "

my argument isn't political, it's a problem i have with your logic. by using the word "most" you are assuming you know the total number of people carrying concealed.

if people are carrying concealed in obvious ways, then i would agree. but i don't think you can spot the majority of people who are really trying to conceal a small handgun. pockets, bags, etc.

I don't think that's what I'm saying. I think you have a problem with my logic because you think I'm saying something I'm not. I'm saying most of the time, not most of the people.

I don't know if this muddies the water or makes it clearer, but in the majority of instances you can tell when an individual is carrying concealed. If you look at a given individual, the majority of the time you can tell if that individual is carrying. When I'm at Costco for example, I don't see all people. I'm not making a statement related to all people in the store with me. I see the people nearest me, and for the ones that I see, I believe more times than not I can tell if they are carrying a concealed firearm. You may still disagree though. Or, maybe I misinterpreted what you're saying. I'll also say I make a point of visually checking people around me, almost always and I've been able to strike up nice positive conversations with strangers about firearms, concealed carry and the like. Again, you may disagree, and I'm ok with that.

[ttpete]

Originally Posted by acesandeights

I don't think that's what I'm saying. I think you have a problem with my logic because you think I'm saying something I'm not. I'm saying most of the time, not most of the people.

I don't know if this muddies the water or makes it clearer, but in the majority of instances you can tell when an individual is carrying concealed. If you look at a given individual, the majority of the time you can tell if that individual is carrying. When I'm at Costco for example, I don't see all people. I'm not making a statement related to all people in the store with me. I see the people nearest me, and for the ones that I see, I believe more times than not I can tell if they are carrying a concealed firearm. You may still disagree though. Or, maybe I misinterpreted what you're saying. I'll also say I make a point of visually checking people around me, almost always and I've been able to strike up nice positive conversations with strangers about firearms, concealed carry and the like. Again, you may disagree, and I'm ok with that.

Wow.

You got balls.

Anyone ever tell you to GTF away from them?

A LOT of people regard the subject as being extremely personal. That's the last thing I'd consider doing to anyone I didn't know.

[acesandeights]

No, but I don't talk to everyone I see either. I guess if I acted like a jackass I'd get more negative reactions.

[KSJEEPER]

Originally Posted by urbancowboy

"Not that they are all open carry, but most of the time you can tell when someone is carrying concealed. "

my argument isn't political, it's a problem i have with your logic. by using the word "most" you are assuming you know the total number of people carrying concealed.

if people are carrying concealed in obvious ways, then i would agree. but i don't think you can spot the majority of people who are really trying to conceal a small handgun. pockets, bags, etc.

Its like saying, "I think I killed all the termites" when you don't know the # to begin with. You killed some termites, and so thus you assume you got most of 'em.

Leave the house, spot 26 people packing. Did you spot 26 out of 30? Or 26 out of 1,094? Pretty tough to say.

I'm going to assume that most people who pack daily, aren't projecting because it is part of their routine. Any more than they are projecting that they are carrying car keys.

Guy on his first Wally walk? Well sure, he can't go 30 seconds without touching his piece

[xshanex]

Originally Posted by urbancowboy

if people are carrying concealed in obvious ways, then i would agree. but i don't think you can spot the majority of people who are really trying to conceal a small handgun. pockets, bags, etc.

+1

I don't know about the majority of people but with a lot of them you can tell with a lot of people if its on their waist...there's certain types of people that I can see it on more than others with the oversized shirt and high waisted pants.....also any type of tactical type pants on someone over 40 seems to be a 50/50 on if they're carrying and same with a fanny pack. Lots of people dress to carry or do a really half ass job and print like crazy....I remember standing behind a guy in line at the grocery store and wondering to myself if he's going to carry a fullsize 1911 then why isn't the hammer back? He was printing that bad

Women......you never know.....the only reason I've ever been able to tell a woman is carrying is when they drop their bag and their is the thump from having a gun in there or seeing it accidentally when they open their purse


With all the great carry guns and holsters these days that are extremely easy to conceal I would really doubt that anyone can tell the majority of the time any more