To port or not to port.

[CLAX1911]

I'm really glad you started this thread Jerry because it has evolved into a general discussion about peoples' various preferences for self-protection, especially concealed carry. In a perfect scenario I would carry a semi-custom or full custom 1911 concealed as that is the law in my state. My preference is either a full size government model or a CCO (concealed carry officer) size that has a 4 1/4" barrel with an officer's size frame. My CCO would also have a bushing instead of a bull barrel. IMO all 1911s should have a bushing, just my preference.

However, since we don't live in a perfect world I find myself carrying a Glock 19 most in cooler weather and a Kahr CW9 in hot weather. Both are 9mm and have light weight polymer frames which make them more comfortable to me to tote. IMO Kahr makes great firearms and the CW9 is a great deal in today's handgun market due to its price point and reliability. It's a sleeper IMO so check it out. This slide on this one is less than an inch wide and has a 3 1/2" barrel which conceals nicely on a belt under a t-shirt or even in the pocket (with a holster) of cargo shorts. It comes with one 7 round mag but you can purchase extras from numerous resources.

The 9mm round is a great choice for personal protection as bullet design due to improved technology has increased the effectiveness of the round. I use Hornady and Federal mostly, the latter with 124 grain +P+ hollow point ammo.

I love my sig p938
A compact 9mm full steel delightful little fire arm.hides away nice and neat and i dint have to buy freaking expensive 38 ammo to shoot it.
It is a1911 stylized pistol meaning I understand it in and out.

P938 Black Rubber Grip

 

[Black Dog]

I carry a full size Springfield Armory XD 45 Tactical. I sold my Glock, I liked the feel of this better. They are both superior firearms though.

I also carry an AMT .380 Backup DAO sometimes...

View attachment 67151946

It loves the hot rounds so I use Hornady Zombie Max, lol.

I seldom carry the 380 unless I just want to throw it in my pocket and go. It's perfect for pocket carry as it is DAO.

 

[apdst]

Since your rifle has a threaded barrel take off the break and try a suppressor. I think you'll be impressed with the amount of reduced noise. I read American Sniper by Chris Kyle this summer and one of the rifles he used in Iraq was a .300 Win mag suppressed.

I'm going to do better than that. I'm going to have the barrel cut back 3 inches and a cone milled inside the muzzle as deep as possible.

 

[onlinebiker]

To show it's not bias - I will say that I own and shoot several S+W revolvers - and quite enjoy them. That said - if you need a .357 that has no muzzle flip - get a Rhino. Chiappa Firearms
It's an amazing revolver. A side note - a friend of mine has one, and I've shot it many times. He bought it, because over 10 years ago, I'd proposed the under axle barrel design at a brainstorming session we had.
It was pretty cool to actually try it out. Now - if Smith and Wesson would please make a J frame Airlite in .30 carbine with moon clips, I'd really be happy.

 

[SMTA]

To show it's not bias - I will say that I own and shoot several S+W revolvers - and quite enjoy them. That said - if you need a .357 that has no muzzle flip - get a Rhino. Chiappa Firearms
It's an amazing revolver. A side note - a friend of mine has one, and I've shot it many times. He bought it, because over 10 years ago, I'd proposed the under axle barrel design at a brainstorming session we had.
It was pretty cool to actually try it out. Now - if Smith and Wesson would please make a J frame Airlite in .30 carbine with moon clips, I'd really be happy.

The Rhino lock work is way too complex for reliability.

 

[joko104]

I think the Model 640 (I refer to them as "Airweights") are the ideal conceal carry - provided you add a CT grip. I looked it up and didn't know they made an .357 version, but I'd suggest sticking with the .38 special. An Airweight (640) is my wife's conceal carry only her's has the shaved hammer (plus she has one with a full thumb hammer). The shaved version is no longer produced.

A big NO! NO! NO! to porting a personal defense handgun for all the reasons above. In a panic/instant fire situation, you fire from whatever position you have the gun including where you are wrestling over the gun. Firing it could severely burn you in that situation causing you to drop it and suddenly you weapon is the attacker's weapon.

Porting is ONLY for mega bore handguns - which only people around brown bears or wild hogs might need - and maybe target/hunting ONLY handguns.

 

[joko104]

To show it's not bias - I will say that I own and shoot several S+W revolvers - and quite enjoy them. That said - if you need a .357 that has no muzzle flip - get a Rhino. Chiappa Firearms
It's an amazing revolver. A side note - a friend of mine has one, and I've shot it many times. He bought it, because over 10 years ago, I'd proposed the under axle barrel design at a brainstorming session we had.
It was pretty cool to actually try it out. Now - if Smith and Wesson would please make a J frame Airlite in .30 carbine with moon clips, I'd really be happy.

Rhinos are cool looking. Never fired one. Does it do what they claim? Or is it just a gimmick? Are they alloy or heavy steel?

 

[joko104]

Stay away from the S&W Defender 38 special (with the built-in laser). I bought one on impluse at a gunshop. You think you're getting a 640 with a free laser built-in, but it is a BAD design as the laser is essentially useless for fast defense or activation.

They are very lightweight like the 640 - in not lighter - and seemingly a great deal with the built-in free laser. BUT it is not instant-on-grab like a CT grip laser. VERY awkward and counter-intuitive to use - plus you either have it on continuously or off. There is a gimmick of getting the laser to blink), which is worthless.

Because it is built into the frame, you can't add or replace the grip with a CT grip. The laser button is on the wrong side on top in my opinion, plus it's awkward to find leaving you pressing all over trying to get it to go on.

 

[joko104]

The Rhino lock work is way too complex for reliability.

Thanks for the heads up. I and my wife sometimes just buy on impulse. I saw one at a gun shop (Winchester Gallery, Fort Worth, Texas) on a trip to that area to pick up a couple of Weatherbys I bought online and then went to the Fort Worth gun show and checked out a couple gun shops - and thought it interesting but it just seemed off and too gimmicky so didn't ask to handle it.

The attitudes about gun regulations vary so much state to state - and beyond what laws are even. Florida gun dealers have gotten rather paranoid even going beyond legal requirements. Texas clearly is the gun-rights capital in the USA, with gun dealers taking a hardline again regulations. I bought 2 Browning .22LR vintage pump rifles (1 was new old stock) and that S&W Defender (I regret it) at the F.W. gun show, though I had no in-state ID. Each said "this is MINE so this is a private sale if you got cash and you don't need a receipt."

The show was packed and people were paying ABSURD prices for AR15s and .223 ammo. However, more traditional firearms were way down on prices as all the money was going towards what people feared was going to be banned and gun dealers gotta eat (meaning sell something/anything).

 

[SMTA]

Thanks for the heads up. I and my wife sometimes just buy on impulse. I saw one at a gun shop (Winchester Gallery, Fort Worth, Texas) on a trip to that area to pick up a couple of Weatherbys I bought online and then went to the Fort Worth gun show and checked out a couple gun shops - and thought it interesting but it just seemed off and too gimmicky so didn't ask to handle it.

The attitudes about gun regulations vary so much state to state - and beyond what laws are even. Florida gun dealers have gotten rather paranoid even going beyond legal requirements. Texas clearly is the gun-rights capital in the USA, with gun dealers taking a hardline again regulations. I bought 2 Browning .22LR vintage pump rifles (1 was new old stock) and that S&W Defender (I regret it) at the F.W. gun show, though I had not in-state ID. Each said "this is MINE so this is a private sale if you got cash and you don't need a receipt."

The show was packed and people were paying ABSURD prices for AR15s and .223 ammo. However, more traditional firearms were way down on prices as all the money was going towards what people feared was going to be banned and gun dealers gotta eat (meaning sell something/anything).

Why, you are quite welcome!

It looks nasty in it's guts, which is not akin to the KISS principle for simplicity and safety.

This picture is not the best, but you can see what I mean.

Nasty!

 

[joko104]

Why, you are quite welcome!

It looks nasty in it's guts, which is not akin to the KISS principle for simplicity and safety.

This picture is not the best, but you can see what I mean.

Nasty!


View attachment 67152315

Wow, what a mess. I don't think the high humidity and particularly saltiness of it all around here and that chaos would be a good mix even beyond the complexity.

 

[SMTA]

Wow, what a mess. I don't think the high humidity and particularly saltiness of it all around here and that chaos would be a good mix even beyond the complexity.

Or 2 grains of sand.

 

[CRUE CAB]

Why, you are quite welcome!

It looks nasty in it's guts, which is not akin to the KISS principle for simplicity and safety.

This picture is not the best, but you can see what I mean.

Nasty!


View attachment 67152315

Ugly ugly gun.