If You Knew Then What You Know Now...

[snatchel]

But, it is just too big... My hats off to you LEO and "1911 only" guys. I have not figured out a way to carry a full sized gun yet.

Thanks for your input!

There is nothing wrong with a .380.... it's just that most of us recommend a bigger caliber. Honestly, I think that a .380 will do the job if your in a pinch. I think for most of us... the question isn't would it do the job so much as is this what I want to be carrying if I'm in a situation that calls for shooting in self defense. I would rather have 9mm, 45 ACP... whatever. But, I do have a mouse gun for those days that I just can't carry something big, or I'm wearing gym shorts...

As far as carrying a full sized gun is concerned: Don't carry one! There are countless options in the compact/sub-compact world that you can carry a bigger caliber without having to carry a mouse gun. Not that carrying a full sized gun is hard... I do frequently. Sometimes it isn't convenient.... but it isn't difficult. The trick is a good holster/belt combo, and where you carry. I can conceal a Glock 17 OWB in shorts and t-shirt, but I have a holster that rides extremely close and keeps everything tucked in. I also appendix carry, which makes concealing full sized guns really easy. A proper gun belt and holster make that possible.

[JALLEN]

After doing a bunch of shooting the pistols at the range, I bought a Sig 226 Navy. It promised to be corrosion resistant, important here in the salt air, and I figured if it is good enough for SEALS and SAS, it probably would be good enough for me.

Since then, I bought a HKP7M8 after deciding that it is the most left hander friendly pistol. While it has a number of amusing virtues, and is easy to carry, it has only 8 rounds of 9 MM, and gets hot rather quickly. It is almost quite expensive.

I carried one or the other for several years, and had no problems with either. I would do it again.

I intend to get an HK45 when I move to Texas, hopefully soon. I had the HK45C purchased from a LEO here, perfectly legal but sold it anticipating the move.

[michael e]

Would have bought G20 instead of 29, but would have got them all anyway.