Retired Lawdog question

[DeaconKC]

Retired now, and just curious what you other guys are carrying now. I've got a Kahr CT380 that is my always gun, slides right into my pant pocket and is invisible. When I'm doing security at church or working at the LGS, i carry something larger.

[Coffinmaker]

  HiYa Deacon

I wasn't a "Professional Target" long enough to retire from that line of work.  Retired Military though.  I've never been comfortable carrying "little" guns.  My preference has always been something larger.  Much larger.  My only carry is a Commander size .45 1911. It actually conceals nicely under a longish jacket or same sort of long tailed shirt.

I have not been able to find a .45 Revolver with a shrouded hammer.  I think a .45 ACP Revolver with moon clips would be just the biz, especially inna jacket pocket.

[DeaconKC]

Coffin, I picked up a "customized" 1917 S&W that wandered into my LGS a while back, that is close to what you describe. It has a semi-bobbed hammer, round butt and was cut down to 3" barrel. And someone who knew what they were doing did an action job on that trigger. I'll post pics later, but I may just wear it to work tomorrow!

[DeaconKC]

Here ya go. I actually carried it today with a couple of moon clips in my pocket.

[Coffinmaker]

  Hey Deacon

Now that be SWEET!!  Big 'Ol LIKE button.  My "perfect" idea for a carry gun would be a Shrouded Hammer, Non-Fluted Cylinder, Moon Clip compatible, 3 inch barrel.  DAO.  'Cause if venturing into the unknown, My preference would be to carry inna coat pocket with my hand already on it.  One doesn't "draw" from the coat pocket, one shoots THRU the coat pocket.  Too much chance of fouling an auto slide.

[Coal Creek Griff]

I feel a responsibility to stay relevant for as long as possible and be ready to defend myself and people around me. Since I have a little outdoor range on my property, I practice regularly and I carry larger guns much of the time so that I'll be prepared to intervene. For several years, that has meant a SIG P320 with a 15-round magazine in the gun and a spare 21-round magazine on my off side. During warmer months, I usually switch to a SIG P365 with a 10-round magazine and a spare 17-round magazine. With the recent reports of the P320 going off unexpectedly, I'm beginning to rethink my choice, so it's in the safe now, which is sad because I really like that gun and I shoot it very well.  It also has a red dot sight, which I've learned to appreciate. Lately I've been working a Springfield Armory SA-35 (Hi-Power copy) into the mix.

At church, I carry a backpack with my Bible, notebook, water bottle, etc. The backpack also has a decent trauma kit with several tourniquets, chest seals, wound packing materials, etc. (I have a similar kit in my car). Lastly, the backpack also has a SIG Rattler (300 Blackout). 

Carrying all that stuff is a hassle and I'd rather not deal with it, but like I said, with my training and experience, I feel like I have a responsibility to be prepared to step in if things go way south.  Someday no doubt I won't feel like that, but I only retired a few years ago, I have a place to practice and I can afford the equipment, so I'll keep doing it this way for now. I spent most of my career in plain clothes doing high risk investigations, so this is just maintaining my old habits, which makes it easier for me.

Griff