Small revolver with limited capacity

[gunrack]

Carrying a small revolver with limited capacity forces you to think differently about every round, nothing feels disposable and nothing feels like a practice shot. That mindset made me more intentional about what I load and why. It ended up teaching me more about defensive ammunition than I expected.

 

[Hilldweller]

Carrying a revolver for self defense - and “practice shot” really don’t go together but I think I understand what you were inferring. Most revolvers carry 6 rounds. If you feel the need to have more ammo at the ready you’ll have to carry a speed loader or two. Or buy a semi-auto with a high capacity mag or two. (If legal where you live)
I have a revolver (6 rds) and a 4” Kimber 1911 (7 rds). I don’t carry additional ammunition. Whichever one I’m carrying I’m comfortable with their capacities and my abilities to deal with or escape a deadly scenario. I also do my best to not go into high crime areas and maintain situational awareness wherever I am.

 

[Alan]

Limited capacity has a way of turning every trigger press into a decision instead of a habit.

 

[VancMike]

I've gone through a lot of aspects of CWC. During my working career, one of my offices was in what we call the shady part of town and I got all the stuff: various handguns, extra mags, speed loaders, cartridge strips, IWB, OWB holsters, etc.

And then, I figured out the odds. I live in the 'burbs (seems like most home invasions occur in more rural areas). My office areas' high crime rate was drugs, property crime and bar fights. What, I'm going to shoot some poor schnook shoplifting her next fix?

Maybe the ultimate experience was a solo road trip from the Pacific to the Atlantic and back. Took as many single lane highways along the north border then came back along the middle US. Took the Utah class so's to have CCW in as many states as possible.
And yet, I still wasn't legal in Minnesota, Michigan, NY, Delaware, NJ, Maryland and Illinois. Consequently, the handgun remained in a locked case with the spare tire.

I really didn't feel threatened at any time*, even in the parking lot of a Kentucky Waffle House trying slightly unsuccessfully to show I wasn't from that Washington, but rather from the Washington in the upper left hand corner of your 48-state map.

So yeah, I've a couple of home defense guns, but honestly? Not going to carry.

*OK, there was Williston, ND, when my Subaru was surrounded at a stop light by pickups with tires taller than any of their owners

 

[Hilldweller]

I really didn't feel threatened at any time*, even in the parking lot of a Kentucky Waffle House trying slightly unsuccessfully to show I wasn't from that Washington, but rather from the Washington in the upper left hand corner of your 48-state map.

So yeah, I've a couple of home defense guns, but honestly? Not going to carry.

*OK, there was Williston, ND, when my Subaru was surrounded at a stop light by pickups with tires taller than any of their owners

Vance,
Not sure if being from the PNW would sit well either…..depending on where you are.

I’m not familiar with Williston, ND. Sounds like, from the drivers seat, you were staring at lug nuts as you entered the “Land of Small People” in the Twilight Zone !

 

[VancMike]

In my years of travel in the US, I've been amazed how many people, particularly in the SE, who know nothing of US geography. West Coast? Only California.
Idaho? Are you sure you didn't mean Iowa?
Portland? Right, lobsters.
Washington? US capital.
Etc

 

[Hilldweller]

Vanc,
It would help if people would stop naming cities with the same name.

You say “I live in Portland”….Oregon? Maine? There are 20 more.
You say “I live in Washington”…..state or city/town? 1 state, 1 District, and 88 cities/towns and even more counties.
You say “I live in Leavenworth”….Kansas? Washington? The prison??

It all just makes me more corn-fused. I guess the K.I.S.S. principle wasn’t invented soon enough…

 

[VancMike]

Well, we were the first Vancouver. Hudson's Bay Co. named Fort Vancouver in 1823. The former Gastown, up there in BC, didn't change their name until 60+ years later. That and a fiver will buy you a cup of coffee.

 

[BearBio]

When I first started with US Fish and Wildlife, we were warned not to go into certain "anti-Federal" areas. We also had several "self defense" classes (more avoidance than fighting) available. Several were geared to State Department employees overseas. All stressed that your best defense is situational awareness! I've carried revolvers and autos for EDC. I chose a Sig P-365 MS for my EDC (I learned on a 1911, so a safety doesn't bother me). My preference in a revolver was a Colt DS (6 shots, +P rated) over a Smith. I also carried a Charter .44 Bulldog, a S & W 24 44 Spl 2" and a Model 19 357 2" at various times. I even carried a 2" Colt SAA Sheriff's Model in 44 Spl for a short while!

Train with what you got! No excuse!

 

[Karate_kid]

When I first started with US Fish and Wildlife, we were warned not to go into certain "anti-Federal" areas. We also had several "self defense" classes (more avoidance than fighting) available. Several were geared to State Department employees overseas. All stressed that your best defense is situational awareness! I've carried revolvers and autos for EDC. I chose a Sig P-365 MS for my EDC (I learned on a 1911, so a safety doesn't bother me). My preference in a revolver was a Colt DS (6 shots, +P rated) over a Smith. I also carried a Charter .44 Bulldog, a S & W 24 44 Spl 2" and a Model 19 357 2" at various times. I even carried a 2" Colt SAA Sheriff's Model in 44 Spl for a short while!

Train with what you got! No excuse!

You've carried quite a variety over the years. I also agree that situational awareness is the skill that applies no matter what you're carrying. Equipment has its place but training consistently with your chosen firearm is what makes the biggest difference.

 

[BearBio]

You've carried quite a variety over the years. I also agree that situational awareness is the skill that applies no matter what you're carrying. Equipment has its place but training consistently with your chosen firearm is what makes the biggest difference.

Or, even if not carrying! Or while driving!

 

[A10]

I almost always carry. I have a variety of firearms, but they all pretty much work the same way, squeeze the trigger and it goes bang. I've found the important part is to handle them enough where you are comfortable with each one. I love my S&W revolvers but usually carry a semi.

I used to live in the Real Vancouver, which is a MUCH nicer place than the Megatropolis where I currently reside. Lots of history there! U.S. Grant's house is still there, on a beautiful stretch of roadway.

 

[VancMike]

Grant House is on Officer's Row, next to Ft. Vancouver Nat'l Historic Site. My wife and I are both history buffs and drive our kids and grandkids crazy when we make them do the pentennial or so trip to the Fort. During the guided tour, they'll wander off, pretending they don't know us as we raise our hands exclaiming, "I know! I know!" during the question and answer periods. Or even worse, correcting the guide...

 

[sabasarge]

Carrying a revolver for self defense - and “practice shot” really don’t go together but I think I understand what you were inferring. Most revolvers carry 6 rounds. If you feel the need to have more ammo at the ready you’ll have to carry a speed loader or two. Or buy a semi-auto with a high capacity mag or two. (If legal where you live)
I have a revolver (6 rds) and a 4” Kimber 1911 (7 rds). I don’t carry additional ammunition. Whichever one I’m carrying I’m comfortable with their capacities and my abilities to deal with or escape a deadly scenario. I also do my best to not go into high crime areas and maintain situational awareness wherever I am.

I generally carry a revolver (S&W 396 .44 sp. 5 rnds or a model 325 .45acp (6 rnds) with either speed strip or speed loader unless I find myself spending serious time in Portland (Or. ) or Seattle. In those instances I may choose to carry a few more rounds. Even then it'll be a 1911 with an extra mag.
I train regularly with my EDC's and humbly never feel outgunned.
But it could still happen. I tend to stay away from areas that might lead to that outcome.

 

[A10]

I generally carry a revolver (S&W 396 .44 sp. 5 rnds or a model 325 .45acp (6 rnds) with either speed strip or speed loader unless I find myself spending serious time in Portland (Or. ) or Seattle. In those instances I may choose to carry a few more rounds. Even then it'll be a 1911 with an extra mag.
I train regularly with my EDC's and humbly never feel outgunned.
But it could still happen. I tend to stay away from areas that might lead to that outcome.

Areas like Seattle or Portland.......

 

[Hilldweller]

I generally carry a revolver (S&W 396 .44 sp. 5 rnds or a model 325 .45acp (6 rnds) with either speed strip or speed loader unless I find myself spending serious time in Portland (Or. ) or Seattle. In those instances I may choose to carry a few more rounds. Even then it'll be a 1911 with an extra mag.
I train regularly with my EDC's and humbly never feel outgunned.
But it could still happen. I tend to stay away from areas that might lead to that outcome.

Living in SW Washington just 15-20 minutes from Portland I do on occasion have to go there. Usually for a doctors appointment or a dinner out. Never a problem. My wife and I spent our anniversary in Seattle on the waterfront in a nice hotel. (And even got bumped up to the largest suite when I mentioned the occasion). Had a good time wandering around the waterfront and fish warehouses. Not a problem.

Unless you’re hanging around homeless camps or seedy areas neither is cause to be afraid. Don’t believe what you see on some news channels. It’s a bunch of hooey.

I do carry when on road trips, but my carry license isn’t honored by Oregon (or many other places) so I leave it at home.

 

[VancMike]

I've mentioned before I got an Oregon and Utah carry license for a coast to coast (and back) a few years ago. Have never needed either. I visit my Seattle daughter regularly. They are foodies and many of the better eateries are in what some might call sketchy areas. I guess I should really be concerned. But I'm not.

If anything untoward occurs in either Seattle or Portland, where my other daughter lives, I'll post it here. But honestly, the odds are with me.