Attn: gun experts

[RIC-H0]

Originally Posted by dеiтайожни

First...I wouldn't trust the cop! Make sure you get what he said in writting and notarized, and video tape that process and make sure you both are holding 2 forms of government id up to the camera.

Second, your best bet would be to find the gang that reps that area, they will offer you protection and you will just give them like 70% of the money you make doing business in that area. That's probably why you are getting hassled in the first place.

Third, you are probably going to get shot if you pull a gun on someone who already has a gun on you. But, get 2 gold-plated desert eagles and don't be shy about letting people see them.

I would go to a shooting range.
Most good ranges rent handguns for on site use.
Try out several makes, models, and calibers.
Save yourself some money and possibly a life, by buying a gun that "fits". One that you are completely comfortable with, and one that has enough stopping power to make a difference!
The best advice I can give you is:Whatever you get...
Practice! Practice! Practice!
A gun is useless(and more dangerous) in the hands of someone that doesn't know how to use it!
My conceal is a Walther P99 QPQ in 40cal. It's not the smallest gun, but it is one I have come to love and trust.
Glock make quite versatile range of carries, and so do most other manufacturers. It's all a matter of personal preference.

Don't forget to practice...
and a little prayer every one in a while helps too!!!

[Racer-X]

Thanks Ric, This won't be a first gun. I have a few and have spent some time at the local range. Both pistols I have are great for home defense but way too big for what I need. I'm just not into it enough to know what to look for in something small.

I would never pull a gun on someone who had one pointed at me and everytime I have had an issue, pulling a gun would have been an easy last resort.

I've started a policy that keeps me out of those neighborhoods for the most part, but some of my best clients sometimes need me in those areas once in a blue moon and it's hard to turn them down when they are a huge part of my income.

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by Racer-X

I would never pull a gun on someone who had one pointed at me.......

I'll reiterate my original suggestion then. Why do you want to carry a gun then?

If you are not willing to utilize your weapon in the exact moment that you should, you don't need to carry one and need to find alternate means of protection. Carrying a handgun for protection is not for everybody and those that cannot utilize the tool effectively will only be a target themselves.

Action beats reaction every single time. Knowing what your actions can and should be in most given situations (ie-training) is the key to surviving an encounter.

Aside from that, I personally carry .40SW and nearly all of my personal defense handguns are of the same caliber.

[Racer-X]

Originally Posted by PARAGON

I'll reiterate my original suggestion then. Why do you want to carry a gun then?

I'll clarify - I would never attempt to PULL a gun on someone who had one pointed at me. That would be asking to get shot. I would have no problem pulling the trigger if I thought my life was in danger.

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by Racer-X

I'll clarify - I would never attempt to PULL a gun on someone who had one pointed at me. That would be asking to get shot. I would have no problem pulling the trigger if I thought my life was in danger.

It was clear the first time and you didn't change things. How do you know the person pointing the gun doesn't subscribe to the same principles that was iterated to you above about pointing a gun at someone that you don't intend to kill.

Why take the chance? Again, if you are not comfortable in pulling and using a handgun in that situation, you do not need to seek it's use as personal protection. You are simply looking for additional trouble that you don't want. That is the one time in your life you would most assuredly want that protection, yet you state you wouldn't make use of it. Someone is pointing a gun at you, you can't assume they are NOT going to shoot you. THAT'S asking to get shot.

[ShaggyX]

CC is just asking for trouble, and is more likely to escalate the issue then anything else. That is all.

[CO Hummer]

Originally Posted by ShaggyX

CC is just asking for trouble, and is more likely to escalate the issue then anything else. That is all.

Do you mind if I quote you for a Deep Thinker's Hall of Fame nomination?

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by ShaggyX

CC is just asking for trouble, and is more likely to escalate the issue then anything else. That is all.

I agree if you don't pay them off every month. If you carry the balance the interest rates will eat you up.

[Mrs.ssippi]

Originally Posted by PhilD

Spoken like a true whining liberal "Don't do anything to upset them and they'll leave you alone" Shoot them dead and then see if they can hurt you anymore

Phil, I like how you think!

[MarineHawk]

I agree with Para on this and his previous comments. If the guy is about to shoot you you anyway, acting quickly, drawing, and firing a shot or more into his mid section, will give you a very good chance of survival - approximately infinitely better than just sitting there and taking the hit.

If he's hesitant and unsure what to do himself - even more so. The vast majority of armed criminal IMO are cowards. If you act decisively, calmly, quickly, and intellligently in deploying your weapon, you should come out on top more than 90% of the time.

One illustration that draws on what Para was saying is that more than 85% of rounds fired in police shootouts (I think this is correct; I can't recall the specific numbers - someone help me if you know) miss their target. Keep in mind that (again I think this is correct) more than 80% of those shootouts occur at a distance of less than 10 feet!

Thus the victor isn't usually or necessarily the best marksman, the fastest one, or even the one who gets the head start - it's most often the one who is determined to respond and does so as calmly and proficiently as possible. As part of that training formal or otherwise at hitting moving targets quickly and thinking about what you will do in a given situation ahead of time is critical. If you act decisively and don't freak out, you'll win most of the time even if the other guy has the drop on you. As a concealed carrier, you have the element of surprise, and they don't know what you're going to do or when you're going to do it. in some sense, it's an advantage if you act effectively.

I might disagree with the others about the pocket issue. I have a small auto in my pocket often when I woulnd't have anything if I had to have a holster. If it's hot and I'm wearing shorts and a shirt tucked in, I'm not going to wear a jacket or untuck my shirt so that I can carry. I just put my thin holstered .380 in my pocket. (Note, as I said earlier, I'd put my Glock or H&K in a holster or quick opening camera case or something if I was expecting to walk around East St. Louis or Detroit or something)
One advantage to the pocket approach is that if someone is walking near you, and you sense a possible threat but really don't know, but don't want to reach for a holstered weapon, just stick your hand in your pocket. At that point, drawing and firing takes about 0.3 seconds.

Originally Posted by PARAGON

It was clear the first time and you didn't change things. How do you know the person pointing the gun doesn't subscribe to the same principles that was iterated to you above about pointing a gun at someone that you don't intend to kill.

Why take the chance? Again, if you are not comfortable in pulling and using a handgun in that situation, you do not need to seek it's use as personal protection. You are simply looking for additional trouble that you don't want. That is the one time in your life you would most assuredly want that protection, yet you state you wouldn't make use of it. Someone is pointing a gun at you, you can't assume they are NOT going to shoot you. THAT'S asking to get shot.

[Aubs]

I think this would scare anyone: Just walk around with a particle accelerator on your back, and aim it at anything that moves...

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by MarineHawk

I might disagree with the others about the pocket issue. I have a small auto in my pocket often when I woulnd't have anything if I had to have a holster. If it's hot and I'm wearing shorts and a shirt tucked in, I'm not going to wear a jacket or untuck my shirt so that I can carry. I just put my thin holstered .380 in my pocket. (Note, as I said earlier, I'd put my Glock or H&K in a holster or quick opening camera case or something if I was expecting to walk around East St. Louis or Detroit or something)
One advantage to the pocket approach is that if someone is walking near you, and you sense a possible threat but really don't know, but don't want to reach for a holstered weapon, just stick your hand in your pocket. At that point, drawing and firing takes about 0.3 seconds.

I would suggest one of these. You can stick a full-sized in there (especially since you are a small-penised Hummer owner ) and it still not print. As long as you don't have an old style 1911 or something that snags bad, it is pretty smooth to pull from.

It's perfect for something like the sk or even a G23.

http://www.smartcarry.com/scbrochure.pdf

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by PhilD

I'd say that would be a good time to do so, you could be dead in a few seconds... Of course spotting it coming will help you better deal with it.

I wouldn't carry a loaded pistol in my pocket, period. Carry it safely in a holster.

Some counties in CA are not too bad for giving out CCW licenses, forget LA.

If you concerned about the legalities of carrying, remember that a revolver doesn't leave any spent casings at the scene.

Shot placement is as important as caliber, but a 357 mag revolver or any decent pistol in .40 0r .45 will generally stop as good as anything else.

Shot placement is very important to a degree. Meaning, don't worry about trying to shoot in the head or heart. COM shots, or hitting the trunk of the body, with multiple rounds is the best way to walk away from a deadly confrontation.

Many "shootouts" result in a hugely higher percentage of missed shots than hits.

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by PhilD

Fixed. But much of that is due to training, with the peoper amount of training you will increase your reaction times, as they will more instinctive and you will have better muscle memory etc to be able to do what needs to be done.

That reminds me of a theory that's related and unrelated.

In combat, on the streets, etc. When an extreme situation occurs, your mind body falls back on "instinct." Many/most times the individual does not have much or any good memory of exact details of what transpired even though their actions were very deliberate and proper. It's always stated as he had the proper training, muscle memory, etc.

So, a while back it hit me about driving. You hear talk about people driving and talking on their cell phones, or talking to the person in the passenger seat and then not really having a memory of how they got to where they were going, but it was deliberate and they got there. Then, on occasion there are instances where some idiot can't walk and chew gum at the same time and shouldn't try to drive and talk at the same time, right? Well if the aforementioned is true, then those that are on the phone and run red lights, speed, drive erratically, etc. have simply been training themselves to drive that way for when they get on the phone. If they would drive responsibly during normal times, they would drive safely while their abilities are taxed.

Just a theory.

[Racer-X]

Originally Posted by PhilD

I wouldn't carry a loaded pistol in my pocket, period. Carry it safely in a holster.

How about a pocket holster? Anything else is impractical for my work.

I'm not familiar with pocket holsters - I'm guessing they would slow down the draw?