quote:

Originally posted by cslinger:
If it has a trigger and safely propels a projectile I will happily shoot it. Plastic, steel, alloy, single action, revolvers, dots, irons, scopes etc. etc. hell the only reason I never got into muzzle loading was those guys always looked exhausted sighting in.

If you just want a “weapon” for self defense and that is all you desire get any of the myriad of optics ready (to future proof it) tactical Tupperware and you will be extremely well served. If you really are a gun guy so to speak you do yourself a disservice locking yourself into a single “box”. All those plastic fantastic only folks need to branch out into some real steel or even a revolver or two. All those old walnut and steel curmudgeons need to give some optics and polymer a shot.

Point is there are a helluva lot of great guns out there and you might just find that coming outside your box is both enjoyable and educational, as well as expanding your skillet.

So try any quality guns you can………..except the Beretta Tomcat, I hate those little sumbitches and the only safe place to be if I am shooting one at you is directly in front of the muzzle.

I have a Smith & Wesson 686 Plus that I LOVE to shoot in double action only. I agree that it is good practice to develop proficiency with multiple platforms some of which require different grip and trigger technique to be accurate with.

I kind of find myself in the same situation, but it's starting to change.

For years I always wondered why new pistols did not match the slim proportions of a 1911 or Hi Power. Now with pistols like the 365, Hellcat, etc. we're getting modern designs with slim proportions. Over the years I've carried various lightweight 1911's. Now I find myself carrying a 365 more often than not.

Then there's revolvers. The j-frame Smith was my standby of throw in a pocket and go for carry. It's been a couple of years ever since I carried a j-frame. My 365 has kind of replaced them, similar size and weight with more capacity, better sights and I shoot it better.

Then there's .357's... I have a 3" Smith 66 that I absolutely love. A lot more power than 9mm and I have a lot more control and accuracy with the k-frame than I do a j-frame. Carried in an El Paso Saddlery pancake holster and it really is one of the easiest to carry guns that I own. A lot of the same can be said for my Ruger 3" GP100 in 10mm.

Then there's .44 Magnums... Living in Alaska there's a certain comfort that comes from carrying a .44 revolver. A Smith 629 Mountain Gun used to be my woods carry gun. Now I carry my 329 more often. Not fun to shoot, but the lightweight makes it great for carry especially when packing a lot of photographic gear.

There's been a lot of 10mm pistols coming out lately. I've had a Dan Wesson Razorback in 10mm for a long time. While I like it, it weighs as much as a .44 Magnum revolver with less energy so I usually carried a .44. Now I have a 5" Sig XTEN and the shorter X-Comp. Working them both into my carry rotation. The 5" gets carried in a chest holster for woods carry and currently shopping for holsters for concealed carry with the X-Comp. 10mm does not have the energy of a .44, but it's more controllable and can potentially get more rounds on target.

So yeah, maybe I'm slowly evolving just like polymer pistols are.

I’ve mentioned it before, but the biggest advancement to me has been how scaleable the offerings are today. For me it’s done in a few pistols. But, the 365 can get it done in one trigger pack and multiple slides and grip modules.

The genius thing about the 365 is I can go from a hi cap offering (the Macro) to a true pocket gun in the standard 365.

My EDC option is a G19 RMR TLR7. It has more shootability and function than the guns I carried on duty in the late 90s with the 4 lumen crew served weapon lights and standard night sights.

We live in great times.

I own most of the 9mm Glocks, several HKs, 3 320s, and 2 365s. Fantastic firearms and practical weapons.

As I get older though I find myself drawn more and more to the things I shot when I was younger. 1911s and revolvers. It's not practical, purely a personal aesthetic. Maybe some nostalgia. Maybe I just get more pride in ownership out of something that is machined out of steel and wood. Probably the same reason I wear mechanical watches.

This is why the M&P Metal series is the sweet spot, for me. Best of both worlds.