All About Pocket Knives

Carrying a firearm is very much a personal preference thing. Over the years I've found a few truths.

1) If you're not comfortable and competent shooting the gun, and don't trust the gun, don't carry it.

2) If the gun and holster are uncomfortable to carry, or you can't get comfortable carrying it, you probably won't. Which sorta defeats the purpose doesn't it?

The larger handguns have their purposes. I have some that I love, but in general concealed carry isn't easy with a them. I know all the arguments about bigger is better, but if it's uncomfortable to carry, you probably won't. Try to find a smaller, lighter weight handgun that is reliable and you can shoot well. You'll be more likely to find it comfortable to carry. Get to a range that has a large variety of rentals available. Most ranges will have some employees that can help if you tell them what you're trying to do. Narrow it down to two or three you like best and shoot at least a box of ammo through each. By then you'll probably have decided what's best for you. I think you'll be surprised at how ergonomic and easy to shoot some are, even those chambered in .45 ACP and 10 mm. That sounds like a lot of trouble but good handguns are not cheap, and it's your life that may be at stake.

We all have our favorites, but me telling you what is best for me doesn't mean it's best for you. And that goes for holsters too. Unfortunately finding the right holster is a trial-and-error process. I have a box full of holsters that I thought I'd like but didn't. I finally found two, one IWB that is tuckable and can also be ankle or pocket carried, and one OWB that can be worn with an untucked shirt (my favorite of all). In general I'm a minimalist. With them my mid-sized relatively lightweight pistol is so comfortable to carry that I virtually forget it's there. (BTW if the gun rubbing against skin is a problem, try wearing a "wife beater" undershirt. I don't find them uncomfortable even in Texas heat.)

Remember the goal is to find one you have confidence in and will carry.

Ken

I like Mark’s, but I tend to shop and shoot at Hoover Tactical on Hwy 31 North of I-459. Nice indoor range.
Charlie

Just FYI here's my rig. M&P Shield .45 with Sticky brand MD4 or DeSantis Mini-Scabbard holster. I originally had reservations about the Sticky but the guy at the gun shop recommended it and said if I'd try it and didn't like it he would give me a full refund. It's very versatile and my reservations about it turned out to be unfounded.

I carried a Shield 9 for years with same holster combo. About a year ago I tried the Shield .45 and was amazed how "shootable" it is. I like it even better than the 9mm.

YMMV.

Ken

RobesonsRme.com wrote:Here are three photos of me with the pistol in place behind my cell phone case and wearing a thirty year old tee shirt, one of my favorites.

It’s a paddle holster, but I can tell you now it’s going to eat my skin up where it rides between the belt and my hip.

I have a heavy duty pistol grade belt on and I also have a heavier Filson miner’s belt I can use.

I think the phone case limits the printing of the pistol quite well.

I think I need a better holster, though.

But when you go to grab your phone, does it expose your carry?

I’m with TF, a tucked in tee shirt and a square tail button up shirt works great. I bought some good looking Wrangler button ups for like 13 bucks each. The material does not cling either to help avoid printing.

As Ken stated, some I carry are not comfortable but I carry them anyway regardless. The slight physical discomfort is highly overridden by the fact I can protect myself and others God forbid I need to. Some people don’t and won’t carry if uncomfortable. Personally carry all types. Slide guns, revolvers including my Governor with .410 000 buckshot. Rather be slightly uncomfortable carrying than dead. Just how I do it.

As far as holsters, magazine, speed loader or extra Governor shot or 45 Colt shells, I carry Mernickle brand. All leather and precision fit to a specific gun and manufacturer. Not one size fits most.

They are not cheap depending on your perspective of cheap. 80 and 40 bucks respectively for holsters and mag holder. In my opinion well worth it and will never use anything else. They make a fine 1. 5 inch gun belt also that I have.

I have 14 pieces currently. Had more but threw them in when I sold a few guns.

Jerry

RobesonsRme.com wrote:I like Mark’s, but I tend to shop and shoot at Hoover Tactical on Hwy 31 North of I-459. Nice indoor range.
Charlie

I went in there once . . . . too rich for my blood.
Guys walking in with AR rigs worth more than the car I drive

I’m not one of those. I shoot there. I’ve never bought a gun there.

Charlie

THAT SIGN IS GREAT

Here is some good information
Bullet Weight: The Ideal Rate of Twist

So to simplify this for you, here is a chart

Bullet Weight Twist
40-Grain 1:12
55-Grain 1:9
62-Grain 1:8 or 1:7
77-Grain 1:7 or 1:8
80-Grain 1:7

Choose the grain that best serves your purpose
My Colt Match Target hbar has a 1:7 twist for distance and accuracy

My newest piece, Uberti Bisley in 357 mag. The Italians sure have the color case bluing down. Also a picture of the new holster/belt rig I made to carry it. Kind of a military post Civil War flavor to it. Shoots great with a 38 Spl. cowboy load.
Back in the day I used to do some SASS cowboy shooting, and always have had a weakness for SAA type revolvers.

I think that is an exceptionally beautiful gun. Wonderful case hardening; very handsome plough share grip. The carry rig looks ultra practical. OC you'r are obviously a man of rare taste and high refinement.!

OC good looking revolver and rig.

OC, thanks for showing us your Uberti. I've been eyeing them for a while and examined several different models recently at the NRA convention. Haven't "pulled the trigger" on buying one yet. Would appreciate your assessment of its quality after you've shot it for a while.

Ken

I love single action revolvers. Not only are they fun to shoot, but I also seem to shoot better with them - I suppose it is related to the deliberate actions required prior to pulling the trigger.

I have never shot a pistol with bird's head grips - are they comfortable and do they provide as good a grip as the traditional SAA grips?

Just beautiful all the way 'round, OC!

Outstanding OC! Both the revolver and the rig! Very nice.

Mumbleypeg wrote:OC, thanks for showing us your Uberti. I've been eyeing them for a while and examined several different models recently at the NRA convention. Haven't "pulled the trigger" on buying one yet. Would appreciate your assessment of its quality after you've shot it for a while.

Ken

I just got this a couple of weeks ago and have put about 100 rounds thru it. It had a little rough spot on the recoil shield when new that would allow the rim of the cartridge to drag or catch on it when the cylinder was rotating. I took it back to the local gunshop where I bought it who is a full service dealer and they smoothed it out at no cost and now it is fine. With 38 Spl. cowboy loads (158 gr lead bullet at about 900 fps it shoots just a touch below the top of the front sight at 15 yds. and right on line. A lot of people do a lot of customizing work on the actions of cowboy shoot guns, but I pretty much leave mine stock.

TwoFlowersLuggage wrote:I love single action revolvers. Not only are they fun to shoot, but I also seem to shoot better with them - I suppose it is related to the deliberate actions required prior to pulling the trigger.

I have never shot a pistol with bird's head grips - are they comfortable and do they provide as good a grip as the traditional SAA grips?

Actually this Uberti has the Bisley grip and hammer, which differ from that of the SAA. The birdshead grip is a little different, like the Ruger Vaquero pictured below (not mine). The Bisley was developed as a target model version of the Colt Single Action Army. It is quite comfortable to grip and shoot.

OLDE CUTLER wrote:

TwoFlowersLuggage wrote:I love single action revolvers. Not only are they fun to shoot, but I also seem to shoot better with them - I suppose it is related to the deliberate actions required prior to pulling the trigger.

I have never shot a pistol with bird's head grips - are they comfortable and do they provide as good a grip as the traditional SAA grips?

Actually this Uberti has the Bisley grip and hammer, which differ from that of the SAA. The birdshead grip is a little different, like the Ruger Vaquero pictured below (not mine). The Bisley was developed as a target model version of the Colt Single Action Army. It is quite comfortable to grip and shoot.

5153.jpg

Doh! Of course! I don't know what I was thinking!

Congratulations, OC, on your beautiful hand gun and your very impressive leather work.
I sure enjoyed looking at them.

O C the gun is great but I'm blown away by the quality of your leatherwork.

+1. that rig looks great!