Handguns, a more personal gun than long guns? - Page 2

interlock · October 3, 2012, 06:43 PM

To me, they're all just tools. My carry guns and hunting rifles get the most attention, because they are counted on to perform under pressure more.

Bob Wright · October 3, 2012, 07:00 PM

My revovlers have some sentimental value to me.

One Ruger Super Blackhawk and a Colt SAA once belonged to my late son-in-law, killed in a car wreck in 1979. A Smith & Wesson Model 36 once belonged to a friend of mine, who died a few years ago. Another Model 19 is one I got from another late friend. This gun is one I got at a Memphis BBQ establishment. I went to get my Wednesday BBQ and came home with a Model 19, much to my wife's amusement.

My Ruger .357 Magnum Blackhawk I bought while a young soldier at Camp Roberts, California.

Another Super Blackhawk is the one I made the longest field shot with, a 110 yard shot killing a groundhog in Ohio. ( I was in Ohio at the time.)

Most of my older guns have stories behind them, and looking at the gleaming blue/case hardened colors and exotic wood grips, reminds me of the story.

As to my carry gun, its an old three screw Ruger .357 Magnum that had been converted to the transfer bar installation. I bought it, and a second Ruger, from an ad in the paper, for $200 apiece. I fitted both guns with steel grip frames from a Ruger Old Army, removed the transfer bar installation, and sent the 4 5/8" gun to Dave Clements for conversion to .44 Special, and case hardening by Doug Turnbull. Walnut grips from Cary Chapman completed the work.

A couple of years ago I shot off my mouth about the unsuitability of single action revolvers as daily carry guns, and was taken to task for that. Admittedly I had not carried one for such purposes. So, I bought a holster from Bob Mernickle, and have been carrying my .44 ever since.

Bob Wright

RBid · October 3, 2012, 11:48 PM

I don't hunt or shoot competitively. My firearms priorities, in order, are:

1. Self/family defense: home
2. Self/family defense: concealed carry
3. Self/family defense: extreme circumstances
4. Recreation

I prefer handguns for home defense. I like the ease of operation in close quarters, capacity, familiarity (training cost makes it easy to maintain skills), and the ease with which I can safely store and access loaded defensive tools for my girlfriend and I. We don't need to get out of bed to get to weapons, and we didn't have to do anything special to arrange that access.

Because handguns are so easy to have on or around me, I have always been driven to invest time in them. No matter where I may need a firearm, I will have a handgun.

The constant presence of my handguns makes them very personal to me. I view long guns as 'occasional companions', and less necessary to me.

FloridaVeteran · October 4, 2012, 12:23 AM

Since we have wandered a bit:
1. My dogs
2. My guns, handguns edging out long guns, kinda sorta
3. My women
4. My muscle cars

#3 and #4 have been interchangeable at different times in my life, but at my age and with revenue-raising so desperate, I sold my last muscle car a few years ago and rely on fond memories for that part of my life.

My dog will always come before my gun. I'd best not say more than that.

October 3, 2012, 07:00 PM	#27
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 1,244	My revovlers have some sentimental value to me. One Ruger Super Blackhawk and a Colt SAA once belonged to my late son-in-law, killed in a car wreck in 1979. A Smith & Wesson Model 36 once belonged to a friend of mine, who died a few years ago. Another Model 19 is one I got from another late friend. This gun is one I got at a Memphis BBQ establishment. I went to get my Wednesday BBQ and came home with a Model 19, much to my wife's amusement. My Ruger .357 Magnum Blackhawk I bought while a young soldier at Camp Roberts, California. Another Super Blackhawk is the one I made the longest field shot with, a 110 yard shot killing a groundhog in Ohio. ( I was in Ohio at the time.) Most of my older guns have stories behind them, and looking at the gleaming blue/case hardened colors and exotic wood grips, reminds me of the story. As to my carry gun, its an old three screw Ruger .357 Magnum that had been converted to the transfer bar installation. I bought it, and a second Ruger, from an ad in the paper, for $200 apiece. I fitted both guns with steel grip frames from a Ruger Old Army, removed the transfer bar installation, and sent the 4 5/8" gun to Dave Clements for conversion to .44 Special, and case hardening by Doug Turnbull. Walnut grips from Cary Chapman completed the work. A couple of years ago I shot off my mouth about the unsuitability of single action revolvers as daily carry guns, and was taken to task for that. Admittedly I had not carried one for such purposes. So, I bought a holster from Bob Mernickle, and have been carrying my .44 ever since. Bob Wright Last edited by Bob Wright; October 3, 2012 at 07:07 PM.

October 3, 2012, 11:48 PM	#28
RBid Senior Member Join Date: March 10, 2012 Posts: 574	I don't hunt or shoot competitively. My firearms priorities, in order, are: 1. Self/family defense: home 2. Self/family defense: concealed carry 3. Self/family defense: extreme circumstances 4. Recreation I prefer handguns for home defense. I like the ease of operation in close quarters, capacity, familiarity (training cost makes it easy to maintain skills), and the ease with which I can safely store and access loaded defensive tools for my girlfriend and I. We don't need to get out of bed to get to weapons, and we didn't have to do anything special to arrange that access. Because handguns are so easy to have on or around me, I have always been driven to invest time in them. No matter where I may need a firearm, I will have a handgun. The constant presence of my handguns makes them very personal to me. I view long guns as 'occasional companions', and less necessary to me. __________________ Currently Own: Ruger SR9c, Glock 23 (Gen 3), Glock 19 (Gen 4)

October 3, 2012, 06:43 PM	#26
interlock Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2012 Posts: 253	To me, they're all just tools. My carry guns and hunting rifles get the most attention, because they are counted on to perform under pressure more.

October 4, 2012, 12:23 AM	#29
FloridaVeteran Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2012 Location: Central Florida Posts: 399	Since we have wandered a bit: 1. My dogs 2. My guns, handguns edging out long guns, kinda sorta 3. My women 4. My muscle cars #3 and #4 have been interchangeable at different times in my life, but at my age and with revenue-raising so desperate, I sold my last muscle car a few years ago and rely on fond memories for that part of my life. My dog will always come before my gun. I'd best not say more than that.