I’m looking for a new carry gun (CCW) and I’m wondering what you guys like? I’m looking at a Smith airlight. What do you think?
Doug

S&W Model 36, .38 Special loaded with Target Wadcutters. Accurate, reliable, and plenty of knockdown.~AMMOe

Mine is a Beretta 21 / 22LR. Most would probably want more gun, but it's reliable and discrete. I can stick it in my back pocket and no one is the wiser.

I have a Taurus titanium .357 Magnum. 7 shots, ported 2" barrel, weighs about 20 ounces. Surprisingly easy to shoot.

Look at a Kahr PM9.

The airlight's are fine. I have several but the guns I carry the most are below. It depends on what I'm wearing and where I'm going. The S&W at the top right is an airlight. There are a couple of S&W model 60 stainless there too. That's a Sig P220 .45 in the middle. I do prefer the smaller wheel guns as I can carry them in an ankle holster. The only problem with airlights is shooting heavy loads in them. That's why I prefer the stainless Model 60's as they stand up better to more heavy rounds. I like to practice allot so when I'm out shooting my other handguns I like to put in some backup time too.

.44 Magnum revolver . When you care enough to send the very best . Outside carry in a cross draw . Lots of second looks . NO problems at all .

I have a Colt Govt 380. Sig just came out with a nice copy of the Colt Mustang. Nice and light so you'll always have it.

Otherwise a lightweight snubby in .38spcl would be good, too!


----fl

Big Doug,

Judging by your handle, you should be able to carry a bigger gun. I'm not what I would call a real big guy at 6' 1'' and 200 pounds, but I carry a full size Colt 1911 .45 ACP (Gold Cup) in a Don Hume Inside Waistband Holster. It fits between the front and back pocket on my jeans and rides in the small of my back. After a few minutes, you forget that it's back there. If I want something smaller, then I switch to my S&W Model 66 (.357 Mag) with the 3 inch barrel. Some people wonder " why a 3 inch instead of a 2 1/2 inch?" The ejector rod on a 2 1/2" is not quite long enough to eject an empty .357 case, but the rod on a 3" gun is.

I tend to think along the same lines as Red...Discretion and ease of carry is important. I sometimes carry a S&W model 36 chief special if I'm wearing enough clothes to comfortably conceal it. My favorite carry which most would not even think of carrying is a NAA 5 shot .22 mag single action revolver. I just stick it in my back pocket. Depending on where I'm going, I often load a bird shot in the second cylinder.

Inside my belt is a Hungarian PA 63 in 9x18 Makarov. A clone of the ppk Walther. It is accurate and reliable. Its controls match the 1911. If I need to, cases for the 9x18 can be made from 9mm Luger brass. Did I mention it was cheap.

In my brief case there is a WWII ventage 1911. It has been updated with several new parts and the caring touch of a pistol smith. It runs very, very well.

Under the seat of my Jeep lives a Glock Model 22, .40 S&W. Not a "carry" gun for me, but it works to keep the riff-raff at a comfortable distance. I had a sweet Argentine Modelo 1927 (1911 Colt) but gave it to a buddy as a wedding present in August so the Glock gets to ride.~AMMOe

I agree to the importance of having "The Difference" in the auto. At least twice maybe three times that old slab side 1911 has served to repeal boarders. Also the first time I was acosted in the dark, I was suprised at how much stiffer my back bone could be when "IT" was riding behind my belt in the small of my back. Thank you John Browning.

Ditto my 1911. It's sorta like a parachute. I may never need it, probably will never need it, hope I never need it, but IF I do ever need it I pray to God I have it. And, like a parachute, I don't want something small to give an illusion of safety without the reality.