I’ve had an Ohio Concealed Handgun License (CHL) for a couple decades. Ohio passed Constitutional Carry in 2022, which means a (non-prohibited) person can now carry without a CHL. Because of that, I thought about not renewing my CHL last year, but I went ahead and did it anyway for a couple reason: 1) I can legally carry in a number of other states, and 2) I can legally carry within 1000 feet of a school. Apparently the latter is a federal law. Not sure how many (otherwise law-abiding) gun owners have been arrested or convicted for it - I’m thinking not many - but I don’t want to chance it.
Yeah I donno @Crafter_Man . Neither one of us want to carry. But would like to be able to. I could slap a gun on my hip in Colorado as long as it’s visible.
It’s very strange.
I’d lend you ours, but you’re still too far away to justify that drive!
@Crafter_Man, Colorado has been stepping up it’s requirements which, actually, I agree with mostly. I’d renew if it was just the usual $75 and paperwork, but adding a $90+ class when I haven’t carried in over a decade? Hard to decide. It’s current through the end of September 2027 - we’ll see how bad things get by next spring and then decide.
And I have a very low opinion of open carry. I don’t want to make people around me feel uncomfortable if nothing else. But again, that’s another thread.
I’m not following you here. You don’t want to carry, but you want to carry?
Again, my advice for semi-auto is to try out some 9 mm guns as a benchmark / starting point. If you don’t like them for some reason, try a smaller caliber.
For revolvers - and I think more people should choose revolvers over semi-autos - try an actual .38 revolver. Yes, .38 rounds will fit in a .357, but a .357 is kinda big and heavy.
That is excellent advice.
One loophole that a lot of people have exploited is obtaining a Florida CHL. Apparently it’s fairly cheap and easy to get. Only makes sense if your state honors it, though.
I want the option, that’s all.
9mm is fine, but again not something I want to drag around. It’s probably too much for my wife.
So a .380, while bassically a 9mm short that can handle 10 rounds will get someones attention. For sure.
My Wife is actually quite a competitive person. She’s an IronMan. We Play chess and darts every night. We think ‘Going to the range’ will be another thing to do.
I started shooting when I was 9 years old. This will be a new experience for my wife.
The thing I cannot stress enough is that if you are carrying around a weapon, you CANNOT forget that. Doesn’t matter if you are cleaning it or out target shooting. You cannot forget what you are carrying.
I’m not looking to exploit the loophole, heck, I supported the new legislation. It’s just that the extra bit of time and money (and it’s not that expensive considering the long-term renewal) is making me reconsider my needs. Like I said, the next year is going to determine a lot about what may or may not be needed considering the state of the nation.
@enipla, back to the original points of the thread, during the rental and practice time, it’ll be a good idea to have your wife try a couple of the different safety feature combinations, to see what she feels comfortable with between safety and access. I don’t want our opinions on what is best (or maybe even your opinions on what is best) to override her concerns, though it could/should inform her based on the extra years of experience!
The practice is also going to give both of you a chance to figure out your tolerances for how much weight you’re comfortable carrying and HOW you’re going to carry.
Because speaking from personal experience, if it’s too uncomfortable to do so, then you’re going to find excuses not too.
I have a decent IWB holster for the carry pistol, which worked-more-or-less comfortably for me at around 4-5 o’clock position (strong side). Which is great for smaller, concealable lower profile guns. Not ideal for a revolver though!
I do have a dedicated “fanny pack” style holster (yes, built to purpose, not a repurposed fanny pack) that’s a lot more comfortable, but less secure, and a LOT easier to be careless about - though as a plus, so many people have small packs/crossbody bags these days it doesn’t scream CCW anymore! Or for your wife, a purpose built carry purse if she normally uses one.
But gun form will to a degree inform your carry style, and the more options she tries will help you both find firearms that fit your comfort, safety, and carry needs.
All of which ties back to your point:
Ok, I have to share this story.
Small town liquor store that I frequented also owned a gun store next door.
I asked if they had any LadySmiths there. The woman at the liquor store said no, but she had one in her purse.
Ummm… OK.
And then she hands me the gun. She pulled it out of her purse and handed it to me.
Now, I’m on the wrong side of the counter in a liquor store holding a gun (she did have the forthought to unload it).
Ummm… NO! This is not a good look. I drop it on the counter and back up.
It still shakes me up. That was decades ago.
Yep, some definitely have trouble with it, sounds like you’ve done the homework. I think one technique with slides is that you’re not just pulling it with your nondominant hand, you’re also pushing with the dominant at the same time.
In the past 15 years or so, there have been tons of new 9mm models that are basically the size of a traditional .380, while the latter hasn’t changed much in size. Even old tiny .380 such as Kel-tec P3AT has been discontinued because they suck to shoot. In other words, I’d still consider 9mm because the ammo is much more available, more effective, and especially cheaper. But again do try both.
That is a messed-up story and would shake me up too.
Yup, holding a gun in your hand one either side of the counter is NOT a good look.
I have no idea what the laws are in Colorado. Here in Pennsylvania, we don’t have a “concealed” carry permit, but instead have what we call a “license to carry firearms” (LTCF), which permits you to carry concealed. Like Colorado, we can open carry without a permit. The LTCF also allows you to carry a loaded weapon in your car. Without an LTCF, you have to unload the weapon and keep the weapon and ammunition separate while you are in the vehicle.
So at least around here, there’s a benefit to getting the license even if you don’t intend to carry concealed on a regular basis.
Colorado does not, like many states. It looks like only NV, NM, NC, VA, DE, WI honor non-resident Florida, plus the ones that don’t need a permit.
Better to have and not need. Then to need and not have. That is our approach to this. Including the firearm itself.
And we might like going to the range. I kill her on the chess board. Oh wait a minute…
A few comments:
I had a S&W 380 EZ for a while and it was very easy to rack the slide, and load the magazines. It’s one you should definitely try.
I am told that the Ruger Security 380 is comparatively soft shooting. You might want to try that one too, if possible.
If you shoot .38s through a .357 revolver very much you will have to clean your cylinders thoroughly to remove any powder fouling that will build up in the cylinders between where the .38 case ends and the ‘step’ in the cylinder. (I used to shoot at a small indoor range and was asked to only shoot .38s from my GP100 because .357s were too noisy inside.)
If she decides she wants a revolver, you might try something in .327 Federal magnum or .32 H&R magnum. The ammo is more expensive but the recoil will be more manageable and a revolver chambered in 327 magnum can also shoot 32 H&R magnum and S&W 32 long for even less felt recoil.
Diamondback DB9 is the same size as most 380’s but carries 6+1 rounds of 9. We’ve sold several and have no complaints. I own one myself and have put thousands of rounds through it with no problems.
It does have a kick to it, however. Even 9 will kick in such a tiny pistol.
Thanks for the info. The GP 100 puts out a massive amount of noise. But I’m sure all .357s do.
Heh, I had to scare a bear off my property last winter. I later called my neighbor that was in his house to tell him there where bears about. And that I shot to scare them.
Neighbor is 1/4 mile away, in his house. He heard that shot.
It ain’t the movies folks.
I’m sure. Sort of thinking about a heavier revolver for my wife that will shoot .357 , but load it with .38’s . That should aliviate some of that kick.
Have you considered a 9mm revolver? Stopping power about equal to a .38, but less recoil. Also can be reloaded with moon clips which are faster and easier than speed loaders.
Several manufacturers make them. Smith, Ruger, Taurus, Rossi, Charter, Rock Island, etc..