Guys,

For the past few years I have spent less and less time playing with autoloading handguns. My main problem with them is that they are, frankly, impractical for every day civillian carry. I still play with my .45s and my plastic guns but I never carry them.

Basically, here is my reasoning (from a post of mine last year).

I think the J-frame in airweight format is probably the best all-around gun for the average civillian. Here is why:

1. Very simple. The Revolver has no safety, no movable sights, no dropable magazines, nothing. Just a gun that you can drop in your pocket and go.

2. Very reliable. While the myth of the unstoppable revolver is BS, it is true that a revolver is more likely to go off when you pull the trigger. Any number of factors from being out of battery due to close contact, empty chamber, jam, missing magazine, etc can curse your autoloader, the J-frame will work in all of the these cicumstances--and if the cylinder is empty keep squeezing.

3. Reasonable cost. Autoloaders are pricey. A Glock 19 is going to run most folks around $520. You are going to need a rigid holster (at least a fobus) and probably at least another spare mag or two. A J-frame will run you $100-200 cheaper.

4. You can throw out the price difference buy purchasing a set of crimson trace laser grips. This is, in the words of LAV, a no brainer fro the J-frame. The laser grip is absolutely perfect for this type of gun. You can practice dry-firing, shooting on the move, barrier shots, etc using the crimson trace grips and save a LOT of time and money at the range. This is especially nice for folks who don't have a range where they can practice practical shooting.

5. Five shots is a serious limitation. I do agree with those who say that 5 shots is the scary minimum. But I do think that the fact that you are much more likely to actually CARRY an ultra-lightweight revolver makes up for a combat autoloader in the glove compartment because you didn't feel like putting it back on before you went in the store.

6. Simplicity (again). A J-frame is really all you need. A simple nylon pocket holster is preferable, but not absolutely needed. You can just put it in your coat pocket (and shoot through it if need be). There is no need to keep up with magaizines and wait for months for holsters or any of the other doo-hickey's that you collect for autoloaders.


So, for the past year I have been mainly practicing with a 442 that I picked up a while back. My EDC is a 342 (Scandium/titanium) worked over by Karl Sokol. But my training gun is a 642 with an xs tritium front sight also installed by Sokol.


I am going to keep a log of my training and round count with the 642. Basically to entertain myself but also to see if any of the information I stumble upon is useful to anyone else.

As of today the 642 has 370rounds through it. 300rounds wwb 130 grain and 50 rounds of +p 158 grain lawman. I also ran 20 rounds of 135 grain gold dot.

I typically carry my 342 in my pocket so that is how I do all my drills. I usually practice like this.

1. 1,2,3 shot sets draw at 21 feet.
2. 1,2,3 shot sets draw and fire while walking backwards.
3. 1,2,3 forwards.
4. 1,2,3 sideways in both directions.
5. Box drills
6. Strong and weak hand drills.
7. 25 yards groups
8. Hail Mary shots at 50 and 100 yards.

I use HKS speed loaders for all reloads.

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