SA CCW

[paulg]

Who carries a SA revolver for defense against the human animal? What gun, rig and caliber? How often do you practice deploying your weapon both live fire and dry fire? Why do you choose a SA revolver over other handguns?

[Doc Barranti]

While I don't limit myself to just a single action, I do carry one occasionally. Practice involves presentation and dry firing a lot. For a reload, I reach for my pocket gun, though I do carry spare ammo in one of my Six-Pack Pocket Companions.

Here is my single action carry gear... Ruger Vaquero 44 special riding in one of my Summer Classics with adjustable belt loop.

[jdpress]

I carry a USFA Rodeo with a 4-3/4 inch barrel in .45 Colt that has an action job using Long Hunter component parts.
I use a Mernickle Conceal-Carry Performance Series model PS6SA high-rise holster and usually only carry a single action in the late fall to early spring months when I can wear a jacket or sweatshirt over the revolver to aid in concealment. The holster is comfortable and provides good concealment with an over garment but I have not found it practical for concealment in hot weather.
I prefer to carry a single-action because I shoot with one almost weekly; I can hit small targets regularly at ranges out to 40 yards & beyond and the .45 Colt is an excellent defensive round. I figure that five well-placed .45 Colt rounds are as good, if not better, than eight or nine .45 ACP rounds. I only carry five extra rounds on a belt slide but probably would not have time to reload a single action and would rely on accuracy and power instead.

J.D. Press

[malamute]

I carry a Ruger 45 pretty regularly, but not concealed.

Its mostly a mountain gun, but I shoot it better than I ever could a 1911, so figure its at least as good for protection duty.

[jefats]

USFA 44 Special/Thad Rybka leather

[dougader]

I used to carry a 45 Colt Montado that Alan Harton slicked up for me, but when I thought about the possibility of having to shoot someone in self defense... and the police taking the gun until they decided not to charge me (or until all charges were dropped, or I was found not guilty in court) I went back to the Glocks in 9mm and 45 auto.

Mike: Do you have the new LED lamp for that Sure Fire light? I upgraded mine to LED and I swear it's about 2 times brighter using the same lithium batteries.

[Otony]

I occasionally carry my Ruger Sheriff's Model .44 Special in a Ted Blocker IWB holster. I have never quite figured out the photobucket deal but should give it a try.

It currently gets shot more than most of my other SA revolvers. I am not hunting right now, and it is almost getting too cold for range sessions (our local range is in a very windy area), so my target time is typically with it, a couple of .22s, and a, shhh, Glock.

[stevemb]

Due to my rural life, and threat assesment there-in, I often carry my NM Vaq sheriff .44spec too. ShortBBL, from the Ruger site, made me a "test" holster,as we both bought same gun near same time. He wouldn't accept payment, wanted feedback on holster. I carry speed strips for reloads, ya slow compared to the G19. My loads are soft cowboy type 205gr RNFP's. RNFP's do what they've always done, find there way into the cylinder easiest. Over 7grs of Unique, adequate or better. Another bullet I like for SD, is Penn's 185gr DEWC.. Am still playing with charge weight for this. stevemb

[coyote]

short barreled 45 montado or usfa storekeeper in milt sparks HSR holster/belt, for town wear under a spring/fall jacket.

why an SA? its extremely PC around here (verse a hi-cap nine).

[bobwright]

Ruger Three Screw Blackhawk, .44 Special (Ex-.357 Magnum) in Bob Mernickle PS-6SA rig. My "American Express" (Never leave home without it) gun.



The .44 Specials just seem more comfortable to me.


I carry six extra rounds, because that's what my carrier holds. Keeps me from going home with an empty revolver.




Bob Wright

[Ken O'Neill]

Yep. The several I carry from time to time must be concealed under a coat or jacket. My favorite is this Birdshead New Vaquero in .45 ACP with Simply Rugged leather:

[doroteo]

I carry a birdshead grip Ruger New Vaquero in .45 acp. The rig consists of a Beltman horsehide belt, a custom holster and horizontal 1911 magazine carrier by Imdee Leather in Lewis Center Ohio. As I sometimes switch between a 1911 (urban) and the Vaquero (rural), the 1911 magazine is always present as a reload (speed loader for the Ruger). I'm more comfortable with SA revolvers. They are the first type of handgun that I learned to handle. I also think that they are a tad safer when I'm working around the farm everyday... I don't have to give it much thought when I'm dealing with horses, cows, traveling on dirtbikes, tromping through the brush, wrestling fence wire, etc.

[Frank V]

Nov 19, 2012 9:31:57 GMT -5 dougader said:

I used to carry a 45 Colt Montado that Alan Harton slicked up for me, but when I thought about the possibility of having to shoot someone in self defense... and the police taking the gun until they decided not to charge me (or until all charges were dropped, or I was found not guilty in court) I went back to the Glocks in 9mm and 45 auto.

Mike: Do you have the new LED lamp for that Sure Fire light? I upgraded mine to LED and I swear it's about 2 times brighter using the same lithium batteries.

I know we shouldn't think of what if's when we are defending ourselves or loved ones, but a Glock I can replace tomorrow at our LGS if it's taken for evidence. So I think of it now & usually carry a Glock, but deep down in my heart, I'm a SA guy. That's what I learned to shoot with & that's what I take to the range for fun.

Thanks for sharing everyone.
Frank

[rexster]

Once upon a time, when I was detail-cleaning several of my weapons, time got away from me, and then I suddenly realized it was time to leave to meet a colleague at a steak house. My usual carry guns were disassembled, but my USFA China Camp was handy. Even though I am supposed to carry only weapons with which I have fired a qual course, by my employer's rules, the Texas Penal Code allows me to legally tote any handgun, so, remembering Elmer Keith's recommendation for a field-expedient method of toting an SAA, I tucked the China Camp into my waistband, with the flipped-open loading gate resting on top of my belt, dropped some spare cartridges into a pocket, and proceeded to the steak house.

After all, at a lean six feet tall, nobody would mess with me, right? Moreover, Paul is taller, and a mountain of a man; who would start trouble?

Well, after we finished dinner, Paul and I were standing in the parking lot, by our vehicles, talking, when a car occupied by two young thug-looking types started circling us. If they thought we would be scared, they were wrong; Paul and I gave them a certain look, gave each other a bit of room, and stepped closer to cover. Was I thinking about the inadequacy of my weapon? No, I was thinking my chief is going to scalp me for using an unauthorized weapon to ventilate two thugs, because I was one step away from doing just that. Well, wannabe predators recognized experienced predators, and they remembered an appointment elsewhere.

What I took away from that experience was a feeling that a single-action sixgun is a viable defensive weapon. I had been doing quite a bit of SA shooting, and was confident.

I still wear a badge, and SA sixguns are still not on the list of approved weapons, but with chronic ailments afflicting my right wrist, and retirement not so far away now, I reckon it will not be long until I am regularly toting the best lefty weapons extant, USFA or Colt SA sixguns.

[mk70ss]

I carry this .357 El Patron when I trail ride my mule. I have jumped wild hogs and seen feral dogs on the trails.