Expanding 9mm Horizons, and hating change
Apr 9, 2024 11:57:25 GMT -5
500fksjr, alukban, and 1 more like this
Post by Burnston on Apr 9, 2024 11:57:25 GMT -5
I've recently bought into a business that requires about 10 hours a week within town limits. This disrupts my typical carry routine considerably, which takes place on ranches well outside of civilization, featuring a Threepersons and a .44 Special on my hip. Though I am appreciative of open carry laws, I do not open carry in public, making an N frame revolver somewhat of an issue whilst walking among the Philistines in town overseeing various business affairs. This has prompted some exploration into under the shirt concealment.
Unless I am to make a new purchase, which I am hesitant to do, my options are as follows; full size 1911 in 45acp, Glock 36 slimline in .45acp, and a Belgium Browning HP in 9mm. I've essentially ruled out the Glock because I cannot shoot it worth a spit in the can. Practice makes perfect, but I must become proficient before the rapture, and thus far my experiments with the Glock have only proven frustrating and uninspiring.
Thus I've spent the last 14 days or so toying with the Browning in various carry positions and several hundred rounds of ammo of diverse types. As far as under the shirt concealment, I find the "Mexican style" position to be most conducive, Mexican style meaning in the pants just to the inside of the hip on my off-side. This colorful title comes from one of Skelton's articles, I think featuring Dobe Grant, though I cannot remember for sure. Anyway, this style of carry was not only popular in Mexico. Some years ago I was leased out by my employer to a group of dishonest cowboys in a backwater town called Nuevo Palestina, Honduras. It was like stepping back in time where the main form of transportation was horseback and every man was armed, but the only holster among them was carried by the solitary bought and paid for soldier representing law enforcement in the rural, somewhat lawless region. Everyone else carried their pistols like so, "Mexican style," and I have found this to be the most conducive thus far.
I struggle to find a "natural grip," and have yet to determine if this is due to my unfamiliarity with the pistol itself, or if this can be remedied with the right grips. I find I have to put significant concentration into my initial grip and deployment, and then find myself having to adjust after getting the pistol "into action" so to speak. I am consistently inconsistent between the following two grips.
While the first is more comfortable, I am more accurate with the second. Perhaps most concerningly, my "natural" trigger finger position is a significant problem.
It goes without saying that this particular finger position throws lead in all the wrong directions. Bottom line, so far if I am to hit anything wit the High Power, I must be slow, deliberate, and focused. This would not normally be an issue. However, considering the purpose of this pistol, slow and deliberate is not always an option. I was however very surprised by its "point and shoot" capabilities, where incidentally I was most accurate. After setting up a very complicated system of targets as you can see, I spend a few dozen rounds point shooting from the hip. Unfortunately, I was at my top performance from this position, which I find unrealistic and somewhat pitiful. My father was not much of a teacher as far as practical application is concerned, but he was always consistent in saying that if you can hit the caps, you're probably okay. I just wish I could do this with the gun properly deployed.
On the plus side, my hands are not very meaty so the spurred hammer causes no web of thumb issues.
As those of you with any sensibility can see, I am somewhat behind on my moisturizing regiment, namely because I've yet to start one.
Pros to the High Power- with the right mag, the 15 round capacity is ideal, and I can get used to a 9mm I am sure. It's "cocked-and-locked feature is a no brainer, and I am very comfortable with it's single action style trigger.
Cons- The grips absolutely must be replaced, I am not a fan of the grainy trigger creep, nor do I care for the mag safety. Also, thus far I am completely ineffective with it beyond twelve yards. Finally, my "Mexican carry" method always ends up like this by the end of the day, with the muzzle both pointed and digging uncomfortably close to home plate.
In town, my mode of carry will be limited by having to be concealed under my shirt, which necessitates the pistol being positioned on my left side so that I might easily reach behind the buttons on my shirt. I am assuming I may say this among a group of men without being crucified; I am a bit lean, which also limits my concealed carry options. Every day rain or shine I am in a button up long sleeve tucked in to belted jeans, so a pistol print is potentially very apparent. From my current pool of options, and without putting any major money into the project, the High Power and the 1911 are what I have to work, unless one of you knows of an over-the-counter pill of some type that might make one proficient with a Glock, though the 36 is severely limited on capacity with its single stack six round capability.
In years past I am seldom enough in town that passing a revolver Mexican style under my shirt is no issue. However, spending more time there lately I'll be needing to make some adjustments. Fowler and I have discussed some Sig 365 options but in spite of my shameless hints he has not yet offered to send me his to see if I like it. Perhaps his conscience will soon be activated and he'll drop it in the mail to my local FFL like a true friend would. Until that time, efforts will continue to be made with these two timeless but somewhat challenging options. Perhaps some of you have some High Power suggestions that could prove useful.
Unless I am to make a new purchase, which I am hesitant to do, my options are as follows; full size 1911 in 45acp, Glock 36 slimline in .45acp, and a Belgium Browning HP in 9mm. I've essentially ruled out the Glock because I cannot shoot it worth a spit in the can. Practice makes perfect, but I must become proficient before the rapture, and thus far my experiments with the Glock have only proven frustrating and uninspiring.
Thus I've spent the last 14 days or so toying with the Browning in various carry positions and several hundred rounds of ammo of diverse types. As far as under the shirt concealment, I find the "Mexican style" position to be most conducive, Mexican style meaning in the pants just to the inside of the hip on my off-side. This colorful title comes from one of Skelton's articles, I think featuring Dobe Grant, though I cannot remember for sure. Anyway, this style of carry was not only popular in Mexico. Some years ago I was leased out by my employer to a group of dishonest cowboys in a backwater town called Nuevo Palestina, Honduras. It was like stepping back in time where the main form of transportation was horseback and every man was armed, but the only holster among them was carried by the solitary bought and paid for soldier representing law enforcement in the rural, somewhat lawless region. Everyone else carried their pistols like so, "Mexican style," and I have found this to be the most conducive thus far.
I struggle to find a "natural grip," and have yet to determine if this is due to my unfamiliarity with the pistol itself, or if this can be remedied with the right grips. I find I have to put significant concentration into my initial grip and deployment, and then find myself having to adjust after getting the pistol "into action" so to speak. I am consistently inconsistent between the following two grips.
While the first is more comfortable, I am more accurate with the second. Perhaps most concerningly, my "natural" trigger finger position is a significant problem.
It goes without saying that this particular finger position throws lead in all the wrong directions. Bottom line, so far if I am to hit anything wit the High Power, I must be slow, deliberate, and focused. This would not normally be an issue. However, considering the purpose of this pistol, slow and deliberate is not always an option. I was however very surprised by its "point and shoot" capabilities, where incidentally I was most accurate. After setting up a very complicated system of targets as you can see, I spend a few dozen rounds point shooting from the hip. Unfortunately, I was at my top performance from this position, which I find unrealistic and somewhat pitiful. My father was not much of a teacher as far as practical application is concerned, but he was always consistent in saying that if you can hit the caps, you're probably okay. I just wish I could do this with the gun properly deployed.
On the plus side, my hands are not very meaty so the spurred hammer causes no web of thumb issues.
As those of you with any sensibility can see, I am somewhat behind on my moisturizing regiment, namely because I've yet to start one.
Pros to the High Power- with the right mag, the 15 round capacity is ideal, and I can get used to a 9mm I am sure. It's "cocked-and-locked feature is a no brainer, and I am very comfortable with it's single action style trigger.
Cons- The grips absolutely must be replaced, I am not a fan of the grainy trigger creep, nor do I care for the mag safety. Also, thus far I am completely ineffective with it beyond twelve yards. Finally, my "Mexican carry" method always ends up like this by the end of the day, with the muzzle both pointed and digging uncomfortably close to home plate.
In town, my mode of carry will be limited by having to be concealed under my shirt, which necessitates the pistol being positioned on my left side so that I might easily reach behind the buttons on my shirt. I am assuming I may say this among a group of men without being crucified; I am a bit lean, which also limits my concealed carry options. Every day rain or shine I am in a button up long sleeve tucked in to belted jeans, so a pistol print is potentially very apparent. From my current pool of options, and without putting any major money into the project, the High Power and the 1911 are what I have to work, unless one of you knows of an over-the-counter pill of some type that might make one proficient with a Glock, though the 36 is severely limited on capacity with its single stack six round capability.
In years past I am seldom enough in town that passing a revolver Mexican style under my shirt is no issue. However, spending more time there lately I'll be needing to make some adjustments. Fowler and I have discussed some Sig 365 options but in spite of my shameless hints he has not yet offered to send me his to see if I like it. Perhaps his conscience will soon be activated and he'll drop it in the mail to my local FFL like a true friend would. Until that time, efforts will continue to be made with these two timeless but somewhat challenging options. Perhaps some of you have some High Power suggestions that could prove useful.
