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'51 Navy for carry?

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I agree with Rebel.. if all I had was a cap and ball revolver then I guess that is all I could use if I really felt the need to carry a concealed weapon. Although I would be saving all my pennies to get something more modern.

When I used to carry.. it was a 4" S&W model 686 in .357 magnum or a .45 ACP Colt combat commander in a Jackass shoulder rig which always carried it lock, cocked, and ready to rock as we used to say.

My thoughts always were, if I was going to need that concealed weapon, that meant someone was going to be in a world of hurt other then me.

To be honest, I have tried to shoot my single action .44 caliber 1858 Remington New Army in combat mode. All I ever found was the thing had to still be cocked careful to avoid caps shifting and binding the gun. Maybe it is just my revolver that is the problem. Still the single action and the extra smoke I did not find a benifit to the combat mode of shooting.

In a combat situation I do not have the time to be concerned about the functioning ability of the weapon I am holding. It needs to be working perfect. And I would prefer not single action...
 
Ok, seems like I'm gonna have to justify some of my statements to some folks. No hard feelings so far, I just want to make myself clear.

I have my concealed handgun license, and normally carry that way,

I do so with a full size 9mm, carried loaded with 15+1 and an extra high-cap mag in my pocket. When I can't carry that for various reasons, I've got a sub-compact .32ACP loaded 7+1 in my pocket. I own enough "modern" firearms to generally take care of my concealed carry needs.

...however I occasionally have the urge to carry in the open (especially in the summer months),

And who hasn't? Carrying a full size handgun around in 80-90 degree weather is no picnic. It's generally done just by wearing a longer t-shirt or light unbuttoned overshirt, but that doesn't make it any different. Also, I generally only have the urge to open carry when out hiking or in more rural areas. I have, however, carried open into Walmart before in my home town (which is fairly large) and no one so much as blinked at me - law enforcement, security, or by-standards.

...and there's just something about a smoke-poll on your hip that earns a certain degree of admiration/respect/intimidation.

Any "civilian", which mind you INCLUDES off duty police officers, that is willing to take advantage of their right to carry a firearm in the open (this differs in some areas) where legal will definately have my admiration and respect. It's when rights are not excersized that they become easy prey for the lawmakers to get off the books. I don't think it's something to be ashamed of or afraid to do just because it might spook the herd.

Intimidation? Am I looking for that? No. However, I see someone else carrying in the open (even if I'm carrying concealed), I personally get a feeling comraderie and know that most likely that person knows how to use that gun. If I can't assume that for civilians with the balls to carry in the open, why should I assume it for law enforcement? It's the civilian that's gonna be judged by onlookers, not the cop. Not to mention that a revolver, :imo:, is a more intimidating weapon than a semi-auto, just by feature of design. Intimidation is a by-product of carrying a revolver, not a goal.

If joe-blow drug-junkie sees me and thinks I've got something to prove to him, he's gonna think that over twice before approaching me if I'm "blatantly" carrying. Criminals are cowards. They prey on easy victims, not people that inadvertantly say "I'm not an easy target", whether by the way they carry themselves, or what they are carrying. A person who open carries and constantly touches or looks at his gun is definately going to make me more nervous than one who ignores it. Reason being a person paying more attention to it is most likely not comfortable carrying it (either by carrying it period, or by carrying it openly).

I, for one, am comfortable open carrying. Could be it looks natural on me, or could be I make it seem natural on me. Either way, I've never been confronted by anyone who wasn't politely curious about my occupation or just what kind of gun I was carrying, all of whom I educated concerning the law about carrying. I know my rights, and I'm not about to give them up because "no one does that anymore".

That being said, it's nice to see several think that a Navy would still be ok for carry.

:m2c: :thumbsup:

As as side note, I am looking into getting one of those "Doc Holiday" style shoulder holsters to carry it in.
 
Rebel is 100% right :imo:. Noboby has factored in adrenalin on both ends :shocking: It's a world you don't want to enter.Hence the simplicity and reliable of the relover.Ask any police officer or soldier that has been that close,they will remember little if anything. It's is a shear panic situation. If so, you need stopping power! #1 would be a big bore revolver, #2 Colt 45 acp 1911 or Commander. Remember you're in a life threatening, DEFENSIVE situation. You're trying to halt forward progress of the agressor, the more sectional density(ratio between diameter & length) your projectile has the mo better. That said, I would rather use a knife or axe in leu of any cap&ball revolver :peace: :m2c:
Sniper
 
I have to agree with Rebel, nothing beats a double action wheel-gun for reliability and simplicity of operation, and nobody's gonna shrug off a hit from a .357 magnum. If you are carrying for self defence legitimately then your only choice for a gun is the very best you can get, if your carrying to eh=nhance your self-image reconsider.

If I had to use a black powder revolver for self-defence then so be it, but I wouldn't trust it enough to protect my children if someone broke into my home. Remember whenever you carry a gun for protection, your life may not be the only one on the line.
 
I'm 5-6 and 160 pounds. Try hiding an 1860 Army Colt replica anytime but winter. However, sometimes at my deer camp that's the only firearm I have loaded and I don't feel endangered. Graybeard :m2c:
 
I would agree that the '60 Army is a better stopper than a Navy model. A friend has a "bitsa" '60. It has a set of grips from a Navy Colt and the barrel has been bobbed to around 4" or so. It is quite compact and yet it shoots pretty accurately. It is an effective hideout gun. Whether you should depend upon a C&B revolver for defense I leave to the individual, but something like this would work well. I have a Remington with a 5 and 1/2" barrel and it is surprising how losing those few inches of length aids its concealability. And with the Remington you can swap in loaded cylinders as nearly as quickly as you can reload most cartridge revolvers.
 
I spent the better part of a dark night cuddled up with my loaded '51 navy .44 last fall while a bear padded and huffed around my camp. In the light of day it turned out to be a lovesick moose :eek:

Oh well, it was fun while it lasted :)
 
....there's just something about a smoke-poll on your hip that earns a certain degree of admiration/respect/intimidation.

Ok, here it is... intended in the spirit of general constructive comment and not a personal attack, so please take it that way.

IMHO, if you want a carry firearm for protection, get a smokeless powder double action wheel gun and a holster you can conceal it with. A S&W or Ruger 357 is a good choice, pick your own color. If you only want to look cool, try growing a goatee. :peace:

Walking in the woods with a pistol strapped to your hip is good sense. Walking about town with an exposed firearm hanging from your Sansabelts isn't going to gain my admiration, respect or intimidate many. You will just draw unwanted attention to yourself and tend to bring gun owners into disrepute. I thankfully live in a state where gun ownership is widespread and highly protected by state law, due in large part, I believe, to the fact that responsible gun ownership is encouraged.

:thumbsup:
 
you were probably in more danger from the concupicient moose than you would have been from a bear. The deer family has a way of combining sex and violence that rivals many other species.
 
A 51 Navy is an attractive gun from an age when there was nothing better available. It is still great for Cowboy Action Shooting, but I would not want it to be my last ditch resource. This is especially true if the other guy knew this to be the case by my wearing it openly.

If I play poker with anyone, he will only see my hand when I carefully choose the timing. Rest assured that the lay of the hand will be to my advantage and not affected by my desire to impress anyone.

As to police being the only ones to carry openly, I think that this makes sense. This is simply because they are pretty much forced to do so and the rest of the world has a choice of concealing their guns and thereby enhancing their own odds of survival.

God bless them and keep them safe, but I would not wish to make myself a target of the nut jobs of the world by openly wearing a gun and/or a badge. Too risky for me.

CS
 
Wadda ya'll think about carrying a '51 Navy for protection?

...there's just something about a smoke-poll on your hip that earns a certain degree of admiration/respect/intimidation.


For protection, I recommend that a person use the most efficient weapons available to them. No black powder arms meet this criteria for me.

For a sidearm, I choose a .45 cal., Colt 1911.

A person armed with a Colt .45 Auto would most likely not be intimidated by your percussion pistol.

There's reenacting, then there's real life. :m2c:
 
i agre that 1911 45 acp is a grate cary gun and a man stoper i cary when i do (not often) a baby colt 1849 pocket pistol 5 shot 32cal no its not a cannon but in a defencive situation at 10 yards it will do if it comes out its not for show and im planing on emptying the gun but your first response should be to back away from said insodent if some one continues to persue you with force it will do plant your feet and keep shootin till the shootin is done i ame not saying that a cap and ball gun is a balistic equil to a modern gun but if you want to take the chalange let sombodey shoot you 5 or 6 times and se whitch kills you beter round balls and black powder have taken maney lives as for a house gun 12 g pump cylnder bore and T or F steel shot lots a little balls
 
i agre that 1911 45 acp is a grate cary gun and a man stoper i cary when i do (not often) a baby colt 1849 pocket pistol 5 shot 32cal no its not a cannon but in a defencive situation at 10 yards it will do if it comes out its not for show and im planing on emptying the gun but your first response should be to back away from said insodent if some one continues to persue you with force it will do plant your feet and keep shootin till the shootin is done i ame not saying that a cap and ball gun is a balistic equil to a modern gun but if you want to take the chalange let sombodey shoot you 5 or 6 times and se whitch kills you beter round balls and black powder have taken maney lives as for a house gun 12 g pump cylnder bore and T or F steel shot lots a little balls

Well, I have no desire to take the "challenge" and let someone shoot at me, but you certainly win the "longest sentence" challenge. I'm out of breath just reading it. :winking: :peace:
 
sorrey spelling and gramor where never a strong point for me i can only hope that the content of my poasts will help others overlook my short comings thanks vinny
 
sorrey spelling and gramor where never a strong point for me i can only hope that the content of my poasts will help others overlook my short comings thanks vinny

I meant no disrespect - just tryin' to be funny. :)

And, I don't disagree with what you said. I just tend to go for the most fire power I can muster when lives might depend on it.
 
Yep, BP is a lot of fun, but when it gets down and dirty and it is time to defend hearth and home, i will take my .357 revolver, Mossberg .12ga., 18 1/2" barreled, pump, and my SKS with a 30 rd. mag. If your life is on the line it is no time for fun and games.
 
I love to carry my cap and ball revolvers when I'm hunting and fishing. I am not anticipating any trouble but I know I'm not defensless if trouble comes my way. Having said that, if I was going any where and had reason to thing there would be trouble, I'd leave the cap and ball at home and take my 9mm in its place.

Don
 
Somethings are just too important to compromise on. I wouldn't trust 19th century medicine or firearms with the lives of my loved ones on the line.
 
i agree totaly on the fire power thing have a frend who was in the core he calls the 12gage pump a crowd pleaser he did a tittle time in panama and saw action said 45 acp alway resulted in a stop same as the 12 gage and a 00 buck round is just 8 - 30 cal balls iv seen the golden pellet that 1 that hit the deer through the head at 90 yards and killed it on the spot (not my shoting just witnesed it) point is guns themself are not leathel but the man willing to shoot with out aney hesatation is weather he has a 22 or a 12 gage makes no differance just like a fist fight 1st shot is always the best just my thoughts after seing crazy s-it for almost 40 years
 
HEY GANG, THIS IS TRUE ...My oldest was 11 years old . @1982........3A.M. comes in through her bedroom window, grab,s her leg on the way in.....SPRINGFIELD 911,9 MIL, One round off,Shooting at shadow,s. STOVEPIPE.........Sold it for a S/W 357 wheelgun.When it comes to my KID,S....ONLY THE BEST. P/S THE LAW IS VERY FREINDLY WHEN YOUR KID,S ARE INVOLVED...(THANKGOD). I love semi auto,s BUT revolver,s DO NOT JAM....You only have a VERY SHORT TIME in a fire fight,@2-5 RD,S.So I will stay with my S/W,IT WILL DO THE JOB..........LIFE IS TO SHORT, FIGHT FOR IT. SHAGGY :thumbsup:
 
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