I’ve never been involved in a self-defense shooting. Statistically, while many of us train to be able to stop an armed assailant @ 25 yards (or greater), most self-defense shootings happen at arm’s length, or not much greater.
So, is dismissal of a lighter (‘white’/silver) firearm finish really all that necessary to show one is ‘tacticool’? Or is it just a gun culture meme that dark blue/black firearms look cooler, not as much like the childhood cap guns of yore? If one is properly concealing one’s sidearm prior to the event, does rapid presentation of a shiny weapon signal our intent sooner than we would like the potential target to discern? Or is this a pointless discussion?
Speaking only for myself, while I prefer a dark shiny (or a dark mat) finish for esthetic reasons, stainless and electroless nickel have served me well. My perspiration has the properties of hydrofluoric acid, and a couple of blued firearms have been damaged because of it. Even with daily maintenance and oiling. (sigh)
I did own a SIG P-226 in 40 S&W, with a black (Nitron) stainless steel slide. But in the short time I had her never carried her concealed.
I have had good luck with the Tenifer finish of the Glock products, and Robbie Barkman of ROBAR coated my NM 1911 with Poly-T. It is wearing off a bit around the edges, but, it has been almost 20 years. And I’ve owned and carried many Smith & Wesson stainless revolvers. The factory electroless of my S&W 442 is getting a little rough. But, she’s been living in my Kramer pocket holster for much of the past 17 years.
It is important to remember stainless does not mean rust free, in spite of the German translation – rostfrei.
And I don’t plan on waving around a shiny metal object long enough to get negative attention of any bad guy. No matter what color it is.
Glock, Kramer, S&W, Colt and SIG have given me nothing but pleasure. Look elsewhere FTC – or just stop looking!
h/t Whipped Cream Difficulties
The gun you have on your body or in your hand when the time comes is what you need, whatever it is. Most of us make a serious attempt to have that gun an adequate caliber, but the biggest, baddest and most powerful round is useless if it is in a gun in a drawer and you are even a room away… let alone downtown. And it can be worse than useless if you can’t control it well enough not to endanger innocent bystanders.
So, carry the largest caliber in the most effective gun that you can consistently control and WILL carry. If that’s a .22lr or short mousegun, it’s better than a stick in the eye.
I have had to shoot a man to save my life. All I had was an old farm .410, single shot H&R… did the job.
Posted by MamaLiberty | May 26, 2012, 7:09 amGlad things worked out! You are correct, of course, in that we don’t always have a choice.
But a gun is better than no gun, caliber, finish, size, regardless!
Posted by guffaw1952 | May 26, 2012, 7:30 amIndeed, thanks. I still have that old shotty and love it, but have not fired it in a lot of years. I like to shoot the newer 20g mossy a whole lot better.
I used to carry an XD .45 compact, but gave it up because I couldn’t shoot it with just one hand, and came to understand how important that might be after a tactical class. Anyway, I’ve carried the “stainless” Ruger SP101 in .357 now for many years. It is cleaned regularly, and always given a light coat of EEZ0X to prevent rust. Same for all my guns, of course. That stuff is awesome.
Never had to draw the gun, but I came close a few times. I won’t leave home without it. In fact, I carry in the house most of the time as well.
Have to tell you about the time I was making bread and realized I’d forgotten to put on my apron… OOPS, flour in the cylinder! AKKK
Posted by MamaLiberty | May 26, 2012, 8:11 amI cook and bake, but the sidearm is usually on a nearby counter, or in my pocket. Never had the flour problem.
Lint, yes…
Posted by guffaw1952 | May 26, 2012, 8:26 amI’m just more comfortable keeping it in my holster on my body. It’s too big for a pocket and would probably pull my pants down anyway without the belt. LOL
I don’t have the flour problem either now… the apron is automatic when I cook. Not much lint problem since I carry openly, but I do have to watch for flying grass and dirt when I work in the yard.
The apron looks really silly out there. LOL
Posted by MamaLiberty | May 26, 2012, 8:38 amI’m an old fogy… Matte or dark blue with wood furniture
Posted by Old NFO | May 26, 2012, 4:33 pm