Revisiting the stuff-that-gets-pushed-to-the-top-of-the-feed-on-our-socialist-media file, this seems like a good time to consider what’s really practical and prudent in the arena of concealed carry and self-defense during the “gravest extremes.”
The specific post that prompted this came in the form of an advertisement for a new device constructed of plastic to hold a speedloader in place inside a front pocket. While the promoted device would probably serve its intended purpose, the size and design would essentially turn the pocket where it’s carried into a “spare ammo only” pocket.
My initial thought was, if you’re going to dedicate an entire pocket to holding a few rounds of spare ammo, why not just slip a second gun in there and call it good?
Before you call me paranoid or crazy, hear me out.
Compact Revolvers
While not all five-shot mini wheelguns are technically J-frames, that sobriquet has become like using “Kleenex” to describe every kind of facial tissue or “Jello” to describe every kind of gelatin dessert. We pretty much refer to all compact, pocket-sized revolvers as “J-frames” these days, even though only one maker uses that official description.
Whether made by Smith & Wesson, Colt, Ruger, Taurus, Charter Arms, etc. The double-action revolver in the compact, five-shot configuration has been and continues to be viewed as the “easiest gun” for a new or inexperienced user to carry. That way of thinking is partially true. They are easy to carry, but they’re not, and never have been, easy to shoot and then reload.
Yes, I was alive and carrying guns back when revolvers, both big and small, were still the standard for both law enforcement and armed citizens for home defense. Mastering the double-action trigger on these guns was a skill that required dedicated effort for the full-sized six-shot model, double the required effort of the compact J-frame with a 1⅞-inch barrel and a factory trigger set to about 11 or 12 pounds.
The kids on the internet today complain that a 5.5-pound GLOCK trigger is too heavy. It is to laugh.
Of course, a part of mastering the J-frame was mastering the reloading process. Due to the short barrel on a snubby, the ejector rod was also shortened making reliable spent casing ejection an often iffy proposition. This was one of the selling points for three-inch DA revolvers…a full-sized ejector rod.
Reloading Pocket Revolvers
When we carried DA revolvers on our duty belts, we had special speedloader pouches to hold them. Carrying spare ammo wasn’t viewed as cumbersome. However, a round speedloader carries like a rock in the pocket, hence the product referenced above.
Other solutions like QuickStrips or speed-strips lie flat in a pocket and are generally more convenient for concealed carry purposes. The trade-off with strips is that you will be loading two rounds at a time as opposed to a full cylinder’s worth, if you’re lucky. Ask your dad or granddad how many times he “lost” a round while loading a DA wheelgun with a round speedloader.
There’s a very good reason why the seasoned NYPD patrolmen took to carrying two DA revolvers, which eventually came to be called “the New York reload.” As good as they might have been at reloading a revolver, pulling a second gun that was ready to go was always faster.
Keep in mind, even if you rival Jerry Miculek at stuffing an empty cylinder with a speedloader, that’s step two. Step one is opening the cylinder and dumping the spent cases. Most men who practiced the NY reload could have the fresh gun out and going in about the time it would take to open the cylinder and dump the empties.
Spent cases in the compact J-frame cylinder with a short ejector rod are more stubborn than their full-sized cousins. No, it’s not impossible. We just need to accept the reality that it’s time-consuming and mastery requires constant dedicated training and practice.
We also have to acknowledge the reason for a hasty reload…you shot your wad and the threat is still moving around attempting to make you or other people dead.
Two Guns Don’t Make You Paranoid, They Make You Prudent
We understand that there are those in the audience who have put in the time and effort to be truly efficient and skilled with a compact DA revolver. That’s admirable. Nonetheless, we go back to the idea of carrying spare ammunition in a dedicated pocket. The device I mentioned holds one speedloader and five loose rounds of ammo. I’m not trying to talk you out of carrying a compact DA revolver, just give you something to think about.
The Ruger LCR weighs only 13 ounces or so and it’s truly one of the best concealable options in the pocket revolver genre. I’ve had one since they were first released back in ‘09. The DA-only trigger is smooth and reliable. The rubber grips give you something substantial onto which to hold.
Were I to have to choose between dedicating a pocket to either spare ammunition or a second loaded gun, the choice would be the second gun, without reservation. It’s not like you are “cheating” or that you’re not allowed to carry two guns.
From a tactical standpoint, the second gun in your left pocket will be there for you in the event that your dominant right hand is injured. If you’re down to one hand, reloading a DA revolver is a mountain you don’t want to be climbing in a life-and-death scenario.
How often do people get shot in the dominant hand, arm, shoulder? When the FBI Miami shootout was over, seven of the ten persons present were shot in either their dominant hand/arm or their non-dominant hand/arm. That’s 70 percent for those of you who went to public school. Special Agent Ed Mireles finished the fight one-handed.
Do Two Guns Lead to Better Gun Handling?
Naturally, putting two hands on a handgun always provides a more stable shooting platform. Nonetheless, it’s incumbent upon the shooter to train and practice shooting with both dominant hand only and non-dominant/support hand only.
We know from scientific research that the more physically coordinated you are with your off-hand, the better your overall physical coordination will be. There’s literally no downside to training to shoot off-hand only. It merely requires dedicated effort and a willingness to “not look good” when you’re starting out.
Whether you carry one gun or two, the most important thing you can do for yourself is to make thoughtful and considerate decisions. Carrying a pocket gun like it’s some type of good luck charm or magic talisman used to ward off evil is a recipe for failure. Make good decisions and remember, your responsibility to be ready for the fight never ends.
Paul G. Markel is a combat decorated United States Marine veteran. He is also the founder of Student of the Gun University and has been teaching Small Arms & Tactics to military personnel, police officers, and citizens for over three decades.
I believe in two guns. And extra ammo. Does that make me uber paranoid?
It is rare. but with the unhinged fascist left amongst us we may see situations where needing to stay in a long term fight becomes a fact of life.
I now carry a Sig P-365 X-Macro Tacops and six 17 round mags. Wasn’t always this way but personal experience over time in several DGU incidents in my life, especially one incident in particular, has demonstrated to me that carrying a six shot revolver or even two of them is less likely to be as useful in saving our lives. [and yes, I’ve heard/read all the arguments for pro-revolver]