Antique CCW?

[Sir William]

A friend and I were talking over some of the antique 60+ y/o handguns we own and still use. I often pack a 3" WWII 38 Special S&W M&P in the summer. I know more than a few who pack retired police trade-ins or their former duty weapon. This began our quest to find out if there are others who just don't care what is new and improved, we prefer blued and proved. The simple question is, if you carry, is it either a antique design a la S&W M10 or other? 1911s are antique designs BTB. Sorry, no polymer allowed.

 

[mete]

At one time I carried a Remington M51 .A very fine pistol not what I would call obsolete design at all. Unfortunately it was only a 380.

 

[jburtonpdx]

On occasion - a 1966 Walther PPK, actually stamped with the words "Made in West Germany"

 

[steveracer]

My first carry gun was...

...a Remington Rand 1911 made in 1948. Next was a Smith and Wesson M&P .38
I wouls not hesitate to carry either of these guns every day today. I gave the Rand to my great uncle, and sold the M&P for a newer 1911. (Not much newer, but prettier by far.)
My friend carries a Webley from time to time, although I don't think you'll find a good IWB holster for it.

 

[SIGSHR]

Define "antique"? In my personal collection of 40+ handguns the most
"modern" design is my S&W M-639 the basic design of which was finalized
in 1954 or so when it first went on the market. The Colt Python first went on
sale in 1955 IIRC, that design is merely a cosmetic reworking of the Colt Army
Special of 1908, the S&W DA action dates from about the same time. The M1911 was finalized in about 1907-1908, the Walther PP went on the market in
1929, the P-38 and Browning High Power both date from the 1930s. The Colt
Trooper Markk III and Dan Wesson were designed by the same man, Karl Lewis
in 1952 or so. Only truly "new" handgun design I can think of is the Glock. The disadvantage to carrying an "antique" such as the Remington M-51 is the
scarcity of spare magazines and parts.

 

[James K]

A Remington-Rand pistol would have been made in 1942-1945, not 1948. But they are good guns.

I know a guy who spent over a year in a nice safe job in Afghanistan - guarding Pres. Kharzai. He carried a 1943 Remington-Rand because he said it never failed when he needed it. He never discussed much of anything about his job, but I heard he had needed it several times.

Jim

 

[XavierBreath]

Well, my carry 1911 was born in 1952.
My Model 38 is about 1970 or so, I think.
Lately, I have been enjoying concealing a Victory Model M&P.

 

[mpi]

i have , and often carry an early issue colt dick special. sometimes i carry one of my other dicks, cobra's or agent's. they kinda grow on ya.
mpi

 

[RJay]

What do you mean antique carry, How young are you anyway???

 

[Sir William]

I took my 1918 455 Webley MKVI out for a walk last night. I wondered if others do the same. XB has some interesting firearms. I define antique as 60 +/- 10 years. My uncle began his law enforcement career and retired with the same revolver. 40 years with him but, 20 years with his father.

 

[doubleaes2]

I too have a Rem-Rand from 1943. My grandmother gave it to me. It was her brother's. I carry this gun quite often, as I am comfortable with it and it shoots well.

 

[45-70]

.32 S&W Long, Hand Ejector, 2nd change, c. 1912

Yep, I have carried it. Great uncle took it to France in the big War, so it's not so pretty. And in deference to it's "age and experience" I haven't carried it in several years. (Checked out by a smith who says it's safe to shoot, but he loves old Smiths and wishes I wouldn't.)

 

[gfen]

My S&W M38 Bodyguard has been dated to around 1964, making it over 10 years older than I.

Do I get to join the antiqueing club?

 

[Delta Dave]

Daily carry is a 1911 civilian born in 1946. Several years older than me and shows a distinct patina. Was my duty gun in the Sheriff's Dept. and has been my CCW since I left that service 20 years ago.

 

[chaim]

Since you seem to be including "antique" designs, several of my defensive weapons would qualify, though I don't often carry (I live in MD, so my carry is limited to out of state).

I'm big on revolvers. My S&W 65LS is only about 5 years old, but the design goes back to the S&W M&P so it is an older design. I just picked up my S&W 442 today which isn't a new design either (and the basic lockwork also goes back to the S&W M&P). I usually have loaded for HD, and often take for out of state CCW, my Taurus 85CH which is somewhat based on the S&W, though somewhat modernized. I also occasionally use a 1911 for HD.

 

[Sir William]

The single revolver that I don't CCW or shoot anymore is a S&W HE Model of 1902 in 32-20. I am not confident it can stand up to 32-20 rifle pressure ammunition. It is a 5", RB, nickel with MOP grips beauty. Grandpas duty weapon when he was a depression era federal agent.

 

[Mannlicher]

I sometimes carry older handguns. I have an old Savage in .32, as well as an Ortgies, also in .32, and a 1942 Browning HP.