WWII weapon - to carry or not to carry

[jaco]

Does anyone here actually carry some of the weapons that are discussed on this forum?

Or is it all about collecting and range shooting?

[P08]

It would be a pity to carry a "museum piece". There are so many modern pistols that can be used instead. If you carry the gun you risk damaging it by dropping it, scratching the surface with zippers/buttoms etc (in South Africa you might also sweat a lot which may be bad for the finish?). Historic guns should be preserved and cared for.

[Matt Weber]

I used to carry a Walther PPK in .380 for protection, but sold it off.

Right now I'm waiting for WI to pass the concealed carry law, so then I'll decide what to carry. I'll probably go with a Sauer H or PPK again.

Matt

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

Jaco,
For me it is just about collecting. I have not even fired most of the weapons that I own. After years in the military, and at one time collecting class three items, I lost my desire to throw lots of lead downrange. Plus like PO8 said, it would be a shame to break a WW2 piece by firing it when there are so many modern guns that perform as well or better! Jeff a

[ramon]

I have shot all the firearms in my collection including my 1902 Luger Carbine and Baby Nambu for which I handload my ammuntion. As far as a carry weapon upon which I stake my life, I have carried PPs and PPKs, but much prefer to carry a Commander, P7, Sig Sauer 228, or High Power.

Ramon

[Ronnie Fry]

I have shot all the firearms in my collection including my 1902 Luger Carbine and Baby Nambu for which I handload my ammuntion. As far as a carry weapon upon which I stake my life, I have carried PPs and PPKs, but much prefer to carry a Commander, P7, Sig Sauer 228, or High Power.

Ramon

Group--
I'm sure that most of my collector weapons would shoot, but I'd not think of doing so except in a case of DIRE emergency. If you broke any part on one of those all matching Lugers', you'd be SOL. Or, I'd have a tough time replacing the firing pin on my Irwin Pedersen carbine.
So, I have my shooters that can fill the need for "throwing lead downrange". Too, as stated, more modern hardware will better fill the bill for personal carry. I.E. As you know, in Texas, we do have the concealed carry---- . That means it MUST be concealed, you cannot display it. I carry a North American .22 Mag 5 shot revolver in my front pocket all the time. It has plenty of punch for a close range encounter. Thankfully, never needed it.

Ronnie

[Johnnie]

I agree with most of the other members here that collectable handguns are probably not good carry guns. Besides the potential damage, keep in mind that most of the firearms have springs (recoil, extrator, magazine) that are over 60 years old. Would you really want to bet your or someone elses life on 100% reliability in that?
I DO fire every firearm I collect, at least once, which to me , is part of the fun of collecting.
Just my 2cents.
Johnnie

Does anyone here actually carry some of the weapons that are discussed on this forum?

Or is it all about collecting and range shooting?

[ramon]

Johnnie, I thoroughly agree with you. For the serious purpose for which firearms in large part exist, I only trust my life to a weapon that is purposely purchased for that reason. Hence my choice of Sig Sauer, HK, Browning, or Colt.


Again, like you, I can't have a weapon in my home that I have not fired. Being an avid handloader, obsolete calibers intrigue me greatly, witness my shooting of a beautiful Baby Nambu. Separating carry weapons and those shot for pleasure is not an onerous decision for me to make. Being a devotee to Jeff Cooper's theories on pistolcraft and the Modern Technique will guide one to make the right choices.

[jaco]

The reason for my question is just because we have a law that limits us to one Self Defense firearm, and it is very difficult to get a second one.

So that means we who love older firearms, have to use it for a SD arm as well, and here it becomes interesting. Friends of mine carry weapons ranging from Browning 1922's, PP/PPK's, P38's, Brownig HP, Tokarev's, 1911, Browning 1910's and a lot of these weapons have been used for SD. I carry a PPK.

Just very interesting...

[Johnnie]

Hi,
I see your dillema. I you MUST carry an older firearm, replace all of the springs with new manufactured ones, and save the old ones back if you ever decide to sell it as a collectible. Also, I think it is critical to purchase NEW magazines if possible, (I know that here in the States companies manufacture new mags for old guns).
I understand that in your part of the world, having a carry gun is pretty much a "must"
Good luck,
Johnnie

The reason for my question is just because we have a law that limits us to one Self Defense firearm, and it is very difficult to get a second one.

So that means we who love older firearms, have to use it for a SD arm as well, and here it becomes interesting. Friends of mine carry weapons ranging from Browning 1922's, PP/PPK's, P38's, Brownig HP, Tokarev's, 1911, Browning 1910's and a lot of these weapons have been used for SD. I carry a PPK.

Just very interesting...

[Brian S]

Old guns are great but not for carrying. Try out an HK Mark 23 .45 acp. Reliability, power and style.

[MikeP]

Old guns are great but not for carrying. Try out an HK Mark 23 .45 acp. Reliability, power and style.

You don't want to stake your life on a relic.

Two weeks ago a matching cyq P38 I have had for since 1969 blew up using commercial Russian ammo. Looks like one of the lugs on the locking block sheared and got caught in the works-broke the top strap completely off one side and spread the slide.

I used to shoot all my lugers but quit that a while back-originals are just too expensive now.

I paid 35 bucks for the cyq when that was the going price-now it is an expensive paperweight.

[P08]

MikeP


Do you have a picture of the damaged parts?

[MikeP]

Yetthir, I do-as soon as I fugure out how I will post them

Mike

[P08]

Good because you made me nervous. Now I'm curious to see the damages.