Henry Rifle Forums

It was time to set up for the summer carry. I had been carrying the summer gun in a fanny pack the last few summers since I can't really wear a belt any longer, and have never really been happy with this system. Mostly, I hung the fanny pack over my shoulder with the pouch somewhere in the chest area. Worked well when I was in the wheelchair, but banged around when walking. I dug out my old single strap messenger bag, but it was a bit oversized. Then Miss Tina found the one she used before she found CCW purses were so easy to use. That one is smaller, but will hold several of my larger handguns, so I wouldn't be limited to the small revolver for EDC even in the summer.

Crime is climbing, and older folks, especially those who are physically challenged, are fast becoming prime targets as they leave stores and head to the cars. I took two of my fav's down to the range and tested them. I wanted to insure smooth function and make sure I hadn't lost my touch. I chose two. the first was my old friend, the SIG P220 .45 I have carried as a Winter Gun for more than two decades. The second was a gift from Miss Tina years ago, a get well gift after one of my major surgeries. A Kimber Tactical Ultra II .45. Both are shooters, both capable of more than I am.


I set up a target frame at about ten yards, and loaded up the SIG first, and fired seven rounds. Wasn't looking for Bullseye accuracy, just seven shots, attempting to shoot a group.


Then I loaded the Kimber and repeated the drill. Seven shots at about ten yards.


Both guns shot well, so I stapled a pair of playing cards to the cardboard and shot seven rounds at each, trying to keep the shots on the cards. Aim Small, Hit Small. The Sig Card was the top one. Both guns did well.


Hmmm... The Kimber is a bit smaller, and has a better trigger and sights. It is a Single Action, 1911 style handgun, but I am comfortable with the style. Let's put some downrange and see how it does. 28 rounds later, 4 mags worth, I had a nice group from 12 (ish) yards. The Kimber gets the nod.


Miss Tina gave me the gun as an off duty gun when my job had me working with Juvenile Drug dealers, but our duty guns were Glocks and I figured my off duty gun should be a Glock as well. I carried either the Glock 23 or the Glock 27 off duty back then. The Kimber is really nice, and it was my BarBQue gun....

Now it's out of retirement and ON duty.

The M&P 340 Scandium Revolver will still get pocket duty if I am just in overalls and running to the store, or wandering the farm in the UTV with the carbine in the scabbard. She isn't getting stuck in the back of the safe...

Good plan and excellent shooting.

Excellent shooting Marine. Either one would work well it seems.

The Kimber may get the nod but the Sig is a very close second. Something about a Kimber…….

Good for you that you maintain proficiency with your equipment, and that you're thinking out of the box for your carry options.
Here's hoping you never need them.

Well you haven't lost your touch with either! That Kimber is a cool shooter and what is the barrel length on it. One 45 pistol I can always depend on running is my Springfield XDE 3.3. Not made anymore I guess because double stacks took over but you can have one in the pipe and a 7 round mag which in 45 ACP should get you out of trouble. Has a decocker along with a DA first pull which is plenty safe to carry and the way I carry it.

The Tactical Ultra II has a 3.0" barrel but shoots like it has a much longer barrel due to the Custom Shop performance. Great Sights, great trigger. Ambi-Safety. I haven't carried it much in the past because of the Smith 340 for Summer and the Sig P220 for Winter, but decided to give 'er a workout. Miss T bought a nice custom holster and mag pouch to go with the gun when she got it all those years ago... so IF we go somewhere dressy, I'll have the gear for it.


I plan to shoot a lot more this summer. Next up is the house gun, the Glock 35 40 caliber.
I also plan to check the sights on the long guns as we move into summer and the varmints become more active.
Plus, I just like to shoot. I didn't get to do as much as I would have liked last year due to health and weather.
I'll also make time to just slip down to the range and practice with the EDC and House guns. Two or three mags down range every week or so to improve my shooting. It has been a while since I have done it, but it's time to get back to it.
I also have some Single Actions in the safe I want to shoot, just for fun.

I plan on upgrading the pistol range, but even when it's out of comission, I can shoot on the rifle range.