Suburban Battle Rattle
BY Herschel Smith
9 years, 10 months ago
The following may (or may not) represent what I carry, depending upon circumstances.
Blackhawk rigger’s belt, Springfield Armory XDm, .45 ACP in UTG soft holster with additional magazine (because I don’t like Kydex), .38 Spl S&W Air Weight revolver with wrap-around ankle holster, Ka-Bar folder with sheath, SOG Flash II folder, old standby Surefire 6P (it has been with me a long time), Streamlight ProTac HL3 (1100 lumen), Oakley sports glasses, prescription.
Not shown, Gerber multi-tool – occasional carry, OC spray (occasional carry), and 550 cord (also occasional carry). The guns may change depending upon circumstances, but I always try to carry a tactical light on every trip, even to the movie theater as I did not too long ago (especially to the movie theater where it is otherwise dark and high lumen means control of the environment).
The small gun is perfect for the movie theater and grocery store since it is ankle carry, the larger gun (whichever one I carry) is more likely to go outside the waist band (not very often concealed IWB), with the belt. The 1911 has a more slender profile than the XDm being single stack, and I’ve carried it before, as well as other pistols (I prefer to shoot the 1911 to anything else due to balance and profile). Sometimes it (the larger handgun) will stay in the car, meaning that I have only a single gun, with a tactical folder as backup.
Given the state of affairs today, everyone ought to think hard about what they carry for self defense and protection of their family. I consider this battle rattle to be very soft and luxurious. When conditions become steadily worse as the economy collapses, this will necessarily change with the times.
On January 12, 2015 at 7:29 am, BobSykes said:
What part of Hell do you live in?
On January 12, 2015 at 8:29 am, Herschel Smith said:
Very safe. Remember that safe town in Colorado that hosted a theater shooting? And did you see the most recent mass shooting in that small, safe town in the midwest?
On January 12, 2015 at 3:32 pm, UNCLEELMO said:
Do you suppose that if Bob were being attacked and you were about to intervene with you gun drawn that he would tell you “No thanks. I’ll wait for the police.”?
On January 12, 2015 at 5:24 pm, bennettc said:
I told a liberal friend of mine once that my first job was to save my family, not intervene for him or his. If he wanted to save his, he should be better prepared. I said since he was anti-gun, I would honor his wishes and once we had escaped, call 911 for him so the professionals could save him.
He thought I was kidding.
On January 12, 2015 at 5:29 pm, UNCLEELMO said:
Liberals will learn the failure of their policies when, after they are run over by the truck they released the brake on, they wonder what just hit them.
On January 12, 2015 at 8:16 pm, SunwolfNC said:
I’ve had these exact conversations, too. It’s almost comical to watch the look in their eye as the light goes on…
On January 18, 2015 at 3:54 pm, Ned Weatherby said:
Well stated. My job is to protect my family. If I can get them the heck outta there, I’ll reassess.
On January 18, 2015 at 2:33 pm, stormfriend said:
The part that is shaped like the United States. This is the part where you start telling us “islam means peace”. I won’t discuss things with you, lackwit. I will just pray that the women who would depend on you to protect them realize before it’s too late that you won’t. And that any young men who would depend on the same would stand up and be “men”, when the time comes, not emasculated eunuchs…
On January 12, 2015 at 9:35 am, RAN58 said:
I pretty much carry my Kimber Ultra compact everywhere I go (I notice very quickly when I don’t have it with me) and a Leatherman . Also do you vary what you carry depending on the season? How do you carry your flashlights? Trouser pockets, coat pockets. clipped to the belt? Any certain type of clothing, or just any regular civilian clothes?
On January 12, 2015 at 11:03 am, Blake said:
I CCW everywhere I can. As I’ve explained to numerous people, especially those who only carry when they feel like it, “One cannot choose when one will run into trouble.”
Also, imagine if you will, trying to explain to the cops/DA/judge how you “just happened to be carrying” on the particular day you got into a gun fight.
I’m with Herschel on the 1911. I CCW a full size 1911 year round. I also use my CCW rig when I shoot IDPA.
If you’re taking the responsibility to carry, then one should also take the responsibility to be proficient with their weapon.
On January 13, 2015 at 6:15 am, Pat Hines said:
I agree with you on the “carry all the time”, that way you don’t need to explain, through your lawyer (no one talks to the cops without a lawyer’s advice), why you had the piece on THE day.
I like my SIG P229. No safety, always ready, plenty of power in .40 S&W.
On January 12, 2015 at 2:36 pm, Big Jim said:
Full size Government Model 1911, every day. Two extra magazines(more if the local theater or mall is on the itinerary), Cold Steel folder, flashlight.
Remember, criminals don’t send email alerts.
On January 12, 2015 at 3:43 pm, Whyawannaknow1 said:
No, they usually text.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/08/16/maryland.flash.mob/
On January 12, 2015 at 3:01 pm, TimeHasCome said:
I carry a compact Keltec 9MM with 10 round magazine. It kept the white hispanic out of a body bag and I hope it does the same for me.
On January 12, 2015 at 3:01 pm, knuck said:
A focused clear mind,aware. Best weapons to carry? Serbu 12 gauge pistol. Airweight 38. 1911.Leather working awl. 10 oz lead gloves. Straight razor. Steel toe boots. Large heavy belt buckle.Souvenir baseball bat,end filled with sand,rolled in glue and broken glass.
On January 12, 2015 at 5:28 pm, Brian Smith said:
I carry a Glock 35 IWB every day. When I’m traveling out of town I also carry a briefcase with a 7 1/2″ AR pistol & 120 rounds. (Legally carried loaded in Ohio ’cause it’s a pistol )
On January 12, 2015 at 6:41 pm, guest said:
I always carry my glock 23…gen 3…..ALWAYS….don’t leave home with out it…and I live in a small town in Montana!!
On January 12, 2015 at 9:51 pm, pjb1 said:
Walter PPQ and some Gerber folder, and a pocket flashlight. Need a better belt though, my Wilderness Products belt has bit the dust. I do question carrying different types of guns from day to day, seems like a good way to get tangled up when the bullets start flying.
On January 12, 2015 at 11:55 pm, no_tubes said:
I stopped carrying a full-frame auto years ago. With the craziness of the world these days, I’m starting to reconsider that decision. I’m thinking that a 1911 with a fistful of spare mags or a M&P full capacity may just become standard equipment.