Lightweight Carry
 

I am beginning to cycle seriously after a break of many years, in the hopes of continuing to build my cardiovascular endurance and lower body strength without causing too much additional wear and tear on my body. Previously, I encountered all sort of nut jobs on my rides, and I can only imagine that it will be the same or worse now. I have been run off the road by road ragers, run over, dragged, shot at, shouted at and threatened, and had everything from broken bottles to half-eaten cheeseburgers thrown at me.

So I plan on carrying a small, lightweight handgun with me. My priorities are (1) stopping power and (2) light weight. I do not care a lick about recoil or aesthetics. This will not be my regular concealed carry piece, but it will probably be exposed to temperature extremes and lots of sweat.

So far my leading candidates are the S&W scandium models in .357 and the Kahr PM40. I don't think that I need more than 5-6 rounds, but am willing to be persuaded otherwise.

Any thoughts or suggestions on these options or others you would recommend?

Where the heck are you riding that people abuse you so bad?? Ever consider moving?? Or even trying a different riding area?

Look at a Kel-Tec P3AT in .380. or a P32 in .32. They are available in Hardchrome but you may need to do a little work on them to insure reliability. I have one of each and they run well, and they are very light and small. See:

http://www.kel-tec.com/

I always preferred my S/W Model J five shot. You could drop it in a puddle of mud and it will continue to operate. Fits just about anywhere. Load with +P hollow points and your in business.

IIRC the S&W performance center makes a 45ACP scandium revolver with a 2 inch barrel.

It doesn't matter. I've been taken out in both Texas and the Northeast. I was shot at just outside of Dallas, and run down and dragged under a Volvo in Connecticut. Nutjobs are distributed pretty evenly across the country, far as I can tell. It can get serious when I am 30 miles from nowhere, though, and another car won't be coming by for ten minutes. I might as well be on the moon.

Edit: AM, you think the smaller calibers would be okay? One very real scenario is a driver who circles back in a rage intent on using their vehicle as a weapon...

S&W Scandium .357 Magnum.

TR

The wife and I both have Kahr P40s for social CCWs. Not as small as the PM40 but very convenient. A bit of a fistful for the wife with the 180 gr HPs I like but it does function well. As with any new gun it needs several hundred rounds run through it before you start carrying it as a primary. It will take that long for the trigger to feel comfortable anyway. My .02 - Peregrino

:eek:

Thats why I mountain bike only. No cars just fast moving trees and snakes.

Baggy mountain bike shorts conceal the HK compact .40 much better than spandex as well. ;)

im confused, are you talking about defending yourself downrange or at home?

You need to fill in your profile before asking questions here.

TR

quantum nerd,

Your imput is not requested or required. This is not a board for children. Do not post again until I give you permission.

Team Sergeant

Son:
Don't discount my tiny derringer that chambers 45 LC/.410 with OOO Buck. Loud noise and 3 .36 cal round balls should do the trick. Makes them an instant "lawn sprinkler". Doubt they'll come back to see how many rounds you have left! Couple of spare rounds in your wasteband to pop off while you run for cover and your cell phone should take care of the rest. Cost is minimal enough to make this solution "disposable" if not durable.

Is that one round of each or either or? I have seen a derringer in .410 (I think it was called the "Snake Charmer") before but not both. That sounds like an excellant tackle box pistol.

Thanks for your thoughts, guys. I think I'm going to go with the S&W 640PD in .357. I am not usually a revolver guy, but I really like the fact that I can get a full grip on it without sacrificing light weight. The mini autos might be kind of hard to handle with gloves on (something I hadn't really considered until now). Same goes for your derringer idea, Dad - although I think it suits a surly old fart like you just perfectly! :D