About SD Carry

As a young boy in Texas, I grew up with guns. They were basic tools, much like my grandfather's mitre box or pipe wrench, there to perform specific tasks when called upon. I was taught gun safety by virtually every male adult in my family. I spent eight years in the US Navy operating and maintaing various guns from .30 caliber to 5" rifles.

After a few years as a moderator on a popular gun forum, I learned that there is much disinformation, prejudice and plain ignorance about guns posted constantly on the internet.

This blog is dedicated to sharing worthwhile information about the increasing acceptance and practice of legal concealed carry in our country. There is much mis-information and wild opinion about this topic among its practitioners and the public in general. The moral, social and legal responsibilities of concealed carry are immense and must be understood and practiced by all who legally carry a gun.

There is also a vast amount of practical and useful information about carrying and the weapons themselves and I hope to be able to share some of that here. Your comments are welcome, but will be moderated by me before appearing on this blog.

Stay safe.

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Sunday, January 18, 2015

Throwing the Curve

Taurus Curve

 

Yes, it's causing quite a rukus with the "gun guys", who mainly are, let's face it, traditionalists, if not experts in their own minds. Not all, of course. There are quite a few very knowledgeable, smart and innovative thinkers in the firearms community. There are also quite a few ego-ridded, self-styled experts who don't tolerate diversity very well. The introduction of Taurus' Curve .380 has certainly rattled a number of cages out there in expert land.

I have yet to delve deeply into the reports and reviews of this radical and innovative new handgun, but what I've seen on the internet is certainly interesting. And, frankly, somewhat sad and disappointing. I don't really know why I'm disappointed because with every innovation there comes a wave of nay-sayers, critics and just plain mean commentary. And, my favorite, those criticisms of aspects and features of the new product by people who have yet to even see one, much less perform a hands-on evaluation.

There seem to be three main areas of complaint by the self-styled critics:

  1. It's ugly.
  2. It's only a .380
  3. It's curved.

It's Ugly: What's that got to do with anything? Does it matter that you have a good-looking handgun to the person who wants to kill or hurt you? "Oh, pardon the ugly, gun, but I'm going to have to shoot you with it anyway." I know people who won't bother with Spyderco knives because they don't like the way they look. OK, but that doesn't have anything to do with the knife's function, and neither does it with a piston.

It's only a .380: This is a continuing and not very helpful rant by the caliber Nazis. If you check out the latest report on why the FBI is moving back to the 9 mm cartridge, and do some research into actual bullet and caliber effects on wounds, you'll find that the big caliber stopping power argument is based on ancedote and myth. I suspect that for some people having a big gun is more of a psychological attribute than anything else. If you were to pull your big 1911 .45 and shoot at me and miss, and I pulled my little .380 and shot at you and hit, which would you think would be more effective?

What underlies many of the big-caliber arguments is the vision some people have of being assaulted by a couple of two-hundred fifty pound, speed addled bikers who are so cranked up on drugs that a handgun equivalent of an elephant gun is needed to "stop" them. What's more likely is that pulling a gun will defuse most situations quickly anyway, regardless of how big it is, and shooting statistics will show that even average sized assailants can be shot multiple times with large caliber weapons and still keep on going.

Basically, one can dismiss this argument out of hand when discussing concealed carry self defense guns. I know plenty of people who own big guns who routinely leave them at home. Why? Because they are big guns. I also know many people who always carry small guns with them for just that reason.

It's curved: This is closely related to the "it's ugly" argument, but is available for a more objective and reasoned analysis. It is pretty obvious as to why it is curved. Concealed carry handguns are carried on the person far more than they are drawn and shot. The big advantage of concealed carry is to carry. Anything that makes this easier and safe is to be considered an advantage.

Let's assume that the Curve will shoot as accurately as other small, compact .380 handguns, like the Ruger LCP. From what I have seen demonstrated on the range, this is a fair statement. What is there about the Curve that may make it better than other similiar handguns? The form factor alone is a step ahead. Smooth with little to impede IWB carry or draw. Ergonomic shape which offers better concealment and probably more comfort. A supplied belt clip, which can be used with a kydex detachable trigger guard, if desired for increased safety. And, the built-in light and laser combination which is a brilliant idea considering that the majority of incidents that would require resort to your firearm happen in times of darkness.

So, there are three add-ons that the average concealed carry person doesn't have to bother with: a holster, a laser and a light.

As to the belt clip, I think a certain amount of common sense is called for. Not having evaluated the gun at this point, I don't know if the design of the frame and trigger, coupled with the double action firing mechanism is enough to give me the confidence to carry IWB without the trigger cover. It might be, or I might like a thin, kydex holster for it.

 

One thing for sure, the Curve is a gun, not a piece of art work, and so far it seems to have taken a big step ahead of its competitors in the concealed carry market. I'm looking forward to evaluating one and reporting on it here.

 

 

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