Gun Digest's Defensive Handguns & Gear Collection eShort: Get insights and advice on self defense handguns, ammo and gear plus defensive gun training.

By David Fessenden

In this excerpt from Defensive Handgun Skills, David Fessenden covers handgun calibers for concealed carry, revolvers vs. semiautos, CCW holsters, dry practice, live-fire practice, plus loading and unloading the handgun.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gun Digest Books
• Release date: Jul 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781440234408

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Defensive Handguns & Gear Collection

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While an excellent choice for recreational shooting, this Smith & Wesson .22 rimfire revolver leaves a lot to be desired as a defensive handgun.

A detailed discussion of this subject would likely cover about several chapters of text, so rather than launch into something of that sort, I will keep it simple.

In my school, we take a bit of time to engage in a brief lecture on many of the weapons, holsters and accessories from which you can select and that will cover the broadest base of common appeal to the average student. We do spend a lot of time on concealed carry equipment, so that those students interested in applying for a permit get a chance to learn about their options in this area.

At the other extreme is the Smith & Wesson Model 640 chambered in .357 Magnum. A perfectly suitable defensive handgun – and it shoots the .38 Special cartridge, too!

Small-Bore vs. Big-Bore

For the selection of a concealed carry weapon, many instructors will advise their students to purchase a .22 Long Rifle pistol and train up to a larger caliber firearm. The thinking here is that the student will adjust to the lower noise, recoil and shock of this smaller caliber handgun and will eventually be comfortable enough to move up to the larger caliber pistol with ease.

I view this as a colossal waste of time and money. I prefer to advise my students to bring a .38 Special revolver or 9mm, .40 S&W, .38 Super or .45 ACP semiautomatic to start the class. We teach the student how to properly and safely control and manage the recoil and push of the weapon, even when firing the multiple target drill. This is done with the application of proper stance and grip instruction in an acceptable period of time,