Deciding on my reduction

bearcatter

I've posted before about reducing my "arsenal"......I'm thinking I'll keep both Bearcats, my Guardian, and buy a second Guardian as a backup if one is off for repair. Or if the cops hold it a while after I've used it?

The Guardians will do carry and house gun. Bearcats for cheap fun. That's all I need, really.

I haven't shot the 10/22 in over a year. Rarely shoot the SP101 .357 since I decided it was a poor carry. The SP in .22 is okay, but for .22 I enjoy the Bearcats more. They are a lot easier to clean, too.

Terry_P

IMHO.............I would prefer the SP even in 38 SPL as a house gun over any 32 ACP. If you have some meth head kick your door down not sure a 32 would stop him short of a brain hit. If there are 2 or 3 of them you may feel a bit undergunned.

bearcatter

I've thought about that on the .357 SP. Also, I'd have half a dozen holsters, four sets of grips, and a sizeable baggie of spare parts to eBay. Plus 1500 rounds of .38 to get rid of, 300 rounds of which is Hornady XTP in non-factory plastic boxes. For me right now, that's a lot of hassle.

It may end up one Bearcat, one SP, and two Guardians. It would be tough to decide which Bearcat, but there are several minor differences......

Terry_P

Have a look at the Sig P365 and you could easily turn your 22 SP into one of those and not have to decide on which Bearcat.

44s Rock

The wife is doing the same thing, just finished going through her safe weeding out what she no longer wants. She is just keeping her 870 an two M&Ps.

bearcatter

New caliber ammo, holsters, etc. Nope, no new models would work well.

If I had it all to do over again, I'd maybe have bought two Walther PPK; stainless .32 and .22, and be done with it. But I didn't know then what I know now.

Sightngrl

I'd never get rid of the SP. Other than that I guess its whatever you think will stop a threat.

Shakyshoot

Agreed--given that you have a choice of basically ANY gun and caliber as a "house gun" there is no possible way I would assign that duty to a 32 ACP. I'd have that SP handy with 38 +P ammo and carry the Guardian, if you really don't like carrying the SP.
i know you're ruling out buying more guns, but if it were me and I had that much 38 ammo, I'd invest the $325 for a Smith J-frame .38 and carry that.

bearcatter

You guys have me leaning toward Bearcat, 357 SP, and Guardian. If I keep the SP, I won't need a second Guardian backup.

J-frames are a good size, but I just can't get by their lockwork compared to the SP. I liked LCRs, until Ruger replaced two, then one of those a second time. I'd never trust another one.

north country gal

I will echo what the others are saying about the 32 ACP as being a weak choice for a house gun. The 32 ACP has always been essentially a belly gun. Would much rather have something like a 38 that could up your odds of stopping a threat before it gets that close. It's not like the SP is some big, heavy slow handling revolver and recoil with 38s in the SP is certainly not an issue.

bearcatter

Hi, NGC! We don't hear from you enough these days.....

I know the SP is a much better SD gun, just big for concealed. Twice the weight and over twice the bulk of my Guardian. I don't do too badly with the Guardian, considering my minimal practice. I stick with ten yards, and average 7 inch groups. Not great but acceptable. I only manage about 4 with the SP, shooting 130 gr FMJ 38..

Shakyshoot

I dunno, I have a rough time thinking of an SP101 as "too big to carry." I've been known to stick my S&W 69 4 inch 44 mag in my pocket for a walk around the neighborhood. Yeah, most of the grip sticks out of my pocket, but I can pull a t-shirt over it and it really doesn't feel bad.

bearcatter

This compares a SP101 with a Seecamp. Seecamp is the size of a Guardian 32, within a sixteenth or so. Add the fact that a SP101 is 26 ounces empty, compared to 15 ounces for a loaded Guardian.

Terry_P

I think the 30 Oz is for the long BBL SP. When I bought mine they listed it at 25 oz and now they list at 26 oz. Guess the MIM parts add weight . I pocket carried mine for about 4 years. We all have our own preferences as I pocket carry my P938 and it weighs 15 oz empty and holds 6+1 9 MM. Been thinking about carrying my P320 Compact in an IWB (this winter in FL) and it comes in at just under 26 oz empty but 9+1 in 45 ACP is comforting.

bearcatter

You are right, 26 ounces empty for the snub SP. Would be 28 or so loaded. Memory is starting to go, too...........Still 13 ounces over a 32 Guardian.

The Seecamp in the photo is listed as a 380, but all three Seecamps are the same size; 25, 32, and 380 so it's still a valid compare. NAA's 380 is larger and 6 ounces heavier than the 32.

Terry_P

My Beretta Pico .380 weighs in at 11.5 oz empty and is 6+1. I carry it when I'm walking as it is pretty unnoticable.

bearcatter

Being a Ruger fan, I really tried to get an interest in one of the LCPs, but I just can't do plastic. Only two ounces under my Guardian, anyway. One negative is having to pry out the takedown pin, seems a cheap setup. They do have a habit of walking out or shearing. Plus, even with the locked breech helping reduce recoil, I read it's too snappy. I wrote the CEO suggesting a .32 ACP model.

Danwin22

The muzzle blast from a short barreled.357 in a bedroom will hurt your ears.

I prefer a compact 9mm such as a Ruger SR9C or Security-9.

44s Rock

I did not like the LCP, way too small for my chubby paws. My M&P9 Shield with the 8 round mag fits great and at 20.8oz is hardly noticeable.

bearcatter

Well, I'm set on a second Guardian 32. Whenever Davidson's gets some in. I've had mine since March '18, and they've only gotten more twice in that time, and only about a half dozen each time. Just curious, checked Gun Broker and they don't list any either. Still, I don't do GB.

The 10/22 will go, and the .22 SP. Maybe one Bearcat. I'll probably keep the 357 SP. Progress! I'm thinking to wait closer to Christmas, and everything may sell better.