Big Junior's Best Pistol

by Harold Finley Jr.
(Chesapeake, Ohio)

I will have to strongly agree with some of the previous authors on the GLOCK 22 for one of my favorite CCW firearms. I do love to shoot the G22 since mine was enhanced by a very good GLOCK armorer with whom I became acquainted at a local gun shop. I now keep this unit as my backup on the non-dominant side.

I am large framed, at 6 ft. x 275 pounds, and can conceal most defensive handguns of medium to large size on my person when clad in my traditional jeans, t-shirt and light vest. I am well aware that the vest screams, "check me for weapons", or "target me as a CCW licensee". However the functionality of the clothing gives me such a variety of options for various holsters, accessories and weapons I am willing to accept the trade off. The methodology of my system worked fairly well, in the practical sense, from the time I attended my first defensive handgun training to present. Not to mention the confidence of being prepared "my way".

I prefer the Springfield XD Tactical in 45 ACP with CORBON +P 200 JHP. The 13 round magazine plus 1 in the tube is a huge plus for me as well. This combination provides good-great accuracy, manageable recoil and the energy and capacity to accomplish most tasks as required. I prefer the longer sight radius of the tactical weapon due to my increase in years and decrease in eyesight. In addition, the XD fits me and shoots great. Since my first encounter with my service model, that a former school mate and now gun shop owner talked me into trying out, I was hooked. Yes, as you may have deduced by now, I have two of the 45 XD's and soon will have three or more. I carry at least two handguns most of the time since reading and training in formal defense dictates the safety of the same.

When I go armed in defense of myself as well as family and friends I want to get the job done within minimum parameters to prevent incidental, and or, intentional injuries to myself and other noncombatants. In that respect I want to neutralize the target or targets in as few rounds as possible to limit collateral damage to innocents and if the wrongdoer(s)is/are armed with a firearm you definitely want little to no output from them toward others. This mindset and determination, for me, is why I go forth "my way".

With the combination of my "XD" and my G22 I feel certain, that in most cases, I am prepared both physically and mentally to intercept and defuse or defend as required. May God grant me the wisdom, character and ability to do it correctly.

Just for insight as to my reasoning, I was involved in a gun battle in my own front yard on fathers day in 2005. I was somewhat prepared for an encounter but untrained in the tactics of defensive shooting. My son and I, by the grace of God, were not injured in the fray and shot and wounded two of the three gangsters doing a drive by at the wrong address. I have worked diligently to better prepare myself and educate my family on how to avoid suspect encounters with undesirables and stay aware of their surroundings. My daughter and son-in-law have trained and applied for their concealed carry permits and I am working with my wife to secure hers in the near future.

Dear readers please consider your own situation and if you decide to advance the process of,"Carrying Concealed",then do so with lots of formal training and practice. This should include at least a few formal lessons after you receive your required training for the CCW permit and continuing, whenever possible, into the future. There are many good facilities around the country, find some.

God Bless America and you.