Bob suggested we move this, and as we were already chatting in this echo 
...
 * Replying to message originally in RTKBA
 -=> Quoting T Owen to Steve Gunhouse on 13 Jul 96  07:13 <=-
 Re: COME AND TAKE ONE 
 TO> The Govt. 380 is a nice little compact. I have a Mustang plus2 that I
 TO> carry when it's summer, and too hot to conceal a larger pistol. It has
 TO> been a good, reliable gun. I polished the feed ramp, and slightly
 TO> enlarged the ejection port, and it has never failed to fire since.
 TO> I still prefer my favorite .44, but with the 12" bbl, it needs a 
 TO> jacket for concealment. I figure that the .380 is a decent round for
 TO> defense, but I always fire 2 shots in a row when I shoot it, just to
 TO> condition the mind to do so under stress. I figure that 2 .380s should
 TO> incapacitate as well as 1 .44. The Govt. model is a nicer gun, though.
Is that correct: a 12" barrel?? Sounds practically like a Contender 
there, I don't see how a jacket would be sufficient to conceal that. 
Maybe a winter coat could.
"Double taps" may not be a bad idea whatever you have. Though of course 
actually doing so with a .44 Magnum is problematic.
 
 TO> The last time I renewed my CCW, it had been expired for 2 months when
 TO> I noticed, and took 2 weeks for the red tape to go through. I admit to 
 TO> being a bit nervous carrying with an expired permit, but the
 TO> alternative was to go unarmed, so I risked it. 60 days is a long time
 TO> to wait! I  felt that 2 weeks was a bit excessive, considering that I
 TO> was just renewing, but the last one was for 2 years, and the current
 TO> one is for 5, so I guess it was worth the wait. I share your hope that
 TO> by the time it expires, I won't need to renew it at all, but that
 TO> sounds too good to be likely. The alternative to the permit (in NH) is
 TO> to carry openly, but folks get nervous with that, so the permit is the
 TO> better choice. 
As of yet no one has ever renewed a Texas CCW, nor will they until 1998. 
The initial permit requires a thorough background check (criminal, 
medical, and some financial). A renewal ought to be simpler. In fact, 
since they are supposed to be keepping their files up to date, a renewal 
ought to be practically automatic.
The alternative here is carrying a rifle or shotgun. Carrying of handguns 
other than with a permit and concealed (except of course on your own 
property) has been illegal for a hundred years.
 TO> With the .380, I keep it loaded with Glaser Safety Slugs, just to give
 TO> me that extra edge. Usually, in the summer I keep the .44 in the
 TO> center console of my truck, the .380 on my person, and a 12Ga. pump on
 TO> the  back seat. I figure that's got me covered in most situations. 
 TO> As to the .22 vs .25, I would take the .22 over the .25! The .25 just
 TO> doesn't have the velocity, and the .22 with a good round in it is not
 TO> as bad as it sounds. I like the CCI Stinger .22LR; that's a mean
 TO> little round, if placed right, and in quantity. Take care.
My .380 is loaded with Winchester SXT - the only brand of "premium" ammo 
they had in that caliber. Almost seems like limited-penetration ammo in a 
.380 would be redundant. ;-)
I still have a "car gun" - a rifle or shotgun on the back seat. At the 
moment, it's a 12 gauge, though it's often a .44 Magnum model 94.
My other "mouse gun" as I've seen it called is a .22 Beretta 21A, 
currently loaded with Winchester PowerPoint.
Actually though, I suppose if we want to discuss that further, Bob will 
probably tell us to take it to Firearms. Won't that be a twist!
Steve
... Gun nut??  Not me!  I'm just a firearms enthusiast!
--- GEcho 1.00
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