Many of us love shooting the latest incarnation of our favorite blaster, with the super-tuned trigger, fiber optics or competition-ready red dot sights, and compensator. Yet, few are those who actually conceal carry that same gun and default back to a pocket pistol or something more comfortable.
Clint Smith said “Handguns should be comforting, not comfortable” and while any firearms instructor worth his salt agrees with that, those who carry for a living or protection would definitely prefer a handgun that is both comforting as well as comfortable.
Let us first define the terms Tactical and Practical, before delving deeper into what makes a handgun both practical as well as tactical:
Tac·ti·cal: (adjective) relating to or constituting actions carefully planned to achieve a specific end.
Prac·ti·cal: (adjective) concerned with the actual doing or use of something rather than with theory and ideas.
Hence, our new adjective Tactical-Practical requires something or some set of behaviors that are both carefully planned to achieve a specific objective while being rooted in reality.
. Let us now consider what handgun falls under that specific definition. The following requirements must be met:
One of the best articles on handgun selection was written by Master Sergeant Paul Howe (Delta Force, retired). I strongly recommend you read it here before proceeding: http://www.combatshootingandtactics.com/published/training_bullets/handgun_selection_Jul_2015_TngBullets.pdf
In summary, a tactical practical handgun has to be medium to small sized, reliable, not less than .38 Special in caliber, affordable, and with available magazines, parts, and ammo.
Sadly, in Lebanon, handgun and ammo prices are through the roof. On average, expect to pay 1$-2.5$ per round of ball ammo. Fancy hollow-points are rare and if found, even pricier. Also, one cannot purchase guns and ammo except through the black market, where scammers abound unless one is armed with knowledge and wits.
Let us examine a few contenders, using reliability as the most important factor (Prices and availability as of October 2018):
Unless you are a fairly tall individual, let us eliminate the Browning High Power from our list, as it’s too large for adequate conceal carry. Let us also get rid of the Viking as it’s unreliable and eliminate the J-frame because of its limited ammo capacity. This leaves us with the Glock Brothers and Comrade Makarov.
Glock 19 Gen 3:
Pros
Cons
Glock 26 Gen 4:
Pros
Cons
Makarov PM:
Pros
Cons
Let us compile the advantages and disadvantages of each, taking into account the costs of three total loaded magazines, and 250 rounds of backup ammo:
If we factor in 1200 rounds of practice ammo per year, total costs become as follows for year 1:
Suppose another 1200 per annum for Year 2, costs per gun would go up to 6355$ for the G19, 7597$ for the G26, and 6550$ for the Makarov. As you can see, the outrageous Mak ammo prices will make the old Soviet workhorse too expensive to shoot a lot starting the second year.
So, if you are going to be shooting more than 1000 rounds in a year, it would be more economical to pay more initially on the Glock 19. If, however, you are willing to dry fire a lot or use Paul Howe’s excellent 5 and 1 drill to conserve ammo, then the Makarov can be a logical choice.
A middle ground would entail purchasing a Glock 19 for Every Day Carry when conceal carry licenses are active in Lebanon, shifting back to the Makarov when those are suspended and personal protection trumps abiding by a law that disarms good citizens. In case you are arrested at a police or army barrage and the weapon is found, you would be on losing around 1300$ with the Mak rather than 3200$ with the G19.
In the end, it all depends on the circumstances and the context as guns are TOOLS NOT TOYS.
Make an enlightened and educated decision and remember that a weapon is part of a weapon system that includes mags, ammo, parts, as well as wear and tear over time.
Stay a predator to Evil.
