Mouse guns

You will hear many people in the firearms industry say "Friends don't let friends carry mouse guns." Before I go into the argument about whether or not a mouse gun is an acceptable choice for self defense, let me define it for those of you that don't know what it means.

Generally speaking, a mouse gun is any gun chambered in a caliber smaller than a 9mm Parabellum for pistols or a .38 Special for revolvers. The most common calibers would be .22LR, .25 ACP, .32 ACP & .380 ACP. In the last couple of years, as concealed carry has become more popular, there has been an explosion of small, light, concealable guns in .380 ACP. Now that there are several quality options in .380, I see no reason to consider going to any smaller caliber. If you can't conceal a Kel-Tec P3AT or a Ruger LCP with what you are wearing, you can't conceal any gun.

When you carry a gun for self defense, you are doing so knowing that if you have to use it, it will mean that your life or the life of your loved ones is in immediate danger. This means that you should want the gun that is the most powerful gun you can shoot comfortably and control that is reliable and has sufficient capacity for the job. So, if you can get away with carrying a full size combat handgun, do it. However, there are times when that just isn't possible. There are times when due to how you have to dress for an event or the weather, you just can't conceal a gun that big. For those times, I'd rather have a mouse gun than no gun.

On a daily basis, I carry a J-frame revolver loaded with .38 Special +P. I know I can hit what I'm aiming at within a reasonable distance and it will be powerful enough to end the fight with proper shot placement. As a side note, I plan to start carrying a Glock 19 when my mode of dress will allow it once I get the money saved to buy one and a quality holster for it. However, there are times (especially in the summer) when I can't conceal a gun that big. That is when my Ruger LCP comes out of the safe and into my pocket. I could conceal an LCP wearing a pair of swimming trunks and nothing else with no problem. It is so small and so light that it just disappears in a pocket.

Mouse guns also have another excellent feature. They are small enough and light enough that when you are carrying that big, full power pistol, you can carry a mouse gun in your pocket as a backup. Remember what the all wise Clint Smith said... "2 is 1 and 1 is none."

One last point... I mentioned a couple of times in this article about carrying in a pocket. If not done properly, that can be dangerous. There are two things you should ALWAYS remember when carrying in a pocket. First, do not put anything else in that pocket. That pocket is for the gun and the gun alone. All you need is to draw the gun after a pen or a pocket knife slipped through the trigger guard and you end up shooting yourself in the leg (or worse). Second, do not carry without a holster. There are tons of options for pocket holsters out there. A pocket holster will insure that the gun is in the same position you left it in when you have to draw it in a hurry. It also covers the trigger which helps prevent anything touching the trigger that shouldn't.

So remember, friends don't let friends carry mouse guns when they can carry something better. Also remember that when the proverbial fecal matter hits the oselating air displacement device, any gun is better than no gun. Stay safe out there... and watch your six.