What’s your favorite MilSurp carry piece?

Understood...I like mine too but I also don't have a problem with the chemical goo that makes the ozones get its panties in a knot (and I ain't talkin Bakelite). 🤣 [cheers]

The other thing to think about is that plenty of folks (including me, occasionally) EDC 1911s that aren't milsurps, and there's nothing unusual about that. The weight and the size are something that a whole lot of EDC people have learned to cope with.

The other thing I forgot to mention is that those of us who are veterans realize that most pistols in military service see almost no real use at all. They get carried a lot and shot little. I've not seen too many milsurps that are even slightly worn, let alone completely shot out; they usually get replaced because of parts unavailability, not because they become unserviceable. The cosmetics are bad sometimes, but I'd far rather have a worn steel gun than a soulless lego in my waistband.
 
Curious why one would carry (I assume EDC) a milsurp? I've got a few and words like weight and reliability come to mind vs. current day models. Regarding reliability, there are plenty of fine milsurps out there, I'm just not sure I'd trust my life with a carry piece that is essentially older than I am and comes close to a boat anchor in weight. Just a thought, not trolling.

For a lot of people, it used to be cost. Foreign surplus handguns are usually dirt cheap from the importer when the guns first come in. $99-500 cheap. Usually, the calibers are cheap to shoot as well, like 9x18 Mak or 7.62x25 back when surplus x25 was more commonly available. For someone on a tight budget, a cheap military surplus handgun plus cheap (range) ammunition is a "good enough" way to defend themselves. Some years ago, a retired guy in an elderly home successfully used a M1895 Nagant in self-defense:

Ex-Lobsterman who fought off intruder could face eviction for gun

The guy ended up without any long lasting legal problems if I remember the followup news stories correctly. For him, a M1895 Nagant was what he could afford and use.
 
As a bonus to the thread, there have been times when, in a wave of insanity, I've IWB'd a Webley Mk V. Talk about a milsurp...
I'm glad I'm not the only one whose tastes run that way. Bonus: you can practice all you want, .455 is in stock and ready to ship from any number of places!
 
A few times I carried my US Property 1918 Colt DA .45....needed a shoulder rig for that. Victory revolver is easier.
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I want to see someone on NES carry a Borchardt C93.

Didn't those come with wood shoulder stock holsters like the C96, Luger, and BHP? I would imagine that open carrying a shoulder stock holstered pistol wouldn't be a problem on a wilderness trip, though I have no idea how fast it would be to open one of those and get on target.
 
Didn't those come with wood shoulder stock holsters like the C96, Luger, and BHP? I would imagine that open carrying a shoulder stock holstered pistol wouldn't be a problem on a wilderness trip, though I have no idea how fast it would be to open one of those and get on target.
Yes.

For the discerning concealed carrier:
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Problem now, due to COVID, is finding handgun ammunition. Pre-election time, shelves were bare. Gone are the Walmart days of $39.99 for 100 rounds of Remington .38 special 125gr +P SJHP that I use in the Detective...it’s the closest to the load I carried as a Fed 30 years ago. Looked on gunbroker; it’s now $100-$135 a box of 100.
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I’ve read both sides of the argument on +p in older 38sp revolvers. I have a Model-49 from the 50s that I carry sometimes. Usually use standard semi wad cutters. But you might be convincing me otherwise.
 
+P gets really confusing.....supposed to be anything over 900fps. The Remington is listed as +P, but it is barely that at 948fps/248ft-lbs...less out of my detective snubbie. I also use Sellier and Bellot 158gr FMJ/SWC as a straight slug; 889/270...so this hits harder than the Remington +P. Speer is rated +P, 135gr, but only 860/222. Waiting to try it, but you can't get anything now.

I prefer my .32s....and use Buffalo Bore hardened lead SWC 75gr/1150/220....hits as hard as the Speer .38 special. The Buffalo Bore in the .380 is 100/1150/294...very nice shooting round in my 1915 Colt....and beats everything listed here. Just a little too big for pocket carry....at least in my work pants.
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That’s probably a clearer more succinct explanation than I’ve found anywhere on the interwebs. Thank you.
 
JHP can have trouble expanding out of snubbies...a powerful slug like the S/B can be an alternative. Buffalo Bore makes a "standard" pressure load for snubbies in .38 special; 158 soft lead HP/854/256 (in 2 inch). They also have a +P lead free 110gr JHP that measures 1117/306 out of a S/W 60 Chief's Special. There's also the 258gr lead SWC outdoorsman .38 special +P....1500fps and 555ft-lbs...tested in a S/W 642. Put 6 out of the detective and was probably the most powerful round I've ever fired. As I said I'm partial to the old school Remington 125 SJHP load as its very similar to what I used as a Fed. Remington also has more "modern" bonded bullet in the "defender" line.

Bottom line is whatever power level/knockdown ability that you're comfortable with.

t

Disclaimer; I am not a spokesperson for Buffalo Bore or any brand I've listed, nor is my advice more than personal opinion. It's just what I've found to my liking after 30 years of shooting.
 
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+P gets really confusing.....supposed to be anything over 900fps. The Remington is listed as +P, but it is barely that at 948fps/248ft-lbs...less out of my detective snubbie. I also use Sellier and Bellot 158gr FMJ/SWC as a straight slug; 889/270...so this hits harder than the Remington +P. Speer is rated +P, 135gr, but only 860/222. Waiting to try it, but you can't get anything now.

I prefer my .32s....and use Buffalo Bore hardened lead SWC 75gr/1150/220....hits as hard as the Speer .38 special. The Buffalo Bore in the .380 is 100/1150/294...very nice shooting round in my 1915 Colt....and beats everything listed here. Just a little too big for pocket carry....at least in my work pants.
t
remember ammo is tested from testing barrels for pressure and velocities.
 
Ok...but not Buffalo Bore...they list regular production guns they test fire out of.

Wouldn’t mind chronographing some of my carry loads in real time.
t
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This is going to get dicey... Every day carry is a Smith and Wesson 642 I don’t mind the bumps and sweat and loss of finish.My Sunday gun is a 1976 coat lightweight commander with mammoth ivory grips, a 4.5 lbs trigger and lights out accuracy. If I’m wearing the suit I prefer my 1938 Walther PPK. If I feel like the shit is going to hit the fan I am more inclined to go Sig 229. That being said I have number of colts in common calibers that I’m just gonna have to start figuring out when where and how to carry. Unfortunately, they have to match my mood, outfit And yes I’m always looking for a fellow got enthusiast to pull aside and explain, show or talk about what I am carrying an how acquired it
 
The weight i can see but honestly alot of milsurp pistols unless abused and worn out IMHO have no more reliability issues than modern designs. If modern guns where so much better we would not see the "my new gun is a pos " threads
My EDC is a Ghay40 4013tsw or a 60s vintage 38spl pocket carry.
I do carry the Cz82 , the CZ52 is a f***ing tank to carry but i do sometimes. 1911 was my 1st edc and dont mind it one bit. Although its not the most natural pointing handgun in my hands. Hence the 4013tsw double stack. I like a wide grip even though I have small hands
Small hands... try dim lighting and viagra maybe she won’t notice
 
I sometimes carry a semi-milsurp 1911A1. The slide and most other parts are 1943 Ithaca, the frame is a modern Remsport.

Maybe I'll start carrying my 1858 Remington Army.
 
For reference, John Moses Browning carried a
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Baby Browning
 
Carry-nope.
Truck gun-yes. I kept a Radom Mag-98 as a truck gun for a few years. It's actually not a horrible gun for those purposes.
 
For me, a carry gun is a tool. A tool that needs to be familiar and consistent. I’ve never understood changing carry guns based on weather or day of the week. Never mind that if I need to actually use it, it will leaving my possession for an extended period. Why would I risk losing or damaging a gun that I like or may be difficult to replace? My 365XL is on my hip every day of the week. It takes an absolute beating in horrible conditions and I don’t care. Similarly, I have “shop” tools and “field” tools. Working near the water, stuff ends up in the ocean. A Husky ratchet can stay on the bottom.
 
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