There is a rule in gunfighting, you better have a dang gun. There is a class of gun that is specifically targeted at making it as easy as possible to satisfy this rule. Usually these are small, difficult to shoot guns, that don’t carry many bullets. Things like ultra lightweight J-frame sized revolvers, mini semiauto pocket blasters like the OG Ruger LCP, Keltec P32, the new PR-3AT, or my favorite, the Kahr P380.
A Shooter’s Perspective
To say that I bring some bias into this discussion would probably be an understatement. I have dabbled in the world of Rule 1 guns, but in my heart, I am a “duty gun” kind of guy. I like to chase performance, and it helps when chasing something if the car you are driving has a bit of horsepower under the hood. Usually, horsepower does not look like a Ruger LCP. But sometimes, just like how it can be fun to drive a slow car fast, Rule 1 guns have their place too.
Realities
I work in a downtown sort of environment, in a city that is not known for being “safe”. Because of the work I do, I often have to walk a block or two late at night, off the primary corridors. In those moments, the biggest personal safety risk is robbery. Not many people around, and since I work in the corporate world, I am usually dressed like a dude who has more money than he really does.
The cool thing about Rule 1 guns is they are great anti robbery guns, mostly because they can be deployed seemingly from out of nowhere. Especially true of pocket guns. What is faster than a draw from appendix, already having a gun in your hand. Where can I put my hands while walking down the street without looking weird? In my pockets. Where do pocket guns get carried? You get the point.
Counter-Ambush Wizards
It is not unusual for me to have my hand on two things when walking to my car. A Ruger LCP, and a Surefire flashlight that cost about $100 more than the LCP. And no one ever knows because all the see is a dude with his hands in his pockets. This gets to the next point. Rule 1 guns are some of the most financially accessible guns out there. Ruger LCPs for example, they float around $200 and dip to the mid $100’s on occasion. Decently reliable and durable small revolvers start around the $350 mark.
The Downside
So, what is the downside to these guns? Easy to carry, quick to deploy, but kinda hard to shoot well. I certainly wouldn’t want to fight off any terrorist or a band of miscreant ninjas with a Ruger LCP or S&W J-frame. But that isn’t an excuse to be lazy in the shooting performance column either. These guns are more capable than we think, it is only us that holds them back. Mostly. The tradeoff for easy to carry, easy to deploy with a quickness, and generally within financial reach, is that we have to do a little more work to be good with them. Stick around, we will talk about that part soon.