This is a list of the guns, gear and ammo I use. I am not going to stand up here and say that this is the best gear available or that I am an equipment guru, (which I am not) but this is the stuff that my experiences and (mostly) circumstances have led me to. Like most pistol shooters it is a constantly changing and evolving tool box that comes full circle many time.
I have two main carry guns. One is a Smith and Wesson model 442 in .38 special. The other is a Glock 17 9mm caliber pistol. I use a JS pocke holster on the 442 and a ,Milt Sparks EX Inside the waistband holster for my glock.
When I am shooting revolvers all the time I will carry a K frame revolver instead of the Glock. Either a model 10, 13, or 66 model. I usually carry +P 158 grain LSWC-HP rounds in both revolvers. I use something like gold dots or golden sabers in the glock.
I used to carry a .40 glock but I hurt my hands a few years ago and went back to 9mm. I do believe that you should carry as big a gun as you can, and I do feel the .45 is better than the 9, but till I get better I'm shooting the 9mm.
The 442 is for carrying at work. My work can get very physical and most larger pistols want to print, pull down my pants, or catch on something. The J frame in the pocket is very secure and easy to get to. It has an action job and I can make good hits on an IDPA 'O' zone out past 20 yards. I carry a reload in a Bianchi speed strip in my pocket.
The Glock is my carry gun for times when I can handle a larger piece. I am very impressed with all glock products, expecially the G22/G17 platform. It is a fine piece of machinery that is very reliable, rugged, accurate, and durable. I did change mine slightly by replacing the stock 5.5# with the 3.5# connector. It lightens the trigger which I like but the trigger is still heavy enough for carry. Do not let anyone fool you; a glock with the 3.5# conector is far from a "hair" trigger.
For IDPA/USPSA I will shoot my Glock 22 or my 9mm Glock 17 depending on the game and what ammo I have on hand. When I shoot revolvers I use K frames with COMP III speedloaders.
I use a Milt Sparks IWB (inside the waistband) holster for my glock with an FBI tilt. If I need a belt holster for winter carry or gun games, I use a blade tech scabbard holster with an FBI tilt.
In all honesty I originally bought Kydex because I had no clue as to what a good holster was and I saw gunwriter Walt Rauch with Blade -Tech. I figured if you are lost, you may want to follow someone who knows where he's going. So I bought the Blade Tech and have never regretted it. I have found that they are great; easy to clean, don't get smelly, keep their shape, and look cool. They also are much cheaper than leather. I do prefer leather for IWB's. I love my ex holster, it removes easy and has a shirt protector that makes it comfy. Cost is $89.00 plus shipping.
I have a Ky-Tac holster for my surefire light but I usually just pocket it. The holster prints terribly under a shirt and is uncomfortable. My new Surefire E-2 executive has a pocket clip and it is wonderful to carry.
For IDPA and other competition sports, I use a Blade Tech scabbard holster for pretty much all my guns. For mag pouches, I use Hoffner pouches, but the ones from pistolpacking.com are mighty nice. For revolver speedloaders I use Ready Tactical holders (from pistolpacking.com) and I really like them.
These days I pretty much will carry any quality hollowpoint ammo in my autos provided they are proven to be accurate and reliable in my gun. I am partial to the 158 grain .38 special LSWC-HP (lead semi-wadcutter hollow point) ammo for my snubbies and larger revolvers. I doubt the snubbies can get enough velocity to make any hollowpoint expand much and at least the 158 grain bullet will penetrate decently and the SWC profile will cut a decent hole. I pretty much like 230 grain for .45, 155/165 grain for .40, and 125-147 grain for 9mm.
I do reload a lot and you really should do that if you want to shoot your best. That is, unless you can afford to shoot factory. Blazer is pretty good for most guns, and I've shot quite a bit of Wolff ammo to. I have shied away from wolf as it does not seem to be as good in .40 and .45 as it is in 9mm. It's okay stuff but there is better out there for the same or slightly more money.
I bought a Taurus 445 compact .44 special revolver. I wanted to carry something more substantial than the .35 caliber snubby. I also figured that low snubby velocities may make hollowpoints very unreliable and a 200 grain lead semi wadcutter hollowpoint bullet would be a better stopper at these lower velocities.
The Taurus is a tad smaller than a snubby K frame and pretty concealable. Not many people have holsters for it. FIST does but I did not like their IWB offerings. Kramer makes a holster for the .357 magnum gun on this frame. I may have to buy that holster and re-mold it to fit the .44.
I've not done much with the gun but I would like to. I have shot 240 grain loads through it but I think 200 grain would be better. For defensive ammo I have Winchester Silvertips but I believe a Federal 200 gr LSWC would be better, especially if it could be found as a hollowpoint LSWC.
I always welcome questions, comments, and amusing flames. Thanks, Ted