Faithfull Traveling Companions
Guns, Knives & Phones, Oh My!
Sometimes rides are long and lonely, so always take friends along with you. I have several faithful friends I take with me everywhere. Let me introduce them to you.
First there is Tiny. Tiny is called tiny because of his small stature. He is the quite type and dark in complexion. When he speaks it is short and sweet packing a 9mm size hole. Tiny is my P-3AT .380 semi-automatic, locked breech pistol manufactured by Kel-Tec.
When Tiny travels he never leaves company without my Uncle Mike, Sidekick. Uncle Mike’s Sidekick size one keeps Tiny safe, secure, and upright in my right front pocket. I almost never leave home without them. Keep in mind I’m licensed to do so.
On longer rides Tiny’s big brother, XD, comes along. XD is another of the quiet, dark complected types. He is short and compact as well. However, when XD speaks it is with more power and he has a lot more authority being a .40 caliber. XD’s full name is XD-40 Sub-Compact and is made by Springfield Armory.
When XD travels he always brings one of two friends, Don Hume, or CTAC. Both are in the in the waist band holsters designed for concealment. The Don Hume is a H715-M NO. 25USPC-1 and is the easiest to put on and has some mobility after put on.
CTAC is made by Comp-Tak and takes a little longer to put on. Once it is in place it keeps XD comfortably in his place.
Another of my favorite friends that I never go anywhere without is Leek. Designed by Ken Onion for Kershaw, Leek is hands down the best pocket knife I have ever owned. The specific model number is 1660ST. The reasons I like it are; it’s utilitarian looks, one hand assisted opening mechanism, medium size, very thin, serrated section, and of course, pocket clip.
If I wear a jacket or vest my buddy Flash comes along for the ride. Flash is a small pocket knife made by SOG. It is an assisted opener that is amazingly light. The model is Flash I – Black TiNi. I seem to always needing to cut something and these two knives to the job superbly.
When I wear my boots another buddy that goes with me is H.R.T. H.R.T. is a boot knife made by Smith and Wesson. H.R.T. was a gift given to me from my son Jake. It slides onto the back of my left boot and after you get used to it you can hardly notice that it is there.
Lastly my other loyal companion is my Palm Treo phone. It is not a very dependable phone but it will allow me to, phone, take pictures, Twitter post, Facebook post, or use GPS map services when it is working.
Well, now that I have introduced everyone to you I’ve got to go and do some work around the house, riding will have to wait for another day.
Ride on,
Torch
I would hate to be on the other side of your amigos fury. I have the XD as well and yes a true wonderful riding companion indeed.
ReplyDeleteWhen traveling alone my 'other' companions have always been a Swiss army knife (mainly for the purpose of opening the occasional bottle of wine), and my cell phone. I have traveled lonely roads in Europe and North America, but never saw the need of a gun (yet). However, having said that, I have never been alone on a lonely road in Texas... Should it ever come to this, I know whom to call for protection ;-) Ride safe, eh! SonjaM
ReplyDeleteI don't feel the requirement of the gun and knife during the traveling overseas.Don't had a bad experience that i need knife or gun during travel.
ReplyDeleteMy sister moved to Houston after getting married and one of the first things her husband did was get her lessons, permit, and gun! Never had to use it, but she's prepared.
ReplyDeleteFrom a reader from Europe, UK, this is scary...
ReplyDeleteI bet your friends know my friends....;)Its good to have friends!!
ReplyDeleteDear Torch:
ReplyDeleteEvery American should fully exercise their Constitutional rights. 'Nuff said. I like the lack of chrome or shiny stuff in your collection.
Fondes regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
Being prepared is the smart thing to do especially when you are out on a motorcycle in the middle of nowhere.
ReplyDeleteMy comments are. I'm a revolver kind of guy. SP101 is my choice. It can be shot left or right handed, no safeties to worry about or any jams.
I would guess the most reasonable scenario would be your stopped minding your own business and someone who doesn't like motorcycles decides to mess with you. Your on the bike in gear but cannot get away (if you can get out of dodge) you have your hand on the clutch, so you would want to pull the pistol with your right hand. I would guess if you did have to shoot, it would be one handed. Some Semi-auto's will jam if you "limp wrist" it. Revolvers also don't have that problem.
My $.02.
Michael Sparks
Dear Torch:
ReplyDeleteWhile I fully understand your creative accessorizing, I marvel at your candor in discussing these options in a day and age when so many resources (electronic or otherwise) are committed to taking note as to who has what, and where they can be found in the event of a legislation-inspired seizure. (And while that seems so unlikely, the Constitution has been blatantly ignored by both parties with such reckless abandon that anyhing seems possible these days.)
Personally, I think guns are dangerous, disgusting tools of civil collapse. I would rather be beaten to a pulp, thrown down a flight of stairs, and made to watch as the love of my life was sexually assaulted by heroin addicts looking to fund a fix (Women recover from these things all the time.); before I would give in to a savage impulse to fire a gun, and possibly take a life; or worse, inflict the kind of injury that would negate or prolong the rehabilitation of an alleged repeat perpetrator (out on parole or released as a result of prison overcrowding) — preventing him, or her, from resuming their place in society.
I have full confidence in the authorities entrusted with my personal safety, to be there in time to put me on life-support, and to hold a press conference three days later, explaining why my obesity makes it necessary to switch off the machines, so they can be used to save the life of a young, thin, heroin addict, who was wounded by police, in another exchange of unproductive gunfire, while they were investigating yet another home invasion case. You should share this confidence.
I hope my inspirational and compelling argument will get you to change your mind... And publicly eschew firearms as a false means of security and safety. You might also want to consider the legalization of drugs, so that heroin addicts with absolutely no money and no chance of employment can buy them, and be taxed, without resorting to violence.
This is a far more logical approach to two problems than withdrawing into an armed, defensive position that discourages critical dialogue, while creating an environmental crisis through the distribution of lead.
Sincerely,
Jack Riepe
The Voice of Reason
I have never had to draw upon my friends to defend myself yet, and I hope and pray that I never have too. Just because you may never have had a problem does not mean that you never will. So, if the situation arises I want the freedom to have the option to be prepared.
ReplyDeleteRide on,
Torch
Dear Jack,
ReplyDelete1. LOL
2. LOLL
3. Where do I vote for you?
4. I firmly believe you could vernacularly persuade any criminal perpetrator, repeat or not, to hand over his diabolically, ill-gotten and unregistered, weapon of choice to you while simultaneously dialing 911 to turn himself in to get someplace safe and out of earshot of you.
5. I’m sure said criminal also heeds all weapon carrying laws posted everywhere, presuming he can read, and does not take then where it is illegal to have them.
6. Whether you are for or against certain freedoms all two wheeled riders should still be able to all get along.
7. Ride on.
Dear Torch:
ReplyDeleteI knew you would see things my way. "Ride on" back at you.
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
haha I agree with Axel! From a British reader, this is quite scary.. lol
ReplyDeleteWell equipped. The only thing I might recommend is some pepper spray as a non-lethal alternative, but carried in addition to the rest.
ReplyDeleteI work as a military contractor and spend my off time in the states riding cross country to unwind. I've traveled nearly all of the lower 48 in the past few years alone, a month or so at a time, camping at state parks and sometimes sleeping on top of picnic tables at rest areas. I hold CCW permits in 5 states so am legal in nearly every state to carry via reciprocity.
My 'friends' include a Browning Hi-Power in a locking mount attached to the bike on the left hand side, a S&W 66 3" (same as the old Secret Service issue) .357 in a Galco Miami Classic shoulder rig with speed loader pouches on the off side. Backup is a S&W 640 .357 in a Milt Sparks wallet holster in the front right pocket with kydex 'wallet' shaped square.
Edged friends consist of a Cold Steel Safe Maker II as a neck knife; a Cold Steel Trailmaster or Laredo bowie; A Gerber Mk II that I still have from my time in Rhodesia; and a CS Kobun as a boot knife.
On some occasions my military surplus duffle bag (the type with padlock closure at the top and the backpack style shoulder straps contains (in addition to camping gear) either a folding stock Mossberg 500, folding stock Winchester 1300, Underfolding stocked AK, or M1 Carbine paratrooper.
Unlike you, in the last 30 plus years I have had trouble - mugged in a restroom at a rest area outside of Jacksonville, FL; attempted mugging and knifing at a rest area north of Denver, CO; accosted by a 1%er group of bikers because I ride a Vstar 1100 instead of a Harley in South Dakota; as well as home invasions in Florida, Missouri, and Arizona.
I have had to use my friends for defense and it is not a pleasant experience, but were it not for having the option, license, and especially the training, I would not be writing this today.
Ride on and keep the rubber side dwon
- Paladin
2REP 4CIE
Legio Irus Actica
Jumping in late here, but I am laughing at some of the responses. I live in Pennsylvania and carry all the time. I carry a Walther PPK/S 380 when I ride. I have various holsters for it, ankle, IWB, OWB and slide holster. I plan on buying a new 9mm this year, but haven't chose yet.
ReplyDeleteI carry a Gerber tool, flashlight and still carry a tactical knife. My Blackberry sits on my left hip, my gun on the right in front of my pockets ouch with Gerber tool, knife and flashlight.
It sucks here because my LTCF is not good in NJ, NY and MD all surrounding States.
Ride on, and always armed!
Thanks for the post Torch! A good reminder that I should be prepared, especially as a woman rider. Pepper spray would be a great companion for me. :-)
ReplyDeleteAs a Canadian planning a ride through you're violent frightening part of the planet to the relative sanity of Mexico, I'm saddened and sickened. Your world of gun tottin' seems as evil as ohh...Afghanistan! You need guns to protect yourselves because everyone has guns. Sound nuts? It does to me.
ReplyDeleteYears ago I did work with some Texans who made a fuss at the Canadian border when they couldn't bring hand guns across. When they howled "How do you protect yourselves?" We said that we don't have to, nobody has guns. They as I think many of you can't imagine such a world but I assure it exists. Come on up and see us sometime. Relax, enjoy yourselves and leave your guns at home.