TexasCHLforum.com

Hello mrcharlie and welcome to the forum. (Can I just call you Mr. "C"? )

Two suggestions...

One is to train yourself to exist in Condition Yellow (whether or not you're carrying), and then carry all the time. If you're unfamiliar with that expression, it is a reference to the "Cooper Color Code," canonized by the late Jeff Cooper to describe mental states. It says:

• White - Unaware and unprepared. If attacked in Condition White, the only thing that may save you is the inadequacy or ineptitude of your attacker. When confronted by something nasty, your reaction will probably be "Oh my God! This can't be happening to me."
• Yellow - Relaxed alert. No specific threat situation. Your mindset is that "today could be the day I may have to defend myself." You are simply aware that the world is a potentially unfriendly place and that you are prepared to defend yourself, if necessary. You use your eyes and ears, and realize that "I may have to SHOOT today." You don't have to be armed in this state, but if you are armed you should be in Condition Yellow. You should always be in Yellow whenever you are in unfamiliar surroundings or among people you don't know. You can remain in Yellow for long periods, as long as you are able to "Watch your six." (In aviation 12 o'clock refers to the direction in front of the aircraft's nose. Six o'clock is the blind spot behind the pilot.) In Yellow, you are "taking in" surrounding information in a relaxed but alert manner, like a continuous 360 degree radar sweep. As Cooper put it, "I might have to shoot."
• Orange - Specific alert. Something is not quite right and has gotten your attention. Your radar has picked up a specific alert. You shift your primary focus to determine if there is a threat (but you do not drop your six). Your mindset shifts to "I may have to shoot HIM today," focusing on the specific target which has caused the escalation in alert status. In Condition Orange, you set a mental trigger: "If that goblin does 'x', I will need to stop him." Your pistol usually remains holstered in this state. Staying in Orange can be a bit of a mental strain, but you can stay in it for as long as you need to. If the threat proves to be nothing, you shift back to Condition Yellow.
• Red - Condition Red is fight. Your mental trigger (established back in Condition Orange) has been tripped. If "X" happens I will shoot that person.

Meaning no disrespect, but it sounds like you were caught off guard because you were in Condition White - which is really how most people walk around. If you are going to go about armed, then Condition Yellow is where you want to be. After a while, it becomes second nature, and it is not at all a stressful place to be.

My second suggestion is with regard to firearms choice. Like others, I highly recommend a semi-automatic pistol for self-defense, for it's larger capacity, and generally better concealability. However, there are also an array of "modern" small revolvers that are perfectly suitable for concealed carry and self defense, and are available in powerful calibers. I typically carry a 1911 pattern pistol in .45 ACP, but I recently acquired a S&W J framed .357 magnum revolver. It fits in my front pocket with no trouble, and it is made out of Scandium (an ultra lightweight metal with properties similar to Titanium) and it weighs next to nothing. It may only hold 5 rounds, but it is 5 rounds of full house .357. The little beast is a handful to shoot, but it isn't that bad. So if you really are more comfortable with a revolver, rest assured that there are some good choices out there for concealed carry.

Anyway, sorry you got the beatdown from that scumbag, but I'm glad you're OK.