Titan .25

Several years ago, my wife and I went to a small town Mardi Gras with my Dad and momma. As we were getting out of the truck, I saw my dad palm and pocket something from the console. Curiosity getting the better of me, I asked my dad what it was.
"I'll show you later."

I'd heard dad use that tone many times, understood that he would brook no nonsense. Now was neither the time nor the place. I nodded, and we went about our day of eating gumbo, dancing in the street and merrymaking.

That evening, as we were climbing out of the vehicle at my dad's house, he pulled a small pistol from his pocket. It had obviously seen better days, but everything seemed to be in working order. Apparently my dad had bought it from a friend because the price was too good to pass up, but the little gun was not of a good pedigree.

"You want it?" the old man asked.

Never one to turn down a free gun, I readily accepted.

The next week I took it to the range and put a box of ammo through it. Expecting Saturday night special type results, I was surprised! I had zero (yes, zero) malfunctions, and acceptable accuracy at 10 yards. Now, this isn't ever going to be a great target gun, and at the time I got it, I never considered getting my CCW permit, so it has sat in my collection, rarely touched, for the better part of four years.

Now, I'm getting my CCW, but I have a s&w j frame that shoots .38 special+p and only weighs 2 oz. More.

I've only taken the little .25 to the range twice. Occasionally, I'd pick it up, and I'd think about how my dad was carrying it (responsibly!!) for an entire day, in the streets of a small town in south Louisiana, and no one was even aware. Should something bad have happened, he was ready to defend his life, and the life of his family. That's powerful stuff. Yes, I put less than 100 rounds through that gun, but it fostered an idea in me. Every time I picked it up, it made me contemplate the idea of being not only willing, but able to defend my life, and the lives of others.

It's a small gun, and a small caliber, but it lead to one of the biggest decisions I've ever made. In that respect, didn't it do exactly what a self- defense weapon should? It made me realise that I am my own best defense against those who wish me and my family harm. That's one powerful little gun. Maybe I should pass it on to someone else who would benefit from it's silent lessons.