Seeking Advice on Handgun License and Best Concealed Carry Option

[Deependra Chaudhary]

Hello everyone,

I’m looking for some advice regarding obtaining a handgun license in Uttar Pradesh and choosing the best handgun for concealed carry. Here's a detailed overview of my situation:

Background:

I currently hold a valid license for a 12-gauge shotgun, which I inherited from my father due to his old age. While the shotgun is useful for home defense, it is highly impractical for daily self-defense. It is difficult to carry, cannot be concealed, and is not suitable for use in sudden, unexpected situations.

My need for a more practical self-defense weapon arises from a long-standing land dispute that has put my life at risk multiple times:

1. The 1986 Murder Case:

In 1986, my brother and mother were murdered over a land dispute with individuals from a rival group. Despite the heinous nature of the crime, the accused were released on bail long ago. Since then, the murder case has been dragging on in the Allahabad High Court, leaving us with no justice even after decades.

The accused continue to roam free, and their presence is a constant source of threat to my family.



2. Recent Threats and Land Infiltration:

About two years ago, the same individuals tried to illegally occupy our land again, reigniting the dispute and escalating tensions.

I filed complaints and took legal action, and the matter is now being heard in the SDM court. However, the threats to my safety persist, especially when I travel or attend court hearings.




Given this history of violence and the ongoing danger, I feel the need to carry a reliable self-defense weapon at all times.

Why a Handgun?

A handgun is compact, portable, and much easier to conceal and carry compared to a shotgun. It offers quick access in emergencies and is ideal for self-defense in situations where I may need to protect myself from sudden attacks.

Questions for the Community:

1. Will My Case Support My License Application?
Considering the history of the 1986 murder, the recent infiltration attempt, and the ongoing legal disputes, do you think these factors will strengthen my case for obtaining a handgun license?


2. Best Caliber for Self-Defense:

I’m leaning towards a .32 caliber handgun due to its balance of stopping power, low recoil, and ease of concealment. Do you agree with this choice, or would you suggest another caliber for self-defense?



3. Is Webley a Good Option?

I’m particularly interested in the Webley Fox .32 pistol. I’ve heard it’s a reliable, high-quality handgun with a long-standing reputation.

For those who have experience with it, how does it perform in terms of reliability, durability, and maintenance? Would it be a good fit for my needs?

Are there any alternative handguns in the same caliber that are better suited for concealed carry and self-defense?




Additional Context:

I need a weapon that I can carry daily and rely on for self-defense in dangerous situations.

Any tips on navigating the licensing process or advice on strengthening my application would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you in advance for your insights and recommendations!

Best regards,
Deependra Chaudhary

[eljefe]

Sad to hear of your background.
I cant comment on the use of your relatives murders as a valid reason, worth a try.
I highly recommend a quality revolver. In atleast a .32 caliber. And buy the best ammo- imported ‘ silver tips’ should be available.
Get hamdgun checked by a decent gunsmith for action pawl and extraction, firing pin protrusion and reliability. Practice with KF Ammo to develop muscle memory and also with your chosen expanding ammo.
Oh,forget about the movie dictum of shoot at the legs…

[Vineet]

I would pick up Taurus over Webley. Taurus is way ahead of Webley

[Deependra Chaudhary]

Sad to hear of your background.
I cant comment on the use of your relatives murders as a valid reason, worth a try.
I highly recommend a quality revolver. In atleast a .32 caliber. And buy the best ammo- imported ‘ silver tips’ should be available.
Get hamdgun checked by a decent gunsmith for action pawl and extraction, firing pin protrusion and reliability. Practice with KF Ammo to develop muscle memory and also with your chosen expanding ammo.
Oh,forget about the movie dictum of shoot at the legs…

I am leaning towards a pistol due to larger magazine capacity and better options for the same available in Indian market as compared to a revolver, what are the other available quality models, brands or even calibers which is should consider other than the Webley Fox .32; are GSF pistols good quality as they are most sold ones in Indian Arms Market, to be specific GSF Mk. III. As far as the murder case is concerned the steno at the DM office was saying that I would definitely add a solid point in my application.
Open for more insights

[Vikram]

I am sorry to hear about the violence and losses that you had to endure. I do hope you get your licence. Like Jefe said above,get the best firearm you can afford and practice a lot. All the best.

[Able]

I wish you find happiness and peace from all that had been happening.

[timmy]

It seems to me that your needs are pretty similar to any list of carry weapon requirements. You must have a gun that is caveman-reliable (will go bang when you pull the trigger and will reliably feed the next round0, and you must have a gun that is stone safe.

So the gun isn't all you need, what you need is a system of gun, ammunition, holster, and belt.

A 32 Auto will get the job done, within limits, when there are no or minimal barriers involved (like a thin cotton shirt). You don't say much about your specific situation, but nowadays, threats often come in groups of 3 or 4 or more, and this is why I prefer a large magazine capacity. Some newer guns on the market have these larger capacities of 10 or more. I think that this is practical.

You should also consider carrying a spare loaded magazine in a proper pouch -- not in your pocket. If the gun jams because of a magazine fault, where does that leave you?

You need a good holster. You can't expect a gun to be ready if it is just stuffed into your pocket. A good holster makes the gun available for your use. Inside the waistband of your pants, the gun is well concealed. Outside, it is not so well concealed and more comfortable. Also, it can have a thumb strap to ensure the gun can't fall out until you are ready to draw it.

I use both kinds of holsters: for normal use, I carry Inside the Waistband. For hiking and the like, I carry in an outside the waistband holster with a thumbstrap, so the gun won't fall out when I'm scrambling over a rock.

If you carry the gun all the time, give thought to a polymer/plastic/composite frame pistol. or one with an aluminum alloy frame. Some say that they only like steel guns, and I like steel guns, too, but my new 9mm carry gun weighs about the same as my 32 Auto, loaded (although this changes when I insert a fully loaded 18 round magazine). If you are carrying all the time, you don't need the weight of an uncomfortable gun giving you an excuse to leave it behind that day.

Some complain that polymer guns aren't durable -- some are and some aren't, but nobody is going to build a museum for me like Akbar and display my carry gun in 500 years. I seriously doubt that anyone, or more than 0.01% of the folks here would wear out a good polymer frame gun. Remember, it's not about what you like or your friends like: you want a tool to do the job, so select the best tool to do the job.

Ammunition: I would look for Fiocchi or RWS FMJ and forget everything else. But a new box every year and swap out what's in your gun with new. Shoot the old for practice. Fool around with the other junk if it saves you money -- for practice only. Don't skimp on good ammunition. (This subject has been covered on these forums many many times.)

Holster: you need a well-made one that holds the pistol firmly to your body, one that doesn't move around when you go to pull the gun and bring it to ready. PArt of this is the belt: you need a good thick firm leather belt. They remind me a little of a weight lifter's belt, as they hug you and hold the holster and gun firmly. Then, add a good carry pouch for your extra magazine.

My own preference is not to bother with revolvers. They only have 6 rounds (and it's only safe to carry 5 in an IOF) and they are much larger and heavier than some of the 32 Autos available. I have not checked the Taurus models, but for years, Taurus had an association with Smith & Wesson and used similar designs. A number of years ago, Smith and Wesson put an action lock on their revolvers that can be seen as a hole above the cylinder release button. A special wrench is necessary to unlock the gun for use. Trouble is, in handling and carrying, the lock apparently could slip back to the locked position inadvertently, leaving you with a locked gun that you think is ready for use.

I won't have such rubbish!

Some people made plugs to take out the lock and plug the hole, but that can raise liability concerns in that, when you use the gun, afterwards in court, the courts may consider you a person with intent to kill for disabling the safety device. No thanks.

Any Smith & Wesson or gun built on their designs that has this "feature" would be one i would disregard right away. No double action revolver that is properly designed needs an external safety that needs to be manipulated. They are safe right out of the box if they are done right. Colt, for instance, has been building them safe since 1905, which is one reason why I like them. But for self defense, I would pass a revolver for a pistol.

Make up your own mind in relation to your needs, but you must determine yourself that the gun you buy is reliable. Some of these new ones look a bit scary!

Practice is then your most important task.

[Saksham]

Hello everyone,

I’m looking for some advice regarding obtaining a handgun license in Uttar Pradesh and choosing the best handgun for concealed carry. Here's a detailed overview of my situation:

Background:

I currently hold a valid license for a 12-gauge shotgun, which I inherited from my father due to his old age. While the shotgun is useful for home defense, it is highly impractical for daily self-defense. It is difficult to carry, cannot be concealed, and is not suitable for use in sudden, unexpected situations.

My need for a more practical self-defense weapon arises from a long-standing land dispute that has put my life at risk multiple times:

1. The 1986 Murder Case:

In 1986, my brother and mother were murdered over a land dispute with individuals from a rival group. Despite the heinous nature of the crime, the accused were released on bail long ago. Since then, the murder case has been dragging on in the Allahabad High Court, leaving us with no justice even after decades.

The accused continue to roam free, and their presence is a constant source of threat to my family.



2. Recent Threats and Land Infiltration:

About two years ago, the same individuals tried to illegally occupy our land again, reigniting the dispute and escalating tensions.

I filed complaints and took legal action, and the matter is now being heard in the SDM court. However, the threats to my safety persist, especially when I travel or attend court hearings.




Given this history of violence and the ongoing danger, I feel the need to carry a reliable self-defense weapon at all times.

Why a Handgun?

A handgun is compact, portable, and much easier to conceal and carry compared to a shotgun. It offers quick access in emergencies and is ideal for self-defense in situations where I may need to protect myself from sudden attacks.

Questions for the Community:

1. Will My Case Support My License Application?
Considering the history of the 1986 murder, the recent infiltration attempt, and the ongoing legal disputes, do you think these factors will strengthen my case for obtaining a handgun license?


2. Best Caliber for Self-Defense:

I’m leaning towards a .32 caliber handgun due to its balance of stopping power, low recoil, and ease of concealment. Do you agree with this choice, or would you suggest another caliber for self-defense?



3. Is Webley a Good Option?

I’m particularly interested in the Webley Fox .32 pistol. I’ve heard it’s a reliable, high-quality handgun with a long-standing reputation.

For those who have experience with it, how does it perform in terms of reliability, durability, and maintenance? Would it be a good fit for my needs?

Are there any alternative handguns in the same caliber that are better suited for concealed carry and self-defense?




Additional Context:

I need a weapon that I can carry daily and rely on for self-defense in dangerous situations.

Any tips on navigating the licensing process or advice on strengthening my application would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you in advance for your insights and recommendations!

Best regards,
Deependra Chaudhary

Hi Deependra Ji, could you please share your experience of getting the arms license under family heirloom category in U.P? When did you get it? How was the process and how much time did it take? Thank you