Posted on 04/26/2010 7:56:18 AM PDT by SnakeDoctor
Shot placement beats caliber.
How about a Ruger LCP380? I’m thinking of getting it for my CW.
I looked up the HK USP and one version comes in auto and the other in acp.
Now I’m going to make a recomendation that will get me flamed, but it is a gun that is becoming common with those whose shooting skills I immensely respect.
The Bond Arms .45/410 two shot derringer.
The load for the .410 is not bird shot, but buck shot for a defensive scenario. Six wound channels per shot or if you get the sightly longer barrel 8. Hard to survive
It fits in your pocket and can be drawn more rapidly than one that is in an inside the belt holster.
For a third of the price you can get different barrels, 22LR through .45 cal only.
This is the one I am going to get.
It is highly recommended by people who really know their pistols.
But it’s not a good idea for someone who wants to learn to shoot.
.45ACP is the early name for .45 Auto. The other gun companies besides Colt didn’t like using the name. There’s no current American ammunition box labeled .45ACP unless it’s a specialty company.
2400 fps? Not. 22LR out of a short barrelled pistol or revolver will only make maybe 1000-1100 at max. HV and Hyper vel 22LRs only get about 1600 fps max from a rifle.
Will they suffice for personal defense? Sure, but there are much better choices. However, having a gun, even a minimal gun is better than not havng your ultra mega stomper...
Of all the guns you listed, the Glock 19 is the most appropriate for an “all around” handgun. The USP is a nice pistol, but far too large for concealed carry. If you want one, by all means get it, but don’t get it because you trhink you can carry it comfortably. It wasn’t intended for concealed carry.
Concealed carry 1911s are very nice, but they’re light, small and not much fun to shoot due to recoil. I love my Sigs, but I rarely carry them concealed. They’re too big, and the P229 is one of the heavier models.
I personally have no use for the Walther P99. If you really want one, get a Smith and Wesson SW99. It’s the same gun, made under license, and cheap. If you like Walther, take a look at the PPS. It’s extremely light and thin, excellent for concealed carry. It is also not a chore to practice with it in .40 caliber, which brings me to another good carry gun. Take a look at the Kahr P-9. The full size one is an accurate pistol, good shooter, and also very thin. The PM-9 takes some practice to master its rather stout recoil. The .40 caliber versions of these guns are, IMO, torture to shoot. I was offered an almost new P-40 at half the retail price. I shot five rounds through it and said, “No way.” For some reason, recoil is significantly harder than the 9mm versions.
You might also look at the Glock 26 and 27. The .40 caliber G-27 is another one with recoil issues, and it takes some practice to ensure that it doesn’t jam. This practice will not be fun. The 9mm is noticeably easier to control and more reliable. I know quite a few people who carry the mid size Glocks, either the 19 or the .40 caliber G-23. They’re light, relatively thin, and fairly comfortable for all day carry.
They’re also relatively inexpensive. If you’re going to carry it, you’re going to beat on it. It is something to think about. Will it bother you that a $1,000 handgun is getting beat up as you carry it?
Big difference between LAPD SWAT, the USMC (I respect the hell out of them) and units that have the discretion to get whatever they want for the mission.
I chose SIG Sauer at first because of the comfortable grip of the gun for me. I then discovered just how accurate and reliable the SIG handguns are. I’ve shot just about every brand and variation of handgun in existance. I own HK’s, SIG’s, various 1911’s, IMI Eagles, Rugers, S&W, Taurus, and others.
If I have to choose a handgun to defend my daughters life, I’m picking the SIG hands down every time. I’ve shot well over 100,000 rounds of handgun ammunition in my life time.
The only other gun I would pick would be a good 1911 that hasn’t been turned into a race wanna be gun. I have a Springfield 1911A1 dating back decades that rattles like you wouldn’t believe when you shake it. It has never jammed on me and will eat any ammo. I did give it a ramp and throat job and I tweaked the trigger. Other than that, it’s never been reworked.
Don’t take my word for it though, go shoot a SIG before buying anything. If you’re in or near the eastern panhandle of WV, give me a shout, I can be reached at the website on my tagline. I’ll let you shoot my SIG’s.
I was thinlking of .45 auto rim. You’re right.
I agree with all your points. I just find it hard to convince someone not well trained that a small mag of .45 rounds will do the trick better than lots of 9mms once you can place your shots well under pressure.
It can shoot anything from powderpuff .38 Special HBWC loads that your Grandmother or Grandaughter would love to full house 180 gr H110 Express loads that will knock your socks off, literally.
Do not, by any means, discount the .357 Magnum revolver or any revolver for concealed carry.
Okay for a backup gun but not practical for a first choice.
Jumping on the 9mm bandwagon in the 1980’s resulted in this out come for the FBI In Miami in 1986....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_FBI_Miami_shootout
Having high capacity handguns, even in the hands of trained LEO’s cannot make up for a weapon’s basic lack of stopping power..... the .45 ACP has a 100 year history of more than adequate stopping power....I don’t argue with success...
The Marines have had a long standing program of rebuilding their mothballed Colt 1911-A1s into a so called SOC Pistol that is very popular with the rank and file Marine...the standard issue 9mm Berettas do not enjoy a very high reputation in combat situations...
As with any weapon it achieves it best effectiveness through constant practice, including reloading the pistol quickly while under duress....I am well practiced, and have the additional advantage of being a natural marksman.....
(I’m old too.... so I am twice as dangerous...LOLOLOLOLOL)
Most close combat situations involving a pistol are over very quickly...less that 3 sec....and at very close range often 8-10 feet....I like the advantage of 1 shot knock down that the .45 ACP gives...
Still the best weapon is the one you can shoot well.....
“I just find it hard to convince someone not well trained that a small mag of .45 rounds will do the trick better than lots of 9mms once you can place your shots well under pressure.”
Have ‘em shoot a watermelon with both a 9mm and a .45 ACP
They’ll understand the that point very quickly... LOLOLOLOLOL
Yeah about 20 years of constant exposure to UV light can cause degradation to plastics. Most guns spend lots of time in the dark so their exposure to UV light would never come close to long enough to affect their structural integrity. Not a very good argument at all.
i’m working on it!
its on my list of guns to buy. but first i need a s&w 627 Vcomp, a FiveseveN, something in .338 lapua, a flat top AR, an STI in .38 super.. THEN i can get more collector guns- like the colt. it’ll go in the good safe with my 1894 and my mcgivern series model 15.
Yes, having a gun and displaying the fact you have a gun stops most crimes in their tracks. My point was a .22 has little recoil. An inexperienced shooter is going to empty the magazine (likely) in the event they have to use the handgun in defense. I would rather they have 8 shots in a tight circle than one shot and then 5 or 6 spread wildly from the recoil, especially when the larger handgun is in the hands of a woman not fully trained for the recoil and how to handle it in a moment of panic. Also, the Walther P22 is easily carried & dependable.
Points to consider.any defense handguns in the late 1800s were 22 cal and were quite useful.
I just like the big calibres.
My Glock 17 is at least a quarter century old and I am not aware of any differences in the polymer.
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