MAgic bullet? Magic caliber? Magic gun? You know the answer.

IDPA Club member | May 4th 2006 | Irv Lehman

[ExSoldier]

Irv is sort of a club mentor and I take his words very seriously. He's been around longer than I and that almost qualifies him to the title of Old Fart. This is a cogent, well presented essay done by an older guy who's been around the block. Well....Older than me, anyway. I'll be 49 next week. I enjoyed this and I hope you do too.

BTW, I added the 40S&W to his self defense list since the omission, I believe was an oversight. I tagged on the 45GAP as an example. Those are the only changes. All emphasis is mine, however.

[dangerdoc]

bump

[ßuddaßudd]

mark for later reading. . .

[ExSoldier]

Ping your gun lists, this is a pretty good statement of opinion with which I largely agree.

[Rodney King]

My opinion is that the .40S&W is a good intermediate choice. Personally, I prefer the .45 in a 1911 frame. However, if one is not comfortable with the size of the weapon for concealed carry, or perhaps if one has small hands, there are a lot of smaller guns availabe in the .40S&W which is a significantly more powerful cartridge than the 9mm.

[joesnuffy]

I think the decision is pretty much been made in favor of HKs
USP varient....45 ACP

[claudiustg]

How about 357 SIG?

[ExSoldier]

I think 357Sig is clumped in with the others like the 45GAP. Did mention 357 magnum and the 357 Sig is often favorably compared....

[theFIRMbss]

>MAgic bullet?

Metal Storm's fully loaded barrel tubes are essentially serviceable weapons, without the traditional ammunition feed or ejection system, breech opening or any other moving parts. ... The company has invented a ballistics technology that has no known conventional equivalent. Metal Storm is working with government agencies and departments, as well as industry, to develop a variety of systems utilising the Metal Storm non-mechanical, electronically fired stacked ammunition system. Metal Storm barrels can be effectively grouped in multiple configurations to meet a diversity of military and commercial applications. The company's focus on internal development in the past 12 months has been focused principally on 40mm and 9mm calibre areas. Applications for Metal Storm technology in these areas include 40mm caliber applications for unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In the last 12 months Metal Storm has conducted demonstration firings from both UGV and UAV robotic platforms. Metal Storm enabling technology is also central to the development of a 9mm personalized handgun and an individual combat weapon. Metal Storm weapons are digital, lightweight and being multi barreled provide for a choice of munition options. Importantly the weapons are all capable of local or remote operation through a computerized fire control system.

[joesnuffy]

Gold Dots loaded to Mike McNett's Double Tap Ammo specs....

[Gefreiter]

I don't have alot of handgun experience, but I found the .40 to be a little too...snappy for my liking. I believe I was shooting 180 grain (185?) Winchester .40. I find 230 grain .45 a little easier for some reason.

Although I wonder if I had mag problems. I bought a used Sig P220 (cop trade-in) but over 200 rounds had 2 or 3 failure to feed problems.

[OXENinFLA]

Many of us will find that we can shoot the 9 MM quicker and more accurately than the .45.

I shot with better accuracy with my Glock 30, a .45, than I do with my Glock 34, a 9mm.

I don't think it's cause the G30 is a .45 but that the G30 is a very accurate gun.

Most Glock owners that have one will say it's a nail driver.

[ExSoldier]

I flat out LOVE my 45 USP standard (full size) version. I carry it regularly. But I'm also looking at a Sig P229 in 40 with the SAS finish and DAK trigger. I also like the new H&K (H&K45) that is supposed to replace the M9 for our military. This months SHOTGUN NEWS has a pic and a report.

I got my USP about six months ago. Was told by my buddy (retired SF 05) that if he could take one handgun straight from the box to war, it'd be the USP45. So I decided to test this assertion.

With only the factory lube I went out and started to shoot the gun at matches. I was going to run it until I experienced some form of malfunction before I cleaned or lubed the gun. Two THOUSAND ROUNDS later and no jams...I had to break down and clean her up because I felt like I was showing disrespect to a fine firearm. I have to agree, H&K USP rules.

[OXENinFLA]

I shot = I shoot

Oops forgot an o

[Graycliff]

Carried several weapons over my 22 years with the Sheriffs Office. Started with a 4 inch Model 19, then bought a 4 inch Python, then went to a Colt 1911, my last weapon was a 220 Sig. Since i retired it seems my old 4 inch 19 is most likely to be the weapon, you'll find in my truck. You just can't beat it's power and reliability. In my opinion.

[brazzaville]

Good morning.

While I agree with most of what Irv says, I would use a pellet gun if that was what I had available and a rock if necessary.

My choice, though, is a 1911 in .45 with a Makarov 9x18mm backup. There's a .45 caliber Sig waiting in the future and I'm hoping for a phaser.

Michael Frazier

[saganite]

Do some checking on the sigs before you commit. I've read some info about reliability problems there.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I've been on a serious .38 Super binge recently. With a proper bullet it's a great round.

[saganite]

I watched a program on discovery channel last night (I think the name is "Future Weapons" with a former Navy Seal narrating) and there was a segment on metal storm. It has awesome firepower. It's probably going to obsolete current gun technology.

[HipShot]

Don't forget us old wheel gun types. A 5" stainless S&W .357 loaded with 158 grain SJHPs is my favorite medicine.

I freely admit that the .45 has proved itself superior repeatedly, but there's an intangible comfort and familiarity that evades description.