This is me totally.
I don't have just 1 in the carry rotation, I have 7.
With the exception of the G23 and M&P 40, they're all completely different.
I don't have just 1 in the carry rotation, I have 7.
With the exception of the G23 and M&P 40, they're all completely different.
I’ve really enjoyed the discussion so far! Good stuff guys!
I am what most of y’all would call a “newer” shooter. Been hunting and shooting most of my life, but didn’t get into the CCW mindset or defensive carry mindset until about 6-7 years ago I’d guess. So most of my “experience” is second hand or from my limited time in training classes and personal trial and error.
I’ll also admit to being somewhat contrary in my carry choices. My favorite self defense rounds are .357 or .45acp. My favorite firearms to shoot are 1911s. And I absolutely adore wheel guns for their accuracy and class.
But...I carry a double stack 9mm. Have since the beginning. When I started carrying I also started doing shooting competitions, so I shoot 9mm more than any other round and the platforms I competed with were often the same, or close to what I was carrying.
I also recognize that the vast majority of self defense shootings are done with just a handful of rounds...rarely over 5...but I see the world changing more and more. The police changed from 6 shooters to wonder mines because the criminal element changed. More and more these days we hear of multiple attackers, flash mobs, terrorist attacks and so forth. So while I know the chance of me ever being involved in those is statistically negligible, the possibility of it happening at all is a statistical certainty for someone.
But as to reliability, I agree with the main premise that when you choose to carry a firearm for defensive purposes you should shoot it enough to prove its reliability. The standard for reliability varies from person to person, and you only have yourself to answer for it. For me, it is consistently being able to cycle 100 rounds minimum each range trip without malfunction. Regardless of what I am going to the range to shoot, I always try to run at least that much through my carry piece to ensure it is still functioning and there are no maintenance issues. I personally think stress tests of thousands of rounds are impressive, but I don’t find them overly pertinent.
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I am what most of y’all would call a “newer” shooter. Been hunting and shooting most of my life, but didn’t get into the CCW mindset or defensive carry mindset until about 6-7 years ago I’d guess. So most of my “experience” is second hand or from my limited time in training classes and personal trial and error.
I’ll also admit to being somewhat contrary in my carry choices. My favorite self defense rounds are .357 or .45acp. My favorite firearms to shoot are 1911s. And I absolutely adore wheel guns for their accuracy and class.
But...I carry a double stack 9mm. Have since the beginning. When I started carrying I also started doing shooting competitions, so I shoot 9mm more than any other round and the platforms I competed with were often the same, or close to what I was carrying.
I also recognize that the vast majority of self defense shootings are done with just a handful of rounds...rarely over 5...but I see the world changing more and more. The police changed from 6 shooters to wonder mines because the criminal element changed. More and more these days we hear of multiple attackers, flash mobs, terrorist attacks and so forth. So while I know the chance of me ever being involved in those is statistically negligible, the possibility of it happening at all is a statistical certainty for someone.
But as to reliability, I agree with the main premise that when you choose to carry a firearm for defensive purposes you should shoot it enough to prove its reliability. The standard for reliability varies from person to person, and you only have yourself to answer for it. For me, it is consistently being able to cycle 100 rounds minimum each range trip without malfunction. Regardless of what I am going to the range to shoot, I always try to run at least that much through my carry piece to ensure it is still functioning and there are no maintenance issues. I personally think stress tests of thousands of rounds are impressive, but I don’t find them overly pertinent.
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Little guns are finicky.
Thankfully the P3AT Keltec I have has never missed a beat. Nasty gun to shoot. It's in the pocket holster in my cargo shorts in the summer.
Thankfully the P3AT Keltec I have has never missed a beat. Nasty gun to shoot. It's in the pocket holster in my cargo shorts in the summer.
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At one point the baby ME spoke up and opined, using the old saw; "....all handgun rounds are basically the same...". The senior ME shot him a look. Yes, THAT look. And told him; "Obviously you have never done or been present on an autopsy involving 357 Magnum or 45 acp GSWs. And you evidently have a poor understanding of physics as well." OUCH!Regards 18DAI
Well, with the leaps and bounds of improvements made to handgun ammunition, the baby ME’s statement was just slightly before it’s time.
Doesn’t matter if you carry a 9mm, a .40, or a .45, just carry quality ammo. Results, assuming identical shot placement, will largely be identical. And that’s based on wound evidence.
Calibers like .357 and 10mm are likely in a slightly higher category...not as good as a rifle but better than the 3 more common calibers mentioned, but the data I was reading provided by a trauma surgeon didn’t go into detail about them
Ah, but they were still failures. Just sayin'
Very true. The same type of bad ammo may have caused a failure in an autoloader also. The point is that a failure generally seems to be easier to clear in an autoloader than it is in a revolver
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Oh, yeah, I agree. I was just saying that if you pull the trigger and it doesn't go bang, for whatever reason, you have to have an immediate action plan. Whether it's a failure drill or transition to another weapon or duck and run. I remember the first time I had a gun go "click" during a match, long ago. I stood there looking at the gun, thinking, "What happened?" Another voice in my head was screaming, "You just died, staring at your gun!" I trained myself out of that.
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Yes........I saw Taurus Revolver bind. You might go through 3 cylinders with no problems and then......every other shot it would bind. You had to release the cylinder, rotate it and then it might work for a bit, it might not.
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Of course shot placement trumps all. But, the laws of physics are immutable.
Prior to the recent declaration of 9mm being deadly again, by the Famous But Incompetent, I can't recall anyone who went armed for a living carrying a 9mm - other than as a BUG/off duty or court gun. We all had issued 40s or personally owned 45s off the approved list.
Then again, we also had other requirements that had to be met that have been done away with so that new officers can still be hired. And it can be VERY difficult to get a 5 foot nothing individual with small hands to shoot a qualifying score of 70 with a full size duty pistol chambered in 40 or 45. Especially with no money budgeted for firearms training. But I digress.
I will point out that not too long ago, the LAPD METRO division, which includes RHD, SWAT AND SIS - all units charged with persuing armed felons - were all armed with 45 caliber handguns. And today, 45s are the only sidearms authorized for LAPD SWAT and SIS.
Also keep in mind, when the ammunition companies upgrade the design of one of their rounds - they upgrade ALL of their rounds.
Carry whatever you shoot best and can get a fast accurate hit with AND a fast accurate follow up shot. I am not disparaging the 9mm. I can occasionally be found with a 9mm on. Especially when it is hot and miserable and I am tired from working 70 hours in 4 days.
But on my partime job, where I am statistically most likely to engage in social gunfire, due to location and having a commodity desired by miscreants who are unable to obtain it legally, I will be carrying a 45 caliber handgun. Because it kills bugs dead. My 0.02 Regards 18DAI
Prior to the recent declaration of 9mm being deadly again, by the Famous But Incompetent, I can't recall anyone who went armed for a living carrying a 9mm - other than as a BUG/off duty or court gun. We all had issued 40s or personally owned 45s off the approved list.
Then again, we also had other requirements that had to be met that have been done away with so that new officers can still be hired. And it can be VERY difficult to get a 5 foot nothing individual with small hands to shoot a qualifying score of 70 with a full size duty pistol chambered in 40 or 45. Especially with no money budgeted for firearms training. But I digress.
I will point out that not too long ago, the LAPD METRO division, which includes RHD, SWAT AND SIS - all units charged with persuing armed felons - were all armed with 45 caliber handguns. And today, 45s are the only sidearms authorized for LAPD SWAT and SIS.
Also keep in mind, when the ammunition companies upgrade the design of one of their rounds - they upgrade ALL of their rounds.
Carry whatever you shoot best and can get a fast accurate hit with AND a fast accurate follow up shot. I am not disparaging the 9mm. I can occasionally be found with a 9mm on. Especially when it is hot and miserable and I am tired from working 70 hours in 4 days.
But on my partime job, where I am statistically most likely to engage in social gunfire, due to location and having a commodity desired by miscreants who are unable to obtain it legally, I will be carrying a 45 caliber handgun. Because it kills bugs dead. My 0.02 Regards 18DAI
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Yes Jeppo. I was on duty last night. So I should have typed slower.
I meant to say LOCALLY. Particularly, the last ten years I spent in Rockingham County. Which isn't the end of the world, but you can see it from there. Regards 18DAI
I meant to say LOCALLY. Particularly, the last ten years I spent in Rockingham County. Which isn't the end of the world, but you can see it from there.
Regards 18DAI
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How did that workout for them.
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Well, the first example helped turn Illinois into the bastion of freedom and transparency it is today. Unfortunately, the second and third examples demonstrated their abilities too many times.How did that workout for them.
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As are MANY others out there Tim. And many of those are also carried with empty chambers.
You know, cause its dangerous! Regards 18DAI
And many of those are also carried with empty chambers.You know, cause its dangerous! Regards 18DAI
I forgot about the Taurus Judge I had. It never worked correctly even after two trips back to Taurus and one to a local gunsmith. I gave it away to someone I did not like. The trigger would not reset, the cylinder would bind, and it would rarely fire double action.
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Well, the first example helped turn Illinois into the bastion of freedom and transparency it is today. Unfortunately, the second and third examples demonstrated their abilities too many times.
Yes they did, but ultimately lost to the USA.
I try to defer to Jim Higginbotham's decree.....we must all find our own salvation. No matter what platform I choose for the day, I never feel undergunned or undermanned.