Big or Not So Big???

[Chickenman]

Is there a source to research armed exchanges and learn more about the lethality of different calibers. There has to be a way to make an informed decision on what to carry that gives a person the most advantage when either surprised or in a semi controlled response to a threat. Questions:

Does the first shot generally decide the outcome of the confrontation?

Would your first shot be your best shot?

If not, wouldn't the importance of a big bullet shift to a smaller more controllable weapon for follow-on shots?

Then shift to round capacity?

Does a weapon that can be hidden in a pocket not offer an advantage since a person could grasp the weapon early in a threat situation and closer to call situations without provoking and armed conflict?

Is a smaller frame an advantage in a carjack situation?

In most shootings wouldn't the ranges be a wash on the accuracy comparisons?

Well I just completed CHL course and I have a lot of time to think about this. I have a lot of experience with 1911's and I find that this would be heavy to carry. I almost bought a .40 S&W H&K USP Compact yesterday at a gunshow in Pasedena but stopped and asked myself how controlable is a fine weapon that weighs 1.6 pounds.

Old topic and everbody has an opinion and I am afraid I have always believed bigger is better. As I get older I think it is what ever you can controll and place well.

Last question: What caliber if you had to choose one smaller than a 9mm would you carry?

[seamusTX]

All these questions have been debated for 150 years. There's no "right" answer. People have been killed by one shot from a .22, and they have survived multiple rifle rounds. You just have to do as much reading as you can and maybe shoot some water jugs and phone books.

- Jim

[Charles L. Cotton]

Is there a source to research armed exchanges and learn more about the lethality of different calibers. There has to be a way to make an informed decision on what to carry that gives a person the most advantage when either surprised or in a semi controlled response to a threat. Questions:

Does the first shot generally decide the outcome of the confrontation?

Would your first shot be your best shot?

If not, wouldn't the importance of a big bullet shift to a smaller more controllable weapon for follow-on shots?

Then shift to round capacity?

Does a weapon that can be hidden in a pocket not offer an advantage since a person could grasp the weapon early in a threat situation and closer to call situations without provoking and armed conflict?

Is a smaller frame an advantage in a carjack situation?

In most shootings wouldn't the ranges be a wash on the accuracy comparisons?

Well I just completed CHL course and I have a lot of time to think about this. I have a lot of experience with 1911's and I find that this would be heavy to carry. I almost bought a .40 S&W H&K USP Compact yesterday at a gunshow in Pasedena but stopped and asked myself how controlable is a fine weapon that weighs 1.6 pounds.

Old topic and everbody has an opinion and I am afraid I have always believed bigger is better. As I get older I think it is what ever you can controll and place well.

Last question: What caliber if you had to choose one smaller than a 9mm would you carry?

Research and experiments have been done on the issue of "stopping power" but they are fraught with controversy about methods of testing or including/excluding data. As a very general statement, I still believe "bigger is better," but my opinion is no more accurate than anyone else's. In spite of the controversy that surrounds the Marshall & Sanow compilation Handgun Stopping Power, I still think it has value. Is it the definitive "study?" No, of course not. But there is a good bit of anecdotal information that is at least as useful as opinions offered by people who have been in no gunfights, or perhaps one or two. The publication is somewhat dated now, as we have a good bit of information about the . 40 S&W round, and to a lesser degree, the .357 SIG. I think the .40 S&W has proven itself to be a very good defensive round, but I don't know much about .359 SIG. I will say this about .357 SIG; the ballistics are slightly less favorable than a .38 Super loaded to SSAMI specs., so I would be hard-put to chose one over a .38 Super. As Jim said, this debate has raged for over a century and it will continue long after I'm gone! Stick with your 1911, but get a new lightweight Colt Commander and I think you'll be fine. That's where your experience is anyway, so you may as well make use of it.

Chas.

[DoubleJ]

Is there a source to research armed exchanges and learn more about the lethality of different calibers. There has to be a way to make an informed decision on what to carry that gives a person the most advantage when either surprised or in a semi controlled response to a threat.
Old topic and everbody has an opinion and I am afraid I have always believed bigger is better. As I get older I think it is what ever you can controll and place well.

Questions:
Does the first shot generally decide the outcome of the confrontation?

Would your first shot be your best shot?

If not, wouldn't the importance of a big bullet shift to a smaller more controllable weapon for follow-on shots?

Then shift to round capacity?

Does a weapon that can be hidden in a pocket not offer an advantage since a person could grasp the weapon early in a threat situation and closer to call situations without provoking and armed conflict?

Is a smaller frame an advantage in a carjack situation?

In most shootings wouldn't the ranges be a wash on the accuracy comparisons?

Well I just completed CHL course and I have a lot of time to think about this. I have a lot of experience with 1911's and I find that this would be heavy to carry. I almost bought a .40 S&W H&K USP Compact yesterday at a gunshow in Pasedena but stopped and asked myself how controlable is a fine weapon that weighs 1.6 pounds.

Last question: What caliber if you had to choose one smaller than a 9mm would you carry?

A1: From what I've read, yes, it's the first "few" shots that make the difference, as in not just one, but the first string of shots. but, there ARE accounts of reloads and the what-not, but I lean to the top half of my magazine (or cylinder) being the ones most likely to find flight.

A2: from the things I've read, the first shot may or may not be your best shot (accuracy minded), but it is the one that gets you "into the fight" (and by that, I mean it gets you out of victim, and into active participant). if all you get is that one shot, you want to make it count, but I'm not betting on just one shot.

A3: Not necessarily. if you practice with a "big bore" to the point where you are proficient, then going smaller doesn't seem to be the answer for this particular question. it MAY be the answer for a different question, however.

A4: the way I look at round capacity is this: whatever gun I may have on me that particular day, I want IT to have as many rounds in it that it will hold. my JFrame only holds 5, so it gets all five. my Beretta holds 17+1, so it gets'em all. now, as far as carrying speedloaders, spare mags... well, the old adage is 1 is none, 2 is 1... but that's your decision. me, I like a spare (whether that's a speedloader, or magazine).

A5: for certain circumstances, I'd say sure. but it's the same deal no matter what you carry, you can't pull it till you need it (for the most part, there's always exceptions yadda yadda). practice drawing from whatever holster you're wearing and you'll find what works for you. from my experiences, dress dictates more about how you carry then anything else!

A6: I think if you're getting carjacked, whatever you can get to in a heartbeat (and I believe it needs to be that fast) is the advantage. a JFrame in your pocket, sitting down, strapped in... probably not going help ya much. but the full size frame in your center console that you can get to instantly, well, there ya go!

A7: I have no idea on this one. I think it comes down to your training. whether it's retention shooting, or two handed, sight picture shooting, if you've practiced it, you'll probably come through with it.

A8: I wouldn't buy anything unless I'd had a chance to shoot it. course that's a perfect world thing, too. you have a chance now to go check one out, then see what you think about it.

A9: I wouldn't. .380ACP is an okay caliber, but it costs more than 9mm. me, I'd stay with 9mm or up. but that's just me.

all of this falls under the disclaimer of IMO, YMMV, IIRC IANAL.