The Personal Protection Handgun

[Texasdoc]

This from the weekly news letter from USCCA

The Personal Protection Handgun I believe that it was Clint Smith of Thunder Ranch who said the purpose of a handgun was to fight your way to your rifle. The handgun is a defensive firearm. We carry them because they are light, portable and concealable. We carry them because we can't always carry a rifle or shotgun. If I knew I was going to have to fight for my life, I wouldn't choose to arm myself with only a handgun. I would however want to have one (or maybe two) as a backup to my long gun. Like many who have made their living with gun and badge, I choose to go armed all day, every day. This means that my choice of handguns might very well be one of the most important decisions that I ever make.

So how do we choose from the plethora handguns on today's market? Maybe we can narrow the options by setting some basic criteria. First and foremost our handgun must be totally reliable. It must go bang every time we pull the trigger - period! Second, it must possess enough stopping power for the job at hand. While all handgun calibers are poor man stoppers, I would highly recommend using the largest caliber that you can shoot well. I also would limit our selection to 9mm / .38spl or larger. The one exception would be a .380 that is carried as a backup gun. The third issue is the size of the weapon it self. While small guns are easier to conceal, they are harder to shoot well. Larger handguns are generally easier to shoot, but harder to conceal.

I've had the privilege of teaching thousands of people - police, military and civilians how to shoot. After all that time on the range, I can tell you unequivocally which handgun is the most reliable and the easiest for most shooter to shoot well. It's the Glock - period. There is a reason that over 70% of the law enforcement agencies in the U. S. issue Glocks. They just plain work!

When I start a new shooter out, I always start them with a Glock 19. The mid-sized gun fits most people well and the 9mm is extremely user friendly. I have never had a student that could not learn to shoot a Glock 19 reasonably well. If the recoil isn't an issue, move up to a .40 S&W or better yet a .45. There is an old saying, "A 9mm might expand, but a .45 will never shrink!"

My perfect combination for the shooter with average to medium skill at arms is different then what I would recommend for the shooter who has the desire to put in the time and effort to bring their skills up to a higher level. For the average shooter, military (if a choice is available), law enforcement or civilian my recommendation would be this. A trio of Glocks, preferably in .40 S&W. The full size Glock 22 makes a perfect duty or tactical gun as well as a great home defense gun. Add a SureFire X300 light to the guns light rail and a Crimson Trace laser sight to the grip and you have one of the world's best fighting handguns. For off-duty or concealed carry, the mid-sized Glock 23 fits the bill perfectly. For backup or when deeper concealment is needed, the sub-compact Glock 27 is the ideal size. My three Glocks are always loaded with Federal 180 grain HSTs. The HST is an improved version of Federal's outstanding Hydra-Shok ammunition. One of the advantages of this Glock trio is that you can use the full size, G22 magazines in all three size guns!

For the shooter willing to put in the extra time and effort, I strongly believe that the best handgun platform is John Moses Browning's 1911 in .45 ACP. I've carried one almost every day of my life since I was first issued one as an Army MP in 1977. 1911s have come a long way since then. How does one sort through all the guns and modifications that are available today? Hopefully by learning from the mistakes of others rather than making the same mistakes as those who have gone before. While it applies to most firearms, in seems to pertain to the 1911 more than most - the guns that seem to work best are the ones with the least amount of "tinkering" done to them.

Once again, after over 30 years of playing with 1911s and being involved in a couple of shootings with them, I've developed some strong opinions as to what works best. As with the Glocks, I've distilled my primary carry guns down to three 1911s, all different sizes.

In the duty gun, tactical gun, home defense role, I've selected the Springfield Armory MC Operator as my "ultimate" choice. The 5" two tone 1911 rail gun is equipped right out of the box with almost everything that I think you need with nothing extra. Between the night sights, a SureFire X300 on the light rail and the Crimson Trace laser grips that I added, the MC operator is ready for duty in any environment, day or night. Both of the MC Operators that I've owned have functioned flawlessly with the Wilson Combat 8 round magazines that I use in all my 1911s. The accuracy had been nothing less than phenomenal. Whether as a backup to my AR-15 carried in a Safariland 6004 leg drop holster or on the night stand next to my cell phone and SureFire tactical light, the MC operator fills it's role superbly.

For day to day carry over the past several years, I have been extremely pleased with my Kimber Tactical Pro II. This 4" 1911 is built on an aluminum frame that offers substantial weight savings when that gun is carried all day every day. Once again the night sights and Crimson Trace Laser Grips make this gun a good tool for low-light situations. My Kimber has been utterly reliable and just as accurate as any 5" 1911 I've ever owned. The smaller size and lighter weight give up nothing over a full sized 1911, yet the gun is more concealable and easier to carry. This translates to carrying this full power .45 at times that might otherwise call for a smaller gun / caliber combination. If I had to select just one handgun to own and carry it would be the Kimber Tactical Pro II - hands down.

My backup 1911 has been with me a long, long time. In this day of mini versions of every major handgun model on the market, many aren't aware of the gun that started it all. Since 1980 I have carried an original Detonics Combat Master 1911. This gun is the original chopped and channeled 1911. The stainless steel version that I own has seen duty as my backup gun in a shoulder holster when I worked uniformed patrol. It was my regular sidearm when I worked in plain clothes in the Detective Bureau and spent many hours on my side while off duty. This gun has been as reliable as any full sized 1911, which has been a major concern with mini 1911s. The good news is that Detonics is back on the market after many years of unavailability. Not only that, but the new guns are even better than the originals!

With the exception of one original short magazine in my Detonics, I use nothing but Wilson combat 8 round magazines in my 1911s. Even while carrying my Detonics, the two extra mags on my hip are Wilson 8 rounders. The Wilson magazines are loaded with Federals 230 +P HST hollow points. While the original Hydra-Shoks were good, they sometimes failed to expand after penetrating heavy clothing or wall board, The newer HST loads from Federal have solved these problems. I highly recommend them. The only other load I would consider carrying in my 1911s is CorBon's DPX. This outstanding load takes pistol ballistics and penetration to the next level.

So there you have it. My 30 years of experience whittled down to 4,114 words. The guns listed, customized as described are what I consider to be my "ultimate tactical firearms". I hope that you have found this useful in you quest for your own "ultimate" tactical tools.

[Deaf Smith]

I just carry a Glock.... NY-1 trigger with 3.5 lb connecter. Gives a strait DA 7 lb pull. Usually a Glock 26 or 27.

Over the many years I've found LOTS of guns that look good, but malfunction. That is why I ended up with Glocks.

For summer I do rely on a J frame .38, but then I shoot that alot as well as a .22 version of the same gun.

Does that mean other guns are no good or sub-standard? No. I've got Sigs, Colts, Smiths, Rugers, and the Russian Makarov.

Lots of good guns out there now.

The Glock though is so simple to not only operate but to clean and totaly disassemble that I just decided it would be the one. And it's easy to hit with.

Plus as Tommy Lee Jones says, "it works every time".

[DoubleJ]

cause, you know, GoldDots are dook. nothing good about them.
Guess Federal Ammunition paid this dude for his time...

[casingpoint]

Gold Dots are dook, nothing good about them

Yes, perfect expansion in an imperfect world. Can't be right.

[WarHawk-AVG]

I'm a 1911 kinda guy..but ever see this Glock 21 Torture Test

This guy has beaten the bejesus out of his Glock trying to tear it up..it keeps on keepin on!

If that doesn't show its reliable nothing will

I would LOVE to have a Glock (I have never held or fired one EVER) in 9mm

[lrb111]

The good news is that Detonics is back on the market after many years of unavailability. Not only that, but the new guns are even better than the originals!

Why do I feel like my wallet was just took a hit?

[Skiprr]

I'm a 1911 kinda guy.

Me too. It's the caliber and the trigger and the accuracy. But the last couple of training courses I've taken that required 500+ rounds per day, I shot a Glock.

I would LOVE to have a Glock (I have never held or fired one EVER) in 9mm.

March 22, Pearland Sportsman Club. IDPA match. Sign-in at 8:00 a.m. I'll let you shoot my Glock 35. It's a .40, not a 9mm, but I'll provide ammo. Comp-tac OWB holster and mag carriers included in the loan. But you gotta give everything back.

[Mike1951]

by lrb111 on Fri Mar 07, 2008 8:39 pm

Texasdoc wrote:
The good news is that Detonics is back on the market after many years of unavailability. Not only that, but the new guns are even better than the originals!


Why do I feel like my wallet was just took a hit?

Detonics should rightfully be called Phoenix for all of its resurrections.

Last April Shooting Gallery did an episode on Detonics and Jerry Ahern as the CEO. Then some reports of Jerry Ahern in hot water and Detonics was no more.

Now it has been sold again!

http://michaelbane.blogspot.com/2007/11 ... -sale.html

[Lumberjack98]

Good article Doc. Looks familiar.

I like the postings of these articles as they are thought provoking. I always take something away from them. Whether I agree with them or not, they get me thinking.

[macktruckturner]

Good read, I disagree with a number of the points made - or rather find them to be far above what is required, but a good read overall. Reliability is certainly key, but every shooter needs to be able to apply immediate action to clear malfunctions, if for no other reason than Murphy and his law.

I'm a 1911 guy myself, Glocks flat do not work for me. They're plenty accurate, but I've never managed to run a full magazine through one without a major malfunction (twice resulting in warranty work.) On the flip side, I know at least a dozen people with well over 10,000 malfunction free rounds through their Glocks. In an effort to keep it that way, I refuse to shoot their pistols.

I have three different pistols, but don't subscribe to any need for a trio package. Both 1911s are steel, though one is full sized, the other is a Commander. Not a whole heck of a lot of weight saving there. Neither have rails or lasers. None of my pistols will ever sport either accessory (whole 'nother discussion topic there). My compact needs are met by my Kel-Tec P11, which has run 100% since day one for less than $300 OTD. All of these pistols are quite capable of quickly putting their entire load into a minute-of-heart group, at all reasonable ranges for which a genuine need for lethal force as self defense exists. I'd not feel undergunned with any of the three, anywhere.

[smyrna]

My compact needs are met by my Kel-Tec P11...

I think these little pistols are often overlooked. I love my P11. It's an ugly duckling of a gun and recoil can be harsh, but it virtually disappears when carried and the 12 round Mec Gars give you 13 shot capacity.

[macktruckturner]

The only thing I find harsh is the way the trigger bites into my finger during recoil. It's all kinds of narrow - and easily fixed. It fits together perfectly, is highly affordable, and gets bonus points for being made here in the USA. Austria can keep their glocks, I'll take another Kel-Tec any day of the week.

[Rex B]

+1 on Keltec
I'm on my 3rd P11, great little guns, accurate enough, fits my hand like a glove.
First one had some FTFs and I gave it back, #2 and #3 have been flawless.
Daily carry is a P3AT, with P11 as a coat gun or backup.

[frankie_the_yankee]

I could disagree with the points made on the article and this thread would run on for 3 or 4 pages at least.

But I won't, even though my personal choices of carry guns are a bit different.

On the whole, I think the article has a lot of good advice in it. Good read.

[smyrna]

The only thing I find harsh is the way the trigger bites into my finger during recoil.

If you mean that your finger is pinched between the trigger and the grip as the gun is fired...I experienced that too. I found it to be because the trigger has a lot of overtravel after the hammer breaks free of the sear assembly. That coupled with a heavy trigger pull causes the trigger to continue rearward forcefully (much like what happens in a tug of war when the rope breaks) and pinches the finger.

I really had to concentrate to keep the overtravel from causing me to shoot low until I happened upon an idea. I took a small machine screw from a set of junk scope rings and drilled a hole just in front of where the trigger guard meets the grip and threaded it in. By adjusting the screw, I could limit the overtravel of the trigger which eliminated the pinching and made the little beast easier to hold on target by minimizing the inertia of the heavy follow through of the trigger pull. Once I found the "sweet spot" I countersunk the small allen head into the frame, cut and filed the screw to length, and reinstalled.

Austria can keep their glocks, I'll take another Kel-Tec any day of the week.

Funny! I refer to my Kel Tec as "the poor man's Glock".