Looking for some guidance with my first pistol/chl purchase

[surprise_i'm_armed]

jstrong:

You express a good range of options for yourself. You don't seem to be a .380 fanboy (that's good IMHO).

If you are only going to carry ONE handgun on you, I would definitely go for a semi-automatic, due to the
higher round count, and the quick reloading of a fresh mag.

Once you have carried for a while, you can step up your game by carrying both a primary EDC (every day carry),
as well as a BUG (Backup Gun). Since you like revolvers, you might want to consider a snubbie (1.875" or 2.00" barrel)
or a 3" or 4" barrel. If you might have to shoot one-handed during an encounter, the .38 would be easier than .357.
Plus if you carry 2 guns, you could hand one to a capable friend.

9MM's today have a relatively high speed bullet for a handgun of about 1250 FPS (feet per second). Although a 9MM
is smaller than a .45 ACP, it will enter the threat at high speed, with good penetration depth. 124 grains is one of
the standard weights. There are others of course.

.40 - IMHO this is a round to consider. Don't ask me why, but doing the severe portion of the ammo shortage, .40's
seemed to be the most available. Some standard weights for these are 165 grains and 180 grains.

.45 ACP - Biggest of the usual self-defense rounds in both caliber size and bullet weight, usually 230 grains.
It's relatively slow at about 850-900 FPS. You are putting almost twice the bullet weight of a 9MM into a
threat. The larger bullet will create a wider wound channel than a 9MM.

My primary EDC for a while was my Ruger SR9C. It's a 9MM with both a 10 round magazine and
a 17 round magazine. Shoots well, it's Ruger tough, and if you don't have a hammer handy, you can pound nails
into lumber with it!

But I yearned for a .45 ACP - you know, the round with which we won WWII. When the Springfield Armory XDS
(eXtreme Duty Single stack) .45 came out I was on it like a duck on a Junebug. This gun is super slim, comes
with both 5 round and 7 round mags and is now my primary. 5 + 1 or 7 + 1 means the round count is smallish,
but they are .45 rounds!

Since I carry both on me whenever I'm awake, I have the comfort of a .45 ACP at hand, with anywhere from
(10 + 1) to (17 + 1) of 9MM on tap from the Ruger.

I love the XDS .45 but since it's small it tends to wear a spot on my gun hand at the range.
The Ruger on the other hand, is bigger, and I can shoot that puppy all day comfortably.

All of us on the board will look forward to your thought process, and what you finally decide upon.

Welcome to the board. Don't be a stranger!

SIA

[kg5ie]

I agree with the "shoot them all" theory. A gun is a very personal choice. Kind of like Ford, Chevy, Dodge. We all tend to have our personal favorites. I carry a .357 SIG but also a .380 BUG. I am very impressed with the Ruger SR9c. 100% improvement over the SR9 IMO. But don't take my word. Watch this video. Good luck in finding YOUR favorite.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT1q1C_PnIY



73,