The Personal Protection Handgun
Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 9:38 am
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.
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.
