Pistol Caliber Recommendations

skipdup · 09-03-2005, 06:37 AM

I have this friend that was wondering...

I know everyone may have a different opinion. But, I was wondering if there was any type of conscensious...

What is the "best" semi-auto pistol caliber to have in a time of crisis?

Is it a matter of bigger is better? Or, would 9mm be good since, IIRC, it's a NATO round, thus possibly more available in a time a crisis? What round does our military use?

Long guns are not in question.

Thanks,
Skip

fintstone · fintstone's Garage

shotgun

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

40 SW, 45, 9mm or 454 Cassul if you really wanna stop 'em.

skipdup · 09-03-2005, 07:05 AM

Already have a 12 ga. Remington 870 (with short barrel). Plus, Mr. Colt dressed in black.

Need pistol to compliment.

- Skip

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

Then I would go with the 40 SW. Good stopping power and easy to handle.

Shuie · 09-03-2005, 07:13 AM

The one you have with you and have ammo for.

David · David's Garage

.45

tabs · 09-03-2005, 08:01 AM

The US Military used the 45 ACP from 1912 till the late 1980's...and many of the Special Forces guys still carry the guns that use that round....slow with ALOT of knockdown power

The 40 S&W and 38 Super are both good rounds... lots of speed with decent knock down power

Rick V · 09-03-2005, 08:07 AM

I carry a .45acp
my wife carries a 9mm.
It is all a matter of how big of a hole you want to install.

skipdup · 09-03-2005, 08:11 AM

Thanks all... err... my friend thanks you.

I just had another thought... Would it be prudent for me to research ballistic characteristics of specific calibers? If so, how would I get started?

Also, do the ballistics vary within a specific caliber based on the specific round (manufacturer, powder, etc.)

Thanks,
Skip

Taz's Master · 09-03-2005, 08:13 AM

Get something you'll actually carry. You're much more apt to have a PPK or model 60 on your person, while a model 29, or Anaconda, or even most medium-framed handguns would spend much of its time secured at home next to the long guns. A .380 or a .38 special at the scene of the emergency has lots more knockdown power than anything left at home.

skipdup · 09-03-2005, 08:28 AM

Either a Walther PPK/S or Kel-Tec P3AT, both in .380, are used if I want to carry/conceal.

I'm specifically looking for a NO-like disaster weapon. Carrying nor concealing are a concern. Though, I would like the added rounds capacity of a semi-auto.

- Skip

Shuie · 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by skipdup

I just had another thought... Would it be prudent for me to research ballistic characteristics of specific calibers? If so, how would I get started?

The Marshall and Sanow data has a lot of numbers you can study on the effectiveness of various calibers. Google 'one-shot-stop' and 'Marshall & Sanow'. Ive looked at their numbers until my head hurt and eventually decided to forget everything Id seen. It's real data but I just don't think its of much value. The .223 thats locked in the safe is not nearly effective as the .45 on the nightstand when you are at home. Neither are as effective as a j-frame in the hip pocket when away from the house.

Step 1 is to have a weapon. Practice, practice, practice, and practice until you are comfortable and proficient with it. Pay attention to your surroundings and make sure you have access to that weapon when you need it. Whatever caliber it is chambered in will be 'the best'.

tabs · 09-03-2005, 09:17 AM

One of the BEST self defence rounds available is the 38 SPL...which is a REVOLVER cartridge....everybody likes the autos...and has forgotten the wheel guns....the great advantage to a wheel gun is NO JAMMING...or misfiring of a round....you get 6 sure rounds as fast as you can pull the trigger..it a mechanical system vs gas operated...

Shuie · 09:41 AM

I think a j-frame is the best carry gun that can be bought. For me it is, anyway

Ive run over 1000rds through a 1911 in a weekend with no cleaning and no malfunctions. Try that with a revolver. Any revolver. They do get gummed up and seize on you. Most semi autos are modified Browning locked breach operation, not gas. H&K P&M8 has a gas tube as well as a Desert Eagle, but those are the only ones I can think of off the top of my head.

Rick V · 09-03-2005, 10:19 AM

the only bullet to carry for shooting a person is a federal hydro-shock INHO. max hole no exit and they shatter on impact. Instant gernade. 99.9% of thier victoms don't recover from a hydro-shock when used in the larger calibers.

HardDrive · 09-03-2005, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shuie
H&K P&M8 has a gas tube as well as a Desert Eagle, but those are the only ones I can think of off the top of my head.

Shuie, can you elaborate on this? I have never owned a semi-auto pistol, and was looking at the HK USP compact. The info I have looked at says its a 'modified browning' mechanism. I have shot a few hundred rounds through one and had no problems. Are you saying its only a particular model that is gas operated?

From a calibur perspective I would go with 9mm. Its not the most powerful round, but the recoil is light. I find its easier to get off multiple shots quickly (and accurately). Although, I must say that I have not spent a great deal of time shooting pistols, and I am sure there are guys that fire a .45 quickly and be perfectly accurate.

skipdup · 09-03-2005, 10:52 AM

I keep finding positive views on .357Sig. Anyone here have any thoughts?

scottmandue · 09-03-2005, 11:08 AM

AFAIK 9mm is standard military issue, I have a 9mm auto and a 12GA for emergency use.
9mm and .38 are not interchangeable but almost the same caliber.
I read a bunch before buying my 9mm and you could fill a library with the 9mm Vs .45 debate... and squeeze 10mm & .40 in there just to throw gasoline on the fire... oh and the auto Vs wheel gun debate also.

I ended up going for what MOST military and police carry seeing as they are professionals at using firearms (I SAID MOST NOT ALL). And just about everything I read agreed that a 9mm hydro shock will really ruin your day.

I do want to get a 6" .357 mag wheel gun because it is about the most versatile and reliable gun you can have IMHO. You can load it with little girly .38 ammo and let your grandma shoot it or load it with fire breathing .357 magnum rounds all in the same day.

Hey are 15 round clips legal again?

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

What Tabs said.

Quote:

Originally posted by skipdup
I keep finding positive views on .357Sig. Anyone here have any thoughts?

I think it is an answer to a question nobody asked.

Quote:

Originally posted by Rick V
the only bullet to carry for shooting a person is a federal hydro-shock INHO. max hole no exit and they shatter on impact. Instant gernade. 99.9% of thier victoms don't recover from a hydro-shock when used in the larger calibers.

Who told you that nonsense, HCI? Shatter? Grenade? It will expand like every other hollow point design. The little stud is supposed to make this more reliable. Whether it works or not was still debatable, last time I heard.

Quote:

Originally posted by scottmandue
I ended up going for what MOST military and police carry seeing as they are professionals at using firearms

A lot of what "professionals" carry is mandated, and not always for a good reason. IIRC the military switched to 9mm because it was the NATO standard, not because of any shortcoming of the .45 ACP.

Quote:

Originally posted by scottmandue
Hey are 15 round clips legal again?

Not in California, unless you already own them.

Tom