I wouldn't want to get hit with a rock someone was throwing at me. I wouldn't choose a .25 or .32 out of an automatic, and really am not thrilled by the .380, but if you can shoot it, and that's what you'll carry, one of those is way better than a 10mm you can't shoot, or left at home because you don't want to carry it.

Mrs Z could handle a 45 ACP given time and practice to get familiar with the spoon. Weight dampens recoil.

Airweight S&W in .38

Big, big difference between murdering someone and stopping an aggressive attacker. More folks get murdered by .22's than every other caliber combined.

Couldn't agree with you more.

Like every other gun thread on this forum, lots and lots of discussion about what we have read and what we have heard about others' tests and experiences. So, how about a show of hands - how many of you have killed anything, anything at all with a handgun? How many different handguns and handgun calibers, along with bullet styles, have you used to actually kill something? Whereupon do you base your experience and, consequently, your advice?

Nothing but dogs and hogs. Plain Jane .38's worked well. I wasn't being attacked however.
Jim

But weight doesn't help with the ability to rack the slide...

I've killed the hell out of some paper! And some TVs, old laptops, tannerite, spray paint cans, and whatever we can dredge up in the country.

She needs to test drive a few. I could help you out, but am on the wrong side of the continent, sorry dude.

Surely there are some guys closer that could meet up for a little smorgasbord and the range.

I've got one of these:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1429235127.jpg
.32 Auto
Inhereited it from my great uncle when he died. He probably got it when he was in the service in the 20's.
Was the gangsters choice back in the day. Al Capone had one on him when they rang him up for the last time.
Hard to get ammo for now.

Jeff, I haven't killed anything with a handgun yet, but I have been itching to get a .44 Super Blackhawk and take a whitetail with it.

As for the original post, I recently switched from a S&W .38 to a Sig 938 9mm. Love it.

I have a Detonics combat master that needs a home.

Got one too.............
 

Yep, 1903 Colt Type III in .32 ACP. Actually ammo is quite available, but has gotten expensive like everything else! There are actually some pretty effective HP rounds available in this caliber. This one dates to 1913!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1429239464.jpg

I have done some handgun killing, I doubt more than 3 calibers and bullet styles. But the handgun killing I've done has nothing to do with self-defense (well maybe one of the kills). I have also done some target shooting (the other purpose for the firearm), with a more varried array of firearms, bullets, and calibers. I have no experience with .32 anything, but the versatility of a revolver chambered in .327 Federal and its potential as a self defense cartridge combined with my experience with Ruger products make me willing to suggest that SP 101 as a viable option. But I'm no expert by any stretch, and don't want my suggestions taken as anything more than my response to someone who asked my opinion.

I love my 938' but it's a stiff little bastard, stiffer than many full frames.

Jeff, I have killed small game with .22 and large game with .357, but I can't say I have shot something with a .380. I hunt, so my calibers of choice are a bit bigger than what you'd schlepp around with a CCW. The smallest thing I plan to use on dangerous game would be a .357 or .44 special. Both those in small packages are going to be a dare to shoot.

IMHO a good compromise here will be a .38 special in a piece that's not super light weight. Of course that's only if Mr. Z really takes into account what Mrs. Z will likely do best with. It is okay, Z-man, you won't have to order it in pink ... :D

G

http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/.../LadySmith.jpg

To clarify a point: the spoon I plan on getting won't be Mrs. Z's spoon - it will be mine. However, since Mrs. Z is a small framed lady, she does not have the strength to rack the slide on my firearms, including my home defense HK P30. So one of the reasons I'm looking at .380's is the slide should be easier to manipulate for her, should the need arise for her to use the firearm.

The color of the frame or grip of the firearm doesn't matter much to me, as long as it goes 'bang' every time the trigger is squeezed. :D

-Z

You laid out the purpose in the OP, but I have some questions.

What is the biggest priority? Personal utility for concealed carry, the wife's ability to use, range use, or something different for the range/collection?

How about and HK 4? It is an interesting little gun and was designed to be able to convert from .380 to .32 to .25 and .22. Heckler & Koch HK4 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There's one on Gunbroker: Heckler & Koch HK 4 380 Cal Pistol HK4 : Semi Auto Pistols at GunBroker.com

Might need to do some looking to find components to shoot all 4 calibers, but that would be fun, seems to meet your criteria, and keeps it in the HK family.

I just bought this and it shoots well, it's easy to carry and they seem to retain a reasonable resale value. Strangely enough I found it kicks harder than I expected.
Colt Government 380


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1429269867.jpg


Fred, I like the way you think....mines a 380


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