Handguns

[Mark's SS]

orangepeel,

all good info in above posts. Just get out there and do some shooting and you will figure out what works for you. Try to find a good gun range in your area and get some practice and maybe some instruction. You might want to check into getting your CHL. If so check out http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/index.htm for more info. Happy shooting!

[hrpiii]

Originally Posted by Mark's SS

I understand the concept of larger caliber ammo for stopping power and I agree that a small caliber weapon is not your best choice for personal defense. But when I hear people say that shooting someone with a smaller caliber gun (9mm) will just piss them off I have to laugh. If you really think that then maybe you wouldn't mind demonstrating this and see if it just pisses you off.
End of rant. Carry on.

sure.. Need your address.

[Mark's SS]

Is that Kevlar on your head? You will need it.

[hrpiii]

Originally Posted by Mark's SS

Is that Kevlar on your head? You will need it.

my 'break-in" outfit. no one will be able to ID me in a lineup.

[2010SS2SS]

.357 Sig actually puts out the same if not more than .40 cal and is a solid self defense choice other than ammo cost. I have my FFL and do local gun shows along with my website.
Sig is a solid weapon other than most being ALL steel and heavey for C/C, their new 250 series is lighter and more adaptable for C/C. Find a range that rents handguns, rent a few and shot thm to see how they function and how you like them first. Could save you a few bucks because once you buy them they are like cars....they depreciate

[Mark's SS]

Originally Posted by hrpiii

my 'break-in" outfit. no one will be able to ID me in a lineup.

Good thinking. Yea, I bet you would blend right in.

[CamaroSkooter]

If you're using hollow points, it won't matter if you're using a 9mm or .45 caliber handgun. Both will mushroom upon impact and do some serious damage. The 9mm won't mushroom as much as a .45, naturally, but the fact that it does mushroom is all that's needed.

I hope no one is using FMJ's for self defense.

[CamaroSkooter]

For reference, 9mm is .354 inches.

.354 (9mm)
.357
.40
.45
.50

Plus, you can always get higher grain rounds if you want to add more stopping power for self-defense, but that's all just preference really.

A well-trained shooter can do some serious damage to a would-be attacker regardless of what caliber of pistol they're using.

I chose a 9mm handgun because the ammo is cheaper. So it doesn't hurt my wallet so bad when I go to the gun range

[Mr Twisty]

If you ever get shot, you need to know the bullet caliber... you know... to know if you're just pissed of or dead

I'd rather be shot in the leg with a .45 than in the head with a .22

[Ivas]

Originally Posted by hrpiii

sure.. Need your address.

Dude, where did ya' get this pic' of my mother-in-law?

[Ruin]

Oh yay... the great caliber debate.

Here's the way I see it. A weapon is only as effective as it's shooter. Sure, we always like to think bigger is better. But that's only true in one place. And since you're not at a bar looking for fun, I say a different type of logic can be applied.

Pick and use the caliber you are most comfortable shooting. I own 9mms and .45s. I have fried everything from a .22lr pistol all the way to a Desert Eagle .50AE. There's a reason I own 4 9mms. I'm a better shot with a 9mm. Sure, I can hit my target every time with the .45. But I can hit a playing card sized area with my 9mm every time.

If you're carrying a weapon for self defense, as a civilian, your aim will automatically go to hell the moment you need to use it. You're not used to combat. Adrenaline flows... "oh my god, is this guy really pulling a gun on me?" "How do I react? Can I reach my gun? Can I talk him down? What if he shoots first? What's behind him? Is my safety on? Did I keep one in the chamber?" You can sit here and answer these kind of questions all you want while arm-chairing it behind the PC. Fact is, until you need to use your weapon, you don't know what it's like.

A bullet is a bullet is a bullet. From .380 to .45 if you shoot someone with your pistol, and you can deliver multiple and accurate rounds to center mass, you WILL stop your threat (barring any odd substances like PCP, in which case a 7.62 is the smallest you want... an AK47). But, in the eyes of the law, you are responsible for every round that leaves your firearm.

Trust me, when the time comes to engage that threat... unless you've experienced it several times before, instincts and biology kick in. Want to know what it's like? Run a mile or two, and then drop and do 100 push ups (non-stop) then get up and engage a man sized target at a range from 15 feet away. See how you do.



For those of you who are thinking "TL;DR" it's simple... pick a caliber you're effective at shooting and can afford to keep practicing with. If you can afford 10mm, are a good shot, and can afford a few hundred rounds a month to maintain proficiency, have at. Personally I prefer accuracy and quantity over "stopping power" (such a relative term) any day.

[HufferSS]

Originally Posted by MisterCamaro69

If you ever get shot, you need to know the bullet caliber... you know... to know if you're just pissed of or dead

I'd rather be shot in the leg with a .45 than in the head with a .22

I'd rather not be shot at all.

[2ndgenz28]

Originally Posted by HufferSS

I'd go .40 cal or even .45 if you like putting big holes in things.

j/k

Id go DE .50, it will stop anything with one good shot and has very little recoil. A child could shoot one straight.

j/k

[Mark's SS]

Originally Posted by Ruin

Oh yay... the great caliber debate.

Here's the way I see it. A weapon is only as effective as it's shooter. Sure, we always like to think bigger is better. But that's only true in one place. And since you're not at a bar looking for fun, I say a different type of logic can be applied.

Pick and use the caliber you are most comfortable shooting. I own 9mms and .45s. I have fried everything from a .22lr pistol all the way to a Desert Eagle .50AE. There's a reason I own 4 9mms. I'm a better shot with a 9mm. Sure, I can hit my target every time with the .45. But I can hit a playing card sized area with my 9mm every time.

If you're carrying a weapon for self defense, as a civilian, your aim will automatically go to hell the moment you need to use it. You're not used to combat. Adrenaline flows... "oh my god, is this guy really pulling a gun on me?" "How do I react? Can I reach my gun? Can I talk him down? What if he shoots first? What's behind him? Is my safety on? Did I keep one in the chamber?" You can sit here and answer these kind of questions all you want while arm-chairing it behind the PC. Fact is, until you need to use your weapon, you don't know what it's like.

A bullet is a bullet is a bullet. From .380 to .45 if you shoot someone with your pistol, and you can deliver multiple and accurate rounds to center mass, you WILL stop your threat (barring any odd substances like PCP, in which case a 7.62 is the smallest you want... an AK47). But, in the eyes of the law, you are responsible for every round that leaves your firearm.

Trust me, when the time comes to engage that threat... unless you've experienced it several times before, instincts and biology kick in. Want to know what it's like? Run a mile or two, and then drop and do 100 push ups (non-stop) then get up and engage a man sized target at a range from 15 feet away. See how you do.



For those of you who are thinking "TL;DR" it's simple... pick a caliber you're effective at shooting and can afford to keep practicing with. If you can afford 10mm, are a good shot, and can afford a few hundred rounds a month to maintain proficiency, have at. Personally I prefer accuracy and quantity over "stopping power" (such a relative term) any day.