carry gun???

[Jack Diamond]

.45 kimber ultra carry for me.

[ellensburgpo]

Go talk to cop who works in a crappy part of the state what caliber gun they see as the "deadliest." I got a chance to hear a talk from a Yakima PD crime scene tech and when asked she replied that they're all deadly, its all about shot placement. She said she has seen people drt from 22 caliber handguns and alive after being shot with 30 caliber rifles. Her final statement on the issue was that for a handgun she would have more confidence in a 45 caliber handgun then any other. She said there was more margin of error with shot placement compared to some smaller rounds. This woman has seen a lot of dead people so her opinion carries weight with me.

With high quality ammunition most handguns rounds are capable of being an effective self defense platform. Asking about the effectiveness of a 22 caliber handgun and then bashing a 9mm is funny to me. People seem to think that when humans are shot they just stop. And when they don't then that round/bullet must suck. In order to incapacitate a human you have to 

A: turn their computer(brain) off. You can do that via a bullet to head most of the time.

B: turn them off via hypovolemic shock. Aka, blood loss. start poking a lot of holes in them, specifically chest cavity and pelvic gurdle reigon.

C: take away their mobility so you can escape. Spine, legs, pelvic gurdle area.

The exceptions to the above are really big rounds, ie 50BMG, that due to sheer size and velocity don't fall under the same discussion.

It's a lot if fun to talk about guns, but I hope that everybody who carries weapons for self defense does realistic practice with them. And that includes the mental aspect of working through scenarios. Simply buying the newest Kimber mini 45, a cool holster, and going to the range to shoot static targets at 15 yards is not realistic. That doesn't help prepare anyone for a life or death force on force encounter. Do yourself and the people you love a huge favor and seek out guidance from someone who has real life experience with deadly force situations.

A couple of other random thoughts. A self defense gun does you no good if you don't have it when you need it because it was too uncomfortable to carry all the time. And I'd rather have a 22 that I can shoot really well then a gorgeous 45 that I spray all over the place. And yes revolvers are not foolproof, but in my experiance they are harder to screw up then a semi auto.

I think carrying a concealed weapon is a terrific choice provide you are technically and tactically proficient with it. And fully understand use of force as covered in the RCW's before you start carrying. It would suck to end up in jail or prison because you didnt spend a few hours doing research.

[Jekemi]

I think the .22 is a fine self defense weapon. It's certainly inexpensive. Think of this; .9mm, .40 caliber (which is what I carry), and .45's all have a bit of a kick and muzzle jump. There is no muzzle jump in a .22. You can put 5 or 6 shots right in the chest in a stressful self-defense situation. One well placed .22 shot is worth more than 5 poorly placed .45 shots. The little Kel-Tec is a great starter gun in .22 caliber. Spend your money at the range improving your aim.
 
Then save your pennies and get a .40 or .45. And, to echo what others have said, don't discount the performance of the .9mm. It's the preferred gun of the vast majority of police and military's throughout the world. One again, a well placed .9mm is worth more than any number of poorly placed larger caliber shots.

[Special T]

I personally like the 1911 frames that you can buy the 22lr conversion for... They are great to practice with yet do not cost much to shoot in comparison for the 45 ammo that is a great stopping round. Are there other auto pistols that offer the 22lr converion that are readily available like the 1911 frame? I know the walther p22 and the 9mmor 40 feal real similar but those are 2 different guns...

[CAMPMEAT]

If ya got shot with 10 rounds of 22mag, I do think you'd be a hurtin' unit and most likely close the death ?

[KFhunter]

not if you got 3 inches of blubber and some winter layers on

[ellensburgpo]

not if you got 3 inches of blubber and some winter layers on

Great point. "Natural body armor" is something many people overlook and don't factor into their decision.

[Button Nubbs]

not if you got 3 inches of blubber and some winter layers on

Great point. "Natural body armor" is something many people overlook and don't factor into their decision.

and thats why i keep a permanent blubber vest!

[300rum]

It amazes me how much we go around and around on this topic.   

The most important thing is to shoot what you have the most confidence in.  You will find this out by shooting tens and tens of thousands of rounds down range with multiple pistols.  In the end, it really doesn't matter (unless it matters to you).

 

[ellensburgpo]

It amazes me how much we go around and around on this topic.   

The most important thing is to shoot what you have the most confidence in.  You will find this out by shooting tens and tens of thousands of rounds down range with multiple pistols.  In the end, it really doesn't matter (unless it matters to you).

 

Cause it's fun! I agree with what your saying. Pick a reliable weapon, good round, and practice until its hard to miss.

[dscubame]

I just ordered a Laserlyte for my Ruger LCP, a little bling for the under powered sub caliber pocket pistol.

[huntingfool7]

DD    Pushing two months out...what did you end up getting?

[CAMPMEAT]

not if you got 3 inches of blubber and some winter layers on

Head shots then.........

[Slenk]

Taurus .380 /RIA .45 auto back up

[Biggerhammer]

A 9mm may expand but a .45 sure isn't going to shrink.