Caliber VS Capacity
- Thread starter DonutGuy
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JustThisGuy
New member
Best of Both
Sig p226 .40 S&W, 13 round magazine
What's not to like?
Sig p226 .40 S&W, 13 round magazine
What's not to like?
Coltman 77
New member
I'm really pretty comfortable with my USP 45C and 8+1 rds of .45 acp or my P30 with 15+1 rds of 9mm.
If pressed to choose though, I'll take the high capacity handgun.
If pressed to choose though, I'll take the high capacity handgun.
Depends on the risk assessment.
Day to day, to my office and back home in my safer area of town, a 5 shot .38 snub nose with a reload (just out of habit).
Going out to eat with more folks around, 6+1 .45 acp with a reload (just out of habit).
Heading downtown for a drink where there is a fine line between "quaint old turn of the century buildings" and "run down shacks with drug buyers casually walking in and out", I prefer a full size 9mm with a 15 round mag and a reload (out of habit).
I would love to have 13 rounds of .45 acp, but I would hate to tote around the gun.
Day to day, to my office and back home in my safer area of town, a 5 shot .38 snub nose with a reload (just out of habit).
Going out to eat with more folks around, 6+1 .45 acp with a reload (just out of habit).
Heading downtown for a drink where there is a fine line between "quaint old turn of the century buildings" and "run down shacks with drug buyers casually walking in and out", I prefer a full size 9mm with a 15 round mag and a reload (out of habit).
I would love to have 13 rounds of .45 acp, but I would hate to tote around the gun.
I love some of these answers. I to can shoot the 10 ring out of a target at 25 feet but....... what if that target were shooting back at you? How well you you do then? I would venture a guess and say that some of us would not only not hit the 10 ring that often but, some would not even hit the target at all!
Stress is a bugger!
Stress is a bugger!
Mike Irwin
Staff
Competency with the chosen platform trumps both poll positions.
The Great Mahoo
New member
I'll choose caliber, provided we still have sufficient capacity. My carry guns hold about 6 rounds, that's good enough for me. I'd rather have a good 1911 in .45ACP than a high-cap 9mm, but that's just what I'm used to.
But my primary carry gun is a .327, so neither? I guess it's capacity winning out, having 6 instead of 5 in .38/.357, but its still no 17+ of 9mm.
But my primary carry gun is a .327, so neither? I guess it's capacity winning out, having 6 instead of 5 in .38/.357, but its still no 17+ of 9mm.
serf 'rett
New member
Duster Coat
Had thought about how to conceal a 20 guage youth model pump under a duster. Large caliber, small capacity, potential results – Impressive! But, it ain't allowed by my State's concealed carry laws
Normal carry is 9mm w/8 plus another 8 rd mag in pocket, but that’s generally when I’m in “well know territory.” Sometimes, when going across the tracks is necessary, opt for all metal 40S&W w/14 because that particular pistol groups better. Opinion - getting hits trumps bore.
Had thought about how to conceal a 20 guage youth model pump under a duster. Large caliber, small capacity, potential results – Impressive! But, it ain't allowed by my State's concealed carry laws
Normal carry is 9mm w/8 plus another 8 rd mag in pocket, but that’s generally when I’m in “well know territory.” Sometimes, when going across the tracks is necessary, opt for all metal 40S&W w/14 because that particular pistol groups better. Opinion - getting hits trumps bore.
I absolutely love my 7 shot M1911. But in the case of self defense, I prefer a medium sized caliber such as the 9mm and more rounds. That’s why my “go to” pistol is my Beretta 92FS with a 15 round magazine. I can double tap three times with the M1911 and 7 times with the 92FS. I keep them stored with a full mag but empty chamber, otherwise the count could be 4 and 8.
First, I need to break this question down into:
1. Carry piece
2. Home Defence - or other
With regard to a carry piece, my biggest concern is going to be size. My next biggest concern is that it fire at least 9mm, .40 or .45. If the round count is going to be between 6 rounds and 8 rounds, then I'm going for the .45 with 6 rounds. One or two more rounds of 9mm is not what I need.
In a Home Defense gun, I opt for more rounds. Shots could be longer distance than with a carry piece, and there is a better likelihood that there could be multiple attackers. So, in a home defense gun, I'd really like to have as close to 20 rounds as I can squeeze into a reliable magazine.
FWIW, I do not like shotguns for home defense - this is just my preference. I prefer a handguns because 1) its small and can be stashed where I can access it easily - shotgun generally has to be kept out in the open; 2) I'm more comfortable clearing my house with a handgun; 3) The "cha-chink" of a shotgun doesn't impress me, and I'm sure my wife will think it makes me out to be some kind of commando; 4) shotgun requires 2 hands....whatever the reason, a shotgun isn't for me.
1. Carry piece
2. Home Defence - or other
With regard to a carry piece, my biggest concern is going to be size. My next biggest concern is that it fire at least 9mm, .40 or .45. If the round count is going to be between 6 rounds and 8 rounds, then I'm going for the .45 with 6 rounds. One or two more rounds of 9mm is not what I need.
In a Home Defense gun, I opt for more rounds. Shots could be longer distance than with a carry piece, and there is a better likelihood that there could be multiple attackers. So, in a home defense gun, I'd really like to have as close to 20 rounds as I can squeeze into a reliable magazine.
FWIW, I do not like shotguns for home defense - this is just my preference. I prefer a handguns because 1) its small and can be stashed where I can access it easily - shotgun generally has to be kept out in the open; 2) I'm more comfortable clearing my house with a handgun; 3) The "cha-chink" of a shotgun doesn't impress me, and I'm sure my wife will think it makes me out to be some kind of commando; 4) shotgun requires 2 hands....whatever the reason, a shotgun isn't for me.
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ATW525 said
"I carry a .40 and can't seem to find the "split the difference" option in the poll."
+1 I guess I'm in this zone. If the question is intended as generic, "depending on (two) comparison calibers" inquiry - as I saw it - I picked size over capacity (me thinking 40 vs 9 mostly). That said, in a snubbie revolver, I'll vote for capacity and controllability of the new .327 over a similarly packaged .38/.357. For the format. Ballistic prowess isn't sacrificed that much--and not at all vs the .38+P--especally given the improved follow-up shot capability, especialy vs the .357. Some would argue the same for the 9 vs .40 comparison. I say no, but not by a whole lot anymore with the 9 ammo that's out there now.. A long time full size .40 (open or OWB) carrier, I'm considering one of the nice new plastic fantastic 9 compacts like the SR9C, M&P Compact or XDM - in 9 - for their overall carry goodness, and don't doubt their effectiveness with the right SD ammo in a fight.
"I carry a .40 and can't seem to find the "split the difference" option in the poll."
+1 I guess I'm in this zone. If the question is intended as generic, "depending on (two) comparison calibers" inquiry - as I saw it - I picked size over capacity (me thinking 40 vs 9 mostly). That said, in a snubbie revolver, I'll vote for capacity and controllability of the new .327 over a similarly packaged .38/.357. For the format. Ballistic prowess isn't sacrificed that much--and not at all vs the .38+P--especally given the improved follow-up shot capability, especialy vs the .357. Some would argue the same for the 9 vs .40 comparison. I say no, but not by a whole lot anymore with the 9 ammo that's out there now.. A long time full size .40 (open or OWB) carrier, I'm considering one of the nice new plastic fantastic 9 compacts like the SR9C, M&P Compact or XDM - in 9 - for their overall carry goodness, and don't doubt their effectiveness with the right SD ammo in a fight.
N.H. Yankee
New member
Shooting on the range and shooting while being shot at are totally different. At the range the target is stationary and not trying to kill you so hits are consistent, with adrenaline at full throttle your total focus package is impaired. Then add in multiple threats, gangbangers like numbers, as already stated home invasions lately seem to involve more than one. Add darkness to the already chaotic scenario and you have a recipe for more ammo.
You cannot take for granted that 1 hit will incapacitate a perp, look at the Miami shootout and its not just 9mm, there are cases of multiple hits with a 45 and even a 357 that didn't stop a perp. Add drugs, adrenaline and sheer determination, and your in for a treat you don't want. That's why I like numbers on my side called Hi-cap, a lethal hit with a 9mm is as good as a lethal hit with a 45 with today's ammo.
You cannot take for granted that 1 hit will incapacitate a perp, look at the Miami shootout and its not just 9mm, there are cases of multiple hits with a 45 and even a 357 that didn't stop a perp. Add drugs, adrenaline and sheer determination, and your in for a treat you don't want. That's why I like numbers on my side called Hi-cap, a lethal hit with a 9mm is as good as a lethal hit with a 45 with today's ammo.
the357plan
New member
The 357 Mag revolvers in the Miami shootout were loaded with 38 Special rounds (less penetration and energy).
I'm comfortable with and typically carry a 3" J Frame or a 3" SP101 stoked with some tactical 357 load. I avoid the bad places and if I can't, I'm not alone.
For HD where I would most likely stand my ground, it's currently a decked out Sig 229 (40 S&W, laser, night sights, weapon light and couple of 12 rnd mags) with one of a couple of rifles.
I'm comfortable with and typically carry a 3" J Frame or a 3" SP101 stoked with some tactical 357 load. I avoid the bad places and if I can't, I'm not alone.
For HD where I would most likely stand my ground, it's currently a decked out Sig 229 (40 S&W, laser, night sights, weapon light and couple of 12 rnd mags) with one of a couple of rifles.
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