OldMarksman
Staff
One can read about the recommendations of expert defensive shooting trainers regarding pistols for concealed carry. What one gains from that, I think, is two-fold: (1)their expert opinions , and (2) the benefit of their observations of hundreds or more students shooing different guns for days on end. The latter can give insight into how shooters handle guns, and how well the guns perform in terms of reliability in very extensive shooing with different kinds of ammunition.
At least one expert strongly advises that a defensive semiautomatic pistol require no extra step--ie, no step other than grasping and pressing the tigger--to fire it. In other words, no separate frame mounted safety switch, unless the gun is a single action semi-auto with a 1911 type safety. That trainer saw me fumble in a drill with a gun that did have such a safety, but his advice has long preceded that incident.
One can also find opinions supported by observations and research regarding caliber and other factors.
Few of if any of us have the opportunity to observe so many people shooting so many guns ourselves. But a two or three day course will expose us to some things we usually do not see otherwise.
I chose my first carry piece based on what I had read in reviews and on what I handled in gun stores. The only advice I had received was to choose something without an un-shrouded eternal hammer, to avoid snagging and to mitigate legal liability involving allegations of unintentional discharge. I really knew nothing about defensive shooting. My many years at the range were not focussed on that. I chose a popular revolver that could be pocketed.
That first handgun proved to be a poor choice. Difficulty in shooting rapidly, the limited ammunition capacity, and stinging recoil made it the wrong gun for primary carry.
I didn't realize that until I had participated in a good defensive pistol shooting class.
Since that time I have taken more training; discussed defensive shooting with a number of well-known experts; and engaged in discussions on this board with people who know more than I.
I am not an expert, and I never will be. But I thought it might be helpful to try to take what I have learned from others, compile it, and put together a framework for the use of others in selecting a concealed carry handgun.
To establish a starting benchmark, let's consider what most people have probably never considered when they take their first guns to the square range for practice: (1) that an assailant may well be moving very quickly, giving very little time to shoot; and (2) that actually effecting a physical stop timely requires striking small body parts hidden within the opaque three dimensional envelope of the assailant's moving body, making multiple quick hits the only viable way to increase the likelihood of a stop.
Our time shooting water jugs or steel plates, where a hit is a hit, may have led us to ignore that fact.
There is no substitute for training, but here are some thoughts to consider before selection a carry piece.
I would suggest that a defensive concealed weapon has two main requirements: concealbility for the individual, and effectiveness.
The first depends upon clothing and body build, and upon how one intends to carry. By the way, do not underestimate the importance of a good holster and belt.
The second is more complex, and part but not all of it is specific to an individual:
Part of effectiveness involves penetration. Penetration is something that is either adequate or not. Best advice: use something that meets the requirements of FBI protocols.
Another part of effectiveness is shootability. That will be influenced by grip size and trigger pull, which will be very individual factors.
Effectiveness in stopping an assailant requires being able to fire fast enough and often enough to have a good chance of hitting something critical in the short time allowed. That depends upon controllability, upon the time needed to fire the first shot and ready the gun for the next one, and upon capacity.
Controllability may be to some extent an individual issue , but there are the laws of physics. Some people may contend that they can "handle recoil", but the movement of the gun slows rate of fire for anyone, and a really light gun or powerful cartridge gives anyone a disadvantage in self defense. That is why some expert trainers and a number of agencies have switched from larger rounds to new premium 9mm loads
That brings up ammunition capacity. It is really not an individual issue--it will have to be what it has to be in the event, and averages just do not matter. It is, however, subject to a lot of judgment--informed judgment.
How can the individual choose?
On that last one, JohnKSa put together some analysis that is worth looking at:
Thinking about that and learning what one can about wounding effectiveness, together with what we learn in realistic live fire training exercises, can help with the decision on capacity.
One often hears "I am comfortable with my...". Well, that's fine, as long as that "comfort" is based on an informed decision.
Each carrier has to select for himself. I hope I have pointed out some worthwhile things to consider.
At least one expert strongly advises that a defensive semiautomatic pistol require no extra step--ie, no step other than grasping and pressing the tigger--to fire it. In other words, no separate frame mounted safety switch, unless the gun is a single action semi-auto with a 1911 type safety. That trainer saw me fumble in a drill with a gun that did have such a safety, but his advice has long preceded that incident.
One can also find opinions supported by observations and research regarding caliber and other factors.
Few of if any of us have the opportunity to observe so many people shooting so many guns ourselves. But a two or three day course will expose us to some things we usually do not see otherwise.
I chose my first carry piece based on what I had read in reviews and on what I handled in gun stores. The only advice I had received was to choose something without an un-shrouded eternal hammer, to avoid snagging and to mitigate legal liability involving allegations of unintentional discharge. I really knew nothing about defensive shooting. My many years at the range were not focussed on that. I chose a popular revolver that could be pocketed.
That first handgun proved to be a poor choice. Difficulty in shooting rapidly, the limited ammunition capacity, and stinging recoil made it the wrong gun for primary carry.
I didn't realize that until I had participated in a good defensive pistol shooting class.
Since that time I have taken more training; discussed defensive shooting with a number of well-known experts; and engaged in discussions on this board with people who know more than I.
I am not an expert, and I never will be. But I thought it might be helpful to try to take what I have learned from others, compile it, and put together a framework for the use of others in selecting a concealed carry handgun.
To establish a starting benchmark, let's consider what most people have probably never considered when they take their first guns to the square range for practice: (1) that an assailant may well be moving very quickly, giving very little time to shoot; and (2) that actually effecting a physical stop timely requires striking small body parts hidden within the opaque three dimensional envelope of the assailant's moving body, making multiple quick hits the only viable way to increase the likelihood of a stop.
Our time shooting water jugs or steel plates, where a hit is a hit, may have led us to ignore that fact.
There is no substitute for training, but here are some thoughts to consider before selection a carry piece.
I would suggest that a defensive concealed weapon has two main requirements: concealbility for the individual, and effectiveness.
The first depends upon clothing and body build, and upon how one intends to carry. By the way, do not underestimate the importance of a good holster and belt.
The second is more complex, and part but not all of it is specific to an individual:
Part of effectiveness involves penetration. Penetration is something that is either adequate or not. Best advice: use something that meets the requirements of FBI protocols.
Another part of effectiveness is shootability. That will be influenced by grip size and trigger pull, which will be very individual factors.
Effectiveness in stopping an assailant requires being able to fire fast enough and often enough to have a good chance of hitting something critical in the short time allowed. That depends upon controllability, upon the time needed to fire the first shot and ready the gun for the next one, and upon capacity.
Controllability may be to some extent an individual issue , but there are the laws of physics. Some people may contend that they can "handle recoil", but the movement of the gun slows rate of fire for anyone, and a really light gun or powerful cartridge gives anyone a disadvantage in self defense. That is why some expert trainers and a number of agencies have switched from larger rounds to new premium 9mm loads
That brings up ammunition capacity. It is really not an individual issue--it will have to be what it has to be in the event, and averages just do not matter. It is, however, subject to a lot of judgment--informed judgment.
How can the individual choose?
- Eliminate from the list of candidates anything that does not meet accepted penetration requirements.
- Try the candidates for concealment.
- Shoot them in realisic conditions--in good FoF drills if possible, many of them, with Simunitions, or at least in other realistic defensive drills.
- Make an informed decision on capacity.
On that last one, JohnKSa put together some analysis that is worth looking at:
Thinking about that and learning what one can about wounding effectiveness, together with what we learn in realistic live fire training exercises, can help with the decision on capacity.
One often hears "I am comfortable with my...". Well, that's fine, as long as that "comfort" is based on an informed decision.
Each carrier has to select for himself. I hope I have pointed out some worthwhile things to consider.