the ULTIMATE self defence question, ever!!!

B

Biff Tannen

New member
BIG HYPOTHETICAL HANDGUN SD SITUATION:

In a dark alley, a deadly assailant tries to do you in at close range!
With your gun in reach, you have time for ONE QUICK SHOT, CENTER MASS!

Yes, I agree in advance: "Placement Is Everything"... However, with this one shot you have to save your life, there is no time for accuracy, and you can only aim for the chest and hope you can stop him in one shot!

He is average height and weight.
He is wearing a denim jacket and flanel shirt.

THE BIG QUESTION:
What gun and what ammo would you choose, with the WEIGHt LIMIT of approx 16 oz loaded?!?!
(sorry but...Have to put a weight limit on it... Need to weed out responses such as "Id strap a cannon to my back!")





HINT: Do you go for penitration or expansion?!
 
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There is no handgun that runs 16 oz loaded that I would trust my life to, especially as your scenario is framed (one shot).

That is why I made the commitment to carry a somewhat larger, heavier gun in a caliber that I have more faith in, and that I can shoot well.

As I type this, I have a Commander-sized Kimber on my hip. I know I can shoot it pretty well, I have faith in the .45acp in a quality JHP, and I am willing to put forth the effort to carry it or something equivalent.

First runner-up is my Kahr P45, about 18.5 oz empty. I carry it in the summer time when I am wearing minimal clothing. It's little brother, the PM45, trims about 1/2" off each end, and another ounce or two off the weight. But the loss of velocity associated with the shorter barrel and the loss of a round of capacity makes it a questionable trade-off (for me).

Perhaps the closest to your original premise, my Kahr PM9 weighs 14.5 oz empty, and it shoots really well. I pocket carried it every day for 3 1/2 years. But now that I know I can carry a .45 every day, I do so.

Edited to add...if my life is at stake, what makes you think I quit after one round (unless I were already dead?) :D
 
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1 shot, for sure and for real, center of mass stop? Never mind the 16 oz limit, what you are asking for is a phaser, a death ray. Nope, it ain't gonna happen, no handgun fills that bill. Handguns aren't long guns, and they aren't death rays.

That said, I carry my PF-9 with confidence, and loaded up it is right about your upper limit on weight. 9mm, properly loaded and placed on target, is good enough to get the job done. You might find that a lightweight alloy small frame .38 Spl revolver would also get the job done and yet still be under your weight limit. Lighter weight options exist in .32 and .380, but then you are in mouse gun territory.

Edited to add...if my life is at stake, why would I quit after one round (unless I were already dead?)
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+1. I've got 8 rounds in the PF-9, why would I stop after 1? Just as quick as I could get back on target I'd be pulling the trigger again, until the attacker was stopped or I succumbed myself.
 
I would whip out my zippo size ray gun and vaporize him on spot , One blast and poof he's gone even if a Pinky hit. :D

Its in the same class as you 16oz loaded pistol. :rolleyes:
 
I regularly carry a gun that is 32 ounces unloaded. :D

Id shoot him multiple times. There is always time.
 
Commando knife gun...

I agree with the other forum members, the "what if" game is a bust if the limit is a mere 16oz total. :(
Maybe a super snazzy carbon fiber or Ti diamond carbide knife fired out of a gun like the 1980s action hit Commando may do the trick.

Really, a lightweight .380acp or maybe a new polymer frame .357magnum like the Taurus or Ruger LCR could work.
 
I agree with the other forum members, the "what if" game is a bust if the limit is a mere 16oz total.
Click to expand...
The preservation of life, self defence, ballistics, and science are based on "WHAT IFs"...
IF you HAD to choose one gun+ammo combination...?!
 
This is just so personal.

I'd go for expansion over penetration.

I CC 9mms and 45s. More than likely, at night, bad place, I'd have the 45.

That weight thing, IMO forget it. If CC means so little to you that you're

willing to restrict the weight that much, maybe you should be carrying a light, or

a knife or something. I'd be much more worried about making the carry

comfortable, as oppose to an exact weight paradigm.
 
I'd pull out my Frank Beltrame black stiletto and with the simple press of a button have four inches of sharpened steel to take care of business. The Romans figured out 2 inches of steel was the minimum needed to kill a man, but I prefer four.
Anywhere to the face or neck and he will definitely wish he had chosen another line of work.;)
 
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Model M&P340, 13.3oz dry, .357 Magnum HP's... point n click. After the first one hit em, you just bought yourself time to squeeze off 4 more :D
 
What gun and what ammo would you choose, with the WEIGHt LIMIT of approx 16 oz loaded?!?!
Click to expand...

Smith and Wesson 340PD with Speer Gold Dot .357 Magnum Short Barrels.

Edit: Sirsloop beat me to it. Great minds do think a like.
 
The 2 smallest guns I have are a 3" S&W 65 and 2 1/2" S&W 66 (confiscated by my wife for her gun). That being said I would use 125 gr. 38 Special +P or 158 gr. 357 Magnum both in jacketed hollow points. I carried the 38 Special +P load as an armed security officer and a police officer for many years and have faith in it.
 
This is too hard to be 16oz loaded your basically gonna have to get a 380 . Even single shot bigger calibers are almost 20oz+ My carry gun is 30oz unloaded lol . But If I had to choose under your what if scenario i would get what XD gunner said S&W 340PD 357 its 11.4 oz unloaded.. . But I don't own one I carry 8+1 Speer 230 gr GDHP 45 acp in a 4" Springfield 1911. One shot this is what I would only have if i only had one shot.
 

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