Common Sense Question ?

Glock model 23 .40 cal.
Had it for years and has never failed me yet.
Carried it on duty and off...
I did replace the barrel and springs some time ago though.

Well......the Beretta Pico in my pocket will get me to the SIG P225 in my glovebox which will hopefully get me to the AR in the trunk....

The line about pistols being what you use to get to your rifle is a good one - for soldiers, and maybe for cops. As a civilian, the idea that you're going to fight your way out of a situation, get up-armed, and then go back into the situation.... maybe once a decade that is something that occurs and is legally defensible. Maybe.

To quote my (now deceased) good friend and USCG Auxiliary mentor, also a former sheriff's deputy: "You better know how to use that pistol, because a shotgun in the patrol car is no help to you. When you need it, you need it now, AND THE PISTOL ON YOUR BELT IS ALL YOU GOT."

ATLDave said:

The line about pistols being what you use to get to your rifle is a good one - for soldiers, and maybe for cops. As a civilian, the idea that you're going to fight your way out of a situation, get up-armed, and then go back into the situation.... maybe once a decade that is something that occurs and is legally defensible. Maybe.

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True ...but I alway thought the line about fighting the way to a rifle was "tongue-in-cheek" anyway ....really to emphasize that rifles are usually more powerful and more accurate.

I'm with ATLDave. For those with a CHL, a pistol is the primary weapon.

I think handguns are very much under rated. Everyone "says" a rifle or shotgun is a better choice, and it is somewhat. But with the best loads, in common cartridges like 9mm, 40, 45, and 357 you see actual stop percentages at or near 90% if the shooter hits what he is aiming at. I think a rifle, or shotgun is more likely to give good hits, especially as range increases. But handgun rounds are more than adequate at close range.

Even in the military tactics are changing and handguns are being used more and more as front line weapons where close quarters fighting is likely. The unconventional wars we have been involved in recently has proven their effectiveness.

Legionnaire said:

I'm with ATLDave. For those with a CHL, a pistol is the primary weapon.

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I'm with ATLDave too, Legionnaire. However, neither my wife nor I have CHLs (Concealed Handgun Licenses?) even though we both carry concealed - no license or permit required in Idaho and a good many other states nowadays.
Besides that, my bedside gun is a 1911, 45ACP. It too is my "primary weapon" when something goes "bump" in the night.

.308 Norma said:

I'm with ATLDave too, Legionnaire. However, neither my wife nor I have CHLs (Concealed Handgun Licenses?) even though we both carry concealed - no license or permit required in Idaho and a good many other states nowadays.

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Roger that. I would have been more accurate saying, "For those who carry a handgun for self defense ..." Love the Constitutional Carry states!

shootstraight57 said:

Glock model 23 .40 cal.
Had it for years and has never failed me yet.
Carried it on duty and off...
I did replace the barrel and springs some time ago though.

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We are on the same page.

Carried it as an LEO,and still do 99% of the time.

Replaced springs and trigger,but its been "on duty" for about 15 years.

Just shot HR218 qual with her,she still rocks it.

Cheated on her for last few days with Sig.P365 & spare mag.

PRAYED harder than usual that I don't have to use her.

Was very hot & muggy and went to social function in shorts = at least that is my only excuse.

Since I also share ATLDave's point of view, hence this sounds like a good option:



P.S. I would like to emphasize on the hat. And the mustache. And the coat. And the shotgun... Real gentleman should always dress sharp.

BigDog1955 said:

The S&W M&P Shield 9mm is my life saver what is yours?

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I like Nineteen Elevens. My Taurus is a darned fine every day carry. Nearly ten thousand round through it. No problems.
My Dan Wesson Silverback is a fine pistol indeed!
The Sig Nine Thirty Eight is a nine millimeter, but it's saving grace is it's good looks. (And Carry-every-where-ness even when it's Ninety Five Degrees out!)
I have a Twenty Two version as well, but that is just a sanity saver.

Without these, I absolutely could not survive! (Unless there were a bunch of Black Powder Pistols in the safe. Those are beginning to get my attention...)

I also carry a shield 9. 9mm Glocks (several) live in my house, truck, and jeep. I carry the shield because in Fl its difficult to conceal a G-19, 26, etc. when you spend most days in shorts and t shirt.

The preparedness of law enforcement officers, federal and state agents, and military forces is a different application than that of a civilian. Civilians are more apt, at worst, to need a big solution to a small problem, whereas law/mil are apt, at worst, to need a big solution to a big problem. As I have posited in other threads, I have yet to see a viable application where a civilian will be benefited by “using a handgun to fight their way to a rifle,” anywhere outside of their home. Even within the home, such a “need” is largely overstated.

Most days, I consider a .380acp Ruger LCP to be enough, but in higher risk situations, I carry a G19 or P224. I’ve most recently added a P365, which has wholly displaced my LC9 as my “almost naked 9mm option.”

Varminterror said:

I’ve most recently added a P365 as my “almost naked 9mm option.”

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If you say they are that good I'm sold!

I feel well equipped with my XDs .45 and a spare 7-round magazine. It's been completely reliable with all ammo I've tried and quite accurate with 3 different types of self-defense ammo to 15 yards.

Decided to carry on a regular basis,of the choice of what I have on hand a Ruger Lightwieght in 9 mm is my choice with a spre mag in reserve. I have other pistols to choose from but the Ruger is my best option.

I have always thought that Jeff Cooper explained it the best :

"I am sometimes perplexed by people who refer to defensive rifles, or defensive rifle shooting. The defensive arm is the pistol, since you have it at hand to meet situations you do not anticipate. If you have the luxury of anticipating a lethal encounter, you pick up a long arm, either a rifle or a shotgun, but in that case you go on to the attack. Thus rifle shooting is offensive, and pistol shooting is defensive. Of course, life does not always duplicate theory, and there are exceptions to everything, but nonetheless the rifle is not a defensive weapon in concept."

From Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Volume Eight, No.11

Do not see how there is any difference regardless of whether public servant or not. If you are in a life and death circumstance, ideally a rifle - or a shotgun - is the logical choice.

It is a simple matter of the fact that a rifle is a far more reliable "stopper" than a handgun. Not a matter of what you do for a living.

Mizar said:

Since I also share ATLDave's point of view, hence this sounds like a good option:

View attachment 793699

P.S. I would like to emphasize on the hat. And the mustache. And the coat. And the shotgun... Real gentleman should always dress sharp.

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He may be a snappy dresser, but check out these righteous dudes:

Any pistol is enough.

Unless it isn't.

If I draw my NAA .22LR mini and my would-be assailant bolts, then the mini was "enough."

If I empty my 1911 at a group of assailants and at least one keeps coming, then the .45 wasn't.

I currently carry a Kel-Tec PF9 most of the time, but am probably going to transition to the Kahr CW45 I picked up recently once it proves itself. I'm confident in either to do what it should, as long as I do.

I can see the guys in the pics doing a very good imitation of Chester Good. Going to be a real hoot to use a stall in the men's room

RPZ said:

Do not see how there is any difference regardless of whether public servant or not. If you are in a life and death circumstance, ideally a rifle - or a shotgun - is the logical choice.

It is a simple matter of the fact that a rifle is a far more reliable "stopper" than a handgun. Not a matter of what you do for a living.

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Stopping power isn’t the only consideration in the logic of civilian defensive weapon selection.

After claiming “logic” to it - could you spare the time to run through said? Describe the everyday circumstance in which a rifle could be deployed? We’ve been down this road - there’s little to no practicality in a plan to “fight back to your long gun” for the civilian. LEO’s carry handguns, and keep long guns in their cruiser. They have a reason and logical pathway to “use the handgun to fight back to their long gun.” If a civilian evades danger and reaches their vehicle, the logical obligation is to further retreat from danger - else as was pointed out above in the Cooper quote, the rifle would be used offensively. The only two paradigms I can believe is remotely feasible is home invasion. Even for an in-vehicle attack, evasion is the best option, and leaving the vehicle is an offensive move - whereas inside, the long gun isn’t as well maneuvered as a handgun.

Unless you’re walking down the street or sitting at work with a rifle slung on your shoulder, the “logic” of the real world application says you won’t have a long gun readily at hand in the instant of threat, and by the time you retreat to reach the long gun, the threat is relieved.