being under capacitied

[CraigC]

Of course they're must be some, but they are few and far between and highly isolated.

Methinks the number of people who go way out of their way to be prepared for such a rare encounter are vastly disproportionate to the number of those actually involved in one. I can't imagine feeling undergunned unless I was carrying a 15rd 9mm with two spare mags and a backup gun.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Listen, revolvers are lame because they don't have as many "shots" as a semi.

Point taken.

NOT! I'll still continue to carry my 5 shot .38 snub!

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I don't ever feel undergunned with my little .357...... but maybe that's just where I live. My semi is still easier to carry though.

 

[ugaarguy]

Listen, revolvers are lame because they don't have as many "shots" as a semi.

Point taken.

NOT! I'll still continue to carry my 5 shot .38 snub!

No one said that. I and several others just pointed out the OP's false assumptions. There's no need to be juvenile about it.

 

[Hunter2011]

As someone who has been involved in a real gunfight, I can tell you, when the chips are down there is no such thing as too much ammo. It all comes down to fast, accurate fire from the gun you have. I'm still here and I still wish I had had a few more rounds.

You are not the first person I heard saying this, that were in a actual situation like you. It seems that even though you are armed to the teeth, you still wished you had more firepower at the time. Not that you needed it.
I have read about a local guy who defended himself against 4 armed attackers. He had a 8 shot .45. He said he feels he would have been killed if he had only 6 shots. Lucky for him, they decided to flee just as he fired his last round. They could have just as well continued the attack, if they had known he was out of ammo. He was surprised with the attack and was lucky that after some time, while lying on the ground, he could draw and fire. They never searched him for a weapon where he carried it. That saved his life, so luck had a big part to play there.
I am sure he carries more rounds with him now

 

[Skribs]

The thing is, most gun owners are overprepared by simply having a gun. Chances are you will never need it.

Most people who own a full duty-sized Glock-type weapon are overprepared compared to a revolver or pocket pistol, if the situation can be diffused simply by drawing the weapon or scaring them off with one shot.

Most people who own a 17-round 9mm and carry it with 2 spare magazines, a backup revolver, and 2 speedloaders for that revolver are going to be underprepared when someone armored head-to-toe robs the bank they're in.

I've said it before a bunch of times (and might want to make it my sig at some point): you're only "paranoid" until you are proven to be "prepared." Remember, most anti-gunners say we're all paranoid for even owning one of these death machines.

 

[RealGun]

Most people who own a full duty-sized Glock-type weapon are overprepared compared to a revolver or pocket pistol, if the situation can be diffused simply by drawing the weapon or scaring them off with one shot.

Using a drawn weapon to threaten someone or firing a warning shot can get you into trouble and threaten your gun collection. That falls outside the standard of "fearing serious immediate bodily harm" as a justification for shooting. I don't believe brandishing is ever acceptable. Better to think in terms of drawing only if you have already decided to shoot out of necessity.

 

[jimbo555]

I carry a ruger lcr 22lr that holds 8 rounds at times. That's more rounds than the average pocket 380. It is easier for me to make fast hits with the lcr than with any pocket 380 I own.

 

[420Stainless]

The semi-auto (at least mine) is flat and carries better in a pocket for me than any revolver. I don't carry a reload, so no difference in capacity for me. I just prefer the flat profile a whole lot more.

If I happen to be working in the yard in bib overalls then I will often carry a big revolver.

 

[AFDavis11]

Revolvers are more reliable, autos hold more ammo (and I think can be easier to shoot). Ultimately though you have to make a decision that always places you in one camp or the other.

I sometimes carry one of each.

 

[Black Knight]

Under gunned? Absolutely not. I was originally trained on revolvers and was trained that I couldn't afford to miss even once. The six shots in my revolvers plus the spares are plenty for me. I have met some youngsters in the past who thought with a 10+ mag they could miss and still hit what they wanted at least once and be good. Little do they know they can't afford to miss and are acountable for those misses. Under gunned? Nope, just more determined to end it the first time.

 

[Lucky Derby]

Using a drawn weapon to threaten someone or firing a warning shot can get you into trouble and threaten your gun collection. That falls outside the standard of "fearing serious immediate bodily harm" as a justification for shooting. I don't believe brandishing is ever acceptable. Better to think in terms of drawing only if you have already decided to shoot out of necessity.

I'll agree on the warning shot, however sometimes the situation changes between the time you start your draw and the time you are on target.
I can tell you from first hand experience that I would have been completely justified in taking the shot as I began to pull my Sig from it's holster. By the time I was on target and could take the shot, I was no longer justified. The street urchen had changed his behavior at the sight of my .45 coming out of the holster.

 

[fastbolt]

While it's often entertaining to debate the advantages &disadvantages of the "equipment" (the handgun) - real or perceived - it's still a matter of how well the equipment "user" can manipulate and run the equipment safely and quickly, getting consistently accurate and effective hits on an intended threat target.

Some folks shoot big revolvers better than little revolvers.

Some folks shoot big pistols better than little pistols.

Some folks shoot little pistols better than little revolvers.

And so on ...

Some folks like to think one or another combination of handgun (design, overall size, caliber & ammunition capacity) may somehow offset their unwillingness to work better at their skillset.

The smallest off-duty weapon I was interested in carrying for many years was one of my 5-shot S&W J's. I only picked up a LCP because I saw more LCP's & Bodyguard .380's coming through our qual range; and I tried a LCP a close friend had been carrying for a couple years (another firearms instructor).

I found I could slip a pocket-holstered LCP into many of the shorter & tighter front pants pockets in which I couldn't slip a pocket-holstered J-frame ... and using the LCP allowed me to remain armed in many instances when I'd not been able to carry one of my J's.

The LCP having a 6-rd magazine wasn't much of a consideration for me, just because it held 1 more round than my 5-shot J's (or, that if desired I could 'top off' the magazine after chambering a round and achieve 6+1 total capacity).

Now, the little LCP shoots surprisingly well at all reasonable distances usually involved in our off-duty weapon courses-of-fire and training drills. Nice.

I can, however, still run one of my 5-shot snubs faster when using +P loads. Doesn't mean much if I leave them at home because they won't fit in my pants pocket, though. I'm old enough that I'm no longer interested in always having to "dress around" my retirement weapons. I did that for enough years in my plainclothes assignment and for off-duty. I desire a bit more leisure and latitude nowadays. That's me.

It's all about where you want to find yourself standing regarding that line drawn establishing acceptable compromise, right?

Hopefully, that "compromise" won't include anything about the user's mindset & skillset.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I think the point is, revolvers aren't obsolete until they're not, and that semi-autos aren't superior until they are not obsolete and aren't superior at all too.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I think the point is, revolvers aren't obsolete until they're not, and that semi-autos aren't superior until they are not obsolete and aren't superior at all too

 

[Bezoar]

using that philosophy, im better off using a ninja sword because the besst mass killers in japan are still feudal samurai killing unarmed populace..

 

[Zaydok Allen]

using that philosophy, im better off using a ninja sword because the besst mass killers in japan are still feudal samurai killing unarmed populace..

I could swear that was an aspirin I took awhile ago.......

What happened here?

 

[lowercase]

I could swear that was an aspirin I took awhile ago.......

What happened here?

LOL. I'm in full agreement.

 

[Stainz]

Having been a civilian - again - for over four decades - the probability is very low that I will need more than a round or two to defend my life. I have no intention of fighting armed crowds or gangs. If I did, I am afraid that a handgun's capacity, from 5 to 17 rounds, much less reloading ease, would be of little importance. I'm afraid that even Rambo, with his M60 mg and belts of 7.62, would be of little help in that type of encounter. I may be delusional, but I feel fine with a 642 and five +P 158gr LHPSWCs, although, I have been carrying my 351PD, a 10.4 oz empty .22 WMR 7-shooter, while my torn rotator mends. The key is to use a good pocket holster - and wear cargo pants! YMMV.

Now, if you are defending yourself from the Zombie hordes, well, that's another matter entirely!

Stainz