Having a good laugh

[10mmshooter]

I just can't help but comment on all of the threads that get started on these gun forums regarding which caliber has more "stopping power", and other such nonsense.
Granted...I am sure that most common self defense caliber weapons are more up to the task than a .22 LR, but come on people! Take a hard look at a 9mm. Now a .40S&W. Now have a look at a .45ACP. How about a .357 Sig?...Now really...Do you really want to be shot with any of these?!
Personally, I prefer my 10mm 1911 with a 5 inch barrel, loaded with 9 rounds of Cor-Bon 165 gr hollow points for defensive purposes, but there are those who would say that a hot 10mm load is overkill. Well, to each his own.
I for one, would prefer to never experience the superior/inferior stopping capabilities of any bullet first hand, and hope that none of you have to either.
As for those who would claim that one caliber will overpenetrate, or underpenetrate, or whatever...all I can say is that the only way to truly find out would be to ask a shooting victim if the bullet that struck them went deep enough into their body, or if the would have prefered it to have gone deeper. Assuming that an interview of that type is unlikely to be conducted by any of us...I guess we'll all just have to shoot what we feel comfortable with..given our limited first hand knowledge on the subject.
What a shame.

 

[George Hill]

Ah, a stereotypical "You can choose what you want to carry - but my choice is correct" thread.

I think most people would be best served by not worrying about the caliber, or the gun but instead focus on the really important issue at hand... taking what you have and being able to actually use it.
That's where the rubber meets the road, my friends.
Otherwise you are just very Shakespeare.
You're full of sound and fury, but you signify nothing, and soon you will be heard from no more... if you get my drift.

 

[Hal]

According to the front page of the forums

- Members: 7,767, Threads: 49,508, Posts: 607,973 -

Look at it this way. Without threads like what you're talking about (this one too for that matter), the whole forum could consist of one thread titled:
"I like guns",,,,

with 7,766 replys saying "so do I"

Could get pretty boring in a hurry eh?

 

[10mmshooter]

I had no intentention of bashing anyones choice of guns when I posted this thread. Nor did I intend to imply that what I choose is superior in any way. I was simply commenting on the over abundance of posts that do just that.
Some people seem to buy into the whole issue of mine's better than yours that seems to be so prevelant in the gun publications anymore. It simply gave me a good laugh because the very same calibers that some people refer to as "less than adequate", are the same ones that were being touted by these publications as the "best" for one reason or another...not too long ago.
How long will it be before some manufacturer comes up with a new round that causes us all to step back, and say..." This round is the best for XXXX reason, and all the others are no good for self defense."?

 

[ceestand]

The way I look at the CCW issue is that there are many issues besides caliber, and almost all of them are more important than the round.

Comfort - That it will be there when you need it, because you feel comfortable carrying and shooting it.

Functionality - that the gun will be able to successfully be used by you.

Reliability - that it will fire every time you need it to.

Accuracy - You can't destroy what you don't hit whether it be with a .22 or a .50 +P+P+P+ supermagnumbuttstomper round.

Capacity and Round - these are equal, as taken to their extremes, would you rather have 1000 rounds the size of a pin, or only one 72.00 cal round at your disposal?

I think each of these trumps any under it. If the gun is not comfortable, you won't have it, if you can't make it work it wont, etc.. This could mean that a revolver will beat a semi any day as reliability comes before capacity, but that's another never ending thread...

 

[ARperson]

This post got me thinking. What are the chances that a handgun round would actually be a through-and-through shot on a human? I know caliber will make a difference. But so would FMJ vs. HP, etc. And the combination of these two criteria. And then there's also where in the body a person is shot.

I guess what I'm asking is what caliber/bullet type combos would likely be a through-and-through shot. Let's assume for arguments sake that it's a torso shot and not an arm, leg, or grazing shot.

Just curious.

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

I like the through-and-through shot. Helps em bleed out better

.357 mag/.44 mag are definitely coming out the other side: HP, SP, probably all of them.

9mm/.40/10mm/.45 ball will perforate, but not expand too much (assuming soft tissue). HP are a different matter.

 

[444]

So do I.

 

[BluesBear]

7.62FullMetalJacket

.357 mag/.44 mag are definitely coming out the other side:

definitely
a : free of all ambiguity, uncertainty, or obscurity
b : UNQUESTIONABLE, DECIDED

So what you are saying is that ALL .357 magnum AND ALL .44 magnum loads will ALWAYS shoot through ALL humans EVERYTIME?

I presume you can prove this?

HP, SP, probably all of them.

Then you add at the end "probably".
This implies that you doubt your own fact.

So will they or won't they?



edited to remove comments about actual bullet wounds I have observed

 

[Missouri Mule]

It is pretty simple, It is all marketing!

I grew up having to have a .45 Gov. The first one I ever shot was a GI rattle in basic training. At that point I new what was best for me. As soon as I was able I bought me a new .45 Gov model. I was in at he time the M9's were first coming out. I never liked the 9mm and I never liked the Beretta. Still don't like either. But they do have their place.

I even bought a 9mm CZ-75 a couple of years ago. Great pistol!
I like it much better than the 92F.

Anyway guns are like cars, everybody hads a favorite. That certainly does not mean your choice will be best for me.

Heck as much as I love the 1911 design I have become a fan of the Makarov in recent years. And yes I do like it better than the 9mm.

But that is me.

My whole point, I think, is that it is fine to crow about the virtues of your favorite gun and caliber. Just don't let it turn you into a gun bigott.

I still think most of the hype about new calibers is all marketing.

Like somebody said earlier...these hot topics and heated discussions are what keeps this forum going and on top.

 

[standingbear]

as dirty harry said"this is the most powerful hangun in the world and itll blow your head clean off....do ya feel lucky..punk?" - actually..its not the most powerful but..id hate to be shot with ANY gun,especially this one.

 

[N3rday]

Calibers

So it is true, but if I were LEO i'd go with the .45 or .40 just caused of drugged up criminals who are resistant to pain.

For self-defense, it really doesn't matter as long as it's .38 spl/9mm and up

 

[Missouri Mule]

as dirty harry said"this is the most powerful hangun in the world and itll blow your head clean off....do ya feel lucky..punk?" - actually..its not the most powerful but..id hate to be shot with ANY gun,especially this one.

No it is not the most powerful anymore. I do however believe that when it was first introduced it actually was the most powerful. I'm not certain but I think the M29 and "Magnum Force" were both released about the same time period.

I am sure there are some genuinely knowledgable gun gurus here that can help us out with this one.

 

[gbran]

Speaking of pet peaves.....

Every time I see a caliber war thread, the small caliber proponents scream that it's SHOT PLACEMENT, not size that matters. It's almost as if these people assume that larger calibers can't attain proper shot placement. About a month ago, an angry client shot his lawyer several times at point blank range on national TV with a small caliber handgun. Several hits were to the upper body, but none seemed to STOP the lawyer in his tracks. I remember thinking this gut was lucky the shooter was using a small calliber. Trust me. Size does matter.

 

[BluesBear]

Timeline

S&W .44 Magnum 1955

Dirty Harry 1971

Magnum Force 1973

The Enforcer 1976

Sudden Impact 1983

The Dead Pool 1988