Home Defense in Mexico: you pick... .38 spl. or .380?
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Bones11b
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Not to muddy the waters but from what I understand the .38 super is popular in Mexico in part to certain loopholes that allow the chief law enforcement officer in your area to sign off on civillians possesing said firearm. I have friends and family in Mexico that legally own 1911 pistols chambered in .38 super. How many loopholes they had to jump thru to accomplish this is beyond me. I would suggest bringing the question up to the chief law eforcement officer in your area.
Now if the Super is not availabe, my next choice would be a Super converted to Special. I found that Clark and Dinan both made these guns way back when, and some are still on the market.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/920608494/Guns/Pistols/1911-Pistol-Copies/DINAN_Built_38_Special.htm
http://www.gunsamerica.com/97685134...-Pistols/Colt_Clark_Long_Slide_38_Special.htm
I can't help but think 1911 when I think self defense in a tropical climate, and a .38 special 1911 would be unique as well.
Actually found the Clark site and it has .38 special conversions for 1911 listed as a service currently available. You can have it done to your existing 1911 as well.
http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/bullcon.htm
Now if the Super is not availabe, my next choice would be a Super converted to Special. I found that Clark and Dinan both made these guns way back when, and some are still on the market.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/920608494/Guns/Pistols/1911-Pistol-Copies/DINAN_Built_38_Special.htm
http://www.gunsamerica.com/97685134...-Pistols/Colt_Clark_Long_Slide_38_Special.htm
I can't help but think 1911 when I think self defense in a tropical climate, and a .38 special 1911 would be unique as well.
Actually found the Clark site and it has .38 special conversions for 1911 listed as a service currently available. You can have it done to your existing 1911 as well.
http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/bullcon.htm
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CountGlockula
Member
A Glock 25 and 28 in .380!
A .38 special is enough for me in mexico and in US but I would love to have other calibers like .40 S&W and .44 magnum for situations where a .38 special is too weak for like a grizzly bear or in SHTF where I need alot of rounds out of a semi-auto to stop looters and thugs.
But for the most part I feel well armed with a .38 special revolver in most everyday situations.
But for the most part I feel well armed with a .38 special revolver in most everyday situations.
If you are looking for stopping power and are limited to .38Special, go for a S&W 38/44 Heavy Duty with 5" barrel and load it with 158gr hollow points going 1,200ft/sec.
Too bad they stopped making the HD aroung 1960, but there are plenty of old ones out there. The adjustable sight version of this gun is the 38/44 Outdoorsman.
Too bad they stopped making the HD aroung 1960, but there are plenty of old ones out there. The adjustable sight version of this gun is the 38/44 Outdoorsman.
tipoc
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Earlier on Gallo posted this link. I think it's a good one so I'll repost it...
www.mexicoarmado.com
This is to a forum from Mexico similar to this one. It's worth the time to poke around there some even if you have no Spanish. The variety of the discussions and arms that the regular folks have and are discussing may enlighten you some.
In the knife forum the Ojeda blades from Nuevo Leon caught my eye.
tipoc
www.mexicoarmado.com
This is to a forum from Mexico similar to this one. It's worth the time to poke around there some even if you have no Spanish. The variety of the discussions and arms that the regular folks have and are discussing may enlighten you some.
In the knife forum the Ojeda blades from Nuevo Leon caught my eye.
tipoc
I may be confused here so if I am please correct my ignorance. I need a question answered please. Thank you!
I would go with 38Special Plus P ammunition and for a Ruger or S&W revolver.
Does that mean that you can't BUY or OWN a 357Magnum Revolver in Mexico or that you can OWN that 357Magnum Revolver but ONLY own, use and have 38Special Plus P ammunition for it in your home or anywhere else? Only own or ALLOWED (?!?) a 38Special or 38Special Plus P firearm and if that was so... I would choose a Ruger or S&W Revolver. I would have to study all of the Models - old and new.
If I could not have 38Special Plus P ammunition or that Revolver Caliber and they were so picky on that... I would go with a Ruger or S&W revolver and own/use 22LR ammunition... buy that in BULK. I would have more than one 22LR revolver in my home or car or ? too!
Limited on how much ammunition you can own or have in your home too? Holy moly! I will have to read more of this here.
Catherine
I would go with 38Special Plus P ammunition and for a Ruger or S&W revolver.
Does that mean that you can't BUY or OWN a 357Magnum Revolver in Mexico or that you can OWN that 357Magnum Revolver but ONLY own, use and have 38Special Plus P ammunition for it in your home or anywhere else? Only own or ALLOWED (?!?) a 38Special or 38Special Plus P firearm and if that was so... I would choose a Ruger or S&W Revolver. I would have to study all of the Models - old and new.
If I could not have 38Special Plus P ammunition or that Revolver Caliber and they were so picky on that... I would go with a Ruger or S&W revolver and own/use 22LR ammunition... buy that in BULK. I would have more than one 22LR revolver in my home or car or ? too!
Limited on how much ammunition you can own or have in your home too? Holy moly! I will have to read more of this here.
Catherine
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tipoc
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Something kinda useful lifted from that website.
http://lapetoire.free.fr/pages/Armes_poing_mod.htm
tipoc
http://lapetoire.free.fr/pages/Armes_poing_mod.htm
tipoc
jhco
Member
38 super
jaholder1971
Member
Best way to stay well defended in Mexico is to stay in the U.S.
jackstinson
Member
When I lived and worked in Mexico for a few years I did not carry a gun.
The local Policia, the Federal Police, and the Justice Police are all very eager to nab a gringo for any infraction they can concoct, in order to get some cash from him. Heck I was stopped by the Policia for goofy things such as "failing to use my turn signal to change lanes", "not having a bumper on the rear of my pickup", and "having Ohio license plates". Every time they simply wanted a pay-off. I'd hate to get stopped with a gun on me. Mexican jails are not where I would want to spend any time whatsoever. I did, however, carry a switchblade. Which could be purchased for $10 in pretty much any street market and no one seemed to have a problem with.
Jack
The local Policia, the Federal Police, and the Justice Police are all very eager to nab a gringo for any infraction they can concoct, in order to get some cash from him. Heck I was stopped by the Policia for goofy things such as "failing to use my turn signal to change lanes", "not having a bumper on the rear of my pickup", and "having Ohio license plates". Every time they simply wanted a pay-off. I'd hate to get stopped with a gun on me. Mexican jails are not where I would want to spend any time whatsoever. I did, however, carry a switchblade. Which could be purchased for $10 in pretty much any street market and no one seemed to have a problem with.
Jack
XDKingslayer
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There are other higher capacity .380s out there. The Taurus PT-138 is 12+1.
FranklyTodd
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38, +P if allowed. As for capacity, he said home defense only - I'd have at least one NY Reload!! That equals or tops the highest capacity .380, I think.
(for those not familiar with that term, it means you toss the empty gun and pull another!)
Sorry - don't know about model - all my .38/.357 are j-frames for carry - obviously I'd want a full-size w/ at least 4" barrel.
(for those not familiar with that term, it means you toss the empty gun and pull another!)
Sorry - don't know about model - all my .38/.357 are j-frames for carry - obviously I'd want a full-size w/ at least 4" barrel.
Fish828
Member
jackstinson, what you said is very true. the federales will harass any white folk in mexico for any reason they can find for money. this sounds ridiculous, and it is, but my cousin who lives in san diego was visiting and he kissed his girlfriend at the bar, after which, two federales claimed he broke a law and that he needed to pay them money or go to jail. these requests were made at gunpoint, mind you. thus, if i was just visiting for a day or so, i might just opt for the knife simply because of the potential problems carrying a gun could generate.
If Mexico is so horrible, why do so many American citizens choose to live there? I wonder if a semi auto .380acp MAC 11 clone would be legal for a Mexican citizen to own?
Gun ownership is still somewhat prevalent,legal or otherwise down there.
My neighbors family in Mexico has some sort of .22 centerfire bolt action rifle, a .22lr revolver of some sort, and a .22lr semi auto rifler of some sort as well. They are not real gun knowledgeable, they don't remember the makes of the guns.
One of them reported paying $8usd per 50 round box of Winchester .22lr though!
Gun ownership is still somewhat prevalent,legal or otherwise down there.
My neighbors family in Mexico has some sort of .22 centerfire bolt action rifle, a .22lr revolver of some sort, and a .22lr semi auto rifler of some sort as well. They are not real gun knowledgeable, they don't remember the makes of the guns.
One of them reported paying $8usd per 50 round box of Winchester .22lr though!
I´ve never been hasseled by Mexican police. Infact the only time my car was searched was by Mexican soldiers who couldn´t have been more apathetic to what was in my car. They didn't even search my bags. Just asked me what was in them.
That said I can't stand Mexico (their government and way of doing things) for a variety of reasons (armed soldiers searching your car with out cause or warrent is one of them among many) and would never live there.
That said I can't stand Mexico (their government and way of doing things) for a variety of reasons (armed soldiers searching your car with out cause or warrent is one of them among many) and would never live there.
38 for sure and shoot +p ammo.
I have a Ruger GP100 in 357 not sure if it comes in 38 only.
Ruger SP101 is a good gun also.
I carry a Taurus mod 85 38 but it would not be my choice for home defence,it only weigh's 15 oz. and ez to carry.
I have a Ruger GP100 in 357 not sure if it comes in 38 only.
Ruger SP101 is a good gun also.
I carry a Taurus mod 85 38 but it would not be my choice for home defence,it only weigh's 15 oz. and ez to carry.
There's a version of the Bersa Thunder .380 with a 15 round double stack magazine that I handled last week. Nice. Doubletap has a 90 grain Gold Dot that does 1100 fps from the Bersa 3.75" bbl. That'd be my choice.
15+1 in a concealable yet very shootable gun.
15+1 in a concealable yet very shootable gun.
Another nod to the .38 Super. I understand it is realtively popular in old Mexico.
Edited: I was under the understanding, perhaps mistakenly, that is was relatively popular due to it being allowed as it was not deemed a military catridge, and thus allowable under Mexican law to own and possess.
Edited: I was under the understanding, perhaps mistakenly, that is was relatively popular due to it being allowed as it was not deemed a military catridge, and thus allowable under Mexican law to own and possess.
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Deaf Smith
Member
Just get a Ruger GP-100 or Speed Six that is chambered for .38 Special and use Buffalo Bore .38s. 158gr LSWHP bulletd at 1100 FPS from a 2 3/4 inch Speed Six barrel.
How do I know? I chroned it!
How do I know? I chroned it!
Sam
Member
Pick a better country to live in.
Sam
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