How Much Handgun Power Do We Really Need?

[Glamdring]

1. Chances are most will never need their CCW.
2. Usually when you need the CCW, you just need a Gun any gun(not many people want to get shot, and most can't tell/don't know difference of caliber from a single look, they will usually leave when they see gun or when they get shot at) to solve problem.
3. All the people I know that have been in shooting situations outside of full war used handguns. None of them had any quick effect:

First one was using a 9x19 and landed at least two HITS in the heart lung area. Bad guy then jumped out a window and ran away (wasn't ground floor). Was found dead few blocks away by LEO.

Second one was a LEO shooting to protect another officer. I don't recall what caliber, but he talked about the not so good feeling he had as he kept shooting, and HITTING, the badguy and he didn't go down. This guy is still active duty last I knew, often has to carry what he is issued. But on his own time he often carries 44 magnum. IMHO this guy is probably the most dangerous person I have met. His level of situational awarness is impressive.

Third was a LEO working undercover, got shot by a 9mm. The 9mm didn't do much (not solid hit) and LEO returned fire with his 44 special (loaded to mag levels, his department only authorized specials )

Fourth was a rookie LEO first day on the street in Chicago. Was shot and injured. Managed to draw his duty weapon and kill badguy. He left law enforcement after that. He said it wasn't the getting shot. It was the way he was treated for killing the bad guy!!! Remember the LEO was shot before he even drew his firearm.

***
I figure having a gun is first problem. Having a 2nd gun is next problem. Having a BIG gun is last problem.

Currently I use Kel Tec P32 &/or P11. But am upgrading to J frames. When I can I carry 4" 357 (magnum loads) or 44 (loaded with specials usually) plus one of the little guns.

 

[Betty]

I carry the largest caliber that I can manage, in a concealable, reliable gun that I can handle well with one hand, even with my weak hand. I need to be able to shoot the entire mag/cylinder without my trigger finger weakening or my wrist uncontrollably shaking.

I carry a BUG and an extra mag/speedloader for the primary gun. Sometimes I'll carry more, just because I can.

If I ever actually need more than my primary gun, I must be in some deep doo-doo.

 

[PCRCCW]

Great thread....I follow some "common CCW rules" same as alot of people.....
1) carry the largest caliber gun with the most rounds available that you can shoot very well.
2) my back up mags are a back up to my back up gun............2 guns more than not.
3) Be aware of your surroundings.....PERIOD!
4) Be nice and polite to everyone you meet everywhere...just be prepared to kill them, if you have to!
5) When Im with my kids....which is about all of the time....be extra aware and trust no one.

If I could carry a snubby Casull.....I would....and yes, I may be nuts

Shoot well

 

[Poohgyrr]

Umm, this is indeed a personal thing. I plan to go home healthy. And after putting four rounds into a palm sized group right behind the shoulder of a nutsy pit bull/ shepard mix attacking kids and teachers at a school, I figure a few rounds might be needed if something "serious" does happen.

You know, that dog was really rude: it did not make an appointment. But then thugs and terrorists don't either. And folks like dogs.

Every time I catch myself thinking my Glock .40 or Hi Power is too big and heavy, I think of my bathroom scale and its suggestion on how I can cut back on a lot more unnecessary weight. This helps keep my head on straighter. Sometimes I grumble about this, but these things are meant to be comforting, not comfortable. Hugging my Sweetheart, sleeping in our bed, and sharing life with my family are comfortable things. Hospitals and coffins are not.....

Now, medical and similiar issues can be different, and can change what a person can do.

No flames intended, just trying to share some straight headedness.

 

[Keith]

Winter: Kimber Aluminum Compact .45
Summer: Colt Mustang Pocketlight .380

I hope if I ever need a gun, I'll need it in winter...

 

[BerettaNut92]

I need the 2 extra mags to keep the gun from making my pants sag

So 25 rounds of 9mm and a German tactical staplegun for me!

 

[P95Carry]

I hope if I ever need a gun, I'll need it in winter...

Keith . that too is my frequent thought!!! Snubby will do right now but way more at ease with the ''stronger'' solution.

 

[jato]

When I flew in my Huey in Nam I had 50cals hanging out the windows and there were times I wish they were 20mm's or Howitzers but I had to make do.

My 2 cents...

You may have to make due with whatever YOU DECIDE to carry. A Small & comfortable mouse-gun may not be enough when facing a 6'3", 300 pound person that is trying to kill you.

9x19 or .38 Special is my personal minimum.

 

[22luvr]

I live a fairly quiet, sheltered life, so.....

I tote with me whatever I can effectively conceal in my right front pocket.

Right now, that would be a Smith 340SC .357 mag.....a good combination of lightweight, concealability, and power. I hope I never have to draw that gun and aim down on someone but it's nice to have something that packs a wallop, if needed.

Yes, I'm a snubby fan; I've owned about 9 of'em and after shooting them for years, I can handle them pretty well. I still like the no-brainer simplicity and reliability of the small revolver......nothing tricky or fancy, just very effective and deadly in the right hands.

Plenty enough for me.

 

[Haycreek]

It has been said: "No handgun is too little to carry, or too big when you really need one". Personally, I carry a 5" 1911 or a Glock 23 mostly, I have noticed however, that a 240 grain 44 Mag. with a 8 or 10 inch barrel is just as effective as a 30 30 Windchester. A little hard to conceal.

 

[LD]

My 2 cents worth

You pose an interesting question. My thoughts are that you need the amount of power that you trust to stop an attack and save your (or another's) life. If you honestly trust, and have such highly refined skills that you can accomplish this with a .22, then so be it. If on the other hand you believe that something larger is required, just as well. Myself, I choose to carry a Steyr in .40S&W. My belief is that it has enough "Smack" to get the job done if needed.

As for the post regarding 6 terrorists with AK's in Level II body armor:
Though HIGHLY unlikely, I won't say that it can't happen to someone somewhere given the world we presently live in. Who knows what those nuts will try at some future date. However, I will say that I've been tagged by an AK and other readers that have had a similar experience will agree that it's not something you want to repeat. Attempting to engage one (let alone 6) with only a handgun, regardless of it's supposed power, is a real good way to get yourself and any other bystanders that might be present dumped in a hurry.

STAY SAFE

 

[MCNETT]

Carry what you are comfortable with, just carry!
For me:
G29- hot weather
G20- cold weather
I always carry one extra mag, and the loads are SCREAMING!
-Mike

 

[matsaleh]

I reckon that in the "terrorists/AK" scenario, the CCW should stay concealed until the most opportune time. In that case, perhaps smaller is better. No handgun is sufficient to engage in such a firefight, but if you are able to convince the BGs you are just another frightened sheep, you could get close enough to one to make it count.

That said, I'm carefully eyeing two guns for power, concealability, and affordability:

Bersa MiniThunder in .40 S&W
Kel-Tec P-11 or P-40

Currently I carry an S&W 6906 with 12 of 9mm and feel better than not carrying anything. My Makarov conceals better, but every time I think about carrying that, I read another of these damn threads and get to thinking I need more.

 

[Feanaro]

God willing I may never have to use a weapon on anyone. But the reason you have one is in case something like that happens. And you MAY have to deal with multiple aggressors and such. You may never need more than six rounds of .38 or more power than a .22 had. But what if you do?

If you can carry it and still conceal it why not do so? Now if you can't conceal a .45 and eight extra mag or a 9mm and eight extra mags then you can't, so don't.

"Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it."

 

[Vladimir Berkov]

Another aspect most seem to forget is practice. I don't want to carry something I am not comfortable shooting, or something where ammo is so expensive that I can't just take it to the range and shoot 200 rounds without my pocketbook hurting too much.

 

[Tamara]

How Much Handgun Power Do We Really Need?

I dunno, how much handgun power can I get?

 

[Texas Bob]

"How much do we really need?" Enough to reach a "vital organ" or a CNS area of the human body. In the summer, human "blood" is "thinner" reative to the winter months, this can lead to a quicker "bleed-out". In the winter, in many areas, people are wearing heavier clothing and sometimes "long underwear", that will hold human tissue together and prevent blood loss. As many poeple have noted, a handgun is a poor subsitute for a long gun when it comes to "power", therefore whatever you choose should be at least able to "tag" a vital organ. Me, I'm 6' 3" and 168#, so if I get hit with anything it will penetrate the depth required if the shot is well placed. A friend of mine is 5' 11" and 320#, your bullet might need a little "extra" to convince his "body type" of a change in status.

 

[DougB]

"I don't like having lots of ammo on my person, makes you kinda look like you're looking for a fight."

Followed immediately by:
" Two airweight .38 special 5-shooters provide redundancy, acceptable firepower, and ideal weight distribution. They hide like a dream."

Not meaning to give offense, but am I the only one who finds this statement a little humorous? Carrying extra ammo or an extra mag makes you "look like you're looking for a fight," but carrying TWO GUNS doesn't? I'm not saying either is necessarily a bad idea - the logic just struck me funny. To the average (non-gun) person (or jury), I think it would seem a lot more reasonable for the average citizen to be carrying some extra ammo than two guns.

Doug

 

[Mannlicher]

Master chief,

If you do need it, really need it, then you probably can't carry enough firepower.

 

[Hand_Rifle_Guy]

Hey Tamara, remember The Monster?

You know, my STUPID gun. The derringer in 7.62 x 39.



Sven's video clip of me shooting the silly thing. Keyword here is "ouch!". The audio is bit out of sequence, probably due to the substantial muzzle blast. The first BIG boom right before I say "oww!" is the report from the derringer. What doesn't show up is 3-ish foot fireball.

I guess my beefiest handgun is the Springfield Armory S.A.S.S. 1911 adapter chambered for .358 Winchester. This one is a couple steps WORSE than The Monster. The Monster weighs about 20 ounces and shoots a 123-grain bullet at a guestimated 2000 fps. The S.A.S.S. weighs in at around 66 ounces and shoots a 200-grain bullet at a guesstimated 2100 fps, or a 250 at 1950. The .308-chambered barrel is comparitively easy to withstand, although it is by no means a walk in the park.

T/C Encores come chambered in bigger calibers yet , but I have no interest in shooting them. Even the Hand_Rifle_Guy has his limits.

Conversely, on my list of dangerous ideas is to get a pair of Cabela's 12-guage muzzle-loading double rifles and cut them down into Howdah pistols with 12"-16" barrels. That'd be 1-1/4 ounce/550-grain roundballs moving out at 1000-ish fps, out of an unknown weight gun.

I dunno, how much handgun power can I get?

Does that help answer your question? I've been researching that exact question the direct way. So far, I haven't damaged my wrist, but I think I'm pushing the envelope.

But a 12-guage double gun with, say, 6" barrels might actually be concealable. With a load dialed back to around 600 fps, it might actually be reasonably shootable. Introducing lighter-weight hollowpoint slugs (3/4-ounce/300-grain, for example.) at the same speed would help even more. With an un-expanded diameter of .729, the smash-factor would be quite decisive on the receiving end. Swaging said hollowpoints out of pure soft lead might allow for expansion even at very low velocities. Imagine .729" soft lead balloons turning inside-out within a target. Overpenetration? I don't think so.

Another approach might be the system used in the British Webley calibers, which is a heavy, loong bullet with marginal stabilization which results in tumbling on impact. In the context of a 12-guage double gun with slow rifling twist set to accomodate roundballs, this might be quite easy to achieve.

And of course, the intimidation-factor of looking into the face of a pair of 12-guage bores means you mostly don't need to actually fire the thing. (*Click-click!* "You STILL want my wallet?") Accuracy is less important as well. Howdah pistols are for scraping tigers off your elephant at zero range so they don't climb into your howdah basket. They'd be plenty accurate for any range up to across-the-street.

Handgun power? As much as conveniently possible, thanks. But that's my specific hobby. I am well-known madman, and my standards are FAR from universal.