Self-Defense Choices

[Drakejake]

I ask these questions from time to time.

1. Does it make more sense to have carry seven rounds of .380 or eight rounds of .32? (Kel Tec P32 vs. Kel Tec .380)

2. Which would you prefer for self-defense: seven rounds of .357 from a snubby (20 oz. Taurus 617) or seven rounds of .45 (20 oz Republic Arms Patriot--DAO, or 25 oz. Star PD--single action).

3. Better for self defense: 18 rounds of 9mm (27 oz. Ruger 95 with 17 round Mec Gar mag) or 14 rounds of .40 (35 oz. Astra A-!00 with 13 round mag)?

Thanks,

Drakejake

 

[Alan Fud]

If you know the Bullet Weight, Velocity & Caliber, you can go here and use John Taylor's Knockdown Scale Calculator to give you a 'ballpark' idea of which is better.

 

[MJRW]

Uhhh...I'm thinking here it don't really matter given the choices you've provided. The choices there are so close, it really is a matter of personal preference. I like the P32, Taurus, Ruger combo.

 

[Dr.Rob]

380 over 32.

45/357 equal.

9mm over 40.

(I don't own a 32 or a 40)

 

[Tamara]

If you know the Bullet Weight, Velocity & Caliber, you can go here and use John Taylor's Knockdown Scale Calculator to give you a 'ballpark' idea of which is better.

FWIW, Taylor Knockout Value was developed as a rough means of comparing big-bore magnum solids when fired into foot-thick pachyderm skulls and has little to no relevance to handgun bullets fired at thin-skinned h. sap. sap.

 

[N3rday]

Well if you consider that it is rare to use that many rounds in a given self defense situation, ammo capacity really doesn't matter.

If you need that many 9mm rounds, you are in DEEP SH*T my friend... I would worry about whats easier to shoot and what you are more accurate with.

Well, and with your budget, since those 9s are cheap!

p.s. Do .40 rounds really have as much muzzle flip as people say they do? Jes' wondrin

 

[WESHOOT2]

IN MY MITTS

Which do I shoot better?

Not caliber of gun, caliber of gunner..........

Three shots and move............

 

[Black Snowman]

My preference would be maximum power on target. Large capacities aren't as important as hitting your target and doing damage.

My votes, .380, .357, .40

 

[Alan Fud]

" ... Do .40 rounds really have as much muzzle flip as people say they do? Jes' wondrin ... "

I personally do not have any problems with pistols in 9mm, .40S&W or .45ACP's -- but I find revolvers in .357MAG (and up) to be a handful.

 

[George Hill]

.40 does have more bark. It's a high pressure round pumping out a pretty big and pretty heavy slug. So indeed, it will have more flash and smash than other rounds like 9 or .45. This is why I only recommend .40 to experienced shooters... it can make training very difficult as newbies will develope a bad case of wince and flinch.
You can see these guys on the range, they are the ones that are pushing the muzzle forward when the gun just goes "click", or are actually closing their eyes when the trigger breaks.