What really is "enough" gun?

[Black Snowman]

People's comfort levels vary. My Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructor called it "Acceptable level of risk"

Mine for most situations is unarmed and aware. I don't really have much legal choice as KS doesn't have CCW yet. I frequently carry a knife but not always.

I'm fortunate that I'm rarely if ever forced into risky situations, but I'd feel better for everyone if I were armed.

I personally wouldn't want anything less than a 9mm, and if I have 10 rounds or more I would be fine with FMJ with perferation making up for per hit damage and increased odds of hitting CNS or vitals. Ideally I'd like a long gun. Biggest one I can get. If I see it comming I'd go for my FAL.

 

[Keith]

I think the question is just phrased incorrectly - or we tend to think about it incorrectly...?

There is no such thing as "enough gun" when we are talking about carrying a handgun.
Really, we ought to ask how much we are willing to compromise power for weight/comfort/concealability, etc. And that will depend on the time of year (wardrobe), the size of the individual, etc.

If we are talking about "enough gun" for home defense, then handguns shouldn't even be brought up - we should be talking about which shotgun is best!.

Keith

 

[Erik]

Regardless of comfort levels, which has absolutely nothing to do with the subject at hand, the .38 special meets the minimum criteria for what is deemed "enough gun."

The "fact" that a .32 in the pocket beats a .45 in the safe not withstanding.

 

[BluesBear]

Lots of interesting responses and opinions to this topic.

Many good arguments for several of them too.

But since this is one of those unanswerable questions that deals more in philosophy than absolutes, perhaps a parable is in order.


Once upon a time (before WWII) there were two competing guitar manufacturers. One was a long established company named Gibson that had been making instruments since 1902. The other was a young upstart, founded in 1923, named Epiphone. (Yes in 1957 Gibson bought and merged Epiphone but this was before all of that.)

Gibson felt they were the masters of their art and thought they had the better product.
Epiphone had studied the ways of the masters and felt they had devised a better product.

Gibson came up with the now famous slogan, “Only A Gibson is Good Enough.â€

Epiphone countered with their slogan, “Epiphone, when ‘Good Enough’ isn’t Good Enough.â€

Both companies soon dropped both slogans.



So you see my brothers and sisters, this I say unto thee, heed the words of Epimanondas Stathopoulos, “Sometimes, Good Enough’ ain’t Good Enough€.

 

[gulogulo1970]

For me:

Minimum Revolver= 38SPL +P+

Minimum semi-auto= 40S&W.

Probably overkill, but I read alot of Mel Tappen growing up. So, I've had it drilled into me that anything less than 45ACP is for wussies. Problem is that extensive shooting with 45's gives me a flinch(wussie here). 40's and hot 38's don't, so I shoot them better. I guess if someone gave me a pocket sized 9mm I might carry it, I've just never liked nines, just wierd I guess.

 

[sm]

Related

I used to have an old old magazine article from I think the late '50s that listed suggested bullet weights, MV, FPE...etc. , For various game. Selection was based on the game, taking into consideration skin thickness, muscle, bone, weight...etc. Handgun/Rifle/Shotgun loads.

Now this wasn't like what one sees on various ammo mfg listings, gun magazine articles that might be trying to sell something. Not one of the studies we see debated. Just a compliation of what hunters had used and the performance results. IIRC some of the notations were old timers and their ledgers/ diaries.

Interesting thing was it seemed the experiences shared were genuine and sincere. None of the bashing or hype...just folks being neighborly and sharing.

Folks also used and suggested loads for SD because of experiences in wartime and hunting. I wish I still had this. Seems like it was in Field& Stream...then again maybe not...

I kinda like what Ruark said...obviously huh?.
Kinda like Ruark's advice about taking a second shot too...

 

[clubsoda22]

anything is better than nothing, but i wouldn't go smaller than .380

 

[Denver]

"a single shot .177 air gun"

"Armed and silly.", is how my Dad described that thought. Obviously, NOT enough. (8 to 10 grains @ 300 to 1000 FPS) 'Won't even stop an angry raccoon! 'Been there, done that!



Keederdag, "CCI 36 grain Stingers" Most Excellent! They are my favorite! They are also loud and, from pistol-length barrels, give off a huge, bluish ball of muzzleflash after dark! Aguila also makes a couple of high-energy .22LRs that I have not yet tried, like their 60 SSS and another that I remember seeing muzzle velocities in the 1700 fps range, if my memory serves me. (I really like my Browning Buckmark! I like it best for SD with ammo that's never failed to fire: CCI 36 grain STINGERS!)




May I invoke Colonel Jeff Cooper here?

(Forgive me; the precise quote has eluded me, thus I paraphrase...)

Colonel Cooper reckons that if you can't carry a .45 or larger, go right on down to the .22LR: It's easier to shoot and cheaper to practice with, so one is more likely to become proficient with it;
"A .22 in the eyeball beats a 9mm to the wishbone." (I think that's how I remember reading it...)

Shot placement: Only bullets that HIT count. If you can't CONNECT with huge footpounds...

I suppose that the shocking report from the behemoth calibers would do plenty to get the BG's attention, but is that really what I'd want?

If he can't see or is losing hydraulic pressure from his carotid or jugular, the end of the fight is a little closer at hand than if I push hard on a gun that kicks like a mule, with which I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn from the inside with the doors and windows shut!

.22 is enough, .45 is better, tactical avoidance is best. IMHBTAO.

 

[TonyB]

Personally I think it has alot to do with the person ....I can't shoot a 45 to literally save my life......but I can and do shoot 38+P+ out of an SP101 very good.....5 shots in COM in about 5 seconds.at 15 yrds..that's hard to beat....I think you should shoot the biggest caliber you can handle and shoot well and conceal....for me a small revolver is easily concealed and has enough power.Maybe for you it's a 45,or a 9.....only hits count after all......practice is the key.....although if I were to be shot,I'd rather be shot with a 22 or 25 than a 380 or 9.......enough gun depends on the ability of the shooter and the situation...IMO....

 

[SirVette]

StuckintheUK

Maybe some of this will help. .22lr or .25 i.e. about 70 ft.lbs. Many agents use the small Walther TPH. Silencers are available for it.

You have probably read enough to know that the normally recommended minimum pistols in the US are .380 auto or .38 Special revolvers. About 200 ft. lbs. For many years .38 Special was the normal police gun.
Many police go their entire careers w/o firing their gun though many are taken into custody with it. The police went to .357 magnum to penetrate cars.

In the US, there is the "bigger is better" thing as you probably have noticed.

Have been to England. Counld not stay long since I could not bring my hot rod Corvette.