would you change the handgun you carry?

[Grumpy]

would you change the handgun you carry?

---

would you change the handgun you carry?
if you were really concerned about your safety,
and thought you might be at serious risk?
one of the guys I hunt with regularly used to carry a small 380 semi auto, for several decades, but recently he swapped to something with a bit more punch, a 357 mag 4" 686. when I asked why, he simply stated, " the revolvers significantly heavier , and requires a holster unlike the pistol that slips nicely into a pocket, but I've become much more aware of the risks, after finding several interactive maps on line that show the area we live in has had dozens of assaults, break-ins and home invasion's every month for years. ... that, and one of my neigbors wifes was robbed and assaulted in her home carport."

LexisNexis® Community Crime Map

https://crimegrade.org/safest-places-in-west-palm-beach-fl/

 

[Grumpy]

yeah I thought the reaction was mildly odd,
why carry, something you really don.t trust ,
logically if your not putting some thought into the selection, and your skill/ability to use it , and have it do a decent job ,if and when you need too.
I've always felt you need too have some confidence in what your carry and its potential, to stop an assailant, you probably need to re-think the process.
but up until recently his main concern was only ease of carry and concealment as he told me he thought the chances of needing to use it was about the same as winning the lotto!
he even admitted many days he just did not bother.
and while a revolver is very effective its cartridge capacity is rather limited,
ID think something like a glock ,9mm, 40cal,10mm, 45acp or one of the newer S&W high capacity pistols might be a more popular choice

HUNTING SIDE ARMS are a vastly different deal,
I have many friends that carry a 10mm pistol for their carry handgun, choice and for personal defense.
While I think the 10mm in several pistol designs,
makes a decent choice if two legged predators are the most likely opponent you'll encounter,
if your talking BEARS, I suggest a heavy caliber revolver, in a minimum of 44 mag,
but a 480 ruger , 460 S&W OR %)) S&W has advantages, many people think the high capacity 10mm with 10-17 cartridge capacity,
has a big advantage,
I think its very dubious simply because if charged ,
your very unlikely to have the TIME to get off more than 2-4 shots,
before your at bayonet ranges, thus the hits you make in that 2-5 seconds,
you might have had, had better work to stop that bear charge,
and ideally kill the bear, breaking bone and punching deeply through the vitals from any angle.
I've shot enough hogs and deer with my 10mm pistols to know they are 100% lethal when the shooter does his part placing shots correctly , but they have been very obviously not hitting nearly as hard as my 44 mag, 445 DWSM or 500 S&W revolvers

 

[rlphvac]

Absolutely I carry every day a Sig 365 that I trust 100% but when I go some places where dress or conditions allow me I move to the Sig 226 because of more rounds and the fact that in my opinion is the best handgun made no dig on the 365 but I can shoot the 226 better because of the size and I'm sure this will all change as I try to find the perfect handgun and as long as they keep making them I will keep buying them

 

[T-Test]

Wheel guns wouldn't be my 1st choice-- but I do carry one in an ankle holster as a backup. 44 snub nose with 2inch barrel for close quarters.

 

[Grumpy]

these are the guns I personally prefer to carry,
Im confident in all three
glock 10mm with 6" aftermarket barrel
carried maybe 70% -80% of the time ,
its the least accurate but its been 100% dependable and holds 15 cartridges

10mm Auto Self-Defense Ammo Ballistic Gel Tests - LuckyGunner.com Labs

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and can hold 2.7"-3" 25 yard groups

AR-10MM ETS 30rd 10mm Magazine, fits Glock 20, 29, 40

ETS 30rd 10mm Magazine, fits Glock 20, 29, 40ETS 30rd 10mm Magazine, fits Glock 20, 29, 40 - Mag FeaturesFits the 10mm Glock 20, 29, 40Standard 30-round capacityDue to the wide variety of extensions for Glock, our mag base is designed to be compatible wit

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I really don't like glocks (synthetic pistols) much

10mm vs 357 - Handgun Cartridge Comparison by Ammo.com

When it comes to stopping power, 10mm vs 357 is too close to call. Both are exceptional self-defense rounds, but can a magnum revolver defeat a semi-auto handgun?

ammo.com

the most accurate, is my EAA WITNESS BUTS ITS A 10 shot 45 ACP
1.75"-2" 25 yard groups
I wish I had as much confidence in a 45 acp as I do in use of a 10mm

the EAA WITNESS


what 45acp cast bullets have you found to be effective for hunting?



one of the local guys wanted to try hunting local hogs with his 45 acp pistol,

like many guys rather unfamiliar with hunting with handguns he thought the 45 acp pistol should be more than adequate ,

like many of us, he being brought up on tales of how any single center mass, hit on a human target would be nearly instantly lethal.

now local game laws forbid use of full metal jacket projectiles,

so cast bullets or soft point or hollow point jacketed bullets are your only legal and effective choices.

knowing he wanted to handload and use a handgun..

suggested he purchase a 8" 357 mag revolver.



now personally, I've not been impressed with a 45 acp as a hunting handgun, , having used one on many previous hunts

most 45 cast bullets don't give impressive penetration or expansion, as velocity is rather low.



a balance must be struck, between accuracy and penetration.

I think logic would point many people to select a 180 grain jacketed hollow point or a 200 grain cast projectile,

as they can be pushed a bit faster insuring a bit more expansion.



now granted my experience is somewhat limited as most local hogs are in the 75lb-200 lb weight range and most of those I've shot were shot at under 35-50 yards as I generally won't shoot past the range I feel certain of exact shot placement and hogs rarely cooperate in standing still or providing optimal shot angles

but Ive found the heavier 230 grain bullets marginally out penetrate the lighter jacketed bullet options and in no case was a 45 acp nearly as effective, or a quickly lethal, on your average hog as a 158-170 grain bullet from a 357 mag



https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...-xtp-100-count



https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...ated-500-count

these were a decent choice



https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...iber-200-grain



https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...old-452-230-tc

these were what I found worked reasonably well





https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.c...d-tl452-230-tc



I generally hunt with a EAA witness 45 acp
http://www.grumpysperformance.com/eaa_witness_steel.jpg

S&W 1006 10mm, below is not as accurate as the EAA, 45 ACP above
and only holds 10 cartridges, but its a 10mm
2.5" 25 yard groups, are common, its heavy, BUT it just feels good , in your hand
IF I could buy a half dozen new magazines for a reasonable price,
(like $20-$23 each)
Id most likely carry this most days, as its accurate and powerful enough and I really don't like glocks (synthetic pistols) much

 

[rlphvac]

I like that S&W and I'm not a real big S&W fan but I sure own a few and one of them is a 5906 9mm and it is very heavy so I bet that 10 mm is real heavy

 

[Pete 63]

I 'carry' for personal close quarter defense. I would not expect to 'shoot' at any range greater then about 15'; likely closer. I also do not expect to defend against the zombie horde. Consequently, I carry a Kimber K6S. I load it with six Hornady .38 spcl +P FTX.

Home? Again not concerned with the zombie horde so, my 12 gage side by side coach gun (backed up by my m1911 .45 acp) is my choice.

Pete

 

[Grumpy]

 

[Grumpy]

I don't think many members of this web site, after reading numerous posts ,
will be amazed at the idea I consider the 10mm handgun, one of the better self defense cartridge options
Its been my choice since the late 1980s and while its not a huge improvement over a 45 acp plus p loading,
the 10mm is close to a 41 mag revolver cartridge, which in my opinion is one of the best revolver cartridges and compromises in power, penetration, flat trajectory, lower and controllable recoil, and in most pistols , the 10mm has more than adequate cartridge capacity
yet it does not have nearly the same tendency to vastly over penetrate an opponent and risk collateral damage in rooms
and through walls, behind the intended target.
obviously the projectile design and weight you select to use,
has a huge effect on results, for more penetration the 180-200 grain bullets are good,
especially for hunting or larger animals
if you want significantly less penetration and more shock on target ,
for personal defense at close range,
buy , or handload 135-150 grain hollow point bullets.

for hunting

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defensive use

https://www.hornady.com/bullets/handgun/10mm-400-155-gr-xtp#!/

cast gas check 10mm hunting bullet

Bullet Design Details | Accurate Molds

www.accuratemolds.com

something like this 215 grain bullet, in a cast gas check bullet,
should give both good accuracy and deep penetration,
if cast hot enough to look frosted with a 5% TIN/95% WW ALLOY
, well lubed and sized and pushed to close to max save velocity

 

[Grumpy]

the very basics mater,
can you shoot that handgun cartridge accurately and rapidly hit your intended target?
does it penetrate and expand on impact consistently in the potential range you might need,
on the target/ or potential threat, you might need to stop
can you reasonably conceal and depend on the handgun you select.
is that cartridge choice likely to over penetrate , after exiting an opponent ,risking hitting un-intended people

Which States Allow Constitutional Carry?​

There are currently 27 constitutional carry or permitless carry states.* These states are:

Alabama (PC-21)
Alaska (PC-21)
Arizona (PC-21)
Arkansas (PC-18)
Florida (PC-21)
Georgia (PC-21 and 18 for members of the military)
Idaho (PC-18)
Indiana (PC-18)
Iowa (PC-21)
Kansas (PC-21)
Kentucky (PC-21)
Maine (permits recognized; see Maine reciprocity section for details or PC-21)
Mississippi (PC-18)
Missouri (PC-19 or 18 for members of the military)
Montana (PC-18)
Nebraska (PC-21)
New Hampshire (PC-18)
North Dakota (PC-18 for residents only and concealed carry only)
Ohio (PC-21)
Oklahoma (PC-21 or 18 for military)
South Dakota (PC-18)
Tennessee (PC-18** or 18 for members of the military)
Texas (PC-21)
Utah (PC-21)
Vermont (PC-18)
West Virginia (PC-21)
Wyoming (PC-21)