Balancing Your Choice In Handgun Power Vs Shot Capacity In A Defensive Handgun






https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anqMAxIv1CI


just some related info you may find of interest
your going to need constant training (range time) to obtain and MAINTAIN a high degree of consistent accuracy
this is why most people that don't consistently visit a range (like most crooks, and many cops) can't shoot very well.
law enforcement agency's like the FBI found out that firearms with minimal recoil (like 9mm) were significantly easier to train with than ,
firearms that while documented to be marginally more effective with more recoil and muzzle blast were noticeably harder for people that did not want to put in the effort required to master. thus they concentart training on mastering shot placement.



keep in mind the projectile does 100% of the damage and selecting the correct projectile has a huge effect on your results, but as always
its a knowledge of the targets anatomy and your ability to make accurate shot placements thats critical, to getting rapid results in a defensive confrontation.(just because a marginal shot placement ,will eventually prove to be lethal,
does not necessarily mean, it will rapidly stop an attacker.)

military testing shows that you need about 35- 40 grains of projectile weight and about 800-1000 fps to RELIABLY produce a lethal wound,
if shot placements close to ideal, or if several random impacts are produced, thus the 22lr is obviously lethal with hits to lethal parts of the body
but decades of medical trauma and coroner exams strongly suggest that the human body can frequently survive even more damage.
the 9mm parabellum pistol cartridge has long been recognised as about the minimum consistently effective pistol cartridge , provided shots are to lethal areas in the body. the 9mm with a 125 grain projectile generally produces about 1100 fps or 360 ft lbs of impact energy at closer ranges
the 357 mag, throws a similar weight 125 grain bullet at 1500 fps for about 625 ft lbs and it has a well documented history of being very effective., so from a pragmatic outlook , based on many decades of observation, you can assume most cartridges having at least about 500 ft lbs will be effective with proper shot placement.
THE FBI suggests a 12"-18" penetration in ballistic gel is required to produce a consistently lethal wound with proper shot placement!





 
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now from what I've seen, and I spent a good deal of time using handguns on hog hunts over 4 plus decades,
the 9mm is significantly LESS effective than the 10mm, and the 357 mag is about equal to the 10mm on hogs
, and a 44 mag significantly outperforms the semi autos, and none of those handguns equals a real rifle like a 308 win.
(btw you can't assume that if something worked flawlessly once its adequate) if it worked well 5-6 consecutive times, it's probably a decent choice

 
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careful selection of both the handgun and its ammo is critical to getting good results ,
just as constant practice is required to maintain skill.
THE FBI suggests a 12"-18" penetration in ballistic gel is required to produce a consistently lethal wound with proper shot placement!


americanhandgunner.com

The Caliber Myth

Is There A Silver Bullet Pistol Cartridge?
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The Complete Handgun and Pistol Caliber Comparison (With Charts)

Ballistics chart for different types of pistol and handgun calibers. Learn the key differences between each cartridge for self-defense and concealed carry.
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Pocket Pistol Caliber Ballistic Gel Tests - LuckyGunner.com Labs

Pocket pistol caliber ballistic gelatin results. We tested dozens of different loads to give you an idea what's best for self-defense.
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Handgun Self-Defense Ammunition - Ballistic Testing Data

Lucky Gunner tests more than 110 different 9mm, 45 ACP, 40 S&W and 380 ACP handgun self-defense ammunition loads in ballistic gel with analysis and video.
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10mm Auto Self-Defense Ammo Ballistic Gel Tests - LuckyGunner.com Labs

So far, our ballistics gelatin testing project has covered 184 different factory loads split across today’s six most popular handgun ... Continued
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tips on selecting a better handgun bullet (projectile) and (CARTRIDGE)
(the truth remains constant, its precise shot placement that's most critical,
and while projectile design has constantly improved, statistics still show,
it's the shooter and his skill, that's the most important part, of the lethality equation)
 
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I've shot enough reasonably large vermin like wild hogs and coyotes, to say for certain that even with good commercial hollow point ammo,
cartridges like the typical commercial 9mm, and even the praised 45 acp, pistol ammo is woefully underpowered and pitifully un-impressive in its demonstrated rapid lethality, they just don't have the effect a hard cast 158-165 grain 357 mag revolver has demonstrated, and certainly not in the class a hard cast or commercial hollow point 41 mag or 44 mag typically demonstrates, on game even deer size game that 2-4 times the typical body mass or weight of the medium game, and all the handguns fall far short of what my browning BLR in 257 roberts with an 87-or-100 grain bullet does to coyotes or hogs
 
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consistent training and familiarity with your selected firearm ,
are the key components to success, not the cartridge selected,
only repeated testing in your hands will provide you with answers
it might be amazing but , CONSISTENT REPETITIVE TRAINING helps immensely

but don't assume you'll see better results with a weaker or stronger cartridge,
projectile design have improved immensely over the last two decades'
yes there are minimum penetration levels, and limits to what can usefully be employed.
remember the projectile does ALL the work, and your ability to place the shot precisely is critical,
the cartridge case stamping id, is not particularly important
it's your consistent training and familiarity with your selected firearm ,
that makes ALL the difference
, remember only well placed hits COUNT,
it's generally been found through autopsy, exams, that a projectile of the correct design, having between,
about 400 ft lbs-650 ft lbs of impact energy is sufficient, lower power levels can work, for producing lethal damage
but shot placement is very critical, obviously barriers like car doors, windshields, thick jackets,, desks, window glass ,etc.
struck before the intended adversary anatomy tends to reduce potential projectile penetration.
keep in mind what works under ideal conditions is far different that what works under less than ideal conditions!
(and what works at 10ft may not work as well at 50 yards)


The FBI's protocol for evaluating handgun lethality focuses on penetration depth and expansion of bullets in gelatin blocks to simulate human tissue. A bullet needs to penetrate 12-18 inches and expand to at least 1.5 times its original diameter to be considered effective. The FBI uses a scoring system that penalizes bullets that penetrate less than 12 inches and those that penetrate more than 18 inches.
btw math
projectile weight in grains x velocity in fps at impact squared ,divided by 450240- impact energy
example's (average factory ammo specs)
9mm parabellum 125 grain bullet at 1100 fps= 336 ft lbs
357 mag 125 grain bullet at 1500 fps =624 ft lbs
40 S&W 155 grain bullet at 1150 fps= 455 ft lbs
10mm 155 grain bullet at 1300 fps= 581 ft lbs
45 acp 230 grain at 900 fps =413 ft lbs


but the projectile must reach and destroy critical tissue to function correctly.
I've found I get the best results in rather stressful handgun competitions,
where your speed and accuracy both count, ( timed matches, knocking bowling pins of a table)
you've only got 6 shots to knock 3 bowling pins of a card table with a 2" high rim around the edge
with an 8" 357 mag revolver and that also works really well on large hogs,
personally I carry a 10mm, with a 6" barrel,(15 shot mag) most of the time,
but I try to get to the local range at least once a month. I've shot matches with the 10mm,
and the 8.375" barrel 357 mag revolver, at least in my hands, the 357 mag is noticeably faster.
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and yeah! I find my 10" barrel 44 mag just as fast, but its too large to carry easily,
unless a shoulder holsters used, :like: :laugh: and just long enough to make that shoulder holster a P.I.T A. while driving,
8.375" barrel 357 mag revolver, at least in my hands, and used with a decent shoulder holster, the 357 mag is noticeably faster,
and easy to carry even while driving






keep in mind that you have dozens of vendors making holsters of very different quality and design, its almost certain one or more vendors does make one that fits and functions better to your specs than most other vendors do!
 
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https://swiftsilentdeadly.com/dont-use-fmj-ammo-for-self-defense/#:~:text=Use High-Quality JHPs for Self-Defense Some specific,all done well in FBI protocol testing.
keep in mind its the projectile (and your accurate shot placement,)
that does all the damage, so your selection of that projectile and shot placement,
is critical to maximizing the handguns effective use.

 
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here is a good demonstration of why carrying a good quality revolvers a good option
 
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youtube.com/watch?time_continue=61&v=EEUuvC32VtE&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3D357%2Bmagnum%2Brevolver%2Bfor%2Bself%2Bdefense%26rlz%3D1C1CHBD_enUS1035US1035%26oq%3D357%2Bmag%2Brevolvers%2Bfor%2Bdefense&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY







 
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I figured this out decades ago. I have had autos stove pipe, jam, fail to cycle a new round, and a Walter break internally.

I fired the Walter at a shooting range, later after, reloaded and cycled a round into the chamber, used the hammer safety drop system and carried it for 6 months in a glove compartment. When I went to the shoot range again I was trying to unload it and found it would NOT open, it was broken.

It was all I could do to clear that one round. Walter exchanged it and I sold the replacement, not willing to trust that model again.

After all it was only a deadly weapon for 6 mouths if I used it as a hammer, other wise I had been carrying a dead weapon, thank god I did not need it.

Carrying a 12 round pistol that jams with the first shot is NO life saver.

A auto requires a firm hand and arm to function and in a combat you may not be able to hold it solid enough for its correct action.

A revolver is far more likely to fire, even a dead round is no problem just pull the trigger and try the next round. and in a odd case where say you need to shoot a person grabbing you from behind and your shooting over your shoulder or under your arm at them behind you, you can be reasonably sure of all 5 or 6 shots.

There is NO training for clearing a stove pipe, of a jam, A skill needed with a auto and not needed with a revolver.

5 or 6 not enough, carry a couple more.

I tell new self defense gun owners to buy a revolver, as the only training needed is how to shoot.

My 2 cents.

Rich
 
notice that while on "PAPER" the difference in power between the two cartridges, is significant,
the results on target are not all that different when similar ammo is used

 
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OK what about self-defense liability insurance (programs like U.S. Law Shield)

Every gun owner should get this.

Rich
 
I think having handgun-carry-liability-insurance, is almost mandatory if you carry a handgun daily, the issue I have is in frequently reading about instances where the insurer drops responsibility of coverage , due to (fine print) for a number of reasons, (like your being charged with a felony)
why would you even have that insurance if it did not cover that... the whole reason you have insurance is that you'll assume that you'll be charged with a felony for simply defending yourself, you need the lawyers to point out your not a mindless killer, the prosecution will try to verbally describe, but rather simply a person that was defending himself , family or others when circumstances demanded you react ,when under lethal & immediate threat!
while in most shooting the local cops reaction is to charge everyone involved that survived with a felony, simply because they were involved,
think about it, "some guy knocks on your door some afternoon, the wife answers the door, this guy and a buddy of his forces their way in and one draws a knife and orders her to show him the bedroom or where she keeps valuables,... you step into view from a different room hearing the commotion, you are armed, and in the resulting confrontation, you shoot the intruder,(s) his or their family claims its all your fault, he was simply asking directions, you must have planted the knife or other weapon as he would never do something like that, hoping for a big financial gain when your convicted for killing an innocent man under false pretenses" things like that happen daily

For a Texas concealed carry license (LTC) holder, top choices for 2025 include CCW Safe, Firearms Legal Protection (FLP), Right to Bear, and U.S. & Texas LawShield. The best option depends on your budget, preferred coverage limits, and whether you want direct legal access or a reimbursement model.
Best concealed carry insurance options for Texas


[th]
Provider

[/th][th]
Best for

[/th][th]
Key Features (varies by plan)

[/th]
[td]CCW Safe[/td][td]Most comprehensive unlimited coverage[/td][td]* No-limit criminal and civil defense costs, paid upfront.
* No "clawback" policy, so they won't demand repayment if you are found guilty.
* Includes bail bonds, lost wages, and expert witnesses.
* Offers specific plans for permit holders and constitutional carry.[/td][td]Right to Bear[/td][td]Best budget-friendly unlimited coverage[/td][td]* Offers unlimited criminal and civil legal coverage at a lower cost than many competitors.
* Payments are made upfront, not as a reimbursement.
* Optional add-ons available for multi-state coverage and bail bonds.[/td][td]Firearms Legal Protection (FLP)[/td][td]Strong, affordable unlimited legal protection[/td][td]* Offers uncapped attorney fees for criminal and civil defense, with upfront payments for members on the premium plan.
* Includes coverage for "Red Flag" law proceedings.
* Not available in every state, but offered in Texas.[/td][td]U.S. & Texas LawShield[/td][td]Unlimited legal fees, Texas-focused[/td][td]* No cap on attorney fees for covered self-defense incidents in both criminal and civil court.
* Payments are made directly to attorneys upfront.
* Members must use a LawShield-assigned attorney, not one of their own choosing.[/td][td]USCCA (U.S. Concealed Carry Association)[/td][td]Training resources and insurance[/td][td]* Provides significant training materials and educational resources.
* Uses a reimbursement model, requiring you to pay legal fees upfront and submit a claim for repayment.
* Legal fee coverage has limits, which may be insufficient for a long trial.[/td]

Important considerations for Texans
When evaluating plans, be aware of a few key features that can make a major difference after a self-defense incident:
  • Upfront payment vs. reimbursement. Some providers pay legal fees directly to the attorneys, while others reimburse you after the fact. The latter can cause a significant financial burden if your case is prolonged.
  • Unlimited vs. capped coverage. Some companies, like CCW Safe and FLP, offer unlimited legal defense funds for covered events. Others, like USCCA, place a hard cap on coverage, potentially leaving you to pay large legal bills out-of-pocket.
  • Choose your own attorney. Some plans allow you to select your own lawyer, while others assign one from their network. A long-term case with an attorney you don't trust is less than ideal.
  • "Clawback" clauses. Some policies include a "clawback" provision, which allows the company to sue you to recoup legal fees if you are found guilty. A reputable policy will not include such a clause.
  • Legal defense vs. insurance. USCCA is technically a membership and provides insurance, which has come under legal scrutiny for not being real protection. Providers like CCW Safe and Right to Bear explicitly state they offer legal defense, not insurance.
 
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I really WISH I COULD ANSWER THAT, CORRECTLY and base it on facts I could point to!
the fact that most of us NEED this INSURANCE PROTECTION is not in dispute, and prices and coverage ..vary a great deal.
yes your very unlikely to EVER NEED the coverage but if you do it's going to be critical and expensive.

simply because I'm constantly seeing conflicting info on the various company's,
you'll see some guy swearing company xyz is far better and company abc, or efg, only to do some research,
and see videos linked to loss of individual coverage and find he's a paid shill /advertizer
do your research and post what you find out! :like: READ THE FINE PRINT CAREFULLY, some companies REIMBURSE you or your lawyer, ONLY AFTER YOU WIN IN COURT, some provide a set financial limit on what they provide in funds depending on the type of case and state your in, Im looking to change mine, after reading a few cases where the expected results were not what most of us expected, and yeah It looks like these companies change the fine print and states they cover almost monthly
I have almost come to think its just a hit & miss gamble , I won't make a recommendation or smear anyone simply because I can't verify all the facts in the videos and have not yet personally found issues, but from what I see getting great coverage varies a great deal no the state your in and what transpired, keep in mind most of these policies are through insurance vendors and they LOVE to walk away stating the policy does not cover "THAT":facepalm::crying:
And lawyers & law firms traditionally.. have a less than squeaky clean reputation,
behind them if the case looks like it could cost them a great deal of time and cash.

I want a number to call , 24/7/365...where a decent skilled local lawyer shows up within hours ,and takes charge of the whole thing and pays your bail if that's required,yeah that's going to be much more expensive but well worth the price if you ever need the service. :like:
The NRA formerly recommended its own concealed carry insurance, NRA Carry Guard, but the program faced regulatory issues and is no longer a widely available or recommended option. For self-defense legal coverage, many gun owners now consider alternatives like USCCA, CCW Safe, Right To Bear, and U.S. LawShield, which offer different levels of protection and services, including legal defense and training.


In 2025, top concealed carry insurance providers include CCW Safe, U.S. LawShield, and Right to Bear. The best option for you depends on your priorities, such as the level of coverage, cost, educational resources, and attorney selection. Other highly-regarded providers are also available, including Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network (ACLDN) and Firearms Legal Protection.
 
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For a Texas concealed carry license (LTC) holder, top choices for 2025 include CCW Safe, Firearms Legal Protection (FLP), Right to Bear, and U.S. & Texas LawShield. The best option depends on your budget, preferred coverage limits, and whether you want direct legal access or a reimbursement model.
Best concealed carry insurance options for Texas


[th]
Provider

[/th][th]
Best for

[/th][th]
Key Features (varies by plan)

[/th]
[td]CCW Safe[/td][td]Most comprehensive unlimited coverage[/td][td]* No-limit criminal and civil defense costs, paid upfront.
* No "clawback" policy, so they won't demand repayment if you are found guilty.
* Includes bail bonds, lost wages, and expert witnesses.
* Offers specific plans for permit holders and constitutional carry.[/td][td]Right to Bear[/td][td]Best budget-friendly unlimited coverage[/td][td]* Offers unlimited criminal and civil legal coverage at a lower cost than many competitors.
* Payments are made upfront, not as a reimbursement.
* Optional add-ons available for multi-state coverage and bail bonds.[/td][td]Firearms Legal Protection (FLP)[/td][td]Strong, affordable unlimited legal protection[/td][td]* Offers uncapped attorney fees for criminal and civil defense, with upfront payments for members on the premium plan.
* Includes coverage for "Red Flag" law proceedings.
* Not available in every state, but offered in Texas.[/td][td]U.S. & Texas LawShield[/td][td]Unlimited legal fees, Texas-focused[/td][td]* No cap on attorney fees for covered self-defense incidents in both criminal and civil court.
* Payments are made directly to attorneys upfront.
* Members must use a LawShield-assigned attorney, not one of their own choosing.[/td][td]USCCA (U.S. Concealed Carry Association)[/td][td]Training resources and insurance[/td][td]* Provides significant training materials and educational resources.
* Uses a reimbursement model, requiring you to pay legal fees upfront and submit a claim for repayment.
* Legal fee coverage has limits, which may be insufficient for a long trial.[/td]

Important considerations for Texans
When evaluating plans, be aware of a few key features that can make a major difference after a self-defense incident:
  • Upfront payment vs. reimbursement. Some providers pay legal fees directly to the attorneys, while others reimburse you after the fact. The latter can cause a significant financial burden if your case is prolonged.
  • Unlimited vs. capped coverage. Some companies, like CCW Safe and FLP, offer unlimited legal defense funds for covered events. Others, like USCCA, place a hard cap on coverage, potentially leaving you to pay large legal bills out-of-pocket.
  • Choose your own attorney. Some plans allow you to select your own lawyer, while others assign one from their network. A long-term case with an attorney you don't trust is less than ideal.
  • "Clawback" clauses. Some policies include a "clawback" provision, which allows the company to sue you to recoup legal fees if you are found guilty. A reputable policy will not include such a clause.
  • Legal defense vs. insurance. USCCA is technically a membership and provides insurance, which has come under legal scrutiny for not being real protection. Providers like CCW Safe and Right to Bear explicitly state they offer legal defense, not insurance.
btw just a tip seasoned ccw guys have known for decades, if you carry, your handguns are subjected to near constant moisture, from the environment and in some cases human sweat, even if not in direct contact, as atmospheric moisture will accumulate under clothing, if you carry on a daily basis thus your handgun will mandate regular cleaning sand lubrication, any guys seem to think a frequent dusting with a spray can of WD40 will prevent moisture causing corrosion, and while it might help there is an unwanted side effect, wd40 is a fast spreading penetrating lubricant, while it's helpful to reduce moisture damages to surfaces its rapid penetration characteristics, can cause a potential issue, if it gets in contact with ammo that's not properly sealed it can cause primers and powder to rapidly deteriorate , there is a simple precaution if you take a bit of preventive maintenance, simply buy a small container of girls clear nail polish and lightly apply around a cartridges bullet to case area and around the primer to case area, and let dry, this seals the area preventing the lubricant intrusion this simple precaution could make a great deal of difference , as it could be the difference between a firearm that functions flawlessly and one that won't function.
so it is recommended on your carry ammo and spare carry mag ammo

Clear nail polish
is used in nail care to finish a manicure and add a glossy, protective layer that prevents chips and extends the life of colored polish, or it can be worn alone for a natural, shiny look. It also has numerous household uses, such as preventing jewelry tarnish, repairing frayed fabric edges, securing rhinestones, and sealing bottle labels, by acting as a glue or protective barrier.
https://www.amazon.com/Top-Coat-Nail-Polish-Clear/dp/B0D78FXGP3?th=1
 
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Thanks, it is almost as bad as I feared.

My best idea is the ask some of the named groups in 2nd amendment operations for their reviews.

Rich
 
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