Favorite handgun caliber?

[EddieWalker]

In theory, knock down power is always desireable for home protection, but rarely is one able to hit what he's aiming at when these situations arise. Ask just about any cop. When a shootout actually happens, how many bullets are fired per hit?

Just the other day I saw on TV a show called extreme vidoes, in which two cops emptied their semi auto pistols at a guy. He was righr next to them when he pulled out a pistol and they both started shooting. By the time they were empty, he was long gone.

Two very importat points here. The first and most important is that any calliber makes enough noise to scare off a criminal.

The second is that trained profesionals can't hit a target most of the time when being fired upon and under extreme stress. What makes anybody here think they can?

For home defense only, I always recomend a small pistol that is easy to shoot, makes lots of noise and will work evertime you need it.

Eddie

 

[YanmarFever]

I think you need to lay off the TV.

There is no substitute for practise

 

[_RaT_]

<font color="blue">There is no substitute for practise </font>

practise, prectise, practice... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[HGM]

I have no doubt I can make one shot count. Although I dont know personally as a fact how I would react, I am typically very calm in a stressfull situation. I have never fired any gun without knowing I can hit what I'm aiming at. The fact that in a stressing situation there would likely be innocent bystandards in the area(family), I can promise, I'll be careful.

As for the trained professionals you refered to. I agree, this is precisely the reason the 9mm became so popular. The FBI debacle in Miami got it started. I forget the numbers, but many many many rounds were fired by these guys because they could not handle the stres of the situation. They may have been traind with a firearm, but not with stress. The only kill was made by a vetran agent with a 6 shot service revolver .38... Since then the 9mm became popular because it has a high capacity mag. The issue here is that most of the people with this gun in their hands become more confident because of firepower and less proficient with one round. PRACTICE is the key..... Shot placement is extremely important, even more so with a light round like the 9mm. Therefore if you only have 6, you'r more apt to make them count. I personally know several people that have been shot with a 9mm and have gone about their bussiness because the shot wasnt placed properly.

 

[SkyPup]

My daughter is an FBI agent and she carries a SIG .357 P229, she's quite good with it too! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[HGM]

Dont deny that.... I wish her well /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

That deal down there was terrible, I think they learned their lesson and are much better trained now. Dont you think?

 

[TwinWillows]

Favorite is a 5 shot 44special subnose - aluminum frame. Very light, easy to shoot, accurate & throws a serious chunk of lead.

 

[SkyPup]

Getting randomly hit with 9mm, .223, .40, .45, etc. numerous times in non-vital areas never incapacitated anyone on a suicide mission.

All it takes is one vital shot (CNS or heart) to end a gunfight.

 

[PBinWA]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Favorite is a 5 shot 44special subnose - aluminum frame. Very light, easy to shoot, accurate & throws a serious chunk of lead. )</font>

I'll second that. My S&W Scandium/Titanium .44 Special is my current favorite. Light, Accurate, and effective enough. For me it is the most powerful caliber available in the most convenient size and weight for carrying (concealed or not).

Might not stop a Grizzly but a Black Bear hit with a few of these at close range may think twice about continuing it's attack. Better than pepper spray in my books. Anything bigger is a bit of a pain to carry if on a fast jog in the woods.

 

[_RaT_]

Reading through these posts makes me wonder if Grizzly bear attacks are a big problem in this country. If they are, exactly which states do these occur in?