Capacity vs. Stopping Power vs. Compromise

[bluemike807]

Im curious as to what the majority thinks is the best choice for a general purpose handgun - taking into account the uses of target, competition, tactical, home defense and TEOTWAWKI (for those in the Survival subforum).

Taking into account the use, cost and availability of ammunition, is it better to go with something small, but which you can have a high capacity (both loaded and stored), such as 9mm Luger, something massive with incredible stopping power so you only need one good shot, but whose bulkiness minimizes capacity (such as a .44 magnum, .50 Action Express or .357 magnum), or a compromise cartridge, such as the .40 Smith & Wesson?

 

[Max Owner]

TEOTWAWKI ?

 

[bollox]

The End Of The World As We Know It.

 

[PGM449]

The End Of The World As We Know It.

In that case I want one of everything and about 5000 rounds for each

 

[madhatter308]

Shot placement and comfort with a particular firearm is everything!!!!. You could get away with a .22 if you used that thing like a laser beam.

 

[saskcop]

I carry a gun with 15 9mm in the mag and one in the pipe everyday. Odds are if I am going to need to use the gun, it will be at very close range and there may not be time to place multiple rounds. That is my argument for having a .45 acp or the like. If someone is on top of me and I need to stop them NOW - I would rather be packing a heavyweight.

 

[Max Owner]

Well now that I know what I'm getttin myself into, I can answer the poll.

 

[JasonS]

I carry a gun with 15 9mm in the mag and one in the pipe everyday. Odds are if I am going to need to use the gun, it will be at very close range and there may not be time to place multiple rounds. That is my argument for having a .45 acp or the like. If someone is on top of me and I need to stop them NOW - I would rather be packing a heavyweight.

This is the smartest thing I've ever read that was written by a street cop.

And I didn't take the poll. Stopping power is a moot point to Canadian civilians. We can't carry and God help us if we actually defended our home with a pistol. *I still would make any intruder into my home a perfectly scored target.

 

[BP7]

if i could carry only one, then i'd go for the compromise (given Canadian capacity limitations - which seems silly since we ain't allowed to carry in the first place). but if i were to carry two, i'd take a high-cap and a powerhouse, and just draw whichever made more sense.

or just make it easy and carry a DE .357Mag with one or two extra mags.

but just the same, there's the Para P14-45 stuff, which again is a mix of capacity and power - without really giving up either.

so.... having said all that... i think the P14-45 (or similar) is the one. which means it's both capacity AND stopping power. which is choice A and B, yet not C.

 

[Slavex]

9mm. 124+p+ JHP. Will do everything you need. Modern defensive ammo performs pretty much the same across the board.

 

[Stevo]

I know a deputy in the states who was shot twice with a .45 during a SWAT entry. Once in the shoulder and once in the face.

He did not disappear in a shower of sparks or a glowing cloud of plasma.

Shot placement is everything.

 

[TGC]

You left out 45acp

 

[Chuck3436]

9mm. 124+p+ JHP. Will do everything you need. Modern defensive ammo performs pretty much the same across the board.

I was about to mention that 9mm in various loadings can be tweaked to do nearly everything with ease. Cheap, easy to find, easier to carry larger amounts, cheaper to practice with. Your target will not know the extra .02inches of expansion difference between modern 9mm JHP and .40 or .45.

Remember that mil/le give you about 8 yards effective range when using a pistol under times of duress, you are not going to have time to pretend to be an internet hero and shoot 2" groups at 25 yards, that is utter bullshxt when your life is on the line. There have been plenty of real life situations of handgun engagements where entire magazines are emptied in life or death situations at range such as 10yards or even less where nothing has hit. Rounds will be thrown around...you will want the extra mag capacity.

Also makes me remember a quote..."If under fire you find yourself in a proper shooting stance/position, you are not utilizing proper cover..."

 

[BP7]

Also makes me remember a quote..."If under fire you find yourself in a proper shooting stance/position, you are not utilizing proper cover..."

haha! i like that one!

 

[Max Owner]

The "shock" trauma of a bullet hitting someone also causes incapacitating (sp?) properties.

In a larger caliber, wouldn't this be more significant?

 

[BP7]

it would be, as long as all of the energy is used to expand and impart shock and not to go THROUGH the target.

unless, of course, you get penetrated by a 4" round in a reasonably-vital spot, at which time the shock is really a non-issue

 

[pie1]

357 sig

 

[G37]

-Cheap paper shooting and End of The World... it's hard to beat a .22lr

-For pure fun factor I like the .44 Magnum

-If you're talking about carrying around a handgun for goblin protection if we were allowed (but we aren't) then 9mm or .40S&W would both be good choices.

So... I choose "C".

 

[Ogiku]

9mm. 124+p+ JHP. Will do everything you need. Modern defensive ammo performs pretty much the same across the board.

+1 ,

2 in the middle centre one in the Head and everything is over for your Attacker.

 

[tjhaile]

The "shock" trauma of a bullet hitting someone also causes incapacitating (sp?) properties.

In a larger caliber, wouldn't this be more significant?

No, it doesn't. Incapacitation is solely a function of tissue disruption.

Given comparable construction, bigger bullets will make bigger holes, although the difference isn't dramatic between common combat handgun calibres such as 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP.