Capacity vs. Stopping Power vs. Compromise

[bear.23]

I've always loved my 45's.. But I'll use a 357 sig, 400 corbon or something like that... I don't think any of the 9mm/38 rounds have the stopping power I would ever be happy with and the only 40 I would ever carry would be a 10mm.. (maybe 40 super)

 

[CompBoy]

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?

I voted 9 mm since the reality is in Canada your pistol is going to get used more for target and competition so you have the cheaper ammo price allowing more practice. I'm also assuming fewer reloads since if memory serves me a lot of .45 mags are in and around 7-8 cap. I could be wrong on that though

Things like stopping power only enter in to the picture in tactical, home defense and TEOTWAWKI situations which while you may encounter one in your life time 99% of the time it'll be a target shooter and for that other 1% of the time a fully functional 9 mm will serve if you've practiced enough.

Now if your planning on joining a job that uses a gun as part of it find the gun and buy as close to it as you can.

 

[kodiakjack]

Stopping power all the way! For middle of the night home defence, if I can't hit the guy, I at least wanna make everyone in the room blind and deaf!

And in saying "home", I of course mean a CFC approved Shooting range.

And in saying "guy", I of course mean paper targets with non-toxic ink.

And in saying "everyone", I of course mean surrounding trees and rocks.

...You get the idea...

 

[Anthrax]

This has been an interesting read.

I'm pretty green, when I first started looking a different guns, I reached out to an American friend of mine that has been into gun/shooting/carry for many years. His first question was "are you thinking personal protection or target shooting?". He quickly followed that up with .40S&W or 9mm for each respective exercise.

I tend to agree with what most other people have said thus far...

Put enough well placed shots in some one and they will become incapacitated. Regardless of the load...

 

[Papaclaude]

Which cal?

Never had to use a handgun for defense, and never used one on big game. However, I've shot a lot of moose, deer and bear, and my experience is that the bigger the chunk of lead, the faster they stop. I chased a lung-shot moose for a mile (my wife shot it with a 7.62 X 39), also had several hit with 308, 30-06 and 300 WM go a fair ways after being hit, but lung-shot with a 45-110 and 500 grains of pure lead stopped them dead in their tracks. Same with deer shot with 12 ga. slug, moose shot with 375 H&H and 338 WM. So, my choice would be 45 ACP or a Long Colt DA 6-shooter with pure lead slugs.

 

[Mystic Precision]

For a HG, I own an XD 40S&W. I would take the larger cal given the 10rd limit. 45ACP would be very interesting too but ammo would be far less available at the end of days.

For something that will stop a fight in a big hurry, I lement the sale of my Win 94 trapper in 45LC. 9+1 capacity, bug hole at 25yds. Something I can likely aim under stress AND have more readily at hand (we are in Canada after all).

Best part - 325gr Hard Flat nose Cast going 1550fps. Think 454 Casull.

Yep, not a HG but it would stop a Bear in a big hurry

Jerry