Defense Weapon

Sudsy

I have taken several members advice and purchased a new 9mm....Baretta 92......... Have been using it to get its feel, but having second thoughts as to using it for a defensive weapon.... Several gun club members are suggesting the tried and true 45cal.....while others are suggesting going to a 40cal

Looking for some feedback

Cubslover

The 40 and 45calibers definitely offer more power than the 9mm. Shot placement, your comfort with your gun, and your ability to use it effectively in such a situation are more important. If you have a 45, but can't hit the broad side of a barn because you flinch or can't handle it, it does you no good. If you are comfortable with your 9mm, and can accurately hit your target, keep it. It's debateable that more people have fallen to the 9mm than any other pistol round.

cramer

I bought the Taurus model MODEL 44 TEN .45/.410 for the house, because i know i am not a great shot with a pistol and i can cover more area with buck shot when you jump out of bed. It will also shot the 45lc so you can change from 45 lc to the 410 shotshell

http://www.taurususa.com/products/gunselector-results.cfm?series=41

bpost

Keep the 9MM pea shooter as a play toy. Then, when you want to step up to a mans category weapon get a 1911 type .45 ACP and NEVER, EVER look back.

With that said I still have yet to see anyone volunteer to get shot with a sissy 9MM. Bullet holes in you tend to leak out important stuff.

mbsams

I use a 45 Colt for knockem down and keepem' down. It's a SAA revolever for reliability, 4 3/4 length barrel for quick handling, nickle finish so I never need to worry about rust. I have had all kinds of hand guns and I think this is best. Doesn't over do like a magnum , I sure don't want a double stack of wimpy 9's. One 255 gr at 900fps will sure do the job

Nwcid

I carried a 9mm Glock 17 for 10 years and never felt under gunned. In the summer I spend a lot of time just carrying my .380 due to size. One big key to any carry weapon of any caliber is the type of ammo you use. If you have no choice of ammo like the military that can only use FMJ I would go with the bigest caliber you could get. If you carry good self defense ammo that will make a big difference. There are many good styles of ammo out there and most major manufactures make some type form of defense ammo. I prefer Corbon brand and have had good luck with it. I have had to put down several deer in the time that I carried my 9mm. All were in the same range as self defense would be. Most only took one good shot to put down, a couple got a second shot just to make sure it was a good clean kill. This is just my experience so take it for what it is worth. I have carry guns in .380, 9mm, .357 mag, .40, .45. To me each has its own use and I do not feel under gunned with any.


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MrOrange

Well put, although I might add that more people have fallen to sticks and stones than to any firearm, but you wouldn't want to count on them to quickly stop a fight.

The old rule of thumb is to use the most powerful round you can control, in the platform you feel most comfortable with, whether it's a lightwieght .357 revolver or a .45 Super auto or a four-inch .38 or that bulky oversized underpowered nine millimeter crunchenticker 92. Not that I'm biased!

The reason so many of us like the .45/1911 is that it's on that line where more power is tough to handle and usually comes in a bulkier package. I understand that most self-defense rounds with modern hollow-points are pretty much equal in the stopping percentage thing, I just like to throw as big a chunk as I can reliably control, for breaking hips and hitting on the other side of leather jackets and such.

Bill DeShivs

Your 9mm will do just fine, if you do your part. Pay no attention to the naysayers.
Bill

Frogbert

I love my 1911s. Love my S&W Model 19 .357 mag. I know my wife could do the job with her Model 637 .38sp+p. I've got several different Makarokv 9x18s I put in my pocket or belt regularly. The police and government agents in 3/4 of the land masses of the world have used them to great and deadly effect for decades. There are a lot of soldiers and police officers taking out lots of enemies an perps with that 9mm round.

Think about this: If somebody points a .22 at you, do you want him to pull the trigger?

fastcarsgofast

quote:Originally posted by Bill DeShivs
Your 9mm will do just fine, if you do your part. Pay no attention to the naysayers.
Bill

+1

rsnyder55

A double tap with a 9mm is more than sufficient for home defense especially with the defense loads they have available. If you were restricted to ball or FMJ then the 45 would be a better choice, but you don't have to limit yourself to this.

I've had my 9mm HiPower for years and never felt undergunned.