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I’ve always stayed with 9mm for my non-rimfire handguns, I like that caliber for it’s combination of price and power. I have tried out a couple 45’s and they felt pretty good, but not enough to tempt me to go up. And I mention price as this is also a hobby for me and I like to shoot a lot when able.
As for how small I’d go for a handgun, my Shield PC was about it. That I could shoot well, but the couple smaller ones I tried (ie an LCP) just did not feel good in my hand. To the point I didnt care for shooting them. And if I wont spend time with something at the range to get proficient with it (and have some fun with it) then it wont leave the safe. Heck I had a SW compact MP 9 that I was good with but only cared for shooting it with the full size mags. Negating the “compact” part. Just me I guess as I know plenty who prefer the double stack but short grip models.
I’ve always stayed with 9mm for my non-rimfire handguns, I like that caliber for it’s combination of price and power. I have tried out a couple 45’s and they felt pretty good, but not enough to tempt me to go up. And I mention price as this is also a hobby for me and I like to shoot a lot when able.
As for how small I’d go for a handgun, my Shield PC was about it. That I could shoot well, but the couple smaller ones I tried (ie an LCP) just did not feel good in my hand. To the point I didnt care for shooting them. And if I wont spend time with something at the range to get proficient with it (and have some fun with it) then it wont leave the safe. Heck I had a SW compact MP 9 that I was good with but only cared for shooting it with the full size mags. Negating the “compact” part. Just me I guess as I know plenty who prefer the double stack but short grip models.
My nightstand gun is the Ruger SR9 double stack. Great ergonomics for my hand.
I always grab my Intratec Protec25 when I go on mountain bike rides. It’s flat, small, fits in the palm of my hand, double action only, no safety, long smooth pull, concealed hammer, shotgun groove sights, reliable. I can get it out of my pocket fast. Mostly where I ride, it’s always vicious farm dogs are my enemies. And I’ve been bitten several times. Never again.
I always grab my Intratec Protec25 when I go on mountain bike rides. It’s flat, small, fits in the palm of my hand, double action only, no safety, long smooth pull, concealed hammer, shotgun groove sights, reliable. I can get it out of my pocket fast. Mostly where I ride, it’s always vicious farm dogs are my enemies. And I’ve been bitten several times. Never again.
It’s a groove cut along the top of the slide. Basically a line. The distances you shooting with it are 10 ft or less. It’s only a 25 auto. Good enough to poke a hole in a dog before it rips a hole in your leg.
It’s a groove cut along the top of the slide. Basically a line. The distances you shooting with it are 10 ft or less. It’s only a 25 auto. Good enough to poke a hole in a dog before it rips a hole in your leg.
Oh, I understand what groove sights are. Popularized as the "Guttersnipe" on Paris Theodore's ASP, but never really successful.
My question was about the "shotgun" part. Shotguns don't typically have groove sights. Do you know of any that do?
Oh, I understand what groove sights are. Popularized as the "Guttersnipe" on Paris Theodore's ASP, but never really successful.
My question was about the "shotgun" part. Shotguns don't typically have groove sights. Do you know of any that do?
Well my Browning A-5 has a groove in the top of the receiver that is sort of a rear sight. I guess if I was shooting slugs without the benefit of a slug specific barrel, I could try using that groove as a rear sight. My 870 Express does not have a groove.
I'm not sure if the idea of a groove type sight on a pocket gun has ever been researched, in terms of effectiveness, or if it's just a cost-saving effort.
I have hit a bowling pin at 50 yards with my Beretta Minx, which has conventional fixed sights. So the idea that a pocket gun can't offer good levels of accuracy is IMHO bunk.
I have several pocket firearms. Purchased due to the easy conceal and light weight. Don't like any of them. At the range, I can't get through more than two magazines before my hand starts hurting because the grip is too small for my largish hands. Wish I didn't waste the money on them.
I too have several pocket guns and shot even more.
I think the biggest difference is the grip. Most semi-autos grip is so small I'd be lucky to get 2 fingers to wrap around it, that makes shooting uncomfortable. I shot the LCP and it's down right uncomfortable and not accurate. Alternatively the S&W bodyguard was 100% better although it was only a tad bigger and heavier. Surprisingly, my most comfortable & most accurate semi is the S&W M&P Shields 45 so that's my carry gun.
The other alternative of pocket carry is J-frame revolvers. The revolver grip makes it comfortable to hold and intuitive to operate. I have a S&W 638 and a Taurus 605. The 638 is lighter at 16 Oz empty, the 605 is at 24oz but it can shoot. 357 magnum for an insane person who wishes to punish himself. I carry the .38 +P on both. Both are IWB carry although they fit into cargo pants easily. The 605 is for the wife as she complained the 638 kicks a bit much for her.
I still am not on that boat. I just bought a Glock 17 and I look at the bullets and there is absolutely no way they have the stopping power of a 45. I have no evidence to base my opinion on other than the power coming out the gun itself but if you want to stop someone immediately a 45 is substantially better than a 9mm even with bullet tech. I read about it online and respect your firearms knowledge more than my own but if I had one shot out of a handgun to take down a threat there is no question I would want that to be a 45.
Curious if you believe in 45acp so much why did you get a Glock 17?
Just a bit of background information. It was not just Threerun's personal opinion but he reflects many "gun experts" assessment as well. The rationale being with the advancement of powder and bullet technology, even the 9mm ("widow maker" from 1980s) has improved significantly in terms of penetration & hollow point expansion, so they concluded "calibers is all the same effectiveness" in terms of stopping power. The FBI as results of this changed back to 9mm from the 40S&W.
I am like you, share the same skepticism on this conclusion. Call me old school, but if the bullet technology has improved so much for 9mm, why couldn't it improve just as much for the 45ACP? Another argument for the pro-9mm crowd is "if the threat doesn't stop just shoot it a couple more times", favoring the high capacity of 9mm. But this argument goes away for the pocket gun.
Didn't mean to get into a "caliber war" discussion but it's a logical discussion when it comes to selecting a pocket gun.
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