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Matix was hit by three 9mm and three .38spcl. Platt received more 9mm hits.
The FBI didn't develop the 10mm. It was the brainchild of Jeff Cooper, then slightly modified and first loaded commercially by Norma for the Bren Ten pistol.
FBI shootout:
- The FBI wasn't happy with the performance of .38Spc+P and 9mm handguns against an AR-15 and a shotgun. Go figure.
- A study was started to find a replacement handgun cartridge with more power. The massive full-power 10mm (10mmx25mm) cartridge was selected.
- Many agents subsequently had problems with the recoil of the full-power 10mm, plus the gun itself was too large for small-handed agents.
- The FBI did more studies, and as a result commissioned a special reduced-power 10mm cartridge.
- Smith & Wesson realized that the reduced powder charge and bullet length of the "10mm Lite" cartridge didn't need the capacity of the full-size 10x25mm case, so they cut it down to 10x22mm and called it the .40 S&W. This shorter case could fit into small-framed 9x19mm handguns with a few simple changes.
Back to the OP's situation: first time gun-buyer getting a bedside table gun.
Yes, the .38Spc was considered "underpowered" against two hardened criminals with superior weaponry. I'm sorry, but if two hardened criminals armed with an AR-15 and a shotgun break into your house in the middle of the night then it doesn't matter whether you get a .22LR or a .38Spc or a .40S&W. If you are alone you will likely die.
Yes, it is possible to defend yourself against any reasonably realistic scenario, but only at the expense of lots of money and training time. In the case above you would need a minimum of a shotgun or AR-15, plus a reinforced and locked bedroom door to give you time to wake up and ready your weapon. Instead, you have to look at probabilities. Unless you are actively involved with the drug trade, or else you are known as someone with access to lots of money, the chances of a full-on armed home invasion by several criminals are very slim.
Much more probable is a burglary or a drugged up single invader, in which case a .38Spc revolver should be more than adequate to get the job done.
Last edited by An Einnseanair; 03-03-2014 at 10:51 AM..
Exactly and there are many loadings for the .38 that are much lower.
In the equation of what works insofar as using a handgun for defense, where the individual is shot has as much to do with the effectiveness of the defense as anything else.
Good judgement
Speed, accuracy and power combined give the best result. Good judgment is always first. The rest can be jumbled in sequence but power has the most leeway. All the power in the world does you no good if you can't hit what you are shooting at or can't shoot in time to save yourself.
Unless you are actively involved with the drug trade, or else you are known as someone with access to lots of money, the chances of a full-on armed home invasion by several criminals are very slim.
Much more probable is a burglary or a drugged up single invader, in which case a .38Spc revolver should be more than adequate to get the job done.
^^^^ This ^^^^
It is easy to let your imagination run wild when it comes to home invasion self defense scenarios.
Now let us suppose the home invaders wear bullet-proof vest... What caliber handgun should I get....
if you are talking new, then I would say get a semi auto.
if you are talking about used, then get a revolver.
I bought a S&W 686 for $75 a few months ago. it did not come with any ammo, but I did get 9 speed loaders with the pistol too.
The .357 is in really good shape and I got quite the deal on it.
Many home invasions are committed by multiple people. When 3 or 4 guys or more bust down the door to do harm and rob me, I sure want more than 6 rounds in a revolver. My home defense guns are semi-auto's, are chambered and provide 13 (12 +1) or 17 (16 +1) rounds depending on which one I grab.
Many home invasions are committed by multiple people. When 3 or 4 guys or more bust down the door to do harm and rob me, I sure want more than 6 rounds in a revolver. My home defense guns are semi-auto's, are chambered and provide 13 (12 +1) or 17 (16 +1) rounds depending on which one I grab.
If you have "many home invasions" going on in your neighborhood against ordinary non-drug dealers (or if you have that many neighborhood drug dealers), you might want to think about moving.
Many home invasions are committed by multiple people. When 3 or 4 guys or more bust down the door to do harm and rob me, I sure want more than 6 rounds in a revolver. My home defense guns are semi-auto's, are chambered and provide 13 (12 +1) or 17 (16 +1) rounds depending on which one I grab.
Common sense. If it's done by a single perp then it would not be called an "invasion", but rather an "intrusion"
Back in California 10~15 yrs ago home invasion robbery happened a lot. A friend's stepdad's was "invaded", but he drew his gun started shooting and these "invaders" scrambled out of doors. He was only one guy against 3~4 guys but, as I said before; criminals are like cockeroaches and scatters at the first sign of danger. They only prey on the weak & the helpless (and the liberals who don't have guns ). You fire that first shot and they will run. Nobody is going to stand there and count your shots until you expended your first 6 shots. They are not very good in math in the first place.
But you got to be able to get your first shot off. If you draw your weapon and it does not go bang, or you are fumbling with your safeties, then the element of surprise and threat to the bad guys is gone. They sense either your weapon doesn't work or you don't know how it works and that emboldens them to be aggressors again.
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