Rick H
Well-Known Member
I spent 31 years of my life in the business of policing/investigating violent crimes in a major metropolitan area. I concur with CZ93X62 and extend it to all 35's and lesser calibers.Do these light-bullet wonder cartridges suck canal water? No, they don't--if you are willing to accept the marginal abilities of the 38 Special +P to produce a 1st place finish in an exchange of finality. It does beat throwing rocks or foot bail, certainly.
I have witnessed the failure of 35 cal. handguns to rapidly stop threats. Even a fella wearing pajama's, and a weird smile, while aiming a 22 semi-auto rifle. 7 solid torso hits with 110 Super-Vels and 158 Remington jacketed hollowpoints at a range of 10-15 feet. These were from 4" barreled Model 19/66 S&W's and were both 357 Magnum loads. The Super-Vels splashed but got to the lungs, the 158 Remingtons penetrated through the shooter, a metal cabinet, an interior wall and and outside brick veneer wall and may still be flying for all anyone knows. He died, but not before covering another officer and me with the muzzle of that damned rifle. Had we shut down his central nervous system he would have stopped quicker. None of the rounds hit his spine nor brain box.
I know that my personal nightmare is a worst case example. To be sure I have seen cases where smaller caliber weapons worked well, sometimes even without having to fire them. My conclusions are bigger is better (if you can handle it) and bullet placement trumps all. There are no magic cartridges or bullets in useful handgun calibers. I am NOT comfortable carrying 35's of any persuasion but admit they are superior not carrying at all. I carry a 40 S&W with 180 JHPs. I don't kid myself into believing it is some kind of laser beam that will instantly drop/stop any and all threats but it is the best compromise FOR ME.