Light or Heavy

fiver

Well-Known Member
this is probably the best break down on the subject I have seen.
it's a no BS lecture based on experience [about 1/2 hr.]
it has some blood and stuff.
 

Will

Well-Known Member
What I took from the presentation is wounds from common semi auto handgun cartridges are pretty survivable.
And he also mentions lack of penetration several times, which makes you wonder if the $1/shot super expanding rounds are really what we should be carrying.
I also caught the part where he was talking about fragmentation being a big problem to deal with. Although he was referring to rifle rounds, one has to assume a pistol round fragmenting is more apt to cut something vascular and cause bleeding.
We might be better off carrying big deep hollow points cast out of a brittle alloy.

If we could only have a 460 S&W that fit in your pocket and had the recoil of a 9mm
 

Missionary

Well-Known Member
Greetings
Second time I watched this the evidence to me comes down to deep penetration with a large caliber in the center of the body . Very interesting is the fact skin has 4x the strength of muscles. But that becomes very evident with light weight pistol bullets not exiting the off side skin of white tails.
Plus there is the issue of HP's not getting deep enough especially when striking bone. Once again deer hunting shows this much to often if the bullet is too light from a handgun.

So me.. I will stick with my heavy slugs and a revolver at least bored 41 caliber. Right now I am even more confident a .430 diameter 240+ grainer at 850-900 fps is going to do what needs to be done. Center hits around the heart and not with just one.
Mike in Peru
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ian

fiver

Well-Known Member
makes the old 41 and 44 special rounds look more and more appealing as a carry gun don't it?
 

Missionary

Well-Known Member
Good morning
Hard to beat a 5 shot revolver in either of those two calibers. Happily Ruger is making their GP100 in 44 Special. Just waiting for the price to get near the "regular" price and will add one of those to the 5 shot group.
Mike in Peru
 

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
At my age and in my physical condition, whatever I have is going to be lots better than nuthin'. Having been on the business end of a couple of guns, I'm of the opinion that even a 22LR looks pretty big when it's pointed at your face. Having made something of a study of this for a trio of decades, I'm of the opinion that, barring a central nervous system shot, it's going to depend more on the BG's willingness to keep going than much else with most handgun sized self defense platforms. Yes, a standard 38 Special RN might not even slow down a determined attacker, but a 22LR has stopped a lot of BGs in their tracks. Use what ya got. 1 good hit from that 22 is lots better than 18 misses with a Glock.

That being said, I carry everything from a 22 to various 35 cals to 44 and 45 cals. I did ditch the 25 Auto, mostly because I couldn't hit well with it despite my affection for it's size and function. I prefer to stay away form crack houses, biker bars, other peoples wives and I've completely given up selling heroin on the street corner, so I don't have to fight hoards of mutant zombies biker Crips these days. All told, that little Smith Bodyguard 38 feels good in my pocket and the Star PD still fits my hand well.
 
Last edited:

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Wow Bret, you gave up all the good things in life.
 

KeithB

Resident Half Fast Machinist
I agree with Bret - anything is better than nothing. And I totally agree with the folks that want to carry the most powerful gun they can tote around. I can't possibly know the capability of a every possible attacker, but I can know my own capabilities. Under stress I want a gun that requires the minimal amount of manipulating to get into action yet is inherently safe without any additional action being needed. I want the most powerful caliber that will still allow me to rapidly get off a second (or possibly third) aimed shot, and that is tolerant of ammo deficiencies, again without any additional actions needed to clear up the problem.

To me that boils down to a DA revolver. As much as I like my .44 Specials, at this point I think I'm physically capable of handling a snubbie .38 with +P loads and not much more. I hope to change that through therapy and exercise.

Not trying to put down auto loaders or .44 mag snubbies or any other choice of gun or caliber. But a gun does me no good if I can't handle it safely and effectively.
 

JWFilips

Well-Known Member
When I can, I do carry my S&W Mod 15 with wad cutters ( relatively hot load) but unfortunately most times I'm carrying a 32 ACP auto with "very hot" loads with a flat nose 75 grain Ranch Dog bullet. I never tested it on bad guys but in practice it has good penetration and a not pleasant wound channel. Yes it is small but better than having nothing! On my job I have to conceal carry very discreetly.

Now around my property when I'm home I carry a 1911 45 with big ole slow moving slugs & it is very seldom concealed! An ounce ( Well maybe 230 Grains) of prevention!:D
 

gman

Well-Known Member
Lot's of folks in the old west died from big fat lead bullets. My preferred CC is my Sig 1911 commander sized with 230 grain hp's. When it comes down to it for anyone it's what you can carry and shoot accurately. It's a personal choice. Interesting video to watch. Kinda proves the handgun is used to fight your way to your rifle.
 

Tom

Well-Known Member
this is probably the best break down on the subject I have seen.
it's a no BS lecture based on experience [about 1/2 hr.]
it has some blood and stuff.
Very interesting part about the lack of penetration after hitting the sternum. I'm starting to rethink my lc9s as a carry gun. Maybe the 44 bulldog with a swc might be a better idea ( since it's impractical to carry a carbine).
 

L1A1Rocker

Active Member
Self defense ammo is 117gr DEEP hollow point Zinc 45acp at around 1500fps.


photo2-1.jpg

photo2-1.jpg.html
 

Will

Well-Known Member
There's a lot of good reading on that bullet. Looks like it was banned from import.

Definately gave some good results when dealing with hard barriers and soft tissue.
 

L1A1Rocker

Active Member
There's a lot of good reading on that bullet. Looks like it was banned from import.

Definately gave some good results when dealing with hard barriers and soft tissue.

It was never banned as it does not meet the legal definition of armor piercing pistol ammo do to it being constructed of zinc. The state department did "ask" and Aguilla complied in stopping importation though. So yeah, it is affectingly "banned" from import. I've toyed with the idea of trying to duplicate this bullet.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
years ago there was a maker called Jugular that made and sold Zinc bullets [ammo too I think]
it was the late 50's early 60's and was touted for some types of handgun hunting because of the speed of the round.
 

shootnlead

Active Member
I carry several different cartridges...but, my favorite, based on my testing is the 44 special with a 200gr full wadcutter at 1000fps...it is wicked. I have seen what it does to game out to 40yds...penetrates straight and is devastating.
 

Reed

Active Member
I prefer to stay away form crack houses, biker bars, other peoples wives and I've completely given up selling heroin on the street corner, so I don't have to fight hoards of mutant zombies biker Crips these days..

Love the humor.