The “Better than Nothing” Factor.

[Brettly1961]

Hello. I’m interested in learning the popular opinion on the minimum pistol caliber for car/carry/apartment-life.

I am a firm believer that any 9mm round is more than adequate for self defense. But I ask again what about solid-built .32’s and.380’s?

I’ll be 60 this year and age is setting in. I spend a lot of time at the range. Gun weight, recoil and trigger pull have all become factors in considering what kind of gun that a senior might use or is it what some may call a girl gun?

Masculinity intact, do are these guns work? Are they worth having? Carrying?

Accuracy isn’t the problem. I can make 3 concentric head-shots with a 9mm at 25 feet. But now it isn’t pleasant. Arthritis in my hands and trigger finger remind me how important self-defense will be in my 60’s and beyond. It’s not likely I’ll be packing a Desert Eagle in my future.

I’m just a tall skinny guy who prints easily, looking at my gun future. Good thing it’s winter now.

Cheers.

Merry Christmas

Brett

 

[Ken Ford]

Hello. I’m interested in learning the popular opinion on the minimum pistol caliber for car/carry/apartment-life.

I am a firm believer that any 9mm round is more than adequate for self defense. But I ask again what about solid-built .32’s and.380’s?

I’ll be 60 this year and age is setting in. I spend a lot of time at the range. Gun weight, recoil and trigger pull have all become factors in considering what kind of gun that a senior might use or is it what some may call a girl gun?

Masculinity intact, do are these guns work? Are they worth having? Carrying?

Accuracy isn’t the problem. I can make 3 concentric head-shots with a 9mm at 25 feet. But now it isn’t pleasant. Arthritis in my hands and trigger finger remind me how important self-defense will be in my 60’s and beyond. It’s not likely I’ll be packing a Desert Eagle in my future.

I’m just a tall skinny guy who prints easily, looking at my gun future. Good thing it’s winter now.

Cheers.

Merry Christmas

Brett

Id take a .22 before the much slower and less penetration .25.32 excetra

 

[Brettly1961]

He’s going for the mafia tumble. I appreciate the ballistics. But I suppose I am talking about pistol responsiveness. I have a Sig Mosquito it’s a great plinker .22lr but I’d never carry it.

I suddenly, late in my 50’s developed Arthritis and my fingers are going dog-legged. It has really affected my shooting. Looking for a solution.

 

[NDIrish1]

After having a complicated hand surgery years ago I was forced to carry & shoot a 380 acp........ accuracy on 1st shot wasn’t the problem, rather follow up shots were! I’m confident in my little sig p238 and often pocket carry it especially warm weather!

 

[Jax Monroe]

.380's aint no toy..., and from my knowledge lower weight tends to have more recoil also, but if I'm going to be honest pepper spray is more practical for most situations for day to day life for carry/supplementing your firearm. Anecdote* Due to my age, and not being in the military I cant carry my pistol on my person outside my car, or property for day to day life unless I'm willing to risk a misdemeanor. That being said I never had to use pepper spray on anyone, but ****s proven to make a grown man drop to his knees/hinder him when hit in the eyes. Also using your brain for avoiding dumb avoidable risks is your first defense.

 

[rockyfatcat]

For many years the 38 special was the minimum acceptable defence round. That being said. A kill shot, is a kill shot, regardless of the caliber. What does caliber matter if the bullet hits the brain, heart, or spine?

If you are going to carry a mouse gun. Pay the big bucks to buy the individually machined/CNC'd bullets that are designed to provide the expansion/wound chanel that is normally only available with a minimum acceptable defence round.

For me, There is no replacement for displacement. I carry a 45 auto.

 

[lostchild]

My wife has little hand strength and has decided she can most comfortably and accurately shoot a little Ruger SR22.
We’ve tried her on a lot of different platforms and calibers and either the gun is too heavy, recoil too great, or action too stiff for her to work.
She says 10 solid hit of .22 have got to be better than any number of larger caliber misses.
I’m still good with .45 auto.

 

[Brettly1961]

For many years the 38 special was the minimum acceptable defence round. That being said. A kill shot, is a kill shot, regardless of the caliber. What does caliber matter if the bullet hits the brain, heart, or spine?

If you are going to carry a mouse gun. Pay the big bucks to buy the individually machined/CNC'd bullets that are designed to provide the expansion/wound chanel that is normally only available with a minimum acceptable defence round.

For me, There is no replacement for displacement. I carry a 45 auto.

I’ve always been a natural aim. I can hit a target put holes in holes even with a snappy nine. But carry a 1911? I’m very sinewy muscled. I can handle it I just can’t hide it at 6’ 165.

 

[Brettly1961]

I’m attracted to the light trigger pull of SAO / 1911 style handguns. I’d like to think that an older, more mature gun owner can handle the responsibility of going “locked and loaded”. This has not been a concern with heavy long pull DA/SA striker fired guns I typically carry that kill my fingers.

 

[User170512]

If you've never read it, this is a fascinating FBI paper addressing much of what you are asking. Sorry for the lack of a good link.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjAAegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw10DVrk4SswQsgAgCh-Cf28