Low capacity but probably enough

[Mr. Vito]

Most of us will never use our firearm in self defense, and I would guess that most of us will never have a reason to draw our weapon. Yet I read frequently about folks carry two, or even three guns routinely, and/or carrying several extra magazines. Maybe I am being naive, but it seems that carrying almost any gun, including a two shot Derringer, is probably going to do the job just as well as the Glock 17 with three extra mags on the belt. When I carried a lightweight snub nose 38, with 5 rounds, I never worried about being unprepared. Most of the time I carry a 9mm with 10 rounds, but lately I sometimes carry a 22 with 10 rounds and feel just as well equipped to deal with whatever might be facing me that day. I'd guess many here don't have the same view on this.

 

[Smoke]

In 2016 two guys tried to rob me while I was walking to my car to go to work. I was armed and I was able to deter them without firing any rounds. I have never left my home unarmed since that night.

I don't like the concept of "high capacity" handguns. It's only a matter of time before the anti rights crowd starts pointing out that even gun owners don't think you need more than a revolver to defend your self.

Unless I'm going to the gym I carry a Glock19 and two reloads.

ETA: At the gym it's a Glock 26 and one reload.

You do you Boo.

 

[URIT]

Everyone has a different comfort level. My biggest concern is post-conflict when lawyers start making their moves.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

A citizen involved defense action is likely to be finished...one way or the other...within three or four rounds. But one can live or die by what is "likely". Someone is going to be on the short side of the statistics...you have to be as prepared as possible to make sure it's not you.

 

[Sevens]

I do not agree on this.

Things being what they are, if someone says to me that they carry a two-shot Derringer, my takeaway is that at least there seems to be a good chance that I just met someone who is a Pro2A voter. Beyond that, I don’t feel like I stumbled across a new buddy, it kinda feels like I came across a Fudd.

I wish him well and I hope he at least seeks enlightenment, better if he finds it.

 

[Imissedagain]

It takes lotsa hand strength and practice, to even hit a paper target, at 5-7 yds, twice, or even once, with this Derringer, fired as fast as possible.
Always fun to have shooters try.
Win lotsa cold root beer, from the range machine.
Bought new around '81.
BUG to my M59, with extra mag, when fishing.
Always in my pocket while crawling around yachts, doing electronics installs, long ago.
Even in well guarded marinas/boat yards.
Now the BUG is an LCP.

 

[SFury79]

I carry what makes sense for where I'm going.

That may mean one of my 7 shot revolvers, or more guns. It might mean one gun with 2-3 spare magazines. The odds of me encountering trouble is low, not non-existent. I want to make certain I have the means to best handle the moment I can't avoid danger.

If God forbid, I ever need to go into the Twin Cities again, I'll have multiple guns and multiple magazines on hand. Parts of that city have gone into the toilet and need to be flushed into the abyss. It's not the city I visited as a kid in the 80s and 90s.

 

[Shibadog]

In the vast majority of self defense cases a firearm is never fired-its mere presence will often deter the thug and cause him to go away in search of easier prey. For those cases any gun (even a Byrne launcher) works. These are successful self defense stories.. Problem occurs when a thug is NOT deterred and continues his aggression even when facing a firearm. Then you need the most powerful weapon you can shoot well. I continue to search for something the size of a SIG 365 that hits like a .44 mag….

 

[Harv 24]

Most of us will never use our firearm in self defense, and I would guess that most of us will never have a reason to draw our weapon. Yet I read frequently about folks carry two, or even three guns routinely, and/or carrying several extra magazines. Maybe I am being naive, but it seems that carrying almost any gun, including a two shot Derringer, is probably going to do the job just as well as the Glock 17 with three extra mags on the belt. When I carried a lightweight snub nose 38, with 5 rounds, I never worried about being unprepared. Most of the time I carry a 9mm with 10 rounds, but lately I sometimes carry a 22 with 10 rounds and feel just as well equipped to deal with whatever might be facing me that day. I'd guess many here don't have the same view on this.

If you believe that, then why even carry? If the odds are so great, that you would be struck by lightening, or be in a car accident, or have the house burn down first, then why would anyone carry?

You would be better served increasing your home owners and car insurance policies.
Evil travels, it does not just stay in the bad areas of town. Evil comes out in the day, not just past midnight. Evil likes company, so sometimes is not by itself. It might show up while I'm grocery shopping, it might poke it's head into the convenience store while I'm getting milk and eggs. It might decide it has a grudge against my chruch and show up on a Sunday morning during worship so it can make a statement. It might even show up where I work, or any other likely location I might be.

And as far as health goes, I have a much higher risk of health issues if I eat poorly or am over weight, so I would be better served with good diet and exercise.


If you could predict when a bad encounter is going to happen, then you could just avoid it all together.

And since I can't fit a Cop in my pocket to take with me 24/7/365, I carry a pistol. And since I can't predict or forecast bad things, I want something with at least 10 rds. that I can shoot effectively at least out to 25yds. With a caliper that is going to ballistically do damage if I hit the right spot.


You are right though, odds are in my favor that if I stick to the daylight hours, only go to nice places and be in bed by 10, I should be fine...

Wait, what was that noise, oh well, don't worry, go back to sleep, I'm sure it's nothing. Odds are in my favor....

 

[duncan4521]

Most of us will never use our firearm in self defense, and I would guess that most of us will never have a reason to draw our weapon. Yet I read frequently about folks carry two, or even three guns routinely, and/or carrying several extra magazines. Maybe I am being naive, but it seems that carrying almost any gun, including a two shot Derringer, is probably going to do the job just as well as the Glock 17 with three extra mags on the belt. When I carried a lightweight snub nose 38, with 5 rounds, I never worried about being unprepared. Most of the time I carry a 9mm with 10 rounds, but lately I sometimes carry a 22 with 10 rounds and feel just as well equipped to deal with whatever might be facing me that day. I'd guess many here don't have the same view on this.

You never know what your gunfight may look like? If all you are concerned with is “odds” then you as an individual don’t need any firearm. But those that get the “Churchill Tap” will want the best possible equipment for the mission and the best possible training to effectively use that kit!

 

[65-2x2]

I don't see myself ever being involved in an extended gunfight, so I find my self in agreement with the OP. I am an old man and been carrying ever since it was made legal in my state. The same old boring 8 round capacity 1911. So far, I would have been equally prepared by carrying a water pistol. Part of that may be that I don't go to places where trouble breeds, I mind my own business, and I am usually home as the sun is setting because criminals, like cockroaches, come out in the dark.

Of course all of that is not immunity frome being caught up in something, but as old Freddie the Great told us, "He who defends all, defends nothing."

 

[Norton 750]

I agree that in most situations you will run out of time before ammunition. Things happen fast in a gunfight. Having said that, remember that in case of a malfunction a reload is often the fastest way to get a semi automatic back into action...drop the mag, cycle the action, insert second mag, cycle the action. Takes less time to do it than it takes me to type it.

 

[duncan4521]

I don't see myself ever being involved in an extended gunfight, so I find my self in agreement with the OP. I am an old man and been carrying ever since it was made legal in my state. The same old boring 8 round capacity 1911. So far, I would have been equally prepared by carrying a water pistol. Part of that may be that I don't go to places where trouble breeds, I mind my own business, and I am usually home as the sun is setting because criminals, like cockroaches, come out in the dark.

Of course all of that is not immunity frome being caught up in something, but as old Freddie the Great told us, "He who defends all, defends nothing."

The evil incident that just occurred in Colorado took place on a sunny afternoon in an affluent neighborhood. Anyone of us could be there. The question is what shocks your conscience enough to intervene? Only you can answer that one. Personally if I saw kids getting lit on fire, I would, but that’s my choice based on my training, experience and profession. If I’m going to become involved I want the best possible kit that fits the mission at hand. For me that’s a 9mm pistol with a red dot, carried aiwb and an extra magazine completely concealed. Sometimes a J-frame in the off side pocket to be able to arm my competent significant other. You make your choices and live with them!

 

[haywood]

2 rounds, 5 rounds, 10 rounds Etc. It’s enough, until it isn’t. I probably won’t need any. I hope.

 

[Frailer]

Life is all about choices.

We humans are notoriously bad at assessing risk. We often worry about things we shouldn’t, and we don’t worry about things we should. Las Vegas didn’t come into being because people make wise choices.

I carry a small revolver in my pocket everywhere I go. While this is far from optimal, based on my lifestyle I believe this compromise is an acceptable one. It is possible I will die from a gunshot wound with an empty revolver in my hand, but the odds of this happening are vanishingly small. I’ve experimented with carrying a “full-capacity” semiautomatic, but it just doesn’t work for me.

I am much more at risk of dying from “natural causes,” so I watch what I eat like a teenage girl, I try to stay reasonably active, and I get regular medical examinations.

I will never criticize someone else’s choice of firearm; it is their life and their business. But if they try to lecture me on my choice while carrying 30 pounds of excess body fat I will silently judge them.

 

[duncan4521]

I think there is a solid middle ground between a full sized fighting pistol and a pocket pistol. There are many excellent sub-compact 9mm pistols with decent capacity and red dot capable that are relatively easy to conceal. Aiwb is a viable option unless you are grossly overweight. I feel this is a workable compromise and much easier to effectively deploy than any pocket pistol, J frame or otherwise.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Most of us will never use our firearm in self defense, and I would guess that most of us will never have a reason to draw our weapon. Yet I read frequently about folks carry two, or even three guns routinely …

Probability varies greatly.

People may commit homicide for a variety of reasons, which can be complex and sometimes difficult to fully understand. In most cases, motives like jealousy, revenge, greed, lust, or fear and self-defense are involved. However, in some instances, mental disorders or a lack of control may play a role.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

In the vast majority of self defense cases a firearm is never fired-its mere presence will often deter the thug and cause him to go away in search of easier prey.

… Problem occurs when a thug is NOT deterred and continues his aggression even when facing a firearm.

Great point however what if the thug thinks “you” are a rival? Or “you” are having an affair with his wife/girlfriend. It could be a case of mistaken identity but a jealous man will not be reasonable.

 

[duncan4521]

However, we are now entering a new era. There have been twenty plus million illegal aliens that have crossed our border. Many of them not vetted, many got-aways that we have no idea about their location or intentions. Terrorist activities like the recent Coloardo incident may become more prevalent. Worse, we may see a more coordinated attack like those that occurred in France or in Beslan. I don’t fear the crack head in the parking lot with a sharpened screw driver, any firearm will handle that, but the aforementioned will require better equipment and certainly better training. I believe I have some of each!

 

[hkcavalier]

Don't make big decisions based on anecdotal evidence, or cases of survivorship bias (Aunt Edna put down that crowbar-wielding burglar with a .32 top break, therefore that's all ya really need).

Most non-LEO defensive shootings tend to happen with inexpensive, common guns for a lot of pretty obvious reasons. It doesn't mean these are the best tools for the job, just the most common. And it's not really about cost; a bullet from a $300 Rock Island 1911 and a $5000 Wilson Combat hit just the same.

This is one reason I really like the Dickens Drill created after the famous indoor mall defensive shooting. From holster, 10 shots on a body target like IPSC scoring no fewer than 8 hits in 15 seconds or less. Eli Dickens used his daily carry Glock 19. I'll admit it's not easy with my Glock 26, but doable. Good luck with a J frame shooting wadcutters or other "bad breath" distance CCW options. The scenario with Dickens is rare but can happen. There was an incident back in 2012 where a local resident shot a perp pinning down a police officer, range of 165 yards with a .357 revolver. Lots more examples every month in American Rifleman and elsewhere.

I type all this and, sure, I've left the house with nothing but a 442 or a NAA Guardian .32. Sometimes you're headed to the beach or doing some kayaking and a big ol' shootin' iron wouldn't work all that well. But when you can carry a bigger, more capable gun, you should.