I may get flamed here But I will continue.
I train at 15 yards with paper plates. Simple and easy.
I will hang 10 or more of them and try different ammo in the gun I intend to carry.
I currently carry an old Model 49.
Well with lots of ammo and a few hours shooting I can tell you this one thing.
If I absolutely want to get 5 rounds on the plate as fast as possible I can do it fastest with 38 Special Wad cutters. And I mean FAST.
So what do I want out of a defensive handgun?
For me it is to stop getting beaten, Stop my woman from being attacked, Stop my dog from being mauled from another dog.
So basically I am NOT HUNTING, And I dont have the time to aim and shoot carefully, I will need to react fast and accurately.
Well call me a wuss, But I know that I can get 5 shots on target just about as fast as I can pull the little J frames trigger.
So I carry 38 WCs.
They may be considered underpowered, But I doubt an offender would be thinking that when hit 5 times in about 2 seconds or less.....
I am a peaceful man who never would want to hurt anybody~~~~
I carry a 44 mag when camping or hiking in Bear country.
But otherwise I am happy with the 38.
~~NOTE~~~
Last year in NJ a guy shot his wife in the back with a pellet rifle for some @*&@$ reason.
Well it hit the cartelidge in her spine and she went down and died......
Peter

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Need 1/2 moon Chiefs special