.30 Super Carry?

[shil]

I thought I'd put this out just to gauge interest to satisfy my own curiosity: What good is this cartridge? What perceived need does it serve?

 

[cmj8591]

The perceived need is to make people feel better who think they are 2 or 3 rounds short in their EDC capacity. There is also a need by the gun and ammo companies to pry as much revenue as possible from the buying public. Other than that, there is nothing ballistically that can't be done as good or better by 50 cartridges that were all ready in existence.

 

[DWalt]

I consider it as just another gimmick to generate more pistol and ammo sales, and I wouldn’t say it is very exciting. Mainly just a way to have a few more rounds of magazine capacity for those who think that somehow makes a pistol better. The cartridge idea is really not that new, as much the same cartridge existed a century ago, but in a little less powerful form, as the .30 Pedersen, later the 7.65mm French Longue.

After a flurry of publicity when the .30 SC first appeared, I don’t remember seeing much being written about it recently. At best, it is likely doomed to obscurity within a few years. Sort of like the .45 GAP, there doesn’t seem to be any niche market void for it to fill.

 

[6518John]

Chicken or the egg question

I don’t know if the fishing lure manufacturers learned it from the guns and ammo companies or vice versa—especially since they both sell to a lot of the same customers—but I figured out some time ago that guns and ammo companies used the same marketing model of the Lucky 13 in colors of green, chartreuse, frog, lime, Lilly pad, sunfish, baby snake, tadpole!

It is to catch fisherman, not fish! Guns and ammo companies are excellent fishers of men. And good for them—a rising tide floats all boats.

 

[Sheepdogged]

Personally I don't think it's going to take off. The reason being that, yes, while it does bridge the power gap between .380 ACP and 9mm as advertised (with the energy of a weak 9mm), it's not being offered in traditional .380 ACP handguns that lack capacity. In other words, you're not likely going to see this round offered in the Bodyguard 380 or a Ruger LCP. Why not? Afterall, that is the market that would most benefit from the extra capacity. In my opinion, it is because it is over pressured. The maximum (SAAMI) pressure of 9mm Parabellum and .40 S&W is 35,000 psi. 30 Super Carry is rated at 52,000 psi which is higher than .357 SIG (40,000 psi)! The muzzle blast is thus likely more similar to 9mm than its energy rating; meaning, you'll perceive more recoil or muzzle blast than a similarly [low] powered 9mm (which may be more akin to the warmer stuff). That's no bueno in my opinion. That said, I haven't fired 30 Super Carry, so ultimately I have to somewhat curtail my opinions until I do.

 

[CorvZ061]

I own and shoot a Shield EZ in 30SC. It is a very mild recoiling cartridge, slightly less than 9 but not enough to really write about. It is loud, very loud. I do enjoy shooting it, and I had a Shield EZ in 9mm when I got the 30. Shot the 2 side by side. Will the cartridge survive? I hope so. But if people keep saying might as well get 9mm then no.

Try one out, you might like it. I've got a few hundred round through mine, it's been fun.

 

[chief38]

IMHO it won't be around very long. Every so often cartridge manufacturers conspire along with a gun manufacture to make something that at best would fit "in between slots" and while technically might have a slight advantage, reality is never achieved. IMO they do this mostly for profit and if they never had - no one would ever miss it.

There have been other calibers over the years that have come and gone just like I predict the .30 will. Some are the 357 Maximum, the 45 GAP, the 45 Magnum, etc. By now there are very few "slots" remaining that need to be filled and try as they may, I don't believe the .30 is any great advantage other then to the manufacturer's making more money. I won't buy into this and don't think it does anything that existing caliber choices can't - but hey..... they certainly have the right to try. My personal opinion would be to get a gun in a time proven caliber and save your hard earned money on new "gimmicks".

 

[ken158]

Just another song and dance by the manufacturers to inject doubt into what you carry as not being “enough” BUT look what we have here to solve your problem while padding their pockets with money from the masses. On a serious note, prior to CCW becoming such a popular thing, on and off duty LEO were and still are carrying 5 and 6 shot revolvers that have obviously served them well. The question for the thinkers that can get past the “because I can” mentality is why would an average person really need the high capacity options for daily safety in the position of defense since they are not LEO and therefore no requirement for offensive carry. As a last thought, carrying is a chore. Many newbie’s will start with high capacity guns, multiple mags, flashlights, knives and all the glamor of a TV show. When reality kicks in rather quickly, all that excess baggage ends up in the console, glovebox or even in a drawer at home. Buy what you want but also what you will carry. Get a good holster that works for you and it will likely take several purchases to seal that deal. If carrying is not comfortable, then you will stop carrying. Practice and get some practical and legal training. If you cannot do it in a controlled practice - Q&A situation, then you will not be able to do it in a SHTF situation.

 

[Autonomous]

Wow, what a parade of negativism! A lot of jealousy for companies trying to innovate and stay in business.
It looks like a good option for self defense. The smaller case will allow a couple more rounds in a pistol which is a plus.
It's toughest adversary besides luddites that can't see beyond their gimmick verdict is the market saturation and universal availability of 9mm.

 

[Dave Lively]

The 30 SC exists for the same reason most people buying a new carry gun opt for something like Shield Plus or P365 over the original Shield or Glock 43, three more rounds in about the same size gun.

Going from 10 to 13 isn't as significant as going from 7 to 10 but more capacity is better than less. The internet is full of expert marksmen that only need a 5 shot J frame because they never miss but in the real world has a lot of people that do miss, particularly in extremely high stress situations like having to defend your life in a gunfight. There also seems to be a trend for crime becoming more of a group activity where getting assaulted by multiple criminals is more likely.

I might buy a Shield Plus in 30 SC if I like the 9mm version I just bought. The high price, limited availability and uncertain future of 30 SC are real drawbacks compared to 9mm.

 

[Valmet]

30 SC will be on the shelf with 45GAP and 327 Federal before long IMO.

 

[BKLooney]

For me, it simply doesn't serve a justifiable need and would just end up being another way to buy a new pistol and ammunition in a caliber I do not need. If there is a void or deficiency somewhere within my range of pistols/revolvers/ammunition (.44 mag, .357 mag, .41 mag, .45 acp, 9mm, .40 S&W, .38 special, .380 acp, .32 acp, .22 wmr, & .22 lr) I ain't seeing it. A small increase in capacity just does not excite me.