On the other hand, Paul Kersey used a 32 caliber revolver.
Actually last time i saw the use of that pistol mentioned in historical documentation. The pistol was not meant to be used as an offensive weapon. it was meant to be used to prevent the officer from being captured. It was meant to be used by inserting the muzzle into the mouth, up against the base of the tonsils and rapidly pulling the trigger.
Before I had my Seecamp 32acp, I'd say I left the house armed less than 20% of the time. Maybe I didn't feel like changing out of my athletic shorts to run to the store and therefore didn't slip my Hi Power into an already struggling waistband. Perhaps I was headed to a function where concealing a standard sized pistol wouldn't be easy, or appreciated. Mostly I just didn't want to be bothered with the inconvenience of it all. Buy a pocket sized 32 and a decent holster, you'll never leave home without at least it. You can always carry something bigger when necessity dictates or clothing allows. I've got an RM380 that gets some carry time as well, but most days the Seecamp is more than adequate for my needs. Anyone that thinks otherwise has probably never been shot with a 32. I've got options in small DAO pistols (the only thing I'll carry these days), from 25acp to 357mag, the Seecamp runs away with it by far... and size has everything to do with it.
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Many years ago I read an extensive magazine article about the effectiveness of small caliber weapons for SD when shots are well placed with bullets that give deep penetration. There are wounds that are considered to be unsurvivable. It isn't a matter of antibiotics. A shot completely through the large vessels at the top of the heart cannot be surgically repaired fast enough to stop the person from bleeding to death. The heart will fill the chest cavity with blood, saturating the lungs and the victim drowns in their own blood before a surgeon could open the chest cavity and even attempt to repair the wound. There are many shootings that result in death before medics even get to the scene. Caliber is unimportant. Same old story. Shot placement and penetration.