Popularity versus utility in concealable EDC?

[Oldsalt66]

IIRC, 80% of those shot with handguns actually survive their wounds.

 

[Puller]

On the other hand, Paul Kersey used a 32 caliber revolver.

As did the people with Sirhan Sirhan who actually shot RFK.

 

[cd228]

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.

What was the source document for that?

 

[gdogs]

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.

 

[white cloud]

Any deer hunter with a lot of experience would find this thread pretty amusing.

 

[ladder13]

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.

Either a 32 or 380 Seecamp is always with me.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Never a believer in "one shot stops"; ya it can happen but a double or triple tap is much more likely to stop an aggressor!

And as said before no one likes to get shot with anything.
How many times a year does the appearance of a firearm stop a confrontation.....IIRC the claim is a couple million times a year!
So even the threat of getting shot has a strong deterrence.

No I'm not encouraging "brandishing" of a firearm.

Better a "mouse gun" than no gun!

 

[Frailer]

I'm honestly not sure what the original question is, but I *assume* it is, "why is one caliber more popular than another?"

I'd propose that at any given time in history (including the present day) caliber choice had much to do with availability (both of guns and ammo), and what is in vogue at the moment.

I don't think the question of "which caliber is most effective?" had, nor has, a great deal to do with the decision of most buyers of guns intended for self-defense. "Good enough" seems to be the standard.

 

[Sistema1927]

There have been times when I cannot carry a pistol and then I resort to a KT P32, loaded with the hottest Euro FMJ I can find. If may be a small hole, but it should poke through to the vitals.

Lately I have been enamored with the new 432UC. I call mine "Leroy". One round of Doubletap DT Snakeshot indexed (more for dogs than for snakes) and five rounds of Buffalo Bore JHP.

 

[Llance]

"I'm honestly not sure what the original question is, but I *assume* it is, "why is one caliber more popular than another?""

I too am not sure of the original question however it is, "why is one caliber more popular than another?" my guess falls to what is the most comfortable firearm to carry with the most potent round available? To that answer I'd have to say it's more about where you live, how you live, and what situations you are most likely to encounter.

For me, if you break into my house at night after taps, there is a real possibility you are going to be met with a shotgun as you come up the stairs. Gauge doesn't matter there because you will be found at the bottom of the stairs with a huge hole in your head, and most likely the back of your head. The wall behind where you were when the shotgun made all its noise will be splattered with your brains, or other organs depending how fast you were coming up the stairs. Regardless, you will be carried out, most likely feet first.

The cost of ammo is too high for me to waste any with a warning shot, thus the only warning you will get are the two locked doors between the exteriour and the interiour of my house.

 

[Buford57]

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.

Yes. Of the two DRT handgun shootings I worked - shootee dropped at the shot and never moved again - one was a .22 LR HP that did exactly as described above. The other was a .45 ACP between the eyes. Other died at the scene or were DOA but these two were immediate incapacitation.

That being said, if the .22 had deviated by an inch or so, it could well have been survivable, the .45 I doubt. Which is why I used a .22 magnum as a last ditch 3rd gun rather than a primary.