It seems that today's market has too many options for firearms enthusiasts...
Especially those that want to carry their protection with them all the time...
Here, let me illustrate some of my BASIC considerations:
What caliber, weight, bullet type?
Revolver vs. Automatic?
How many rounds?
Steel vs. Stainless Steel? -or- Alloy vs. Polymer?
Leather, Kydex or 'Mexican' (I hope not!
)
Yes, I realize these considerations can be contentious, and rightfully so. Everyone has their own particular needs, limitations and requirements. So, I would expect that there will be differences between users. Perhaps that's why there are so many options? Maybe...
I'll share the experience and path that I took to get to a point where I made a buying decision. Maybe it'll help you make yours? Possibly, the responses and other perspectives that will follow will help as well? In the end, it is YOUR decision!
My first step was to try to eliminate as many variables as possible. Where I started was: cost was no object. Why? Well, let me ask you this question: "What is YOUR life worth?"
Next, I did some research on what round to use. I did this on line, in person with various enthusiasts, and with a number of professionals like doctors, LEO's and the like. To sum it up, NO ONE WOULD WANT TO BE IN FRONT OF A FIREARM WHEN IT GOES OFF.
Longer story: the FBI did some testing, various 'back yard ballistics tests' were done – some with blue jeans and wet phone books, barrels of water, etc. Some even went exotic with specially formulated jels and high speed photography. Do yourself a favor, and check it out for yourself... Consider it to be part of the experience helping YOU make YOUR decision. In conclusion, I found reports of Daisy BB guns killing people (rare, but look for yourself) and some pretty awesome videos of a .577 T-Rex that would likely do the same thing, albeit somewhat more reliably I'd imagine.
Somewhere in between those ends of the spectrum lies what will work for your particular needs...
Personally, I'm not too worried about Zombies. I therefore chose a more conventional threat: the two legged Homo Sapien. I wanted something that was readily available pretty much WHEREVER you went in the USA.
With this view, the 'boutique' ammo that's out there was immediately off the list. Yes, this includes 22 Magnums and 45 Gaps... I believe that I can find 22LR, 9mm, 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 40 S&W and 45 ACP pretty much anywhere, so that was my foundation I set to build on.
22LR is really attractive for its price point and availability. You can also pack a LOT of rounds in a relatively small space. A Beretta Bobcat is an attractive platform for this round, but in my experience it has an appetite for a certain load: CCI 22LR Mini Mags. Further, it's not a very reliable load for stopping power. So, it didn't make my cut.
45 ACP has a history of performance that is staggering. There's a reason why the '45' has the reputation it has earned. Here again, feel free to do your own investigation. You'll be amazed at what you find. However, it didn't make my cut. Why? The 1911 platform probably the most common auto loading pistol platform in history, but I don’t like the ergonomics or how the pistol feels in my hands. Further, a more compact, packable pistol can’t carry any more rounds than a revolver, so what’s the point? Off the list…
9mm and 40 S&W are incredibly common now-a-days... Most every LEO agency uses one or the other, maybe even both. To my surprise, I found that the 9mm was born for many reasons, but the one that surprised me the most was that it was designed for warfare where it is more likely to WOUND than KILL please see this post. The idea is that if you wound an enemy soldier, you take two or three off the battle field: 1 wounded soldier, and 1 or 2 to carry them out of danger. Brilliant!
Please don’t misunderstand my thoughts here… This isn’t about going Rambo on someone. It is however about a real life and death scenario. If I’m ever in a situation where I would need to use deadly force (and I hope that I never am) I want the force that I use to be as effective as possible. ‘Wounding’ doesn’t fit into this category. STOPPING the activity causing my response is. I hope you can see how serious this whole thing is. If you ever need to defend yourself, life or death IS at the core of the dilemma. Plan ahead, and choose wisely…
Because the 9mm is DESIGNED TO WOUND, it’s off my list for that reason alone. Please see this post for details.
So, now we're on to the 40 S&W... Similar in many ways to the 9mm, but with more "oomph". Also very common round to find, and lots of options for platforms to launch it from. This one makes to the next round of consideration.
The 38 Special and 357 Magnum are a little unusual in this comparison... They're designed to be used in a revolver (save for a few very uncommon auto loading platforms like the Desert Eagle in 357...), and they're more of an 'old school' round. For nearly forever, the LEO community fielded revolvers in 38 Specials or 357 Magnum. Then, somewhere along the way, the higher firepower capacity of the automatic loading pistol (more rounds in a typical automatic's magazine than a cylinder of a revolver) became in vogue. No matter, years of history and performance of these revolver based rounds led to them making the cut as well.
Now, choosing between what round to use from those making the cut.
My Dad was a dyed in the wool gun nut. Collector, shooter, hunter... Had decorations, awards, medals, trophies, and pretty much knew it all, had been there, done that, and even had a few things in his history that he couldn’t talk about. He taught me much of what I know now, and made me aware that no matter how much you know there’s still a lot to learn.
He was a wheel gun guy… Like a typical kid, I liked autos.
I said I appreciated autos for their ability to carry more ammo per load. Dad countered that it's not how many you carry, but where you put them. Chalk one up for Dad...
I maintained that I liked autos because they were easier and faster to load. Dad liked revolvers because if you had a dud or jam, all you had to do was to pull the trigger again for a fresh round (needs to be Double Action to do this!). No hocus-pocus of clearing the round by cycling the slide with TWO HANDS. He even demonstrated how he could get THREE or more (!) rounds on target while I was clearing my auto. Dad 2, me 0.
Okay... lesson learned. Revolvers have a certain advantage in the hands of a skilled, capable user. No doubts there. Still, I was convinced Autos were for me.
Even though various demonstrations and perspectives were fresh in my mind, and Dad had literally shot down all my arguments, I still began my shooting life with the 40 S&W. I began collecting hardware to utilize that round. My thoughts were varied, and all based upon the plan of using ‘good stuff to get good results’. I bought pistols from HK (Tac 40, P7M10) and a Kahr MK40. I bought high quality ammo... I practiced... And I was comfortable and confident. So, even if zombies did attack, I was ready.
Then, I met a woman that challenged my decision.
She was new to firearms, and wanted to know everything about everything. I got to relive the whole ‘just starting out, making decisions’ experience again. I found myself, after shooting for 30+ years, changing my mind about the choices I had made earlier.
Yes, I’m now a convert.
I like wheel guns.
There I said it!
What happened?
Well, it was an experience that was a combination of things gone wrong all at once that opened my eyes. 3 out of 10 rounds in a single magazine failed to fire in my most trusted P7M10. Even though this is the first time it ever happened, the reasons why are moot. The fact that it happened is all that it took for me to revisit my previous choices.
I had already decided that the 38 / 357 Mag round was a contender, so I began to look at options for what to use for a launcher.
Dad had passed a number of years ago already, and I was honored to be the caretaker of his treasures. They’re all heirlooms in my view, and not something that I would consider for personal use. However, they were all wheel guns. The old man knew his stuff, and I had now come full circle. I imagine he’s smiling wherever he is…
So, now that I’m convinced that revolvers are the answer, I had some choices to make. I was settled on a 357 Magnum… It could launch 38 Specials, or 357 Magnum loads from the same pistol, so the versatility is very attractive. Further, the reputation of the 357 in particular is very admirable.
Colt’s are nice, so are Smith & Wesson’s. Ruger, Taurus and others are out there as well… What to do?!
Colt made a nice revolver, no doubt. Problem is they don’t anymore. What is out there is crazy expensive, and while beautiful, not something that I would consider for every day attire.
Ultimately, I decided to go the route of Smith & Wesson. Ruger and Taurus simply “didn’t do it for me.” It’s not meant to be a lame excuse to simplify things: they just didn’t feel right in MY hands. Sure, S&W, just like any manufacturer has had some bumps in the road, and not all their stuff is for everyone. Still, I was able to find what I was looking for, and am happy with. Your experience may be different – and I hope it is, for you! At the end of the day, no matter what others have said, or what they believe, I truly believe you have to do what is good for you and what you believe.
After all my other decisions led me to this point of choosing a platform, I wanted low maintenance and reliability. Initially, that was found in a 686. Beautiful Stainless Steel construction, solid design (it’s a L-frame that came about because – as I understand it - the K-frames weren’t up to the constant use of full power 357 Magnum loads) and just felt good in my hands.
I bought one in 6”, 4” and then bought a 617 to train with. The 617 is for all practical purposes a 686 but chambered in 22LR. Same feel, handling and action – just less bang. I was now in heaven.
Except for one thing…
The 686 is massive. As in HEAVY. As in HUGE. As in, WOW, my back hurts carrying this thing all day.
Yeah, I have no doubts that it would do the job I intended, but there must be some other way?!
Well, thanks to technology, some creativity, and some engineering, S&W found a way to answer my call. A little Titanium and some exotic alloying of Aluminum and another uncommon element, Scandium, and presto! A little pocket rocket whose price is inversely proportional to its weight (this means it weighs almost nothing, but costs a lot). There were other, similar options from S&W with varying combinations of materials and construction (442, 642, M&P versions, etc.) but I decided on the 340PD (S&W #103061).
Now, why spend HUNDREDS of dollars more for this Titanium variant rather than the other S&W options? That was a hard call for me to make… Ultimately, it came down to weight. Yes, it’s only ~2 ounces (OUNCES!) lighter than the nearest steel cylinder’d competition, but that was the clincher for me. I understood that less weight will mean greater recoil to the shooter, and the pistol will also be more difficult to control because of it…
The plain and simple truth (to me anyway) is that the less obtrusive the pistol is, the more comfortable it will be to carry, all the time, everywhere. Further, I don’t EXPECT to need to use it. It’s not a range gun, where I EXPECT to launch 50-200 rounds at a crack. If it’s going to be used, it’s going to be in a crisis, and I MAY unload all 5 cylinders.
ONE time.
Honestly, if someone needs more than 5 rounds to STOP their assailant, they already failed before they even drew their weapon. Planning, practice, and prevention – in that order – should have happened LONG BEFORE they drew.
So, the end of this long story?
Cost is no object? Check.
Loading being carried sufficient to do the job? Check.
What material being used? Low / no maintenance – exotic stuff for sure! Check, check, check!
Leather, Kydex or Mexican? None of ‘em for me! I’m going with Nylon! Uncle Mikes, #3 pocket holster!
Enjoy your journey to find your grail... Whatever your choice may be.
Especially those that want to carry their protection with them all the time...
Here, let me illustrate some of my BASIC considerations:
What caliber, weight, bullet type?
Revolver vs. Automatic?
How many rounds?
Steel vs. Stainless Steel? -or- Alloy vs. Polymer?
Leather, Kydex or 'Mexican' (I hope not!
)Yes, I realize these considerations can be contentious, and rightfully so. Everyone has their own particular needs, limitations and requirements. So, I would expect that there will be differences between users. Perhaps that's why there are so many options? Maybe...
I'll share the experience and path that I took to get to a point where I made a buying decision. Maybe it'll help you make yours? Possibly, the responses and other perspectives that will follow will help as well? In the end, it is YOUR decision!
My first step was to try to eliminate as many variables as possible. Where I started was: cost was no object. Why? Well, let me ask you this question: "What is YOUR life worth?"
Next, I did some research on what round to use. I did this on line, in person with various enthusiasts, and with a number of professionals like doctors, LEO's and the like. To sum it up, NO ONE WOULD WANT TO BE IN FRONT OF A FIREARM WHEN IT GOES OFF.
Longer story: the FBI did some testing, various 'back yard ballistics tests' were done – some with blue jeans and wet phone books, barrels of water, etc. Some even went exotic with specially formulated jels and high speed photography. Do yourself a favor, and check it out for yourself... Consider it to be part of the experience helping YOU make YOUR decision. In conclusion, I found reports of Daisy BB guns killing people (rare, but look for yourself) and some pretty awesome videos of a .577 T-Rex that would likely do the same thing, albeit somewhat more reliably I'd imagine.
Somewhere in between those ends of the spectrum lies what will work for your particular needs...
Personally, I'm not too worried about Zombies. I therefore chose a more conventional threat: the two legged Homo Sapien. I wanted something that was readily available pretty much WHEREVER you went in the USA.
With this view, the 'boutique' ammo that's out there was immediately off the list. Yes, this includes 22 Magnums and 45 Gaps... I believe that I can find 22LR, 9mm, 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 40 S&W and 45 ACP pretty much anywhere, so that was my foundation I set to build on.
22LR is really attractive for its price point and availability. You can also pack a LOT of rounds in a relatively small space. A Beretta Bobcat is an attractive platform for this round, but in my experience it has an appetite for a certain load: CCI 22LR Mini Mags. Further, it's not a very reliable load for stopping power. So, it didn't make my cut.
45 ACP has a history of performance that is staggering. There's a reason why the '45' has the reputation it has earned. Here again, feel free to do your own investigation. You'll be amazed at what you find. However, it didn't make my cut. Why? The 1911 platform probably the most common auto loading pistol platform in history, but I don’t like the ergonomics or how the pistol feels in my hands. Further, a more compact, packable pistol can’t carry any more rounds than a revolver, so what’s the point? Off the list…
9mm and 40 S&W are incredibly common now-a-days... Most every LEO agency uses one or the other, maybe even both. To my surprise, I found that the 9mm was born for many reasons, but the one that surprised me the most was that it was designed for warfare where it is more likely to WOUND than KILL please see this post. The idea is that if you wound an enemy soldier, you take two or three off the battle field: 1 wounded soldier, and 1 or 2 to carry them out of danger. Brilliant!
Please don’t misunderstand my thoughts here… This isn’t about going Rambo on someone. It is however about a real life and death scenario. If I’m ever in a situation where I would need to use deadly force (and I hope that I never am) I want the force that I use to be as effective as possible. ‘Wounding’ doesn’t fit into this category. STOPPING the activity causing my response is. I hope you can see how serious this whole thing is. If you ever need to defend yourself, life or death IS at the core of the dilemma. Plan ahead, and choose wisely…
Because the 9mm is DESIGNED TO WOUND, it’s off my list for that reason alone. Please see this post for details.
So, now we're on to the 40 S&W... Similar in many ways to the 9mm, but with more "oomph". Also very common round to find, and lots of options for platforms to launch it from. This one makes to the next round of consideration.
The 38 Special and 357 Magnum are a little unusual in this comparison... They're designed to be used in a revolver (save for a few very uncommon auto loading platforms like the Desert Eagle in 357...), and they're more of an 'old school' round. For nearly forever, the LEO community fielded revolvers in 38 Specials or 357 Magnum. Then, somewhere along the way, the higher firepower capacity of the automatic loading pistol (more rounds in a typical automatic's magazine than a cylinder of a revolver) became in vogue. No matter, years of history and performance of these revolver based rounds led to them making the cut as well.
Now, choosing between what round to use from those making the cut.
My Dad was a dyed in the wool gun nut. Collector, shooter, hunter... Had decorations, awards, medals, trophies, and pretty much knew it all, had been there, done that, and even had a few things in his history that he couldn’t talk about. He taught me much of what I know now, and made me aware that no matter how much you know there’s still a lot to learn.
He was a wheel gun guy… Like a typical kid, I liked autos.
I said I appreciated autos for their ability to carry more ammo per load. Dad countered that it's not how many you carry, but where you put them. Chalk one up for Dad...
I maintained that I liked autos because they were easier and faster to load. Dad liked revolvers because if you had a dud or jam, all you had to do was to pull the trigger again for a fresh round (needs to be Double Action to do this!). No hocus-pocus of clearing the round by cycling the slide with TWO HANDS. He even demonstrated how he could get THREE or more (!) rounds on target while I was clearing my auto. Dad 2, me 0.
Okay... lesson learned. Revolvers have a certain advantage in the hands of a skilled, capable user. No doubts there. Still, I was convinced Autos were for me.
Even though various demonstrations and perspectives were fresh in my mind, and Dad had literally shot down all my arguments, I still began my shooting life with the 40 S&W. I began collecting hardware to utilize that round. My thoughts were varied, and all based upon the plan of using ‘good stuff to get good results’. I bought pistols from HK (Tac 40, P7M10) and a Kahr MK40. I bought high quality ammo... I practiced... And I was comfortable and confident. So, even if zombies did attack, I was ready.
Then, I met a woman that challenged my decision.
She was new to firearms, and wanted to know everything about everything. I got to relive the whole ‘just starting out, making decisions’ experience again. I found myself, after shooting for 30+ years, changing my mind about the choices I had made earlier.
Yes, I’m now a convert.
I like wheel guns.
There I said it!
What happened?
Well, it was an experience that was a combination of things gone wrong all at once that opened my eyes. 3 out of 10 rounds in a single magazine failed to fire in my most trusted P7M10. Even though this is the first time it ever happened, the reasons why are moot. The fact that it happened is all that it took for me to revisit my previous choices.
I had already decided that the 38 / 357 Mag round was a contender, so I began to look at options for what to use for a launcher.
Dad had passed a number of years ago already, and I was honored to be the caretaker of his treasures. They’re all heirlooms in my view, and not something that I would consider for personal use. However, they were all wheel guns. The old man knew his stuff, and I had now come full circle. I imagine he’s smiling wherever he is…
So, now that I’m convinced that revolvers are the answer, I had some choices to make. I was settled on a 357 Magnum… It could launch 38 Specials, or 357 Magnum loads from the same pistol, so the versatility is very attractive. Further, the reputation of the 357 in particular is very admirable.
Colt’s are nice, so are Smith & Wesson’s. Ruger, Taurus and others are out there as well… What to do?!
Colt made a nice revolver, no doubt. Problem is they don’t anymore. What is out there is crazy expensive, and while beautiful, not something that I would consider for every day attire.
Ultimately, I decided to go the route of Smith & Wesson. Ruger and Taurus simply “didn’t do it for me.” It’s not meant to be a lame excuse to simplify things: they just didn’t feel right in MY hands. Sure, S&W, just like any manufacturer has had some bumps in the road, and not all their stuff is for everyone. Still, I was able to find what I was looking for, and am happy with. Your experience may be different – and I hope it is, for you! At the end of the day, no matter what others have said, or what they believe, I truly believe you have to do what is good for you and what you believe.
After all my other decisions led me to this point of choosing a platform, I wanted low maintenance and reliability. Initially, that was found in a 686. Beautiful Stainless Steel construction, solid design (it’s a L-frame that came about because – as I understand it - the K-frames weren’t up to the constant use of full power 357 Magnum loads) and just felt good in my hands.
I bought one in 6”, 4” and then bought a 617 to train with. The 617 is for all practical purposes a 686 but chambered in 22LR. Same feel, handling and action – just less bang. I was now in heaven.
Except for one thing…
The 686 is massive. As in HEAVY. As in HUGE. As in, WOW, my back hurts carrying this thing all day.
Yeah, I have no doubts that it would do the job I intended, but there must be some other way?!
Well, thanks to technology, some creativity, and some engineering, S&W found a way to answer my call. A little Titanium and some exotic alloying of Aluminum and another uncommon element, Scandium, and presto! A little pocket rocket whose price is inversely proportional to its weight (this means it weighs almost nothing, but costs a lot). There were other, similar options from S&W with varying combinations of materials and construction (442, 642, M&P versions, etc.) but I decided on the 340PD (S&W #103061).
Now, why spend HUNDREDS of dollars more for this Titanium variant rather than the other S&W options? That was a hard call for me to make… Ultimately, it came down to weight. Yes, it’s only ~2 ounces (OUNCES!) lighter than the nearest steel cylinder’d competition, but that was the clincher for me. I understood that less weight will mean greater recoil to the shooter, and the pistol will also be more difficult to control because of it…
The plain and simple truth (to me anyway) is that the less obtrusive the pistol is, the more comfortable it will be to carry, all the time, everywhere. Further, I don’t EXPECT to need to use it. It’s not a range gun, where I EXPECT to launch 50-200 rounds at a crack. If it’s going to be used, it’s going to be in a crisis, and I MAY unload all 5 cylinders.
ONE time.
Honestly, if someone needs more than 5 rounds to STOP their assailant, they already failed before they even drew their weapon. Planning, practice, and prevention – in that order – should have happened LONG BEFORE they drew.
So, the end of this long story?
Cost is no object? Check.
Loading being carried sufficient to do the job? Check.
What material being used? Low / no maintenance – exotic stuff for sure! Check, check, check!
Leather, Kydex or Mexican? None of ‘em for me! I’m going with Nylon! Uncle Mikes, #3 pocket holster!
Enjoy your journey to find your grail... Whatever your choice may be.
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