What are you carrying? Sub-Compact, Compact, or Full Size

[Craditch]

Shield 2.0 9 mm or Glock 23.

 

[00 buck]

Just to name one - JHP that really work, propelled at real speeds! OK, that was two!

And, to use two of your own examples, I can give you two more. Black Talons were first introduced in the 90s, just before my retirement. And Speer claims to continuous improvement of it's entire line. To me, both of these are new technology, neither of which were available to me in the Military.

A guy with your background should know that.

New technology...
We had the flying ashtrays...we had fast lighter bullets ie: 125 grn 357 mags

Point of fact there is very very little that can be done...
Bigger cavity hollow points ...
Softer lead ...
Better jacket retention ...

After that your better technology is nothing but improved advertising...
YMMV

The only thing that I've seen better with improved technology is that
Firearms ( semi automatics ) are way more reliable these days....
Ammunition....not so much

 

[Flyingfool]

I think the improvements to ammo is mostly in consistency. Also there is a LOT more options/choices of SD ammo in design, shape, weight etc. As far as consistency, I think the improvement is in penetration and expansion is much more consistent. (Smaller standard deviation) which therefore results in higher confidence any given bullet will perform as expected. That is a good thing. Is this revolutionary? Well everyone has to judge that for themselves.

380 auto has seen improvement as old ammo was designed with as I understand it lower pressure, and therefore less power than modern produced 380 ammo. This resulting in improved terminal performance.

+P FACTORY availability for 9mm and 38 special also allows for additional performance for penetration and expansion. Prior days this was only available to hand loaders. This too could arguably be considered improvement in ammo compared to yesteryear.

Just my thoughts. YMMV

 

[Fatboy01]

Shield 2.0 forty with a .357 Sig barrel.

 

[Popeye77]

Shield .45 haven't noticed the muzzle flip you are mentioning though. Not concerned about the capacity not intending to spray and pray. Statistics show civilian incidents average no more than 2 shots anyway.

 

[Dave Lively]

New technology...
We had the flying ashtrays...we had fast lighter bullets ie: 125 grn 357 mags

Point of fact there is very very little that can be done...
Bigger cavity hollow points ...
Softer lead ...
Better jacket retention ...

The flying ashtrays I remember were the 45 ACP loads with a hollow point so large that ability to feed them reliably was uncommon. So uncommon that being able to feed them was considered proof you had an exceptionally reliable 1911.

While the three variables you mention sound simple bullet manufacturers didn't really optimize the balance of expansion vs. weight retention very well in the past. Things like polymer tips to prevent hollow points from clogging and jackets bonded to the core help but todays bullets are mostly more refined versions of past designs. It's kind of like how today's cars are much more reliable than the 70s era cars from when I started driving. A lot more electronics but basically just more refined and better made versions of the same basic technology.

But while modern bullets are the best ever made they are not magic the way so many people think they are. Once you get below 9mm levels of power there is not enough energy to have both good expansion and adequate penetration and no bullet is going to change that.

I am also old enough to remember how Winchester silver tips in the 80s had a reputation as game changing technology that made the 9mm equal to larger calibers. Until there were a few failures that drove the FBI and other law enforcement back to larger calibers like the 40. History tends to repeat.

I feel comfortable carrying a 9mm with modern ammo. But I am not expecting 357 performance due to my carrying magic bullets.

 

[Maxshield]

Although I have 4 Shields and love them, these are my EDCs....no issues whatever in 2,600+ rds.

 

[Skoll]

My current EDC is a SD9VE with both Apex trigger and spring kits. Eventually I'm going to get some Ameriglo sights for it and that will be it unless I can find a streamlight for cheap. I don't want to invest too heavily in a SD gun considering that if I ever have to use it, it's going to be gone.

I'd say it has about 1000+ rounds through it and handles like a champ. My only complaint for these guns has really just been their grips and stock triggers.

 

[rubiranch]

I carried a 640-1 for several years with .38 loads.

4 years ago my brother gave me his 642-1 Airweight that he carried as his backup gun for years when he was an LEO.

I keep it loaded with 129 gr 38 Special +P Hydra Shoks.

Its been carried and shot a lot.

 

[NYnewbie]

When I purchased a SD40VE shortly after the atrocious NY SAFE Act was passed it led me to two things: this gun forum and fondness for the .40S&W. Although the SD40VE was a reliable and comfortable gun for me to shoot I sold to help fund a SIG P250. At the time I was looking for a modular gun that could allow me to have multiple sizes and calibers without requiring the onerous delays of NY's crazy system.

Both my compact and subcompact are .40 cal, have been dead nuts reliable and, when I do my part, very accurate.

I prefer to carry AIWB, hence my preference of the P250 with its hammer over the P320, i am currently using a Vedder holster. However I just ordered a Red River Tactical holster for my recently acquired Walther P99c.

 

[Srruger762]

FS S&W 9mm CORE
Apex gun smith fitted barrel
Fast Fire 3
IWB (Cross Breed Holster)
Why I carry this............. Accuracy, spot on

 

[Stu Honea]

Carry the M&P9 M2.0 3.6" daily now. Awaiting a custom leather belt slide from Little Bear in a few days. I moved back away from the 45 Shield, for the larger capacity and carry 147 HST's in the compact. I have several options,but I am really liking the M2.0. It meets all of my personal criteria.