How would mag capacity restrictions change your SD handgun selection?

[Jason_W]

Long story short, I recently moved from Maine to northern California so my wife could take a major promotion with her employer.

In order to make it through our last Maine winter (and last year's was an expensive one) and also help fund the move out here, I sold all of my guns and gun stuff excepting two that held sentimental value.

Now that I finally have a line on a job out here, I'm planning to start refilling my gun safe.

As most of you know, California gun laws are an illogical mess and two of the biggest stumbling blocks for a handgun purchase are the 10-round mag capacity restrictions and the ever changing roster of "safe" handguns that can be sold in the state.

Someone on here once wrote something to effect of, "Shot placement is king, capacity is queen, and chambering is the court jester." Which makes a good deal of sense. But what happens when capacity is limited by law? Does it then make sense to step up in the power of the round you shoot and practice enough to shoot accurately in spite of the increased recoil?

I'm not a complete stranger to handguns, though I've never been a good or even decent handgun shot. I know that of all the round/gun combos I've tried, I enjoyed shooting (and was the most accurate with) .44 specials from a 6" barrel Ruger single action revolver the most. Not exactly a recommended platform for self defense, but maybe as a backup to a good shotgun? Concealed carry isn't really an option for us lowly civilians around here.

 

[HRnightmare]

I live in FL, it is 84 today in November and high humidity. I am also fairly slender so I am EXTREMELY limited to what I cna get away with concealing. At one point I carried the Kel Tec P3AT and then upgraded to the Sig P238, I think capacity was the same. I converted to the Diamondback 9 purely because of its size in 9mm ammo and it was TERRIBLE to shoot and extremely finicky, did NOT function properly if shot one handed, NO matter how many times I messed with it, sent it back or tried different ammo.

Now I carry the Kahr CM9 and love it. I do NOT see myself going to something else anytime soon.

Concealed carry is (unfortunately) first about being about to conceal it and comfortably so I don't say "its uncomfortable, I'm just going right around the block" AND capable stopping power / not too much to overpenetrate. .380 was adequate for me because again, in FL no one is wearing heavy thick winter jackets. But the 9mm's getting more and more compact I upgraded to give me a lil more boost in stopping power BUT mainly becuase I already have several fullsize 9mm and regularly "stock" 9mm HP's AND .380 was stupid expensive compared to 9mm. OH and out of the blue my P238 stopped firing steel cased ammo. A problem that just developed out of thin air. I replaced the firing pin and all the springs to no avail.

One of my major pre-req is that the gun must function flawlessly under my "torture test" limp wristing, sideways, left handed, one handed, steel cased, HPs, etc. I have shot about 900 rds thru my CM9 and could not make it FTF or FTE even when I tried.

 

[Hometeached1]

In general if restricted to 10rds I'd go up in caliber or down in size of the handgun. That being said I live in a state that has no magazine limit, but I carry a 8+1 .45 (S&W 4567) because I shoot it better than the 15+1 9mm (G19) that I had. Do plan on picking up a similar sized 9mm soon though. (S&W 5903)

Also I'd go with multiple firearms, which for HD I think you should anyway. A long gun and a handgun, the handgun for when you are getting the kids to the "safe room" and the long gun for when you and your family are all in the "safe room" and waiting for the police to arrive. (Be sure to tell the 911 operator where in the house you are and that you are armed.)

YMMV.

 

[JTQ]

I carry a 8+1 .45 (S&W 4567) because I shoot it better than the 15+1 9mm (G19) that I had.

I think this is a key statement. As long as you are picking among common and respected rounds, pick the gun you shoot well, or at least enjoy shooting.

 

[ACP]

Shot placement.

You are likely going to be facing a single adversary 6-9 feet away, and will fire about 3 rounds in a second or two. After that you or he will either be dead, wounded, or fleeing.

Capacity, caliber and bullet selection is vastly overrated. Having a gun, getting a gun into play, using cover and making accurate first shots is vastly underrated.

 

[oneounceload]

If you can't do the job with only ten, perhaps more practice is in order or you need to carry a spare magazine. Lots of folks carry small capacity (compared to something like a 17 round Glock) everyday - I'm one of them that prefers comfort else i won't carry it. 5-round 38, 6+1 Kahr CM9 both do fine and i do not feel undergunned. (I know there are some here who "need" to carry two guns, plus reloads, plus mace, plus a few knives, plus a crenelated bezel flashlight to walk to the curb to get their mail - I am not one of them)

Whatever you shoot well and feel comfortable with, even if it once held 15+ and now only 10 is better than trying to get comfortable with something you may feel is inadequate.

 

[Jason_W]

If you can't do the job with only ten, perhaps more practice is in order or you need to carry a spare magazine. Lots of folks carry small capacity (compared to something like a 17 round Glock) everyday - I'm one of them that prefers comfort else i won't carry it. 5-round 38, 6+1 Kahr CM9 both do fine and i do not feel undergunned. (I know there are some here who "need" to carry two guns, plus reloads, plus mace, plus a few knives, plus a crenelated bezel flashlight to walk to the curb to get their mail - I am not one of them)

Whatever you shoot well and feel comfortable with, even if it once held 15+ and now only 10 is better than trying to get comfortable with something you may feel is inadequate.

I'm not one of them either. I'm pretty sure that legally carrying anything isn't even an option here, so whatever handgun I buy will be for practice at the range and as a secondary HD gun.

My first buy is going to be a good 12 ga. pump action. I feel naked without one. Unless there is a mechanical failure of some sort, I can't imagine dropping a shotgun in favor of a handgun.

The reason that capacity is something of a concern is that while home invasions are statistically rare, it seems that when they do occur, multiple assailants are involved. I've also read accounts of altercations where the stress and panic of being involved in such a situation has turned people who are great shots at the range into people who do an awful lot of missing.

 

[ACP]

Don't let mag. restrictions affect what you carry. If in doubt, carry a spare mag. But you'll never even use it. Not even police officers reload in gunfights (rarely, so please no one mention Miami or North Hollywood!)

 

[Deaf Smith]

How would mag capacity restrictions change your SD handgun selection?

Well it ain't gonna happen in Texas but....

If it was like NYC (presuming they would LET you have a gun) then I'd use my S&W Combat Magnums, S&W J .38s, Kahr K9 9mm, and P32.

Strangely...I use them already for CCW. Only my Glock 26 holds more than 10 (12 shot mags are made for it to!)

Might even unpack my Colt Combat Commander .45 if that was the case like NYC.

Deaf

 

[wlewisiii]

Rock Island 1911 in .45 ACP, I believe, is still on the roster. CalGuns is where you need to ask this though.

Revolvers are good too. I recently sold a 625 to a friend in the Bay area.

 

[Jaywalker]

Personally, I'd go to a smaller handgun rather than the same size or bigger just to use more powerful ammo. Regardless of the internet, there isn't a difference between effectiveness of most common calibers.

I'm covered anyway; my state has no magazine restrictions, but I carry a Kahr K9 anyway, and have for 15 years. As an added benefit, I don't have to change pistols when traveling through other states, though of course, I can't and won't carry iin states that don't recognize my concelaed permit.

 

[guyfromohio]

Would simply take the 14+1 PCR out if the rotation. 642 primary and either my 239 or buy another PPS. Maybe a 1911?

 

[BSA1]

I live in a unrestricted state so for me it is a matter of comfort and the weather. As I have several choices with carry guns their capacity are; 9 rds.; 45 acp. 9x19, 8 rds.; 22 Magnum, 7 rds.; 9x18, 9x19 & 32 Auto, 6 rds.; 38 Spl., 5 rds.; 38 Spl., 2 rds.; 32 Auto.

And it is easy to mix and match by carrying more than one gun. (Although I do have a gap with 3 & 4 rds. only guns).

 

[rcmodel]

How would mag capacity restrictions change your SD handgun selection?

It wouldn't.

I have carried 5 and 6 shot revolvers, and single stack pistols my whole life.

If you can't get it done with that number of rounds you probably should't have been there unless ordered to be.

rc

 

[Nom de Forum]

It might if it caused Glock and other makers to market some thin, single stack 10rd mag pistols.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Someone on here once wrote something to effect of, "Shot placement is king, capacity is queen, and chambering is the court jester." Which makes a good deal of sense. But what happens when capacity is limited by law? Does it then make sense to step up in the power of the round you shoot and practice enough to shoot accurately in spite of the increased recoil?

That would sure seem to make sense. The general belief has always been that you should carry the largest caliber that you can control. Shooting some Action Pistol competitions are a good test of your ability to control a pistol in various chamberings

However, you have to remember that we're talking about handgun rounds here and caliber really is the Court Jester.

With that in mind, I chose a small 9mm as a daily carry...Springfield EMP or Kahr CW; so I'm not even taking advantage of the full 10rd limit

Concealed carry isn't really an option for us lowly civilians around here.

It rather depends on the county you are living in.

I gather you haven't checked, but Sacramento County is basically Shall Issue now...has been for a couple of years...based simply on Self Protection. All of my clients who live in the county have their CCWs

 

[Inebriated]

Unless I had to have <10 rounds, I would be unaffected. G26 is my EDC, G21 is my HD... a 3-rd loss of capacity in the 21 is acceptable from a practical standpoint, tyrannical from every other.

 

[Lucky Derby]

Depending on exactly where you are in NorCal, CCW may not be out of the question. I hope you have checked out CalGuns, and if not, do so. Lots of good info on CA gun laws and other related stuff.
To answer your question, my Browning Hi Power would simply not be in the rotation & my 1911 would see more carry time.

 

[Dr.Rob]

That might convince me to get a Colt government model in 38 super and some shooting star 10 rd magazines.

Or a BHP in .40.

If I had to 'start over'. But I like all steel single action autos.

Other option is a 4 inch 357 from any CA approved list.

 

[Bobson]

First gun I'd consider would be a G26, but that's only because I'm a 9mm guy, and I like Glock well enough to recommend em when they fit.

Other option would be a 1911, but that's primarily due to an "on again, off again" 1911 lust I've never surrendered to, and it's "on again" right now. If I couldn't carry more than 10 rounds, it would be difficult to fight the urge to grab a 1911 and say 2-3 rounds per mag isn't likely to make a difference anyway.

By the way, I vaguely recall someone posting a "potential move" thread about a year ago. Coulda sworn it was Maine to California, and it most definitely was due to a wife's potential promotion. Was that your thread?

 

[ljnowell]

The funny thing is, as much as I hate mag restrictions my two most carried guns are a j frame and a 1911. I do CC a glock21 sometimes but not often.

 

[Lucky Derby]

The funny thing is, as much as I hate mag restrictions my two most carried guns are a j frame and a 1911. I do CC a glock21 sometimes but not often.

I'm the same way. I carry wheelguns & 1911s most often. A Browning HP is the only gun in my rotation that has a >10 capacity, but I like it for other reasons. I just don't like being told that I can't.

 

[C0untZer0]

All my carry guns have less than 10 round magazines so it wouldn't affect me.

 

[340PD]

I would like to know where this quote came from but it sure fits. My belief is that if you need more than ten rounds you should have brought more friends.

Beyond that, carry more ammo if you feel the need.

Remember,

a.)The most reliable handgun in the world is the one you practice with the most.

b.)The handgun caliber with the greatest stopping power is the one

you make headshots with.

c.) The best weapon for _____? See a. & b.

 

[Jason_W]

First gun I'd consider would be a G26, but that's only because I'm a 9mm guy, and I like Glock well enough to recommend em when they fit.

Other option would be a 1911, but that's primarily due to an "on again, off again" 1911 lust I've never surrendered to, and it's "on again" right now. If I couldn't carry more than 10 rounds, it would be difficult to fight the urge to grab a 1911 and say 2-3 rounds per mag isn't likely to make a difference anyway.

By the way, I vaguely recall someone posting a "potential move" thread about a year ago. Coulda sworn it was Maine to California, and it most definitely was due to a wife's potential promotion. Was that your thread?

Yeah, that was me. It's been a bit of a whirlwind, for sure.

I can't say I like living in a metro area of more than 1 million people, or that I really enjoy the heat or the fires or the prevailing attitude among the people here. But, we are in a better position to eventually move to a better part of the western US. It's a stepping stone of sorts.

Unless this job I have a line on falls through and then we could be stuck