Which Gun to Grab: 380? 9mm? .45?

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Redcoat3340

Redcoat3340

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Had an interesting experience last night that kinda proving for me at least "bigger is better." Sort of. Maybe.

Was pushing a deadline to get my newspaper column done so I was at my desk writing around 2:30 am.

Heard a distinct, and loudish four or five note whistle from outside my window, sorta like a bird but no bird I ever heard. My computer speakers were off, Alexa was off. Never before heard that sound from my phone.

Now maybe I've been watching too many old westerns, but I couldn't help but think it was a signal of some sort, maybe from someone(s) around the house? (But none of the motion detector lights were lit.) A bit of an adrenaline rush and it was time to pull out some self defense.

In my desk were three guns a Smith .380 EZ; Walther 9mm Q and an M&P 2.0 in .45.

I looked at the .380, thought no; considered the 9 and thought "not big enough bullets;" went to the .45, put the mag in, racked slide and sat with the lights out for half hour an hour. Nothing more. Still a mystery. And all that adrenalin gone to waste.

My point is how naturally I went for the biggest "stopper" bullet almost by reflex, but with a couple of nano-seconds of semi-logical thought. Sort of making me rethink my carry guns....as I rotate 380, 9, and 45 depending on what I'm wearing. (I've got a Smith 442 PC for pocket carry.)

I appreciate the added capacity of my 9s...but when I thought something might really be happening it was the .45 I felt safest with. Interesting.

Looks like the ,45 Shield and Sig 245 could see more holster time.
 
I don't know what it was in your case, but in my neighborhood, strange whistling late at night, is me, calling the critters in for curfew.

As to your choice, other factors being equal, you might as well go with the biggest bullet.
 
Other than a Remington 870 with #4 buck it would be my G23. Could be both. I am advocate of superior firepower. Got some other stuff to throw into the mix. In the old West was a notion of using handguns. It went that a handgun is what you use to get a to a perfectly good rifle or shotgun.
 
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I would already have the 45 or 9mm on.... but would reach over to the comfort of my trench gun..... 12 ga pump when indoors...
 
Redcoat3340

Now maybe I've been watching too many old westerns, but I couldn't help but think it was a signal of some sort, maybe from someone(s) around the house?
Click to expand...

Could there be any Native Americans in your area practicing their night fighting techniques? Just kidding but weird sounds like that would certainly give me cause for concern. As to choice of gun and caliber I only have one go-to option: my SIG P229 with a SIG STL-900L laser/light on it. I like to keep things simple and basic and this set-up is perfect for me in the home defense role.

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I'm an acolyte of the .45ACP.

But...

Given current bullet performance, 9mm is a solid choice and proven performer. It's not 1990 anymore.
Go with the pistol that you shoot better than the other.
 
I have a bunch of carry guns. The one that gives me the most warm fuzzies is my 44 special CA Bulldog. I carry other ones for convenience, or might have something else out for HD for convenience, but in the end the great big hole at the end makes my 44's and 45's more comforting.
 
Hi...
I own a lot of handguns and shoot them all regularly.
I could keep any number of different handguns in various calibers around the house for protection.
I almost always rely on my full size 1911 in .45ACP...it is never far from me.
Whenever the dogs act up or a strange noise disturbs the quiet... I reach for my Springfield Armory 1911.
I keep it loaded with 185gr JHP... I have full and complete confidence in the gun and ammunition.
 
I agree, my 1911, 45acp is my preferred bump in the night piece, however, I once was awakened at about 330am to the house alarm going off and the sound of breaking glass. The closest firearm at my disposal was my 380...still in its pocket holster, still in my shorts. Now, luckily, it was just a mirror that had fallen off the wall setting off the glass break detector. (Mirror had been hung on a single nail) But I was ready to do battle with 7 rounds of 380, would have felt a bit more comfortable with 8 or 9 rounds of 45
 
There seems to be the implication that a decision made under stress and on the spur of the moment is more likely to be a good decision than one made after carefully accumulating all the available information and taking the time to evaluate it thoughtfully.

It seems to me that just the opposite would be true.
 
Probably Bigfoot calling in his tribe members or an Owl.

I was sitting out back by my fire pit one dark night and had 3 Coyotes walk right next to me. Was pocket carrying my S&W 442 38spl. Went in the house and grabbed an AR15.
 
I would have grabbed my shotgun , but if .45 was the biggest you had , I think you chose right .
 
In a situation that may turn out harmful to you or your family. You shouldn't be sitting there making a decision. You should already have thought this out under normal conditions. I don't like the idea of trying to figure out what gun I should use when I may be facing a threat. Your weapon selection and defense plan should be predetermined. You may only have a very short time to react. IMO.:)
 
Jack B. said:
In a situation that may turn out harmful to you or your family. You shouldn't be sitting there making a decision. You should already have thought this out under normal conditions. I don't like the idea of trying to figure out what gun I should use when I may be facing a threat. Your weapon selection and defense plan should be predetermined. You may only have a very short time to react. IMO.:)
Click to expand...

Exactly correct.
My dogs are the first line of defense...they provide 24 hour alerts.
Door and window locks are secondary... I live in a semi rural development but always keep the doors locked day and night.
My carry gun is always at hand but a 12ga autoloader and a semiauto rifle are kept in the bedroom with ammunition.
My carry gun is there to get me to the shotgun and rifle.
Cell phone is usually within reach as well.
While it may take only a few minutes for the police to arrive...a lot of bad things can happen in those few minutes. Being semi rural, those few minutes could be a half hour or more.
 
No 380ACP and no 45ACP
9x19 would be my only choice, and I find it most suitable too.
Thought the 870 with #4buck sounds good too.
 
Rule of thumb is carry what you practice with, if you are a dead shot with a 9 but so so with a 45 then use the 9. I have often heard it said anything above a mouse gun makes little difference.
 
I've put some thought into this already, which is why my 1911 is in my large safe in the basement and my CZ75 is in my handgun safe next to my bed. If I'm defending my home and family I'd rather have 17 rounds of hollow point 9mm than 9 rounds of hollow point 45 acp.

Now if both guns had the same capacity....I'd take whichever one I shot the best with. To me 9mm, .40S&W and .45 ACP are so similar in performance it really doesn't matter. Maybe if I only had FMJ ammo I'd grab the .45, but only if capacities were the same.
 
You gotta use what you're confident in. But personally, if 9mm didn't seem big enough for the job at hand, the .45 wouldn't have inspired any more confidence. If I was checking the noise out I might have used a handgun for the increased discretion, but if I am just sitting in a dark room waiting, I am going to do so with the AR-15.
 
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