I've got both these guns, and I keep the 21 loaded in my night stand as my HD handgun. I honestly would not feel undergunned with the 17 and from my reading and research there is probably minimal difference between the two calibers when loaded with modern, premium JHP ammo. I just happen to shoot the 21 better than the 17.Just to use Glock as an example, would you take a Glock 17 (9mm) with 17 round capacity or a Glock 21 (45ACP) with a 13 round capacity?
So, I take it your home defense caliber is the .22 rimfire?The most important factor in handgun wounding effectiveness is shot placement. There are two components to shot placement - first you need to place the round on target and second, it needs to penetrate muscle, bone and flesh well enough to reach the vitals without deflection.
So basically, you want the cheapest ammo (because the more you practice, the better you'll be) that you can shoot well and that meets the penetration criteria. If all else is equa after these criterial, then I'd start going for higher capacity.
Not to start crap but actually you're wrong. There have been countless times that bullets were on course for vitals and were deflected by the skull, sternum, ribs, etc. That is the one disadvantage of smaller calibers, but I'm willing to take that risk with my accuracy and more capacity. I only use a pistol to get to a rifle or shotgun.So, I take it your home defense caliber is the .22 rimfire?
It fulfills all of your requirements. If your placement is "proper," it won't deflect.
David E said:So, I take it your home defense caliber is the .22 rimfire?
It fulfills all of your requirements. If your placement is "proper," it won't deflect.
A handgun is what you use to fight your way to your rifle. Get an AR carbine in 5.56 NATO with a twenty round magazine with good hollow points. Easy for you or your wife to handle. Keep a magazine handy with steel core in case the bad guys bring body armor.