shootingthebreeze
Member
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Bersa Thunder.htm
BEFORE reading the above thread/article I would like to express some concerns as a CCW holder relating to those who want a CCW and who aspire towards higher caliber ammunition.
My side arm in the military was the .45. I love that handgun and actually have a Springfield Champion .45-feels good in my hand and is very accurate.
The battlefield is a place where the enemy is down range and if one fires downrange and kills two enemy with one round, well that's war. Down range is a free fire zone (with, of course, laws of engagement) but a free fire zone nevertheless.
As a civilian, one to three perps are surrounded by a population of innocent bystanders including parked cars, houses, business fronts, etc,. The "battlefield" is changed and "down range" is loaded with potential targets which could be hit accidently.
In my CCW class, the range of engagement was 10 yards; anything beyond that is not a realistic engagement zone. Furthermore, the CCW instructor wanted us to use .38 or less (most had .38, some .380) to emphasize the use of weapon control during the live fire exercise.
Seems reasonable enough seeing that the instructor earlier emphasized that a round can travel one mile. Accountability of a round is very important.
Here, on this site, I see quite a lot of enthusiasm about getting a CCW, and in some cases, a cavalier approach towards getting a CCW and the leaning towards heavier caliber ammunition.
Over penetration. That is a danger with a civilian "battlefield". The civilian "battlefield" is frought with legal implications during a situation in which one has to defend against lethal force.
(Now you can read the article).
The article does not mean I prefer .380 ammo; however, as I stated above, engagement of a threat will be 10 yards or less. Longer distance increases the chance of a miss exponentially thus losing accountability of a round.
As my CCW trainer told us, practice, practice practice at the range with targets 10 yards or less will make one very proficient. The number of rounds per month to practice with was illustrated as 300 per month.
The type of ammunition, thus is quite important. The article mentions some types of .380 ammo which can deliver adequate penetration with the key relating to the size of the hollow point diameter increasing wound channel but stopping due to its mushrooming effect.
After getting my CCW, I had a sobering realization of the new "battlefield" which comes with being a civilian and a CCW holder. I would very much regret to see another innocent bystander injured or killed during a legitimate shootout. The civilian "battlefield" has, as its main protector the police, and I must emphasize that CCW holders are not police. I got my CCW initially because I wanted the freedom to either carry my weapon to the range or put it in my car versus in the trunk. As a retired military person, I wanted more freedom to have my weapon close at hand and not be hampered by rules. As a military person I developped a healthy respect for weapons and understand their potential for lethal harm. I'm not opposed to those here who want to get a CCW but I want them to understand how critical it is to select the right weapon and right ammunition in what I call the "civilian battlefield". As CCW holders, we have an obligation, a duty to do what is right and legal to include assessing the "battlefield" to avoid collateral injury, death or property damage. A CCW is not something one should approach with a cavalier attitude. Proper research, and careful selection of weapons and ammo is critical.
Is bigger caliber ammo better? Again, the type of ammunition should be carefully examined relating to over penetration. Your most important backup to your weapon is your cell phone-call 911 if you see a threat which is too far or not practical to engage. You are not police. Defend yourself, but be aware of your surroundings at all time.
BEFORE reading the above thread/article I would like to express some concerns as a CCW holder relating to those who want a CCW and who aspire towards higher caliber ammunition.
My side arm in the military was the .45. I love that handgun and actually have a Springfield Champion .45-feels good in my hand and is very accurate.
The battlefield is a place where the enemy is down range and if one fires downrange and kills two enemy with one round, well that's war. Down range is a free fire zone (with, of course, laws of engagement) but a free fire zone nevertheless.
As a civilian, one to three perps are surrounded by a population of innocent bystanders including parked cars, houses, business fronts, etc,. The "battlefield" is changed and "down range" is loaded with potential targets which could be hit accidently.
In my CCW class, the range of engagement was 10 yards; anything beyond that is not a realistic engagement zone. Furthermore, the CCW instructor wanted us to use .38 or less (most had .38, some .380) to emphasize the use of weapon control during the live fire exercise.
Seems reasonable enough seeing that the instructor earlier emphasized that a round can travel one mile. Accountability of a round is very important.
Here, on this site, I see quite a lot of enthusiasm about getting a CCW, and in some cases, a cavalier approach towards getting a CCW and the leaning towards heavier caliber ammunition.
Over penetration. That is a danger with a civilian "battlefield". The civilian "battlefield" is frought with legal implications during a situation in which one has to defend against lethal force.
(Now you can read the article).
The article does not mean I prefer .380 ammo; however, as I stated above, engagement of a threat will be 10 yards or less. Longer distance increases the chance of a miss exponentially thus losing accountability of a round.
As my CCW trainer told us, practice, practice practice at the range with targets 10 yards or less will make one very proficient. The number of rounds per month to practice with was illustrated as 300 per month.
The type of ammunition, thus is quite important. The article mentions some types of .380 ammo which can deliver adequate penetration with the key relating to the size of the hollow point diameter increasing wound channel but stopping due to its mushrooming effect.
After getting my CCW, I had a sobering realization of the new "battlefield" which comes with being a civilian and a CCW holder. I would very much regret to see another innocent bystander injured or killed during a legitimate shootout. The civilian "battlefield" has, as its main protector the police, and I must emphasize that CCW holders are not police. I got my CCW initially because I wanted the freedom to either carry my weapon to the range or put it in my car versus in the trunk. As a retired military person, I wanted more freedom to have my weapon close at hand and not be hampered by rules. As a military person I developped a healthy respect for weapons and understand their potential for lethal harm. I'm not opposed to those here who want to get a CCW but I want them to understand how critical it is to select the right weapon and right ammunition in what I call the "civilian battlefield". As CCW holders, we have an obligation, a duty to do what is right and legal to include assessing the "battlefield" to avoid collateral injury, death or property damage. A CCW is not something one should approach with a cavalier attitude. Proper research, and careful selection of weapons and ammo is critical.
Is bigger caliber ammo better? Again, the type of ammunition should be carefully examined relating to over penetration. Your most important backup to your weapon is your cell phone-call 911 if you see a threat which is too far or not practical to engage. You are not police. Defend yourself, but be aware of your surroundings at all time.
