CCW suggestions.

[Nushif]

Story ended well with the bad guy leaving but it got me to thinking. Would I be willing to pull my .380 and believe in it? If the chips are down obviously I'll pull it, but do I have faith in it? And I'm forced to admit that no, I don't really have faith in it. Multiple targets, targets that are across the room, targets wearing heavy winter clothing. I realized that although it makes me feel better having it on me because I'm carrying "something" it's in truth a false confidence.

Sounds like the owner there didn't so much not have faith in his gun, but rather bought way too much into the hype that no gun that doesn't start with a 4 in the caliber could ever hurt someone. I know it's their personal choice and all, but frankly it's a dumb choice.
I'd stop reading the internet if I ever walked around in a store more heavily armed than 90% of the population and I'd be scared to use my weapon because some internet commando decided that clearly it was inadequate.

Remember folks. The average person is armed with a set of keys, a small knife (maybe) and their fists. ANY GUN is a very, very large upgrade from that. Perspective. Perspective.

 

[Skylerbone]

Story could have ended with vigilante arrested after killing 17+1 shoppers.

SD means just that. You are not authorized to shoot in every situation nor is it prudent to do so. Law is a specific code not swayed by justice or right and wrong.

 

[Ben86]

Example: I have a keltec P3AT and have carried many times because it is so light and small. Beats the .45 I'm leaving at home, right? But I recently read the story of a guy who was involved in a store robbery and had a nice light pocket gun on him too. And when crunch time came he realized he wasn't willing to pull it because he didn't have enough faith in it's ability to effectively stop the threat.

It sounds like he wouldn't have had faith in himself no matter what gun he had on him that day. Having faith in the gun to get the job done is no big deal. The most important thing is to have faith in yourself to use the gun effectively. If you don't honestly have that, get a new gun or don't bother carrying one.

 

[epijunkie67]

It sounds like he wouldn't have had faith in himself no matter what gun he had on him that day. Having faith in the gun to get the job done is no big deal. The most important thing is to have faith in yourself to use the gun effectively. If you don't honestly have that, get a new gun or don't bother carrying one.

I disagree with the first part of your comment. Having faith in the gun to get the job done is a very big deal. I might be the best shot in the world but if I'm carrying some cheap .25 I'm very unlikely to use it. Despite the gun talk bravado most gun fights don't involve people standing still like target dummies and falling over after the first hit. Misses occur. People sometimes absorb more than one hit before they are out of the fight.

Your faith to use the gun effectively must be matched by a firearm that IS effective. Being able to deliver rounds on target isn't going to matter if the rounds don't do any serious damage. If you have an effective caliber but empty your weapon before the threat is stopped then you are still in trouble.

 

[CZguy]

If you have an effective caliber but empty your weapon before the threat is stopped then you are still in trouble.

I agree but re-read Nushif's post, he articulated it very well. You see a pocket .380 is a good defensive hand gun. It probably won't work in the situation of shooting at armed robbers across a room. I concealed carry to protect myself, not to intervene with armed robberies. (That's the law here) If you are concealed carrying a handgun to deal with multiple assailant's while committing a robbery you might consider why you are carrying in the first place.

Sounds like the owner there didn't so much not have faith in his gun, but rather bought way too much into the hype that no gun that doesn't start with a 4 in the caliber could ever hurt someone. I know it's their personal choice and all, but frankly it's a dumb choice.
I'd stop reading the internet if I ever walked around in a store more heavily armed than 90% of the population and I'd be scared to use my weapon because some internet commando decided that clearly it was inadequate.

Remember folks. The average person is armed with a set of keys, a small knife (maybe) and their fists. ANY GUN is a very, very large upgrade from that. Perspective. Perspective.

 

[Ben86]

Your faith to use the gun effectively must be matched by a firearm that IS effective.

Very true, but I think people often excessively scrutinize over the caliber and size of their gun. As long as it's .380 and above you've got a caliber with a decent reputation for stopping power. If gun works, move on and stop worrying about this and that caliber, load, etc. Just get good with it and have faith in yourself.

I also think that most people don't bother to do regular force on force training, which leads to a lot of doubt when Murphy's law comes knocking and it's time to defend themselves with their chosen firearm.

 

[bri]

I'll put my word in for a G26... or a G19 if you want to go a bit bigger.

I like 9mm, cheap ammo.

 

[pacpiper]

Glock 23.

.40S&W

1.18"

21oz.

13+1

I second that recommendation

 

[mongo4567]

I just don't share your concern with capacity, I think your PM9 is the perfect carry gun. I find myself more often carrying (pretty much 100%) when it is a thin, light gun. With the bigger, heavier, double-stack pistols I'm less likely to carry. If I want a bigger gun, I'll go to an alloy frame 1911 first....it's still pretty thin and I shoot it the best. I would rather have 8 rounds of .45 than 15 of 9mm. I guess if I lived in a rough area, or I felt more threatened for some reason I might go bigger. I would probably just start carrying an extra mag or two with my regular carry. Even carrying something small like a Keltec P3AT or a J-frame, I know it would be a bad day for multiple attackers...

 

[REAPER4206969]

Even carrying something small like a Keltec P3AT or a J-frame, I know it would be a bad day for multiple attackers...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBzCKGp3UNU

Still feel comfortable with a micro pistol or compact revolver as a primary in this situation?

 

[Skylerbone]

Videos like that demonstrate with perfection how to be a victim. Find a deserted place to get drunk late at night, turn your back on the threat, have no means or will to protect yourself and wait cowering for the attack to end.

At least the assailants didn't shoot them. I wouldn't have been there, I don't drink, I can fight and wrestle and 8 rounds of 9mm, unless I counted wrong, would have been enough in my opinion to stop or prevent that situation.

No one can guarantee how many shots is enough but few attackers press forward when being fired on or shot. The key of course is acting while you can or avoiding the scenario.

My .02 cents.

 

[CZguy]

My .02 cents.

I think your two cents, are worth quite a bit. I agree fully.

 

[kev778]

I have a smaller hands too. I carry a Sig p226 in 9mm and it's a double stack. It's comfortable with or without a holster. (sometimes I just put it in the inside of my pants with a belt on.

However, that being said, I am looking into getting the "just out" XDm-40 sub compact. I would like to have something smaller to carry.

 

[Ben86]

Still feel comfortable with a micro pistol or compact revolver as a primary in this situation?

If I'm as good as I think I am with mine, yeah. I'd still feel more comfortable with a bigger gun, like my beloved M&P45, but I feel I could still get the job done with my Ruger LCP and an extra mag. Those guys were just punks, I'd bet if the victim would have perforated the first aggressor the wrest would have run.

That guy was really good at being a victim. I wouldn't even be walking around like that, at night, by myself in what was probably a bad part of town, even if armed. And then to turn you back on them like they are not serious, wow.

 

[STL73]

Stick to the Kahr PM45, order yourself two or three of the 6 round mags from Kahr. If your idea CCW (not an extended fight) is to get you out of a bad situation, 12-18 rounds of .45 should cover the tab. Dont get me wrong, when the weather permits I enjoy taking my G30 with me, however, I live in the South and see a lot of warm weather. My Kahr PM45 is a pleasure to carry, with the right belt and holster I can wear all day, no issues.

 

[STL73]

Sorry guys, wrong post...

 

[Skylerbone]

I know I already posted the pic but here it is again along with another comparison photo for reference. First is the Kahr CW9 and M&P 9c, second is the Kahr and a Colt Govt. 1911.

My home state now allows open carry but for those that don't concealed means concealed. Just another point to consider. Would I prefer the 1911 to a smaller pistol for protection? Yes of course. Size and weight factored in? No and no.