Does size matter in a carry gun?

[UKTN]

This is not one of those threads on which is a better caliber for self defense, I know there is much disagreement on which caliber is appropriate for self defense so here goes.
I was looking at a couple of hand guns I own a Kel Tec 380 and a Ruger 22/45.
The Kel Tec would obviously be a better self defense gun but the Ruger despite being a 22 is much larger, so if a bad guy was confronted by each gun do you think the Ruger would be more intimidating. I know you shouldn't pull a gun unless you are prepared to use it. But the Kel Tec is so small and the Ruger looks more gun.

 

[Jimmie]

Intimidation means NADA, ZILCH, ZERO, NOTHING in an armed encounter. If you're going to draw it, you better be ready to fire it, and it better be something that'll stop the other guy from doing you and yours harm. Never decide on a carry gun based on any perceived intimidation factor. /rant off.

If you carry the 22 for its intimidation and he doesn't run away at the sight of it, then what?

 

[lanternlad1]

+1

Don't worry about intimidation. Worry about your target and what's behind it.

Carry the gun you shoot best - but I would suggest carry at least a .380 or better yet, a 9mm or .38.

 

[LarryS.]

What Jimmie said.....+1 with great emphasis!!

 

[Guitargod1985]

If I wanted to intimidate someone I certainly wouldn't do it with a handgun. An AK is far more appropriate. I personally would go with a smaller gun if you're trying to conceal. The only way that I would carry a "large" handgun would be for open carry, which is illegal here in Florida for all practical purposes.

 

[First Shirt]

Some people don't scare worth a damn, and some people have been shot before. Grandpa always said that you shouldn't let your mouth write checks that your butt can't cover, and that is exactly what you are doing!

JWB

 

[skinewmexico]

You will carry something that is Kel-Tec size more often than something bigger though. At least I do.

 

[springmom]

You don't pull a gun to intimidate. You pull a gun to save your life. If a robber is going to be scared off by the fact that you have a gun, the size of it wouldn't matter. Carry the gun that will get the job done.

Springmom

 

[gbran]

Ah, don't worry, carry the .22, it's all about shot placement anyway. (/sarcasm)

 

[RoadkingLarry]

Carry and shoot the most powerful gun/caliber that you can safely and discreetly handle with accuracy. That being said a solid hit with a .22 LR is better than a miss with a 9 mm.

 

[Crunker1337]

Of course size matters. If size didn't matter I'm sure many THR members would have rifles slung over their backs on the way to work.

 

[magnolia]

Well, you can always carry both...........I dont like the idea of carrying a 22 though. If you ever have to shoot at someone, you better shoot to kill. I carry a 380 in my waistband and a 9mm in the car. You never know!

 

[OAKVILLE SHOOTER]

Drawing a handgun soley for the intimidation factor is commonly called "brandishing a firearm"

"Never point a gun at anything you do not want to destroy."

The Kel Tec would be the better choice, IMO.

 

[RNB65]

Damn right size matters. The smaller and more compact the gun, the more likely you're going to carry it on a regular basis.

Of course, it has to be reliable. A tiny, compact gun that jams on every other pull of the trigger ain't going to be much use in a fight.

 

[Jamie C.]

This argument seems a little bass-ackwards to me...
You carry a small caliber gun because it's the largest thing you can conceal... the more concealable it needs to be, the smaller it needs to be. And generally, the smaller the caliber, the smaller the gun.

Based on that, you'd carry a .22 because it's smaller than a gun in .380. A .380 because it's smaller than a 9mm or a .45. But basically you carry the largest caliber/gun you can keep covered.

So, choosing a large .22 over a small .380 is just... backwards.

Unless of course you're planning on having to make a head shot from a fairly long distance, which would fall under the heading of a whole 'nother situation/argument.

Anyway, forget the whole .22 thing and carry the .380. It's extra power and larger hole will be much more "intimidating" that the physical size of the .22 pistol.


J.C.

 

[Geronimo45]

Intimidation... not the factor you should prepare for. I wouldn't give up on caliber and concealability for it. If you're a much better shot with the .22, that might be a factor to consider - but not intimidation factor. The idea is normally that when you draw, you are going to shoot.

 

[Zangetsu]

I agree with the people who've said carry what you shoot best, and if that's a .22, fine. Lugging around something in .45 ACP won't do you a lick of good if you can't hit anything with it. So what if it takes a few to drop him with the .22? At least you'll be hitting your mark, and in the end, I'm pretty sure getting shot a few times with anything will ruin your day. You don't want to be that guy from Pulp Fiction who storms into the room, unloads his revolver, only to discover that he's hit nothing but dry wall...

 

[Officers'Wife]

Hi UKTN,

My husband has a 9mm that he would use. Personally I would reach for the ancient Colt DA in 32-20. Mainly because it's the first center fire handgun I ever fired and aiming the thing is second nature to me. As someone far more wise and experienced than I noted- a .22 in the brain beats a .45 through the window.

Selena

 

[CheyennePilot]

I look at it differently. Let's say you were one of the boys heading down to the OK Corral. You can have your choice of weapons. My choice would be a street sweeper loaded with OO buckshot. I know, it's hard to conceal, but if you feel you need protection from the street zombies, would you feel safe carrying a .22 or .380?

 

[sacp81170a]

I think the OP wasn't so much concerned with the caliber as the physical size of the gun:

the Ruger despite being a 22 is much larger, so if a bad guy was confronted by each gun do you think the Ruger would be more intimidating.

If a gun looking bigger makes the BG think it's more powerful then there might be some merit to the question. I wouldn't bet my life on it, though. Carry what's most effective that you can conceal, not what you think might scare the BG.

 

[Geno]

UKTN Said:

The Kel Tec would obviously be a better self defense gun but the Ruger despite being a 22 is much larger, so if a bad guy was confronted by each gun do you think the Ruger would be more intimidating. I know you shouldn't pull a gun unless you are prepared to use it. But the Kel Tec is so small and the Ruger looks more gun.

That is the kind of thread and thought that makes THR look bad. Furthermore, such a post could potentially end up used against the OP if ever involved in a defensive situation. In a real-world case, the bad guy would never have the opportunity to identify what type firearm was used to stop the attack. Drawing a firearm for intimidation-sake is brandishing, period!

In addition, the .380 ACP is a poor choice as a primary carry piece. The .22LR would be laughable at best as a primary piece. The minimum allowed in the Tactical and Advanced Tactical Shooting courses is a 9mm or .38 Spcl. The P3AT or .22LR is fine for a back-up pistol, but that is about it.

 

[annielulu]

I have a Khar PM9 that I carry everyday. Very easy to carry.

I strapped on a .45 revolver one day just to see how it would be.

I couldn't wait to get home and take it off. Very uncomfortable compared to the Khar.

When you carry all the time, size does matter.

 

[mavracer]

yes the ruger is probably more intimadating,But will the BG be intimadated if he's not your in trouble.Do I think there's a chance the BG will run when he breaks in to the house and hears my 60lb boxer and my 1911 slide rack.sure but there's a loaded mag in it in case BG's not the intimataded type.

 

[Neophyte1]

good

Officers 'Wife: Ma'am; I like that

 

[P97]

There is a middle of the road in size for most people where they can shoot and conceal them best. I can shoot the larger guns better than the very small guns, so I have to find the middle ground where I can shoot accurately and also conceal them. My advice would to find the smallest gun that you can shoot accurately, and then figure out a way to carry it all the time.