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

[Hasaf]

The fact that all of these were in the drawer, instead of on your person, tells that none of these were an "ideal" carry pistol. I know there the theme of this thread was "need to carry a bigger caliber;" however, I see it was being the other direction. None of these were small enough to carry. While the 380EZ is a good choice for a lot of users, you may need to look at some of the smaller 380 pistols.

If I have to run for a gun, I would like to come back with something a lot larger than any pistol. . . I am thinking something crew-served and mounted on armour. More realistically, it will be something shoulderable. The calibre wars seem to have broken out in several threads.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

First off, If I heard that kind of noise, I must likely would not be going into any fear. I have a full perimeter alarm system, outside motion sensors and a CCTV system with IR camera's, I can view the full perimeter of the house.Unfortunately I have neighbors and there is no way, I am going to chance killing someone's child with a bullet that can Whiz right through there walls lodging in a child's skull.
I have a 20ga 18" police cruiser equipped with a flashlight and the switch is the kind that I can depress on an on quickly with just a light finger touch. The 20ga is light weight, I have practiced maneuvering through the darkened house with snap caps, so know the distances. I load it with #4 buckshot. And it is located in a spot for easy access. I will continue to view the perimeter, and be ready to call the police with full details. I will not go outside.
If they do enter, the alarm will sound at any entry point. 40 years in electronic security proved to me that most burglaries etc. are people that do not want to be caught and will flee the scene if they feel they are detected. My doors are very solid with deadbolts, and my windows would take a sledge hammer to break in. The noise from the insulation inside the window would sound like a firearm going off.
The 20ga is plenty of power, especially inside of a house. I have a number of 12ga shotguns and see absolutely no need for them.
Protect the perimeter. If I lived in a remote area, away from Police etc. I might use other chosen weapons. Most likely a AR.

 

[John Joseph]

IMHO, needing to take the time to discern exactly which firearm to grab when time is of the essence is time wasted..
I'd keep only one firearm in each location for HD
My 2 cents anyway.

 

[fordtrucks]

If you’re awake, you should be armed.

Someone I know even takes naps with their pistol left in the holster.

Grab what you got, but only if you need it. Otherwise leave it holstered.

Hand on the grip, ok.

Don’t unholster or carry unholstered unless threat is identified and you are in personal danger. Too easy to have a ND. Guns are dangerous. That’s why we use them. However, I want to be in control of the danger as much as I can for the safety of all around me.

So, really, no don’t “grab” any gun. Wait until the threat is known more than just a sound outside. Otherwise have it on you and ready, maybe with your hand on the grip, but still holstered. A flashlight on you too helps.

 

[CapnMac]

Well, my preferred response to a bump in the night is to tell the sergeant of the guard to roll the QR quad out to the perimeter to see what the problem is. 13 heavily armed Marines ought to be able to determine if I need to rouse aviation and arty support.

More realistically, if I'm at home, I have a number of choices at hand available to respond to bumps in the night. My choices will be very simple despite being manifold. I'll go with what I have the greatest experience and comfort with. So, first grab is likely the Colt 6920. If that's not to hand, then a 1911. That latter stemming from having about 45 years of trigger time behind one.

But, I'm biased, and I admit it. And my opinions are worth about 2¢, you'll need another three bucks for coffee, like as not.

 

[94045]

Mossberg 500 12 gauge with Federal Tactical Low Recoil #1 Buckshot... One upstairs and one down.

The Ruger LCP is usually in my back pocket whether Im armed or not.

I do have an old Sigma SW9VE loaded with Federal Tactical Bonded 135 grain 9mm +P that serves as a night stand gun.

I own several .45's but they are seldom loaded except maybe the Shield. I think 17 rounds in the Sigma would make me feel better than 6 or 7 .45's. Or better yet 30 Rounds in one of the AR15's.

 

[Dave T]

When I got the job of chief firearms instructor for my department's 400 armed personnel I wanted the training to be as realistic as possible. In pursuit of that I started contacting LEOs involved in shootings around the country. To a man (sorry but no women officers involved during those years) every one wanted a more powerful handgun and more ammunition on their person. I completely understand the OP.

Dave

 

[Reloadron]

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 confess to not having read each reply. However, in the future place one and only one gun on your desk or wherever you are close at hand. Make your choice of what you would want to use in advance which will preclude having to think about it since there will be only one choice. This will also serve to help eliminate needless desk clutter.

Ron

 

[cfullgraf]

Given the OP's choices, I would have grabbed the 45 ACP.

For me, I keep a 9x19 semi-auto or 38 Special j-frame close at hand. The 9x19 is what goes with me when I leave the house, the j-frame is my bedside gun.

I agree with Reloadron and others, make the decision ahead of time so you do not have to think about it in the spur of the moment.

 

[Dibbs]

Lately have been dealing with a fair amount of venomous snakes. Still waiting for the holster for the
S&W Governor, but it pockets very easily, and is very light. But it chambers 45LC/ 410 Gauge, so there you
go.

 

[sparkyv]

9mm for pocket carry and truck gun, 40S&W and shotgun for home defense.

 

[Wanderling]

If there’s a suspicious loud noise at night, I may be grabbing my G17 with a flashlight mounted, or even my rifle, but it doesn’t mean I am going to carry either of them.

Every tool has its purpose, and to me the .380 LCR is the perfect tool for carry. After watching ShootingTheBull’s videos, and reading some statistics on different rounds performance in real life situations, I am convinced that .380 is an absolutely adequate round for SD.

 

[amprecon]

I had a similar experience and my nightstand gun was a 7-shot .380. I immediately realized I needed more bullets and bigger bullets, I sold it shortly after that incident.
Today, when things go bump in the night I grab either my Glock 23, or the Glock 23, the Glock 23 or the Glock 23. No, its not a typo, all my pistols are Glock 23's. I don't feel under-gunned now, but I also keep an 870 by the bedside.

 

[MikeInOr]

Springfield XD mod 2 compact in 45 acp with a combat light loaded with ARX (polymer) bullets (I am not the only one in my house).

For decades my night stand gun used to be my Beretta 92 INOX but 13 rounds of 45 beats 15 rounds of 9mm... and the XD mod 2 has a rail for the light. I also like that the smaller XD mod.2 compact can be pretty easily stashed in a robe pocket so the neighbors don't observe some guy with a gun walking around my property and get an itchy trigger finger.

My Remington 870 is too big and cumbersome... I prefer the maneuverability of a hand gun.

A couple years ago I forgot to take my hearing protection off when I came home from the range once and the electronic muffs ended up in my bedroom. I decided I liked the idea of amplified electronic muffs in the bedroom so I purchased a second pair for the range. Being able to hear what is going on better than a bad guy and not being as stunned if a shot is fired seemed like it was well worth $40 to me.

 

[Zerodefect]

I agree completely. 9mm never feels like my fist choice since I'm only going to be 0.25 seconds faster with it, double tapping 3 targets.

Give me more power and reliability of a larger caliber. I feel better with a Glock 23 (.40), or Glock 41 (.45). And as someone else has already mentioned, .45 seems a bit nicer indoors than 9mm and .40. Even if it does seem to have a bigger boom.

If I have time to select something other than whatever is on my hip, my go to is a Mossberg JM pro loaded with 00 buckshot. I think it has earned it's place over my 14" Larue .300blk carbine.

That being said, if I have to visit big cities, where mob mentality, and stupidity seem to be in abundance, I want my 0.25 seconds back and will carry a Glock 34/17. Not to mention the 2 extra rounds.

 

[Confederate]

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.

Wait a minute. You're going by what's bigger? Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against a .45, but it sounds as though you're judging stopping power strictly by the size of the caliber. Many, many 9mm rounds have far better stopping power than 9mm, but if you're dealing with specialty ammo, then it can be an either/or decision. The .357 Magnum 125gr JHP has better stopping power than many .44 Magnum loads. I can agree with your preferring something better than a .380, but you have to consider penetration, expansion and a combination of the two. And just because a bullet expands doesn't mean it's going to do a better job stopping someone.

If you live in a heavily populated area, you might want a good 9mm specialty load. If you are taking a cross country trip, a good 9mm would be my first choice. In many cases, my first choice for an anti-personnel load might be a .22LR out of a Ruger auto. If you think it might be an aggressive animal like a bear, I'd take a good 9mm over a .45 because of the added penetration and expansion.

Check out the following;

9mm vs .40 vs .45: Which Chambering Has More Stopping Power?

 

[entropy]

Right now in my room I have the choice of a .380 (until my son picks it up), a .45 ACP, and a 12 ga. I have grabbed the 12 ga a couple times, and the .45 a couple times. When I had my .38 in the house, I grabbed it once. Most of the times were mice, one was kids cutting through the yard. The shotgun and .45 are within arms reach, either will do the job. The main reason I don't have the AR pistol in the mix is that it has a Bushnell mini-red dot with a hood, and I don't want to leave the hood off, or forget to take it off. That and I've fired a 20" M16A1 indoors and that was more than loud enough; even with the linear compensator, I'm sure the 7" AR pistol would make my tinnitus worse!

 

[joneb]

A intruders worst nightmare.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?attachments/attachment-jpg.715019/
A dog. followed by me and something much more destructive.