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I enjoy the various discussions and opinions concerning handguns, holsters, etc. , but I have a sense that some of the responses are more wishful thinking than actual real world experience. I have no idea how many of you have actually had to engage an assailant or an enemy combatant, but I think that kind of experience is far more valuable than ballistic data.
During my time as a Marine (during the war in Vietnam) and my experiences as a sheriff's deputy, I had the misfortune to see what certain calibers can do to human flesh. Then there is the consideration that if you can't hit the target, your firearm and calibers don't matter at all.
I'd like to limit the responses to handguns, because they are rarely used in military combat and are often the most available tool to law enforcement officers.
The Marines issued me a 1911A1 in .45 Cal. because that was my TO&E weapon as a Field Radio Operator. I qualified as an expert, but always felt a bit "naked" carrying one. There is no question in my mind that the .45 ACP (even the ol' round nose) is a definite man stopper. However, my issue weapon was left over from WWII and rattled! My police sidearm was the venerable S&W Model 19 in .357 Mag. Again, I was an expert shot. I once rolled up on a scene where a town marshal had shot a bank robber 6 times at point blank range and the perp had still managed to stagger outside and crawl to the curb before the loss of blood and the fact that he was dragging most of his guts behind him facilitated his death. The autopsy indicated heavy drug use which probably accounted for the delay in his death and ability to survive an amazing amount of physical damage (his personal part had been shot off and was laying in his underwear). I have seen a lot and still am quite comfortable carrying a 9MM (hollow points) or a .380 (again with hollow points.) Your thoughts?
During my time as a Marine (during the war in Vietnam) and my experiences as a sheriff's deputy, I had the misfortune to see what certain calibers can do to human flesh. Then there is the consideration that if you can't hit the target, your firearm and calibers don't matter at all.
I'd like to limit the responses to handguns, because they are rarely used in military combat and are often the most available tool to law enforcement officers.
The Marines issued me a 1911A1 in .45 Cal. because that was my TO&E weapon as a Field Radio Operator. I qualified as an expert, but always felt a bit "naked" carrying one. There is no question in my mind that the .45 ACP (even the ol' round nose) is a definite man stopper. However, my issue weapon was left over from WWII and rattled! My police sidearm was the venerable S&W Model 19 in .357 Mag. Again, I was an expert shot. I once rolled up on a scene where a town marshal had shot a bank robber 6 times at point blank range and the perp had still managed to stagger outside and crawl to the curb before the loss of blood and the fact that he was dragging most of his guts behind him facilitated his death. The autopsy indicated heavy drug use which probably accounted for the delay in his death and ability to survive an amazing amount of physical damage (his personal part had been shot off and was laying in his underwear). I have seen a lot and still am quite comfortable carrying a 9MM (hollow points) or a .380 (again with hollow points.) Your thoughts?