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Are You Shooting the Best Bullet Weight for Your Defensive Handgun?

cloudcroft

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jan 13, 2007
Messages
1,908
Location
El Paso, TX (formerly Colorado Springs, CO)
For several reasons, I tend to carry smaller-caliber handguns (.32ACP @ home and .380ACP as my EDC gun while out & about), so I want most effective HPs I can for them (assuming the most likely encountered "events" will present soft targets). Meaning, I go with Hornady HPs.
I've read that even the "lowly" 9mm (often derided in the past, especially here in America) has benefited from the latest bullet technology, so even these smaller calibers are now more effective/potent than they used to be, and make even Pocket Pistols a decent carry choice (but then ANY gun on you is better than NO gun).
Of course, bullet technology doesn't take the place on bullet PLACEMENT, and so that's MY main goal regardless of bullet type carried -- even FMJs will do well in that context. Although my guns carry HPs, I DO carry FMJs in one of my spare mags just in case (for hard targets).
Still, my preferred gun for a particular hard target -- such as someone in a car doing a drive-by -- is my SKS, and of course, using FMJs (it's my truck-gun). IMO, 7.62x39 s an excellent "repel boarders" response. However, I'm guessing that someone might possibly notice (!) if I were carrying THAT around as my EDC. ;-)
-- C
 
Last edited:

color of law

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Oct 7, 2007
Messages
5,936
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
For several reasons, I tend to carry smaller-caliber handguns (.32ACP @ home and .380ACP as my EDC gun while out & about), so I want most effective HPs I can for them (assuming the most likely encountered "events" will present soft targets). Meaning, I go with Hornady HPs.
I've read that even the "lowly" 9mm (often derided in the past, especially here in America) has benefited from the latest bullet technology, so even these smaller calibers are now more effective/potent than they used to be, and make even Pocket Pistols a decent carry choice (but then ANY gun on you is better than NO gun).
Of course, bullet technology doesn't take the place on bullet PLACEMENT, and so that's MY main goal regardless of bullet type carried -- even FMJs will do well in that context. Although my guns carry HPs, I DO carry FMJs in one of my spare mags just in case (for hard targets).
Still, my preferred gun for a particular hard target -- such as someone in a car doing a drive-by -- is my SKS, and of course, using FMJs (it's my truck-gun). IMO, 7.62x39 s an excellent "repel boarders" response. However, I'm guessing that someone might possibly notice (!) if I were carrying THAT around as my EDC. ;-)
-- C
My daughter carries a Smith & Wesson model 332 hammerless - .32 Magnum AirLite J-frame. It’s an aluminum frame and a Titanium alloy cylinder for a loaded weight of 13.4 ounces. I offered her my Smith & Wesson – M&P 9mm Shield for her .32 mag. She said out of her cold dead hands. She now does have a Shield and likes it, but day in and day out carries the .32 Mag.
 
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