EDC Handgun Help...

SIFU1A said:
sometimes (rarely) if ya shoot say 10K rounds 38 special outta a 357 mag and dont clean the cylinders buildup can cause case sticking when ya use the mag ammo, it, but it takes a helluva lotta ammo, i have shot my L frame S&W tens of thousands of times w/the 38 special ammo ( i am a reloader and used to shoot this pistol a lot & have had it since '82 or so, it is an early 586 4" bbl) with never a problem, i guess i do clean the thing fairly regulary though.

i have also heard in some rare cases erosion can occur in similar circumstances, but again this would take a lot of shooting, and also a lot of very hot +P+ 38 special ammo, i mean if ya want hot loads why go with .38 when ya can go with 357 anyway??imho the casual shooter wouldnt have any probs w/this.

it can happen though.

as far as carry pistols as i said before its hard to go wrong with glock or poly kahrs for edc.
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I really don't see a reason why to shoot .38 special out of a .357 magnum revolver. If the 125 or 158 grain full-power .357 loads bother you, load up with some of those lower power 110 grain loads. My 70 year-old mom has a GOOD old Ruger Speed-Six of mine (2 & 3/4" barrel), loaded with 110 JHP Federal, and she has no problem with that load.
 
ahgar said:
the decision to carry a pistol is one that should be thought about very seriously it can save your life or ruin it. if you still do the party thing then i would for sure think twice about it. If you do have to use it your problems are just starting in all probability you will end up in court, either civil or criminal and you may be found innocent or not responsible but it may cost you thousands of dollars. end of speech
as far as autos go glock would be my pick, bulletproof. good luck,ahgar
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Best advice I've seen here yet, and I thank you for your concern.

I've been shooting firearms since I was a kid, like I mentioned. I used to shoot at my grandfathers range every weekend, but since I've grown older and priorities change (work, college, etc), I only make it up there once every month or so. We still manage to run through a thousand rounds or so while I'm there.

I've recieved a ton of good infor here, thanks to you all for that. I'm going to take some of this info and read into it more, as well as visit some of the local ranges more to test fire different guns. Thanks to you all for your help.
 
I echo the Glock choice. Be it 9mm, .40, or .45. Rent and shoot a few of your favorite models/calibers if possible and decide for yourself.

As for revolvers, the thought of having to manipulate a speed loader while amped up on adrenalin makes me shudder. :eek:
 
Okay, I've done a few hours worth of reading online.

I'm looking at the Kahr PM9 and the Kel Tec P11.

Looks like the Kel Tec is cheaper and holds a few more rounds, but overall it seems the Kahr is said to be more reliable.

Anybody used both and can make a good comparision?
 
i have both and while the keltec is ok the kahr has a better trigger by far, more accurate, imho more reliable, slimmer and a little easier to carry, better sights, really the only pro to the keltec is it holds 10 rounds vs 6 in the PM9, and its cheaper, having shot both though i can assure ya the kahr is worth the extra money.


as far as a reason to shoot .38 in a .357mag the only reason i did was because one of my buds gave me 4 big coffee cans fulla empty .38 special cases, back then with the free cases, some cheap cast wadcutters, a light powder charge and primer i bet it didnt cost much more to shoot than a 22 LR. some folks say shoot 38 vs 357 to lessen recoil, i dont think any 357 mag load has much recoil, can sure be loud though lol, but that certainly hasnt ever bothered me.
 
shaldag said:
I have one of the S&W scandium models that Bronco showed. It is a slightly different model, with exposed hammer (SA/DA).

I have been carrying handguns for quite some time, and go to the range on a weekly basis, so I am not sure how my experience will apply to you. I know for a fact that if I get out of practice, I am not very good with any handgun--you may have more natural aptitude than I do.

I think that most people could use this effectively at 10-15 yards with .38 +P loads after only a little practice. If you don't mind a bit of pain, you can use .357 rounds. But there is a helluva kick.

Very nice little shoulder holsters are made for these little J-frames. Nobody can see the gun under your shirt. It weighs next to nothing, and the little there is is nicely distributed.

Expensive gun, expensive holster. VERY low maintenence.
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What's this "pain" talk? Think what is happening to the guy on the other end and the pain goes away real quick. I like the cannons! If the round doesn't get the bad guy the muzzle blast will (sort of like a shock grenade).
 
DGG said:
Betcha can't, betcha can't, betcha can't, dare ya!
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man thats like a triple dog dare. :) I am a diehard 10mm guy. The 40 is just a lame marketing excuse. Its just a cutdown case of the 10mm and one thats way more prone to case failure. The FBI could have stuck with the 10mm and loaded them to 40 ballistics like they were doing for the agents that are just pathetic and complain about recoil from the 10mm. I want one of them to arrest me if it ever happens as they must have the weakest arms in history. My wife was 82 lbs and 5'1 and she shot 10mm nuclear loads all day with me day in and day out. Then again she shot my S&W 500 and my DE 50 without complaining till after she had to reload. Anyway. The 10mm is so versatile. Look at what Mike McNett of doubletapammo.com loads upto. 135gr at 1600+ fps from an actual gun not a test barrel.Or you can have a 180gr at ~1400 fps. 200gr at ~1300 fps. 215gr hard cast for bear protecction at ~1250fps. Then theres the mighty 230 gr at ~1150 fps. Now look at sectional density and gee wonder how far that will penetrate. Thats a lot of power with 15 rds in the magazine in the Glock 20. Those specs are out of a glock 20's stock barrel. Makes the 40 look sick. The 40 has had so many cases rupture it isnt even funny. It is the most prone to Kabooms. I have personally loaded up some 155gr at 1550 fps but I had some bulging going on. Still no ruptures as has happened with factory ammo in the 40.Dont even try to tell me about the trauma the 10mm causes to flesh I have witnessed first hand.That is why I think the 10mm is the best all around cartridge. It smokes a 357mag,holds more ammo and it just kicks ass. :D
 
Was noddin along reading all about the 10mm and then it was like, wtf? Im hoping your wifes ok?
 
I wouldn't dare say that the 10mm isn't a capable round, but there is a little issue with ammo availability that you fail to mention. A quick look at www.midwayusa.com seems to yield a VERY high number of "out of stock" quotes for 10mm. Since the .45 ACP has been considered an efficient stopper for nearly a century, and the .40 is nearly ballistically equivalent, I see no reason not to advocate it. I love the accuracy of the .357 Sig, and it's certainly an adequate round. Would I reccomend it to a 1 gun, first owner with limited financial resources......no. Same for the 10 mm, not the sort of cartridge for a beginner. As for the case ruptures, haven't seen one in over 10,000 rounds.

I'd rather see our young friend spend his money on affordable, available ammo and get some range time in, than suggest a 10mm or a 357 Sig. Wally world sells 100 .40 S&W winchester for less than $20, tough to beat that.
 
shaldag said:
Very nice little shoulder holsters are made for these little J-frames. Nobody can see the gun under your shirt. It weighs next to nothing, and the little there is is nicely distributed.
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I think this is where the S&W 340 type revolvers really shine when it comes to concealed carry. They are just so damn light. You feel like you have many more options as to how and when you can take them with you. Admittedly, the Kahr PM9 is a slick little number. But, even with its polymer frame, it still weighs over 30% more than a 340.
 
Just to throw in a comment about .38 spl vs .357 mag .... I really don't notice any difference in recoil at all.
But the difference in noise is incredible. I shot a few boxes of 38. spl rounds with my sister once, and I didn't have any ear protectors with me. But improvised ear protectors worked fine. We went through around 200 rounds pretty easily, but after trying just one cylinder full of .357 it was quite a while before we could hear each other talk again.
Common knowledge is that if you're carrying for personal protection, you need to put some practice in with the rounds you are going to carry.
But if you always shoot with ear protection on, you might be just as surprised as the bad guy when you pull the trigger .....lol :ox
 
I'm looking more towards the compact auto pistols in 9mm now. Kahr and Kel Tec in particular.

Anybody know of good shops in MI that carry these guns I can go take a look at? What is a reasonable price both new and used?

Thanks!
 
OK, I just have to say it, although you should really buy a Colt Commander or Sig P220Carry in .45 :D Definately look at the S&W SW99. You can get them in 9, .40, or .45 and the big advantage they have on Glocks and other polymer pistols is that they are very slim, the slimmest polymer guns that I have seen. Also if you are scared of the Glock trigger, the SW99 is a DA/SA with a decocker, similar in function but not control placement to the SIG system.

Screw it, just get a Commander:cool: :D

Also, regarding .38 vs .357, I prefer .357 but I have seen a lot of smaller weaker people have a lot of trouble with recoil, not to mention FAR GREATER muzzle flash and noise to contend with than a .38. For people that the 3 above problems pose too much one of the better performing .38 loads, especially the 158 +P lead hollow point, can be MUCH easier to handle while still being very effective, there are better calibers out there but never underestimate the lethality of the .38 spl.
 
guys I apologize about mentioning my wife in my post. I was pretty drunk at the moment and watching a video of her and got fired up by the end of the post. It took me a while to write it. I am sorry.
 
DGG said:
What's this "pain" talk? Think what is happening to the guy on the other end and the pain goes away real quick. I like the cannons! If the round doesn't get the bad guy the muzzle blast will (sort of like a shock grenade).
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FWIW, I personally do carry the little scandium with .357 loads. With its considerable recoil, it is not a pleasant gun to shoot-there is a world of difference between it and my 686. It certainly is not the most accurate handgun that I own (I think that the short barrel may have something to do with that :D ).

I overcome these by spending a lot of time at the range. You try firing 50 rounds of .357 with that revolver every week, and see how you feel. (I do realize that it is worse at the receiving end.) I suggeet .38 +p at the range since the original poster seemed to be a bit of a beginner.
 
Has somebody (credible) done any testing regarding .357 vs .38spl (+P) in snubby revolvers? I see (here and elsewhere) lots of discussion saying that .357 in a snubby is only good for hurting your hand and making a lot of noise without being much (if any) more effective. What I mean is testing like ballistics gel, water jugs with hollow points, layered clothing, etc.
 
I just had a thought pop into my head... What about the Walther PPK?

Aside from it being the famous 007 gun, how is it for every day use? Looks to be small and light enough to be concealed easily.

How is the .380 round compared to a 9 or a .40?

Are there any good websites with comparisions and pictures of a lot of pocket sized guns? I think that would really help me narrow down my ideas. I keep seeing random pictures and thinking "hey, that might work..."

Thanks guys.
 
wicked1 said:
guys I apologize about mentioning my wife in my post. I was pretty drunk at the moment and watching a video of her and got fired up by the end of the post. It took me a while to write it. I am sorry.
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what kinda video if ya dont mind me asking lol??
 
Planterz said:
Has somebody (credible) done any testing regarding .357 vs .38spl (+P) in snubby revolvers? I see (here and elsewhere) lots of discussion saying that .357 in a snubby is only good for hurting your hand and making a lot of noise without being much (if any) more effective. What I mean is testing like ballistics gel, water jugs with hollow points, layered clothing, etc.
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generally speaking, all of the std police calibres (ie 9MM, 357 mag, 357SIG, .40, 10MM, .45ACP) with good ammo (ie speer gold dot, w-w ranger, golden sabre) show suprisingly similar results in ballistics gel, i have seen pics of wound channels in gel of .45, 9MM, 357SIG and 40 and would bet that no one could look at them and say "A is 45, B is 40, etc", as long as decent ammo was used. of course the 10MM is hampered by a lack of good ammo.

the 38 special is a notch below the 357 mag in this respect, IIRC the best performing .38 ammo was the speer gold dot 135 gr and it doesnt have the penetration nor as big a wound channel as the magnum.

this is according to dr gary roberts who i find infinitly more credible than evan marshall/ ed sanow/ad nauseum.
 
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