You won't find a single pistol that is sufficient for personal/home protection that doesn't also have a kick. Yes, some kick more than others. But imo it's not the kick in the weapon that counts. It's the practice you put into handling the weapon while still firing it effectively. If you practice with it regularly you'll get used to it. But as has been said previously, you won't be able to effectively handle any weapon if you don't practice with it on a regular basis.Also remember the lighter the gun the more it will kick
At night, my LC9 stays on the night stand, safety off, round in chamber ready to fire. During the day it is either on me with safety on or next to me. That said, no kids and if we have folks over it is either on me or locked up during the day and in the night stand at night. If folks over with kids, it is either on me or locked in the safe.I have an LC9 to carry and an SR9 for more home defense.
That's one drawback to the P-11. Brad alluded to it earlier. It has a punishing recoil in the 9mm...You won't find a single pistol that is sufficient for personal/home protection that doesn't also have a kick. Yes, some kick more than others. But imo it's not the kick in the weapon that counts. It's the practice you put into handling the weapon while still firing it effectively. If you practice with it regularly you'll get used to it. But as has been said previously, you won't be able to effectively handle any weapon if you don't practice with it on a regular basis.
Anyone who doesn't want to practice with a weapon should get used to dialing 911.
For home, I hauled out an old over and under shotgun, for which I'm going to buy some self-defense loads. It's very old and having a Daly already, with full and modified choke barrels, I cut it off, right behind the choke, which was modified, so it's wide open. I don't have to aim - just point. I plan to have it standing in the corner by my bed. It may take me a second or two longer than groping for a pistol, but maybe not. Because of the way our house is built, any forced entry would be heard long before they could reach us. In fact, because of factors I won't go into, I would hear a car burglar before he could reach where we sleep...At night, my LC9 stays on the night stand, safety off, round in chamber ready to fire. During the day it is either on me with safety on or next to me. That said, no kids and if we have folks over it is either on me or locked up during the day and in the night stand at night. If folks over with kids, it is either on me or locked in the safe.
I guess I need to repeat that I'm not really new to handguns at all. I've been shooting them since the '60s. However, I haven't carried in a long time and I'm not up on the latest models. A lot has changed, but the physics haven't...Also remember the lighter the gun the more it will kick
I'm sorry, but all the military and FBI evidence around suggests this is simply untrue - there is no 'man-stopping' pistol round unless you hit the CNS.Hit him with a no-fooling man-stopping round, no matter the tube it came out of, and he's no longer a threat, even if the shot isn't perfect. The power of hydraulics is a beautiful thing.
I don't disagree with the pre-eminence of shot placement. If you put a .BB, shot out of a Red Ryder, in precisely the incredibly exact right place, you'll score a drop-dead kill.I'm sorry, but all the military and FBI evidence around suggests this is simply untrue - there is no 'man-stopping' pistol round unless you hit the CNS.
And yeah, I can link you to shootouts such as when police hit a suspect 22 times with .40S&W and he was still in the fight.
It's not about caliber, that's an internet myth - it's about shot placement. That's precisely what all the data shows us.
Another matter is concealability. Hard to get in a .40 or .45...I don't disagree with the pre-eminence of shot placement. If you put a .BB, shot out of a Red Ryder, in precisely the incredibly exact right place, you'll score a drop-dead kill.
So you would recommend .BBs? A 9mm or .32 cal? I don't think so. If anything, go up to 10mm / .45 cal.
Regardless, load with ammunition that creates shock waves, as opposed to clean holes. The idea is to give yourself room for an imperfect shot.
In any case, I recommend the ultimate backup -- a Mossberg riot gun, loaded with .00. Just cycling a round creates an unmistakable sound through which few will continue the assault. Should you encounter one of the few, you won't have to fire the perfect shot. Close will count.
The fact is you don't get much in the way of hydrostatic shock from a pistol round - they simply don't have enough energy. Once that settles in, the realization (supported by years of FBI data) is that essentially any commercially available ammunition works about the same. You might feel better caring a 10mm or 45ACP but the numbers indicate that it really doesn't matter. What matters is where you hit the target and pistol rounds move slowly enough to not do much damage beyond the immediate area.I don't disagree with the pre-eminence of shot placement. If you put a .BB, shot out of a Red Ryder, in precisely the incredibly exact right place, you'll score a drop-dead kill.
So you would recommend .BBs? A 9mm or .32 cal? I don't think so. If anything, go up to 10mm / .45 cal.
Regardless, load with ammunition that creates shock waves, as opposed to clean holes. The idea is to give yourself room for an imperfect shot.
Agreed. Putting the attacker down in the first shot isn't really the point. Rather, it is to stop the threat.The fact is you don't get much in the way of hydrostatic shock from a pistol round - they simply don't have enough energy. Once that settles in, the realization (supported by years of FBI data) is that essentially any commercially available ammunition works about the same. You might feel better caring a 10mm or 45ACP but the numbers indicate that it really doesn't matter. What matters is where you hit the target and pistol rounds move slowly enough to not do much damage beyond the immediate area.
Do you still have the .38 S-W? If so, why wouldn't it do? Frame too big?I know they're reliable now, but I had three PPKs in a row way back. Each one was swapped for the prior one because of repeated misfires and failure to extract. Wiley's (biggest dealer around at that time) took each one back and tried unsuccessfully to remedy the problem. I finally ended up with a S&W .38 special revolver. Went "bang" every time...
There's always a exception. 600 NitroThe fact is you don't get much in the way of hydrostatic shock from a pistol round - they simply don't have enough energy. Once that settles in, the realization (supported by years of FBI data) is that essentially any commercially available ammunition works about the same. You might feel better caring a 10mm or 45ACP but the numbers indicate that it really doesn't matter. What matters is where you hit the target and pistol rounds move slowly enough to not do much damage beyond the immediate area.
Or an AR pistol... :biggrin:There's always a exception. 600 Nitro
I second the Shield 9mm. That's what I carry and I've been very pleased with it.My primary carry is now an M&P Shield 9mm and I love it. It's light, slim, and reliable. It also has a good thumb safety (as does the BodyGuard) - as opposed to the "trigger" safety in the Glock - which I prefer. I'm not nearly as svelte as I used to be nor as I'd like to be... Ok, to be honest, I've let myself get fat and horribly out of shape. Anyway, I use three different holsters - inside waistband, ankle, and shoulder - depending primarily upon my clothing choice and/or location for the day and each has a fairly different feel when drawing and holstering. The thumb safety gives me a bit more confidence in regards to avoiding an accidental discharge when drawing or holstering; I've never had that happen and wasn't that worried about it with the Glock but it is a bit more reassuring.