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Trend toward larger carry firearms

27K views 181 replies 121 participants last post by  Nomadic Paladin 
#1 ·
Very interesting information. I have an LCP but I lately I carry it only when absolutely nothing else is concealable. I've been carrying my larger more accurate firearms for the reasons listed in this article.

American Rifleman | Keefe Report: What's In Your Holster?

Estimates indicate nearly 13 million Americans have concealed-carry permits. Why each of those armed citizens chose to go through whatever process was necessary in their jurisdictions was a personal decision, but one that reflects making up their minds to be responsible for their own personal safety. In light of terrorist attacks at home and around the world, more and more Americans are choosing to arm themselves—note the record number of NICS checks on “Black Friday” this year. .
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The explosion in popularity of small, light, thin concealable .380 ACP pistols—guns in the Ruger LCP class—indicates that many armed citizens were concerned principally with a close encounter with a criminal attacker. Such guns can be fired at arm’s length, obviously, but they are not intended for the 50-yard X-ring at Camp Perry. Generally, they are suited to engaging a threat at close-quarters-battle distances.

But recent attacks by homicidal maniacs have changed the psychology of why many citizens choose to arm themselves for their personal safety. No longer is it simply a matter of your money or your life. .
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Defending oneself from a thug who wants your wallet at the ATM is a different matter altogether defending yourself from an attack from a mass murderer, whether motivated by a deranged mind or flawed, perverted interpretation of faith. Simply put, that pocket .380 may not be enough gun. That is why we are seeing increased interest in slightly larger 9 mm or .45 ACP pistols with better triggers, better sights and, sometimes, slightly more sight radius amongst firearm buyers.

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A gun with sufficient power to stop a threat and with sights and a trigger good enough to accurately place rounds on target across a courtyard or room is requisite. With possible engagement distances opening up and the potential need to stop multiple attackers, what's in your holster?

Am I alone in this shift to the larger firearms?

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#181 ·
I played all this through my mind and here's where I landed.

Is it possible that I would be confronted with multiple attackers, some of whom are carrying rifles and pistols with more than 50 rounds? Yes, of course.

Likely? No.

Is it possible that I would be confronted with a single attacker with a single weapon, maybe firearm, maybe sharp instrument? Yes, of course.

Likely? More so than the scenario above.

In the most likely scenario, a handgun with 6 or more rounds in a capable caliber would be adequate.

Having said all that, in 10+ years of carrying a concealed handgun I have never had even a moment of aggression toward me. Still have my head on a swivel everywhere I go though, and I am ALWAYS armed with a gun of some kind.
 
#182 ·
Here is my take on this.
Stats everywhere show that 2 rounds will stop almost every attacker, hence most trainers will push the double tap. In a high stress scenario, you have to expect the possiblity of a miss, so 3 rounds for each attacker makes sense.

If you have 3 or more attackers, there are 2 scenarios.
1. They are not determined and the first shot sends them all scattering.
2. They ARE very determined and the first shot makes all of them attack at once (or they already did). The chances of getting shots off on 3 determined attackers is very low.

This being the case, 6 rounds is a good benchmark for a minimum defense scenario, and you won't get to reload. Other than compact revolvers, most have 6 and some more than that. Having a spare round when you are done so you are not empty after dealing with 2 attackers makes sense, so we have seen a lot if compact firearms going from 6 to 7 round capacity (I do not count the plus 1).

NOW, having pointed out that logic (or illogic if you disagree, I won't be offended), I can't remember a single person EVER coming out of a firefight saying "I wish I had not brought so many bullets". Carry what you can comfortably carry. If you are in my vicinity and accurate, I hope it is a bazooka so you can take down the bad guy before he (or she, gotta be politically correct) can hurt me.
 
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