The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Which center-fire rifle cartridge would you not trust for self defense?

SIGSHR · December 11, 2012, 05:52 PM

IMHO it's more a matter of the firearm than the cartridge. My trusty old M1888 45-70 has pleny of knock down power but against an urban horde I'd prefer something with more magazine capacity and easier reloading.
I have read the stories of the M1 Carbine round failing in Korea, some account said the Red Chinese were using body armor, others said it was the thick padding of their winter uniforms. Having Seen the Elephant myself, I wonder how much of the problem was failures of the ammunition vs. an exhausted and groggy and sleep deprived GI (OK, Marine if you prefer) trying to repel a screaming horde at 0100 in 20 degree weather who THINKS he's hitting his targets and can't understand why they won't go down.

December 11, 2012, 05:52 PM	#24
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	IMHO it's more a matter of the firearm than the cartridge. My trusty old M1888 45-70 has pleny of knock down power but against an urban horde I'd prefer something with more magazine capacity and easier reloading. I have read the stories of the M1 Carbine round failing in Korea, some account said the Red Chinese were using body armor, others said it was the thick padding of their winter uniforms. Having Seen the Elephant myself, I wonder how much of the problem was failures of the ammunition vs. an exhausted and groggy and sleep deprived GI (OK, Marine if you prefer) trying to repel a screaming horde at 0100 in 20 degree weather who THINKS he's hitting his targets and can't understand why they won't go down.