Size or number?

bu-bye · October 11, 2002, 02:03 PM

I know that this has been posted before but I can't find the topic and really want to know what you guys think.

There is a sound in your home late at night. Would you rather have 7 rounds of 357 mag or 18 rounds of 9mm. Speed clips and extra mags are on your night stand but take up a hand if you want to take them with you.

This is my situation. 18 rounds in the glock or 7 in the revo. My wife feels that late at night with low light it would be better to have more just incase you missed. On the other hand a 357 packs a much bigger punch and just feels good in the hand. I do have a 12g 870 pump in the safe across the room but I don't want to take it out everytime I go to inspect a sound. Now if I know someone is down there the "Big Dog" will be coming out to eat.

What are your thoughts?

Blackhawk · October 11, 2002, 02:15 PM

I think you should listen to your wife.

That impresses wives because it's so rare....

gryphon · October 11, 2002, 06:50 PM

Personal choice. Take what you feel most comfortable with and what you can use without a second thought.

If you can't bring the weapon to bear and stop the target, it doesn't matter how many rounds you do or don't have.

IMO the revo would be the optimum choice. If the wife hears shooting, she can back you up with the Glock until you can get the shotgun.

C.R.Sam · October 11, 2002, 09:36 PM

Agree with gryphon...
The one you are most familiar with.

I opt for revolver but that's personal.

Sam

weldonjr2001 · October 12, 2002, 12:42 AM

Inside mi casa I'd go with the 9mm due to less muzzle blast, noise, and penetration. The higher capacity and quick reload wouldn't hurt either, just in case.

Fred Hansen · October 12, 2002, 04:03 AM

I think you should fire both in a low-light condition (safely of course), and figure out which one blinds you the least. Then I would pick that one.

pbarrick · October 12, 2002, 10:04 AM

Either one will do but you really want to add a high-powered, compact flashlight (read: SureFire) to your nightstand. It helps you to identify targets, distracts the ones that need shooting and allows you to get hits in low-light conditions with more ease.

7 rounds of .357 or 18 rounds or 9mm? The 9mm would be my choice because of the ability to put more rounds on target in a shorter amount of time (less recoil). More rounds impacting the nipple-sternal notch triangle faster equals higher survivability for the defender engaging the Bad Guy.

As for missed rounds, .357 or 9mm will go through interior structure walls easily and it doesn't do much to solve the problem. Perfect practice makes perfect.

Mannlicher · October 12, 2002, 06:13 PM

I hope things are laid out in your home where you know your way around in total darkness. Kids? They are squared away?

Those things considered, I would take the shotgun, and skip the flashlight. My Mossy has MMC tritium night sights. I will never be convinced that the flashlight is not just providing a perfect aiming point for the other guy. The most vocal advocates of flashlights are those selling them, or selling the use of them.

Blackhawk · October 12, 2002, 08:44 PM

Quote:

I will never be convinced that the flashlight is not just providing a perfect aiming point for the other guy.

I'm hard headed that way too. Your night vision goes away very quickly with white light, and why give away your position while an invader is trying to figure out what the darker objects in your home are?

Don Gwinn · October 12, 2002, 08:49 PM

Your light should be in his eyes, and if you aren't using it, how exactly have you determined whether he's a threat?

pbarrick · October 18, 2002, 10:55 AM

Mannlicher, I understand where you're coming from about the use of flashlights but I differ strongly in my advocacy of them. Training and an understanding of employment of the flashlight is the key here.

In low light conditions, you need to be able to identify the target that you're shooting as a threat. Shooting at shadows is irresponsible and you lose nothing by way of tactical advantage when you use a high-powered light to take their night vision. That would be a definite gain.

45Rookie · October 20, 2002, 08:17 PM

pbarrick-
Well said Patrick. You always need a positive ID of what your shooting at. The target could be your teenage kid sneaking back in the house, too afraid of getting into trouble and not responding to your calls. Flashlights do ruin night vision, but proper training and knowledge of them will aid your tactical response. Just my humble opinion.

45R

gryphon · October 20, 2002, 09:07 PM

Are there other "colors" of lights that would be good to have and would not blind the carrier of the light?

A buddy of mine said something about a blue prism type light. Would that gain you anything? Or are we OK with the standard MAGlight type lamp?

fastbolt · October 20, 2002, 11:42 PM

Actually, I think Blackhawk hit the nail on the head on this one!

...

Besides, if it makes her feel safer, isn't THAT an important part of this equation?

As far as answering your question ....

Well, I don't have the answer. I've asked myself this very question more than a few nights before retiring. My answer has varied, as the weapon left out for the duty has varied from a small revolver to a large capacity pistol. Sometimes it's the office weapon, and then sometimes it's one of mine ... A few times toward the end of last year it was a rifle...

Let me know when you have the answer, will ya?

October 11, 2002, 02:03 PM	#1
bu-bye Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2002 Location: usa Posts: 200	Size or number? I know that this has been posted before but I can't find the topic and really want to know what you guys think. There is a sound in your home late at night. Would you rather have 7 rounds of 357 mag or 18 rounds of 9mm. Speed clips and extra mags are on your night stand but take up a hand if you want to take them with you. This is my situation. 18 rounds in the glock or 7 in the revo. My wife feels that late at night with low light it would be better to have more just incase you missed. On the other hand a 357 packs a much bigger punch and just feels good in the hand. I do have a 12g 870 pump in the safe across the room but I don't want to take it out everytime I go to inspect a sound. Now if I know someone is down there the "Big Dog" will be coming out to eat. What are your thoughts?

October 11, 2002, 06:50 PM	#3
gryphon Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,069	Personal choice. Take what you feel most comfortable with and what you can use without a second thought. If you can't bring the weapon to bear and stop the target, it doesn't matter how many rounds you do or don't have. IMO the revo would be the optimum choice. If the wife hears shooting, she can back you up with the Glock until you can get the shotgun. __________________ Your suffering will be legendary, even in HELL!! --- PinHead, HellRaiser 2

October 12, 2002, 04:03 AM	#6
Fred Hansen Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2001 Location: The middle of WWIII Posts: 3,335	I think you should fire both in a low-light condition (safely of course), and figure out which one blinds you the least. Then I would pick that one. __________________ "This started out as a documentary on gun violence in America, but the largest mass murder in our history was just committed -- without the use of a single gun! Not a single bullet fired! No bomb was set off, no missile was fired, no weapon (i.e., a device that was solely and specifically manufactured to kill humans) was used. A boxcutter! -- I can't stop thinking about this. A thousand gun control laws would not have prevented this massacre. What am I doing?" Michael Moore

October 12, 2002, 10:04 AM	#7
pbarrick Member Join Date: September 19, 2002 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 72	Either one will do but you really want to add a high-powered, compact flashlight (read: SureFire) to your nightstand. It helps you to identify targets, distracts the ones that need shooting and allows you to get hits in low-light conditions with more ease. 7 rounds of .357 or 18 rounds or 9mm? The 9mm would be my choice because of the ability to put more rounds on target in a shorter amount of time (less recoil). More rounds impacting the nipple-sternal notch triangle faster equals higher survivability for the defender engaging the Bad Guy. As for missed rounds, .357 or 9mm will go through interior structure walls easily and it doesn't do much to solve the problem. Perfect practice makes perfect. __________________ Paul Barrick Instructor, OPS HQ Options for Personal Security Cutting Edge Training Across the U.S.A. http://www.optionsforpersonalsecurity.com Toll Free 1.877.636.4677

October 12, 2002, 06:13 PM	#8
Mannlicher Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2001 Location: North Central Florida & Miami Posts: 3,209	I hope things are laid out in your home where you know your way around in total darkness. Kids? They are squared away? Those things considered, I would take the shotgun, and skip the flashlight. My Mossy has MMC tritium night sights. I will never be convinced that the flashlight is not just providing a perfect aiming point for the other guy. The most vocal advocates of flashlights are those selling them, or selling the use of them. __________________ Nemo Me Impune Lacesset "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.".........Ronald Reagan

October 11, 2002, 02:15 PM	#2
Blackhawk Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2001 Posts: 5,040	I think you should listen to your wife. That impresses wives because it's so rare....

October 11, 2002, 09:36 PM	#4
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	Agree with gryphon... The one you are most familiar with. I opt for revolver but that's personal. Sam

October 12, 2002, 12:42 AM	#5
weldonjr2001 Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2001 Location: San Antonio, Tx. Posts: 462	Inside mi casa I'd go with the 9mm due to less muzzle blast, noise, and penetration. The higher capacity and quick reload wouldn't hurt either, just in case.

October 12, 2002, 08:49 PM	#10
Don Gwinn Staff Emeritus Join Date: March 9, 2000 Location: Virden, IL Posts: 5,917	Your light should be in his eyes, and if you aren't using it, how exactly have you determined whether he's a threat? __________________ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Don Gwinn: Chicago Gun Rights Examiner

October 18, 2002, 10:55 AM	#11
pbarrick Member Join Date: September 19, 2002 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 72	Mannlicher, I understand where you're coming from about the use of flashlights but I differ strongly in my advocacy of them. Training and an understanding of employment of the flashlight is the key here. In low light conditions, you need to be able to identify the target that you're shooting as a threat. Shooting at shadows is irresponsible and you lose nothing by way of tactical advantage when you use a high-powered light to take their night vision. That would be a definite gain. __________________ Paul Barrick Instructor, OPS HQ Options for Personal Security Cutting Edge Training Across the U.S.A. http://www.optionsforpersonalsecurity.com Toll Free 1.877.636.4677

October 20, 2002, 08:17 PM	#12
45Rookie Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2002 Location: PRK Posts: 217	lights pbarrick- Well said Patrick. You always need a positive ID of what your shooting at. The target could be your teenage kid sneaking back in the house, too afraid of getting into trouble and not responding to your calls. Flashlights do ruin night vision, but proper training and knowledge of them will aid your tactical response. Just my humble opinion. 45R __________________ "Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake." - Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821)

October 20, 2002, 09:07 PM	#13
gryphon Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,069	Are there other "colors" of lights that would be good to have and would not blind the carrier of the light? A buddy of mine said something about a blue prism type light. Would that gain you anything? Or are we OK with the standard MAGlight type lamp? __________________ Your suffering will be legendary, even in HELL!! --- PinHead, HellRaiser 2

October 20, 2002, 11:42 PM	#14
fastbolt Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2002 Location: northern CA for a little while longer Posts: 1,931	Actually, I think Blackhawk hit the nail on the head on this one! ... Besides, if it makes her feel safer, isn't THAT an important part of this equation? As far as answering your question .... Well, I don't have the answer. I've asked myself this very question more than a few nights before retiring. My answer has varied, as the weapon left out for the duty has varied from a small revolver to a large capacity pistol. Sometimes it's the office weapon, and then sometimes it's one of mine ... A few times toward the end of last year it was a rifle... Let me know when you have the answer, will ya?