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Old February 14, 2011, 10:22 PM   #1
Biff Tannen
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the ULTIMATE self defence question, ever!!!

BIG HYPOTHETICAL HANDGUN SD SITUATION:

In a dark alley, a deadly assailant tries to do you in at close range!
With your gun in reach, you have time for ONE QUICK SHOT, CENTER MASS!

Yes, I agree in advance: "Placement Is Everything"... However, with this one shot you have to save your life, there is no time for accuracy, and you can only aim for the chest and hope you can stop him in one shot!

He is average height and weight.
He is wearing a denim jacket and flanel shirt.

THE BIG QUESTION:
What gun and what ammo would you choose, with the WEIGHt LIMIT of approx 16 oz loaded?!?!
(sorry but...Have to put a weight limit on it... Need to weed out responses such as "Id strap a cannon to my back!")





HINT: Do you go for penitration or expansion?!
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Old February 14, 2011, 10:40 PM   #2
orionengnr
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There is no handgun that runs 16 oz loaded that I would trust my life to, especially as your scenario is framed (one shot).

That is why I made the commitment to carry a somewhat larger, heavier gun in a caliber that I have more faith in, and that I can shoot well.

As I type this, I have a Commander-sized Kimber on my hip. I know I can shoot it pretty well, I have faith in the .45acp in a quality JHP, and I am willing to put forth the effort to carry it or something equivalent.

First runner-up is my Kahr P45, about 18.5 oz empty. I carry it in the summer time when I am wearing minimal clothing. It's little brother, the PM45, trims about 1/2" off each end, and another ounce or two off the weight. But the loss of velocity associated with the shorter barrel and the loss of a round of capacity makes it a questionable trade-off (for me).

Perhaps the closest to your original premise, my Kahr PM9 weighs 14.5 oz empty, and it shoots really well. I pocket carried it every day for 3 1/2 years. But now that I know I can carry a .45 every day, I do so.

Edited to add...if my life is at stake, what makes you think I quit after one round (unless I were already dead?)

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Old February 14, 2011, 10:49 PM   #3
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1 shot, for sure and for real, center of mass stop? Never mind the 16 oz limit, what you are asking for is a phaser, a death ray. Nope, it ain't gonna happen, no handgun fills that bill. Handguns aren't long guns, and they aren't death rays.

That said, I carry my PF-9 with confidence, and loaded up it is right about your upper limit on weight. 9mm, properly loaded and placed on target, is good enough to get the job done. You might find that a lightweight alloy small frame .38 Spl revolver would also get the job done and yet still be under your weight limit. Lighter weight options exist in .32 and .380, but then you are in mouse gun territory.

Quote:
Edited to add...if my life is at stake, why would I quit after one round (unless I were already dead?)
+1. I've got 8 rounds in the PF-9, why would I stop after 1? Just as quick as I could get back on target I'd be pulling the trigger again, until the attacker was stopped or I succumbed myself.
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Old February 14, 2011, 10:50 PM   #4
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I would whip out my zippo size ray gun and vaporize him on spot , One blast and poof he's gone even if a Pinky hit.

Its in the same class as you 16oz loaded pistol.
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Old February 14, 2011, 10:50 PM   #5
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.357 mag. I wouldn't have a larger gun on me, most likely.
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Old February 14, 2011, 10:53 PM   #6
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Quote:
Biff Tannen

THE BIG QUESTION:
What gun and what ammo would you choose, with the WEIGHt LIMIT of approx 16 oz loaded?!?!
For me, none.

I choose to carry a larger handgun.
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Old February 14, 2011, 10:54 PM   #7
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I regularly carry a gun that is 32 ounces unloaded.

Id shoot him multiple times. There is always time.
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Old February 14, 2011, 10:56 PM   #8
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a DA or DA-like 45 with no external safeties. I do not know about the weight.
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Old February 14, 2011, 10:59 PM   #9
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NAA 22 mag

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Old February 14, 2011, 11:01 PM   #10
ClydeFrog
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Commando knife gun...

I agree with the other forum members, the "what if" game is a bust if the limit is a mere 16oz total.
Maybe a super snazzy carbon fiber or Ti diamond carbide knife fired out of a gun like the 1980s action hit Commando may do the trick.

Really, a lightweight .380acp or maybe a new polymer frame .357magnum like the Taurus or Ruger LCR could work.
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Old February 14, 2011, 11:05 PM   #11
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It would have to be the venerable 88 magnum cartridge dipped in fast acting poison... just to be sure.
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Old February 14, 2011, 11:06 PM   #12
KAK
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A 16oz claw hammer!
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Old February 14, 2011, 11:15 PM   #13
Jim March
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Sixteen ounces? You're kidding, right?

My daily carry without fail gun started life at 42oz. It's a bit over that now .
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Old February 14, 2011, 11:17 PM   #14
Biff Tannen
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Quote:
I agree with the other forum members, the "what if" game is a bust if the limit is a mere 16oz total.
The preservation of life, self defence, ballistics, and science are based on "WHAT IFs"...
IF you HAD to choose one gun+ammo combination...?!
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Old February 14, 2011, 11:19 PM   #15
therewolf
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This is just so personal.

I'd go for expansion over penetration.

I CC 9mms and 45s. More than likely, at night, bad place, I'd have the 45.

That weight thing, IMO forget it. If CC means so little to you that you're

willing to restrict the weight that much, maybe you should be carrying a light, or

a knife or something. I'd be much more worried about making the carry

comfortable, as oppose to an exact weight paradigm.
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Old February 14, 2011, 11:20 PM   #16
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I'd pull out my Frank Beltrame black stiletto and with the simple press of a button have four inches of sharpened steel to take care of business. The Romans figured out 2 inches of steel was the minimum needed to kill a man, but I prefer four.
Anywhere to the face or neck and he will definitely wish he had chosen another line of work.
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Old February 14, 2011, 11:28 PM   #17
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Model M&P340, 13.3oz dry, .357 Magnum HP's... point n click. After the first one hit em, you just bought yourself time to squeeze off 4 more
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Old February 14, 2011, 11:32 PM   #18
XD Gunner
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Quote:
What gun and what ammo would you choose, with the WEIGHt LIMIT of approx 16 oz loaded?!?!
Smith and Wesson 340PD with Speer Gold Dot .357 Magnum Short Barrels.

Edit: Sirsloop beat me to it. Great minds do think a like.
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Old February 14, 2011, 11:33 PM   #19
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The 2 smallest guns I have are a 3" S&W 65 and 2 1/2" S&W 66 (confiscated by my wife for her gun). That being said I would use 125 gr. 38 Special +P or 158 gr. 357 Magnum both in jacketed hollow points. I carried the 38 Special +P load as an armed security officer and a police officer for many years and have faith in it.
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Old February 14, 2011, 11:37 PM   #20
Jerry015
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This is too hard to be 16oz loaded your basically gonna have to get a 380 . Even single shot bigger calibers are almost 20oz+ My carry gun is 30oz unloaded lol . But If I had to choose under your what if scenario i would get what XD gunner said S&W 340PD 357 its 11.4 oz unloaded.. . But I don't own one I carry 8+1 Speer 230 gr GDHP 45 acp in a 4" Springfield 1911. One shot this is what I would only have if i only had one shot.
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Old February 14, 2011, 11:46 PM   #21
CLC
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What about that spring loaded russian commando knife? Haha but what about the sig p238.
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Old February 14, 2011, 11:48 PM   #22
Jerry015
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p380 is a 380 =\ nice gun though for fun
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Old February 14, 2011, 11:58 PM   #23
Biff Tannen
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Quote:
XD GUNNER wrote:
approx 16 oz loaded?!?!
Smith and Wesson 340PD with Speer Gold Dot .357 Magnum Short Barrels.
See how XD GUNNER answered?! Now this is a man who isn't afraid to face hard dilemmas!!
Hats off to ya!
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Old February 15, 2011, 12:49 AM   #24
triumph666
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umm i guess a featherweight Smith or taurus 357 mag revolver with One loaded bullet might somewhat fit your bill for a one shot stop but seriously....the only way hes gonna drop instantly is if you shoot him in the face and that isnt easy in a dark alley
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Old February 15, 2011, 12:59 AM   #25
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I'd also have to go with the 340PD--but I'd have it loaded with 158 grain +P .38's.

I have fired that revolver with full snort .357's, and let me tell you this...I have taken my .500 Smith and Wesson (4 inch barrel) to the range, with 50 350 grain bullets, loaded on 45 grains of H110, and fired them all of in a single session. I would rather fire 100 rounds through my .500, than fire TWO magnum rounds through that .340. Two rounds of full power stuff, and my hand hurt for five days.
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