There has been a lot of good advice given so far and I am not going to contradict any of it. I am however, going to add my opinion that the bottom line as I understand it is that there is no magic bullet. This especially applies to all handgun calibers. There are only well placed shots and misses. If you do not land well placed shots with any handgun round, your target is not going to stop being a threat. In addition to this, there is no accounting for the mindset of the adversary. When wounded, some people seem to just lay down until they die or get help, others seem to fight until they physically just can't anymore. So, in addition to landing well placed shots, my plan is to continue to do so until the threat is obviously neutralized.357 wrote:I am in the process of purchasing a sub compact handgun for business and home protection. I just finished the CHL class which was awesome. I passed the shooting with a 9 mm, regular size (that was the first time I had shot a pistol). I've been told so many stories about the 9mm vs the 40 cal. What kind of information can you guys give me concerning this. I'll be purchacsing a gun in about 2 weeks.[/b]
Thanks
357
My eldest son has recently completed five years of active duty service with the US Army, 3rd Infantry Division, including two combat tours in Iraq. He once saw an insurgent take three rounds center mass from a .50 caliber machine gun. He said the guy's entire torso was nothing but pink mist. However, although apparently fatally wounded, the insurgent's will to fight was so great that he still dragged himself to his RPG and got off an aimed shot at a Bradley fighting vehicle. To end that story, the RGP did not penetrate the Bradley's armor, and the Bradley finished the insurgent and the surroundings with a hail of 20mm HE rounds from it's cannon.
On the other hand, if you happen to be one who believes the Bible (like me), David dispatched Goliath with one shot in the caliber of a rock.
So, my point is, what you shoot isn't nearly as important as how well you shoot it. I doubt anyone serious about concealed carry would try to CC a .50 caliber anything, but I have an eye witness account of how even a machine gun in that caliber, a weapon that has been a mainstay of the US military for generations, was insufficient to immediately stop one guy committed to doing harm.
Again, the conclusions I've reached from all of this is to carry what I shoot well. Practice so that if I ever need it, I will shoot it well. And, if I ever do need it, I plan to continue landing well placed shots until the threat is no longer moving.
For me, my carry weapon is a CZ-75 D PCR, which is a compact 9mm decocker with a 14 round magazine. I carry it half cocked, 14+1, loaded with Corbon 125 grain +P JHP. I practice at least monthly and feel confident in my ability to defend myself against most anything I can imagine I might encounter. The reason I landed on a compact 9mm when I had the same question you posed is the combination of size (relatively easy to conceal), comfort to shoot, ability to stay on target for follow-up shots, ammo price (yielding more practice sessions) and shot capacity. The reason I landed on the CZ-75 D PCR is that it has a long reputation for being a rugged, reliable and accurate handgun, it fits my hand and natural shot stance very well and it's cost is moderate compared to many of it's competitors. I began to shoot it well with very little coaching or practice and I can put 200+ rounds through it with no discomfort at all in a range session.
I have shot .38, .40 and .45 guns and other guns in 9mm. There are many fine handguns out there. I agree with the advice previously given that you should try many and go with one that you shoot well. Some ranges have a rental fleet of handguns so that customers can try several. Some folks know folks that have several different guns. Either way works. But always remember, several rounds in the X-ring with just about anything is going to be far more effective than several misses with anything else.