13 comments

  1. I won’t cavil over the caliber findings, but the 410 and 22 rifle conclusions have some large implicit assumptions.

    The 22 rifle conclusion assumes you only have it for shooting humans. I’d guess you really have it for small game, and you’d also have a defensive handgun on you.

    The 410 revolver conclusion assumes you’d get the same muzzle energy of the longer barrel of the shotgun and the shooter could control recoil for a follow-up shot. I don’t know whether those two assumptions are true or false, but they strike me as large.

    1. Yeah, if you’re talking “survival gun,” a .22 rifle with a thousand rounds is a lot better choice than a 5.56 with a couple of hundred, at the same weight.

  2. Greg does good work. His blog, Active Response Training is well worth reviewing. Especially his weekend knowledge dump, a summary of firearms and prepping news. The original handgun study was posted to his blog for those who want to look at data.

    A general conclusion is that ammunition matters more than caliber. Emphasis on bullet performance over velocity, assuming sufficient penetration. Main point is carry what you shoot well and use appropriate ammunition for the intended job. Key point is to deliver acceptable accuracy at speed.

    My experience is that M882 9mm ball, M193 and M855 5.56 ball all work best with multiple rapid hits. None are one shot stops at outdoor distances.

    Most hunters know that ammunition choice matters most in terminal performance. Bird shot is no good for turkeys or bucks.

    Like most things in life, gear is no substitute for skill and hard earned experience.

  3. I am puzzled by the notion of “bugging out”. Where does one “bug out ” to? Does every prepper have a bunker all prepared to survive for some indeterminate length of time? If so, then what?
    The scenarios that people prepare for never seem to be the ones that disrupt our normal routine and throw everything into chaos. Power outages, floods, gas shortages, food shortages, even toilet paper shortages throw everyone into a panic. I don’t understand the thinking behind some of this.

    1. I agree. My only “bug-out” option would be to arrive at Doc Russia’s little Festung (at his invitation, mind you), and pretty much the sole contents of my bag would be food, water, meds and first aid, ammunition, guns and sundry emergency supplies. Lots of each, basically as much as I can fit into a car.
      This heading out for the tall trees is basically nonsense unless you’ve trained for it (SERE, SEALs, etc.) and are strong/fit enough to carry a heavy pack. For the rest of us, we probably wouldn’t make more than a couple miles before lying down to die.

      1. I never had much use for the concept especially now that I have become an old fart. However, there is one scenario that does make sense. House fire. Not a good thing to be standing in the front yard in your pjs or less watching all your stuff burn. So I created a mini bug out bag with wallet (money, credit cards, health insurance card etc), car keys, meds I can’t do without short term, spare glasses etc. Then I stashed clothing etc in my vehicles.

  4. A rehash or an update to Evan Marshall’s and Gene Sanow’s seminal study?
    At the time, they concluded a 4 inch .357 revolver with 125 grain hollow points was the king of one shot stops. Of course, improvements in bullets and other tech may have changed those conclusions.
    http://stoppingpower.net/

  5. A rehash or an update to Evan Marshall”s and Gene Sanow’s seminal study?
    At the time, they concluded a 4 inch .357 revolver with 125 grain hollow points was the king of one shot stops. Of course, improvements in bullets and other tech may have changed those conclusions.

  6. I swear I posted a link to Ellifritz’s stuff on another thread here, months ago.

    But I couldn’t find it in DDG.

    I feel perfectly fine with my carry guns in .380, .38 Special, and 9mm Makarov. All of which I can shoot well, when in practice.

    Speaking of which, I need to get back to the range.

  7. My life has never been a respecter of averages, means or standard deviations/ distributions… So, I usually just plan for the worst case scenario. I’ve always taken solace in the old school prescription: Choose the most powerful cartridge you can quickly shoot well. I add only “in acceptable amounts.”

    Unfortunately, my days of shooting Controlled Pairs with .40 S&W are long past. My current prescription is to carry a Glockish Wonder-Nine with high-zoot self-defense loads.

    Speaking of which, I need to get back to the range.

  8. When I had guns, I rather liked 38 spesh, I thought that that would do the trick

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