I always carry at least one spare mag, even on the very rare occasion I carry my p30L.

 

^ I can understand the spare mag thought, and I would, but I am thinking along the lines of a armed robbery in my upcoming store. Unlikely, yes, but no way do I not prepare for it.

One of the main reasons I joined the IPSC shooting was for draw and engagement practice at full speed and time.

Hence my thought, most likely my worst case scenario is someone standing within 7 feet of me and armed.

Great big bullets and center mass...

Not arguing one way or another, just like to hear everyones thoughts.

 

7 feet away and you are unlikely to miss. Have you thougth of a 357 magnum revolver? Those are nasty rounds and some revolvers carry 8 rounds...

 

Follow what Brett B said really. Find what is comfortable for you, sometimes less is more.

Like I said, I feel way more safe with my USP on me than I do with one of my 1911s or my CZ52. Since you're allowed 10 max, you're pretty limited and have a valid point with the biggest caliber. But remember, if you can't take a POS down in 10, you can't take him down with 1. So be at the range every chance you get.

 

I just stopped carrying my Glock 26, which is a compact 9mm, due to its weight. I will start carrying a SigP238, which is a .380, which is smaller and lighter than the Glock. The Glock has now become part of the Home Security Force.

 

I am pretty good with my pistol, but obviously never had to draw it and use it under a life and death moment. Thats why I joined. Muscle memory is my friend.

I am not against the 9mm by any way, my thought was 10 of .45 is better than 10 of 9mm?

 

I prefer .45 to 9mm so I personally would stick with .45 over 9mm. Bigger hole and the 230 grain Doubletaps I carry go a tick over 1000fps. I will take 10 of those over 10 9mm of any kind any day

 

It's an interesting question. I'm sure many have their own thoughts, but I would prefer 10 rounds of .45 over 10 rounds of 9mm. The bigger the hole the faster they bleed, but 3 holes may bleed more than 2. Most competant shooters can shoot faster splits with 9mm than .45 due to the recoil differences. So with 9mm you may get more hits center of mass faster than with .45.

But, people tend not to stand still when being shot at. So in a self-defense encounter you may only land 1 or 2 good hits on a badguy before he is behind cover. In that case, I would want the hits to be .45 instead of 9mm.

In terms of hollow points, a .45 expands slightly larger than 9mm. More tissue is crushed and the permanent cavity is larger with .45. Larger bullets often perform better through barriers, and the .45 also seems to expand more reliably after passing through clothing due to the bigger diameter of the "hole" in the hollow point. Is any of it enough to make a difference? Who knows as every encounter is so unique and the performance differences between the two aren't huge.

I like .45 so it's what I carry and shoot. Most single stack .45 pistols are slimmer than double stack 9mm pistols, so I think it's easier to carry the .45 and just have a spare mag on me. When deciding what pistol to take as backup when hunting wild boar most would recommend .45 over 9mm. So my CCW Sig P220 Carry is also the same pistol that never leaves my side in the woods.

 

Glock is my goto, I had 3 different Kimber carry's and while they are great its no the ideal carry gun

 

i roll with this:

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