i guess i am going to have to go look and see what would be comfortable to begin with. then i can start looking at calibers and what not. the range i go to rents guns for free, you just rent the clip and buy the ammo. probably go test fire a 9, 40 and 45 to see which i like the best, then i can see what carries the best.

i know alot of people say a 9mm doesnt have the stopping power that a .40 or .45 does, but how many shots do you really need? IMO i think im a pretty damn good shot, and im shooting center mass anyway if i ever have to draw, $hit you have atleast 10 shots.

 

the .45 will have the most stopping power with the least velocity, ie least accuracy...
the9mm will have the least stopping power with the most velocity, best accuracy...
the .40sw will be a mixture of both....

 

rrasco, letme know when you want to go, I will bring my Taurus and my XD and let you check em out. Which range do you normally go to?

 

My XD and 1911 Mil Spec Springfield's have lifetime warrranties..find that with Glock Hk Baretta or anyting else out there....u wont..and my 9mm XD is dead on accurate...but its just my preference....i get alot more use out of my RR than i do my XD tho....

 

will do. i go to bullethole.

 

45 has the least accuracy???? Funny, I guess all the top IDPA, IPSCand comp bullseye shooters are wrong for using a 45acp, or they could do better... Velocity has noconnection to accuracy, in regards to pistol, only performance. Theres years of debate on what is better. 15rds of 9mm or 10 of 45....A 9mm might expand but a 45 will never shrink........Also in regards to accuracy...with CHL scenarios...your looking at an upper torso at 10, maybe 20 yds tops. And if you can't hit center mass at that distance with anything, you'd be better throwing a rock. A good balance is the 40 S&W, 9mm like capacity with 45 like performance, and almost every pistol out there that is made in 9mm or 45 can also be had in 40. +1 on the Mak for a budget pistol. Great shooters.

 

I thought that as well shocktroop. my 45acp is the most accurate pistola I have shot.

Hey cbrfreek I have an Xd 9mm and 1911 mil spec too!! Good combo, I love my springfield armory!

 

we are not talking about comp shooters here...
when it comes to street scenarios i wouldnt want to be taking pop-shots with a .45 hoping to hit someone at 50ft...i would much rather rely on a 9mm....
and yeah, if you only had a20-30ft distance between you and your advisary, a .45 would def do the job....

 

Would you even consider a revolver? I got that little Smith & Wesson 642 .38. It shoots prettyacurately for what I would condiser "close combat situations". Like you said, Rrasco, how many shots do you need? A guy within a handful of yards can get to you in no time. I don't know, I think it is a good idea to try out as many handguns as you can before you decide.

 

I'm sure someones lawyer would have a great time with you when engaging someone at such a distance. Kinda takes the self defense role out of things when talking that far. THE standards in bullseye, which is the extreme accuracy game, are the 38spl and 45 ACP, which has been the case for almost a hundred years.(also maybe 38 super) Unless you can stack all rounds in a quarter at ANY distance than any argument for accuracy is background noise. Everyone likes to talk about street scenarios like they're reliving dragonfighter II or something, c'mon there mall ninja, gimmie a break. All in all, I'd take 2 well placed 22lr over a misplaced 44mag. 9mm is no more acurate than 45 and 45 is no more accurate than 9mm. BUT, and thats a big BUT, the 45 is more consistant and has better charachteristics than the 9mm and is more easily duplicated for performance. Maybe thats why it's been a favorite for so long, long before the kool-aid drinkers showed up.