A real discussion about caliber

[RonW]

The .32 ACP was the pocket pistol of choice throughout Prohibition. It was the caliber of choice for Europeans, both military & civilian. It was the most popular cartridge during the 20th century, one of the most bloodiest 100 yrs in history yet why is it no longer considered powerful enough for self defense today? It was good enough for the greatest generation yet today we scoff at the guy who carries a .32 for self defense. Most consider .380 as marginal in self defense applications. And forget about even thinking about a .25 auto and many consider using a .22 would be "inhumane". As Americans we are born into a society where bigger is better. Big homes, big cars, Double cheese burgers, & value sized fries and of course....Big Guns. Yes we all heard that shot placement is all that matters. Of course we all heard the saying "Carry what you can shoot well with". Today's topic is. Are we smarter today than our ancestors? Or are we turning into sissies for thinking we need even bigger guns to defend ourselves?

What say you?

[yqtszhj]

I had a paramedic at the shooting range tell me that he had seen more people die from a .22 than 9mm, 40, or 45 because the .22 wanders so much and does ones insides like scrambled eggs. I'll keep my 9mm and .45 though.

[JohnR]

People were skinnier in those days. A .32 didn't have as far to penetrate, to hit a vital organ.

[Scarywoody]

Today there are larger bands of misguided urban dwellers. Higher calibers results in higher body count. In the good old days you just had to stop a scoundrel from scoundrel-ling.

[Bobshouse]

All I can say is they are all better than a sharp stick. A .22, .25, .32, even a .17 will ruin your day.

[RolandD]

People were skinnier in those days. A .32 didn't have as far to penetrate, to hit a vital organ.

Where's the like button when you need it!

[berettabone]

There are many people who carry the smaller caliber firearms today............................................. ....taking things in to consideration, like wound channels, thickness of clothing, taking them off of their feet, etc., I like bigger boolits myself.

[Alfonse]

The .327 Federal Magnum is being touted as a better replacement for the .357 magnum. It also sounds like penetration is not the issue with that .32. There are some interesting tables comparing calibers in the article that folks might enjoy too. Those charts could lead one to believe that my little .22lr is just as effective as my 12 gauge. I wonder how that works?


https://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/357...1-327-fed-mag/

[Rubb]

http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/alter...stopping-power

[OldLincoln]

Seems to me it could come down to what's shooting back at you. If all shot .32 fine, but if my assailant is shooting large at 20' I want something at least somewhat competitive. At 10' in summertime, I s'pose a rock might work. For me I'll stick with my 45 in all seasons.

[Bawanna]

Man after me own heart.

[Bobshouse]

http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/alter...stopping-power

Good reading Rubb, thanks!

[RonW]

http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/alter...stopping-power

I've read this article before & it's probably the best study on the subject... Which brings us back to that shot placement regardless of caliber is more important.


Thanks for posting it...

[b4uqzme]

^^^ agreed. Carry what you shoot well. Carry as much ammo as you can. Carry what is comfortable so that you actually carry it. And practice.

[RonW]

It's interesting that according to his findings the .32acp had a higher incapacitation rate than the .45.... I wonder if that is because of the lesser recoil & therefore more accurate hits?