Thread: How many people CCW here?

I love shooting my 10mm Colt Gold Cup. Had a Glock G-20 but sold it. Ammo is too hard to come by and too expensive when you find it nowadays. I mainly use 40 caliber. A Glock G-27 being my carry piece when I'm not carrying my 380. I carry the mouse gun when I feel like less weight and bulk. As mavracer on the Firing Line Forum once said, "The .380 in your pocket is better than your .45 at home."

Originally Posted by Phrank

What do members think of the Derringer(s)?

When I am "almost" not armed, I've got my North American Arms Pug, a 5-shot .22 magnum. It's better than what I would have when the 45 is in the safe & a "get off me" gun... They are so small that they aren't very accurate, but Ihave to say that they are very well made. Not going to blow up on you & weigh as much as most derringers, except for those larger caliber ones like Bond arms makes.

I ended up selling off my Delta Elite for that reason...had to load everything as I couldn't find any ammo for it.

This has been a most interesting read.

For myself, a 5-shot S&W Lady Smith .38

Originally Posted by Bruno

Would it be correct to say that the difference in width itself is relatively unimportant, and that the major difference is instead the length of the cartridge and the amount of powder? After all, .44 vs .45 is a rather silly difference in terms of width. or .40 vs 10 mm.

In that case, why make all those different sizes at all? if the only difference between a .44 magnum and a .45 is the casing / powder, why not use a single size bullet with different cartridge lengths?

Its all novelty and marketing. So many times you hear the makers of .40 and 10mm compare their guns and ammunition to the .45 acp and I always ask them why not just buy a 45.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Its all novelty and marketing. So many times you hear the makers of .40 and 10mm compare their guns and ammunition to the .45 acp and I always ask them why not just buy a 45.

Also, and here I am just guessing because I am not a gun person, I would think gun afficionados would consider this stuff a bit like how we consider a 15/16 to be different to an 8/8 - there's nothing in it from a practical point of view, but ....

James.

Guys, I've deleted the last half dozen posts.
Please don't stray into the topic of gun control laws and how they impact you or what you think of them.
Gun control discussion is still not allowed

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Also, and here I am just guessing because I am not a gun person, I would think gun afficionados would consider this stuff a bit like how we consider a 15/16 to be different to an 8/8 - there's nothing in it from a practical point of view, but ....

James.

it's all about the transfer of energy from the moving bullet to the target. Increase barrel length, increase powder charge, make some changes to the projectile design and those will trump caliber increases most any day.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Would it be correct to say that the difference in width itself is relatively unimportant, and that the major difference is instead the length of the cartridge and the amount of powder? After all, .44 vs .45 is a rather silly difference in terms of width. or .40 vs 10 mm.

In that case, why make all those different sizes at all? if the only difference between a .44 magnum and a .45 is the casing / powder, why not use a single size bullet with different cartridge lengths?

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Its all novelty and marketing. So many times you hear the makers of .40 and 10mm compare their guns and ammunition to the .45 acp and I always ask them why not just buy a 45.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Also, and here I am just guessing because I am not a gun person, I would think gun afficionados would consider this stuff a bit like how we consider a 15/16 to be different to an 8/8 - there's nothing in it from a practical point of view, but ....

James.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

it's all about the transfer of energy from the moving bullet to the target. Increase barrel length, increase powder charge, make some changes to the projectile design and those will trump caliber increases most any day.

You have to consider the overall package too. as Nelson says it does ultimatly come down to pure physics, but also the size of the hole can make a big difference too..

There was much hoopla in the 70's about SPEED later during the 90's people started to reconsider Diameter and Weight..

Keep in mind that in a carry weapon the package has to be taken into account, where it is placed on the body, weight, bulk etc: etc:

Flat sided Pistols are in general a bit easier and comfortable to carry over a Bulky thick Revolver, this is why they tend to be more popular for CCW. In the same instance when you start adding horsepower to the cartridge you have to start adding strength to the platform... In the past that meant Steel now with some of the new space age tech things are stronger and lighter... You still don't want to shoot a ton of powder and bullet holding onto a wimpy light weight weapon it isn't really fun I have a .410 Derringer that is the ultimate in power and concealment that I have never carried seriously

The balance is crucial for CCW you want the hardest hitting round that you can carry and handle safely... there is a saying that goes something like this though "The .25ACP in my hand is much more effective self defense then the .44 mag in the gun safe"

Originally Posted by Bruno

Would it be correct to say that the difference in width itself is relatively unimportant, and that the major difference is instead the length of the cartridge and the amount of powder? After all, .44 vs .45 is a rather silly difference in terms of width. or .40 vs 10 mm.

In that case, why make all those different sizes at all? if the only difference between a .44 magnum and a .45 is the casing / powder, why not use a single size bullet with different cartridge lengths?

For someone who is not a 'gun person' it is probably as mysterious as why there are 10/8 razors or 4/8 for none straight razor folks. Why there are razors made with 01 or ATS--34. Aside from the that obvious different functions require different applications, there is the love of experimentation that aficionados have for their vocation or avocations.

Google "wildcat calibers" and you'll see the progressive development of sporting ammunition over the past century. Guys pushing the envelope in trying to fill their particular niche. It could be argued that many of these calibers were redundant but history shows us that some few went from a gunsmith/reloader bench to widespread commercial success.

We, human beings, have always tried to 'build a better mousetrap.' That is why the wonderful 10mm round came to be along with its smaller brother the .40 S&W. If "we" weren't wired that way we'd probably still be shaving with 'cast steel' stub tails ............

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

For someone who is not a 'gun person' it is probably as mysterious as why there are 10/8 razors or 4/8 for none straight razor folks. Why there are razors made with 01 or ATS--34. Aside from the that obvious different functions require different applications, there is the love of experimentation that aficionados have for their vocation or avocations.

Google "wildcat calibers" and you'll see the progressive development of sporting ammunition over the past century. Guys pushing the envelope in trying to fill their particular niche. It could be argued that many of these calibers were redundant but history shows us that some few went from a gunsmith/reloader bench to widespread commercial success.

We, human beings, have always tried to 'build a better mousetrap.' That is why the wonderful 10mm round came to be along with its smaller brother the .40 S&W. If "we" weren't wired that way we'd probably still be shaving with 'cast steel' stub tails ............

I understand part of it, but take .45 and .44.
The diameter differences are almost negligible.
I understand bigger diameters make bigger holes, and there is a 'big hole' vs 'fast bullet' debate. However, a .45 doesn't make a bigger hole than a .44
It doesn't really compare to your 10/8 vs 4/8 comparison.