Proposed handgun article

[nmap]

Gentlemen, I would greatly appreciate your thoughts and comments on a brief article I intend to submit for publication in the monthly newsletter of a small organization. The article can't be very long, so I've glossed over a great deal.

The organization is Mensa (or, more particularly, South Texas Mensa) with a few more than 400 members.

I will quickly concede that I am no expert on firearms and most of you have forgotten more than I will ever know. That said, I would like to encourage the members of the organization to develop an appreciation of firearms and no one else seems willing to do so.

So...for your amusement...

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Choosing a Firearm for Concealed Carry


If you have a permit that authorizes you to carry a concealed handgun, and you choose to make use of that privilege, you face the question of which firearm is best. There is no one answer, and certainly no easy answer. On the one hand, some advocate using the largest caliber available, for example the 45 caliber semiautomatic pistol. Others contend that a smaller weapon is both sufficient and effective. Some consider the 25 caliber semiautomatic pistol, or even a 22 caliber firearm as sufficient. The purpose of this brief article is not to offer answers, but rather to stimulate the critical inquiry that may help you come to an answer that fits your needs.

One of the first choices is between the revolver and the semiautomatic pistol. The revolver has the advantages of high dependability and simplicity. The semiautomatic pistol tends to be flatter, and often offers a greater ammunition capacity. Either firearm can be entirely effective. According to a recent New York police study, about 68% of conflicts involving police required five or fewer shots from the perspective of the officer involved. About 22% required 6 to 10 shots. And 11% involved 11 or more shots (NYPD, 2007). From this, we might conclude that the revolver has sufficient ammunition for roughly 2/3 of the encounters involved.

It is worth noting that the supposed knockdown power of even the largest caliber handgun is not a significant factor. Rather, the important issues are penetration of the target by the bullet and the diameter of the wound. Given the realities of human physiology, this means the bullet should penetrate at least 12 inches into the target. That said, over penetration represents a risk to innocent bystanders and should be avoided (Patrick, 1989).

With due consideration of the foregoing, at least one highly qualified user suggests that the smallest weapon caliber for revolver is the 38 special, with options for semiautomatic handguns ranging from 9mm at the smallest through .40 caliber and up to a .45 caliber pistol (The_Reaper, 2005). Further corroboration is provided a webpage provided by Yahoo (McKay, 2009). These choices may somewhat simplify the decision process, providing a starting point for the new shooter who has not yet decided on the best firearm for themselves.

Whatever choice the aspiring handgun owner might make, the issue of proficiency remains. That can only be accomplished through regular practice. Those who wish to practice are encouraged to participate in the shooting SIG, which meets on the fourth Saturday of each month and is announced in the bulletin.





Bibliography

McKay, L. (2009). Five Best Pistol Calibers Retrieved 03/08, 2011, from http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...rs.html?cat=41

NYPD. (2007). New York City Police Department Annual Firearms Discharge Report. New York, NY: Retrieved from http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloa...rge_report.pdf.

Patrick, U. W. (1989). Handgun Wounding Factors and Effectiveness. Quantico, VA: Retrieved from http://www.firearmstactical.com/pdf/fbi-hwfe.pdf.

The_Reaper. (2005). Concealed Carry Weapons Retrieved Mar. 08, 2011, from http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/...ead.php?t=9449

[plato]

With friendly tongue in cheek......

That would make it our second ammendment privelege?

[Dusty]

lol Mensa

[nmap]

At least it isn't the Nancy Pelosi glee club and choral society...

[ZonieDiver]

I liked the article!

Once upon a time, our company clerk informed me that my GT score qualified me to join MENSA, and invited me to a meeting. I thought I could meet womens. When I got there, I joined a group that was talking about Piri Reis (Turkish admiral long ago - with cool maps). I thought they were talking about PeeWee Reese (Dodger shortstop and later play-by-play announcer with Dizzy Dean and Gurt Gowdy) and joined in the conversation.

I wasn't invited back.

(That story IS true, and I am NOT taking it back even if one of those people shows up and disputes it!)

[Peregrino]

You forgot the most basic CCW truth there is: a Sterling/KelTec/Kahr in your pocket beats a 629 in the safe every time. Everything else is secondary.

[PSM]

Originally Posted by ZonieDiver

I liked the article!

Once upon a time, our company clerk informed me that my GT score qualified me to join MENSA, and invited me to a meeting. I thought I could meet womens. When I got there, I joined a group that was talking about Piri Reis (Turkish admiral long ago - with cool maps). I thought they were talking about PeeWee Reese (Dodger shortstop and later play-by-play announcer with Dizzy Dean and Gurt Gowdy) and joined in the conversation.

I wasn't invited back.

(That story IS true, and I am NOT taking it back even if one of those people shows up and disputes it!)

Dude, common mistake. You thought it was a Menses meeting. BTDT!

Pat

[nmap]

Originally Posted by Peregrino

You forgot the most basic CCW truth there is: a Sterling/KelTec/Kahr in your pocket beats a 629 in the safe every time. Everything else is secondary.

That's a very good point. I'll add it, with the appropriate footnote to this thread.

Thank you!

[nmap]

Originally Posted by ZonieDiver

I liked the article!

Thank you very much, for both the kind words and the story!

[PSM]

nmap,

You seem to be assuming that Mensa members would embrace CCW. Do you know that to be true with your 400? I would have thought that they would prefer to try negotiating until the bad guy is bored to death.

Pat

[nmap]

Originally Posted by PSM

nmap,

You seem to be assuming that Mensa members would embrace CCW. Do you know that to be true with your 400? I would have thought that they would prefer to try negotiating until the bad guy is bored to death.

Pat

(Chuckle) Nooo...I can assure you that most are not at all in favor of CCW. Many are liberal. And yes, most would do their best to talk the bad guy out of it (no pink font here.).

But there are a few who are in favor of CCW, and even a few that practice. The shooting group I mentioned had 5 people show up last time - 3 from Mensa, 2 friends. So, if I can encourage those who have an interest...while, perhaps, annoying the more liberal side...it's all good.

Originally Posted by nmap

(Chuckle) Nooo...I can assure you that most are not at all in favor of CCW. Many are liberal. And yes, most would do their best to talk the bad guy out of it (no pink font here.).
But there are a few who are in favor of CCW, and even a few that practice. The shooting group I mentioned had 5 people show up last time - 3 from Mensa, 2 friends. So, if I can encourage those who have an interest...while, perhaps, annoying the more liberal side...it's all good.

Wait a second... you're telling me, that Texas has liberals? I dont believe it... MSNBC says Texas is all conservative and Rachel Madow would never lie to me

I liked the article by the way, let us know how it goes over.

[craigepo]

I think you should hit them with a little logical antagonism, you know, make them squirm in their seats a little. Challenge their beliefs a little. Drop them into a situation that really happened, and make them think their way out of it.

One of the first attorneys I worked for was a real jackass, but he was a fantastic med-mal defense attorney. Fantastic cross-examinations. His goal for his first question to an opposing physician was to make his mouth cottony, and to increase his heartrate ramp up over 120.

That many smart guys in one room, you've got to screw with 'em.

[Roguish Lawyer]

Originally Posted by craigepo

His goal for his first question to an opposing physician was to make his mouth cottony, and to increase his heartrate ramp up over 120.

I'm still trying to give someone a heart attack. No luck so far. Am I supposed to put that in pink?

[dr. mabuse]

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