RAT BIKE, Big Block, and BoBo.
I am not discounting anything. I carried a Revolver as a LEO for 3 years and hidden on my person in the Marines for 3 1/2. I carried one until the 1990s in a different profession (No, I am not going to tell you) . Revolver usage trains you to make every shot count. I was in more then one "Close encounter" in Vietnam, and 6 incidents having to draw a weapon on the Street in Good Old Prince Georges County Maryland. In 3 of them it turned into a for real shooting. In all of them (including one involving a Speedball individual swinging a machete) bullet placement was critical. Discharge Discipline is the KEY.
My belief is as follows: Unless you are The Marines in Mosul, or the 10 Infantry in Iraq, you don't need it. Remember, the reason for the amount of weapon load in Iraq is dealing with the Terrorists. Who happen to carry large amounts of ammunition and spray and pray. Unless and until we have Mad Max, or Grand Theft Auto, or any of the other "Games" in real life on the street, keep the load realistic. Keep the Tupperware Commandos on the TV.
First and foremost, thanks for all of your varied forms of service.
I do not speak from any form of service like you have experienced; thus, my comments hold little weight in the real world.
I have a different kind of experience that has shown me quite directly that in our current day and age the likely hood of two things is at play in what we choose to carry. And, I believe, a big reason why we no longer carry those tried and true revolvers you mentioned. Any of them could more than do the job to be sure.
The likely hood today is that we are facing a BG populace who are going to empty a full 15 round mag in their attempt to inflict harm. This in the case of simple run of the mill BG's on the street today who, like you said, have most of their experience online dumping mag after mag.
In these situations we must try to stay calm and focus, as much as possible, on shot placement which (God willing) will be better than theirs.
Secondarily, I think there is sufficient concern in our current world climate to be respectful of the fact that there are terrorist factions at work around us. These guys are typically arming themselves pretty heavily. Unfortunately, in many of these cases we are bringing a pistol to an assault weapon fight. This is another situation where our only defense will be shot placement and enough to hold out until help arrives if that is possible.
Yes, is the majority of the stuff that happens over in a few shots, sure. People, even BG's, don't like being shot back at. And most are cowards who will fleet at the first sign of any form of resistance. Terrorist, on the other hand, are not going to typically flee. They plan to die for their cause.
Now, do I think that many of us will be faced with a terrorist attack that we will have to respond to. God I hope not! But I am not going to discount it on the off chance that it might happen. Last thing I want to be doing is sitting on my hands with my wife when it hits the fan in a theater somewhere (we go to a lot of movies).
I think the BG and terrorist elements and threat are greater than they have been in the past. It is the sad state of the world we live in today.
Thus, through all of this discussion and after a bit of range time yesterday with my P320 in 9mm config and P225, I am more comfortable than ever with the concept of a few things;
- I am good with the 9mm platform.
- I am happy to run the 17 round P320 Carry config or carry the P225 with an extra mag (also giving me 17 rounds at hand).
Please understand that I mean no disrespect. I come here to hear everyone's opinions, especially those that are not necessarily in line with my own. That is how we learn.
I do not want to discount your opinion as you make many valid points.
Thanks for your input and opinion.
