I can’t believe that it has been almost two months away from the range. Down in the People’s Republic of Massachusetts, I have zero chance to shoot, at least recreationally.
So today I went to warm up muscle memory.
Ruger Max 9. Not my EDC, but my Sometimes Daily Carry. I made a change to carry it with one in the pipe, on safe. My EDC is a double action only with a loooong trigger pull, so I have no compunctions about carrying with one in the chamber. So, just getting used to a change. Today I did 25 yard, two hand, strong hand and weak hand, using the red dot with both eyes open. About 80% hits on steel, which I’ll take as a good warm up.
Let’s look at an initial comparison between .380 ACP, 9 mm Luger, and .357 Sig.
Federal 95 grain FMJ .380 being fired from a 3.75” barrel at 980 fps – 203 foot-pounds of energy.
Federal 115 grain FMJ 9 mm being fired from a 4” barrel at 1180 FPS – 355 foot-pounds of energy.
Federal 125 grain FMJ .357 Sig being fired from a 4.5” barrel at 1350 FPS – 506 foot-pounds of energy.
There’s a good article over at TheGunZone.com from May 2024 that stresses that foot-pounds is not the be all and end all. Bullet design, expansion, shot placement and bullet weight all are equally as important. As a general comparison, it does give some idea of effectiveness, though. With the above numbers, the comparison is just as you would expect.
So let’s assume that each bullet is designed properly – I’d say shot placement is the most important. Can I quickly shoot each at Tueller Drill distance of 7 yards with a two-hand grip and make the hits count? Can I do it shooting dominant hand alone? Let’s take a look:
Looks like both the Max 9 and the LCP group around 2”, while the G32 spreads out a bit.
What’s the takeaway, then? For a tiny mouse gun the LCP shoots accurately enough (although in a sudden unexpected defensive gun use situation, I’d bet that grappling distance is more likely than 7 yards. I think Heinlein described it as “bad breath” distance). Proper bullet design, expansion and 200 foot-pounds of energy should be ok.
Same thing with the Max 9, but twice as many rounds and more foot-pounds.
The Glock? If I am knowingly going into a firefight, lots of bullets and lots of energy. But the final consideration is “which one am I likely to have with me all of the time?”
In real life, I’m a belt and suspenders guy. The LCP is with me always. One of the other two is usually with me as well, depending on season, clothing and perceived threat level. So the answer to the initial question, “How compact is compact?”, is, in my case, small enough to carry concealed.
I’d need to put some height and weight on to carry a 1911 daily. Maybe take a look at the legendary .45 ACP soon.
(* Yes, I hate unloaded weight – not very useful except as a comparison point. Loaded, the G32 comes in at 30.34 oz. and will definitely be a factor in comfortable carrying consideration.)
Yes, some significant size differences. Take a look:
And capacity:
How about concealability?
The G32 is in an IWB holster, the Max 9 in a pocket holster, and the LCP is in a wallet holster. Much has been written about concealed carry, and it is very much an individual choice. IWBs are uncomfortable to me. Being in the frozen north, I can carry pretty much any handgun I want in an OWB holster underneath a jacket. I do that for both the G32 and the Max 9. But the tiny LCP in its wallet holster fits inside my back pocket, or a cargo pants pocket, or a jacket pocket. And it just does not print, other than being shaped like a wallet.
What it comes down to is the ease and comfort that will encourage you to carry every day. With the LCP, I do.
We’ll take a look at more variables tomorrow, as well as effectiveness of the round. I mean, I can carry a literal peashooter very comfortably, but it won’t do the self defense thing. Is the short little .380 ACP adequate to the task of being my EDC? And can I hit anything with it?
KatNap Fever! 