It's an older article from 2010, but I thought it was a good read.
WARRIOR TALK NEWS - When Your J Frame Isn't Enough
WARRIOR TALK NEWS - When Your J Frame Isn't Enough
The bad guys aren’t carrying .22’s, .25’s, or .32’s. The bad guys are carrying the best firearms they can buy or steal.
Combine those facts and you will see that 41 percent of the weapons we seize from criminals are completely non-functional!
Now include the four guns that weren’t fully loaded and the 17 with extremely limited function (no magazines, malfunctioned within the first three rounds, etc.) and take a look at the results. In total, 66 percent of the guns we took from criminals were unable to be fired or could be fired for fewer than three rounds before being empty or experiencing a malfunction!
Good article and he makes a number of valid points. However, the one significant advantage of the j-frame IMO is that particularly in a pocket carry situation, it is far less likely to malf than a subcompact 9.
That is by no means to say that I wouldn't be comfortable with the reliability of the g26 because I am. However, IME a 442 is going to have far less malfunctions than any subcompact auto; particularly when you are talking about carrying it in a pocket which both soaks up lubrication and introduces great quantities of lint and other debris.
Best,
Joe
...which typically aren't very good. Are there scenarios were 5 shots isn't enough? Sure. How likely are they to occur? Not very. Even in the article he's playing what if. Jewelry store owner shoots one robber with 3 rounds, other guy flees. WHAT IF the other guy fought it out. Well, he didn't, and that's pretty typical. The bad guy isn't counting your rounds or thinking, hmmm, he's only got two left, I've got a good chance.
Would one more round make a difference in that scenario? If not, would a standard 6 shot revolver not be too few rounds as well? 8 rounds for a 1911? I don't think many folks here would argue that a S&W Model 60 or a 1911 aren't good defensive weapons. When is it "enough" bullets in the cylinder/magazine?
Let's take a look at this:
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/ccm-columns/features/criminals-and-the-guns-they-carry/
Obviously more rounds is better. Unless you are swimming or on fire, you'll never regret having too much ammo, after all. Being realistic, though, our chances of ever being in an encounter where 5 shots isn't enough is probably in the range of PowerBall odds.
I really don't like that argument and I hear it all the time. If you are going to carry a gun then carry one that will give you the best chance to get the job done. I'm not talking about packing around a Deagle every day, but if someone won't carry a gun just because they can't fit it in their pocket then they are not serious about carrying a firearm.Another guy with a shaved head extolling the virtues of the Glock...What a shock..
I have looked through three bins of police confiscated firearms in the past year and have countless times (over 20 years or so) looked through the police confiscated guns that Kiesler's used to take in from all over the country...Hollywood not withstanding the Raven, Lorcin, Jennings, (and some useless Smith J frames, Charters Arms revolvers etc...), a smattering of high points, and RG german made revolvers seem to be the predominant weapon of use by criminals...I am not saying that some criminals don't have better weapons. I am just saying these are MOSTLY what were found...Suicide weapons are another matter. Mostly Colt and Smith revolvers with heavy pitting on the outside of the barrels while otherwise in nearly unfired condition.
A carry gun should be the gun you will actually carry...For over 60 years the J frame has been a top choice in that role because it is one that most folks will actually carry..It is their choice to not shave their head and carry a wimpy 5 shot revolver and I think in most cases it is enough..The NRA statistics show that 9 times out of 10 the mere presence of a firearm (of any type) stops the confrontation right then...Criminals are like most of us in the sense that they have a job..Their job is stealing from people (at gun or knife point in many cases) and if they feel that they may be shot they know that they will not be able to go to work the next day robbing folks at gun or knife point....
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My biggest problem with carrying a gun during the week is weight. I wear scrubs during the week. If I run into a store after work, I can slip my 642 in a lightweight Uncle Mikes and clip it inside my scrubs pants on the strong side. Doing that with a G26 would be near impossible-that is if I wanted to keep my pants on.
Look into getting a belly band for those scrubs. No pockets needed. If you can't carry at work for whatever reason you can slip even a gun larger than a baby glock in the belly band and a spare mag very easily. I suggest wearing the band so the gun is in the appendix position and right at the waist line. Not actually over your belly. Your scrubs will conceal it no problem there. I can attest to that.
snubbies are only good for one thing - muggings. can ANYone really pattern 5 shots in center mass at more than 10 yards? i really dont think i can, but admittedly ive not tried.
It can be done fairly easily, just takes some practice. I have hit somewhat consistently at 100 yrds with a Smith airweight under the expert tutelage of Dennis Reichard.
while i agree with the premise of the article, in the real world we have to think of a lot more things. am i on a date, where a full frame gun would be unseemly, or in some other situation where a full-size or even compact would be bulky, noticeable, etc.
Well I'm married, so that is not an issue.
hell, if you wanted to cover all bases, including armed robbers at 100yards holding up a store with body armor, why not just pack an M14?
snubbies are only good for one thing - muggings. can ANYone really pattern 5 shots in center mass at more than 10 yards? i really dont think i can, but admittedly ive not tried.