Muzzle Discipline

"Don't point the muzzle of a gun at something that you're not willing to destroy."

It's a quote uttered by many who train or teach firearm safety. I have witnessed many people who would call themselves "gun experts" who show blatant disregard for possibly the most important rule of gun safety. If you are at a range and you see someone point the muzzle of a gun at you or someone else, SPEAK UP! Let that person know what they did, and even though they may say something like, "I'm not going to shoot anyone" or "It's not even loaded," you will have made an impression in that person and they may think twice about how they handle their weapon. If a person gets defensive about the issue, it's only because they're embarrassed. You should NEVER feel bad about embarrassing someone that's being unsafe. A possible alternative is someone getting accidentally shot.

I cannot stress this enough - if you see someone acting irresponsibly with guns (anywhere, not only at the range) and they repeatedly make you feel uncomfortable, LEAVE THE AREA. So what if you're not done shooting? So what if you're in the middle of a conversation with other people in the room? There is no reason to risk your life in the hopes that they won't make a critical mistake. There is no reason the barrel of any gun (yours included) should sweep across anything you don't intend to shoot- even if the gun is unloaded- because we've all heard the saying: "Everyone is shot with an 'unloaded' gun."

There's a video circulating right now of a man who was at an indoor range who was trying to see if the laser on his gun was working. He had the bright idea of testing it by putting his hand in front of the barrel. And yes, he did press the trigger, and yes, he did shoot a hole in his hand. These type incidents cause many responsible gun owners to shake their head in shame.

Be alert. Stay safe out there.

9mm vs .45 ACP

Yes. I'm going there. Light and fast vs. heavy and slow. This debate can get more heated than a GOP primary. This is an argument filled with hatred and bias, but it's a fun topic if you're willing to have a civil discussion. I'll be discussing some of the pros and cons of both rounds as a defensive round, then giving you my personal opinion on the issue. I will also be discussing the rounds as if they were fired from the same pistol. Don't worry, I won't dive into history of the cartridges - there's no point. I'm sure anyone reading this will only want to know which is considered "best" and not really care about how it was developed.

9x19 Parabellum - Also known as "9mm Luger" or just "9mm"

Pros:

• Higher velocity than .45
• "Flatter" shooting
• Greater effective range than .45
• Greater penetration
• 9mm magazines generally have higher ammo capacity than .45
• Rounds are less expensive
• Less recoil (depending on weapon size)
• Increased accuracy due to quicker follow up shots
• Universal - can be found most places in the world

Cons:

• Over- penetration (FMJ rounds)
• Not always a "one shot stop"*

.45 ACP

Pros:

• Bigger bullet = bigger hole than 9mm (when comparing full metal jacket rounds)
• Subsonic ammo is great for suppressing
• Safer to be used in close quarters
• Rounds are less likely to over-penetrate walls and endanger bystanders

Cons:

• Effective range is less than 9mm
• Due to lower velocity
• .45 ACP magazines' capacity is usually under 10 rounds.
• Rounds are generally more expensive
• Greater recoil = longer time to re-aquire target

Conclusion:

While some people are shouting at me through their computer screen about the "legendary" stories of the .45 and how it saved their life from a charging Triceratops, others will look at these pros and cons and say something like, "Well, it looks like I have more reason to carry a 9mm over a .45." I share your opinion! While I love the .45 and everything that it's accomplished throughout the years, it just doesn't have as many positives as the 9mm. Especially now with advances in defensive ammo. Recent developments with hollow point rounds means you can have a bullet with equal or greater stopping power as your .45, but have twice the number in your magazine. To me, that's a no-brainer.  

Don't listen to the crazy, biased stories that you may hear when debating caliber. *The truth is, there is no such thing as a "one shot stop" or "perfect" round. Every cartridge performs differently in different scenarios. Plus, if you're in a self defense scenario, odds are you won't stop at one shot. You'll probably end up shooting 2-3 times anyway even if the criminal has already been incapacitated. Shot placement is the most important thing when acting in a self-defensive manner. If you can shoot better with a .45 than a 9mm, then by all means, get a .45! This article is based on condensed and over-simplified cartridge facts. Personally, when I take these facts and pair them with my own comfort level of shooting, 9mm will be my choice every time.

What's your pick? Why?