The Bigger the Gun, The Better Mentality.

The Bigger the Gun, The Better Mentality.

One of my pet-peeves when discussing home defense weapons is the caliber (size of bullet). The funny thing I find about this discussion is that most guys that discuss this issue always seem to bring up the same point, “knock down.” I’m almost tired of hearing that term. Knock down refers to the ability of the round (bullet) being able to fully neutralize, or “knock down” an attacker.

My point of a 9 mm is usually scoffed at or laughed at because the 9mm is a relatively small round compared to the .45 or .357 guys like to talk about. Well, opinions are as varied as the stars in the night sky but the question still remains, which caliber is best for “knock down”?

Well, I’m not going to give you my opinion because I believe a woman should use a weapon she feels comfortable and proficient with. I do however, believe that “knock down” is not necessarily needed, you just need to stop an attack. Besides, a 9mm can kill a grown man just as easily as a .45 hollow point if the shot is fired at the right place. Dead is dead if the attacker is shot in the head with a 9mm or a .45 hollow point.

I know a 9mm probably won’t knock a 275 pound man down in my living room at 3 in the morning, but two or three shots will. Even if the intruder is not killed, the shock of being shot will definitely make him stop his attack. Four or five will definitely take him down.

Another thing I consider when discussing caliber size for home-defense is that, not only will a larger caliber “knock down” an intruder, it will also probably continue through the intruder and possibly through a wall where someone else could be hit. A larger caliber will also make a bigger mess when it tears through a human body. Now you may wind up with a dead intruder and a bloody mess along with large holes in your walls.

Let’s look at a home intrusion from an intruder’s perspective for a bit. An intruder in a home usually has two intensions, steal things from the home, violate someone in the home, or both if the opportunity arises. Once inside, the intruder will try to be as quiet as possible to avoid detection. He’s not expecting an armed homeowner or at least hoping to avoid any armed occupant. Should the armed homeowner detect the intruder before the intruder detects her, the homeowner has the element of surprise on her side.

Once the encounter is made, the intruder reacts in shock since his adrenaline is already pumping. The next thing the intruder hears is a loud gun blast that is intensified by the silence in the home. The next split second, he’ll feel a slight punch somewhere on his body then a warm sensation. Half a second later, he’ll realize he’s been shot but doesn’t yet feel the full effect due to the adrenaline. His next reaction will be an involuntary reaction to extend his hands out in self-defense. His body will go into self-preservation mode and try to get out of the line of fire and flee.

In his haste to retreat, he could lose his balance and trip due to his disorientation in the dark, shock, and adrenaline. Once on the floor, the intruder could hear another loud gun blast, another punch to his body

and the warm sensation. His hands will go up again in self-defense towards the sound of the gun fire. His mind is now focused on survival, he doesn’t want to die, he just wants out of the house!

The first bullet entered just below the collar bone ricocheted off the collar bone and down into his lung puncturing it while a small fragment grazed his heart. The second bullet entered the side of his stomach where it bounced off his bottom rib, broke up and punctured his liver intestines, and spleen. The fragments have now caused severe organ damage and internal bleeding.

You and your family are safe. You call 911 and report the incident. The police and ambulance are on the way. The intruder will bleed to death internally within 15 minutes, before the ambulance arrives.

The two bullets (caliber) in this scenario were .22 caliber, one of the smallest handgun calibers. Now, was a large “knock down” caliber necessary? You decide. What are you most comfortable with and what is your intention?

Remember, security is not necessarily about knock down but, stopping the attack. If a female homeowner falls for the bigger caliber is better mentality, the key is that she must be fully proficient with that size gun and caliber, no ifs ands or buts about it. Keep in mind that any of the larger caliber handguns are naturally bigger and the slide is harder to pull back for a woman with smaller hands. Another factor to consider is physical factor, with a dark house, adrenaline pumping, tunnel vision, hands trembling, a heavier gun with a stronger recoil may not necessarily be the best thing in that situation.



 

This video clearly demonstrates guys' bigger is better mentality imposed on their wives. Keep in mind that the shooters in the video were expecting the blast. Imagine this happening in a dark room while the female shooter is scared and not in a proper defensive shooting stance.

 

Train and be safe.