Effective Shots From True Pocket Guns

[ revised on Mar 21 ]

Sometimes most shots in a sudden handgun fight are misses, or grazing hits.
Hits might first pass through a heavy coat, bone, or safety glass, sometimes
at shallow angles, before causing effective soft-tissue penetration, which is
more important than expansion, fragmentation, or yaw. [per FBI]
A second effective hit on a perp is often necessary; maybe within 2 seconds;
and likewise for any second perp.  Sometimes you might want to penetrate
laminated auto door glass.  (Windshield penetration is for cops while on duty.)

The drag coefficient of a stable bullet in air is an indicator of penetration potential
through solids.  A narrow stable full-jacket bullet has low drag in air, and is more
efficient in penetrating obstructions. They must then have remaining energy to
penetrate soft-tissue at least 5".

Expanding bullets limit soft tissue penetration, and can even prevent penetration.
Yaw (key-holing) reduces energy and penetration, and is no "advantage" unless
there are no obstructions and the target is close. (test those short-barrel guns)


Expanding or flat-nose bullets are not effective from short barrels ( < 2.5")
for 22lr, 32acp, 380acp, and other loads under 180 ftlb (from the actual barrel).

I would never use anything but FMJ in a low-energy pocket gun. (no flat nose)
A 9mm or 357 are different, but they tend to be too heavy and too large.
Maybe a 22wmr from a 4" barrel is good enough for flat/soft points.
(I will test in poplar cylinders someday, using 50gr subsonics if I can get them)

The 25acp should not be chosen for personal defense; it's just too weak through
leather and bone.  A 22lr-rn-hv can be effective if fired from a semi-auto barrel
that is least a 3" long, based on my tests on poplar wood.
           
             -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -
In 380 bullets, the center of pressure during yaw (pressure from air, leather, bone)
is substantially closer to the center of gravity than for the 32acp.
For a given barrel length, the 380 is less stable through all media, and a
short barrel increases this relative instability.

I saw a thread about frequent keyholing from a popular "high-end" pocket gun.
Their product site does not even reveal the barrel length. (which is 2.1").
.

My Carry for Routine Days

Kel-Tec P-32 (G2)  modified for reliability and function, and using S&B fmj.

      Other mods are attached to  https://sites.google.com/site/concealedgun/

Would prefer KT PF-9 or Kahr PM-9, but those are a bit bulky, and 9 is too much for wife.

(Will consider Taurus PT-738, .380 fmj, if it proves reliable in reports, but for me the 380
 pocket guns don't really beat a P-32 when balancing several factors, including noise.)

(I think a 22mag needs a 4" barrel to penetrate coat, bone, and 6" of soft tissue from 10 feet.)

.

Don't Try to Fix SW380 or SW9

(Updated April 2011)
Regarding the ill-fated Sigma compacts with the pinch-release mags . . .
There are other lines of various SW "Sigma" designs still produced;
I don't know about them, just the two models discontinued in 2001.

Around 1995, Smith introduced Sigma Compacts sw380/sw9m, mainly as backup
guns for law enforcement. .I hope LEO is rid of them by now, but they show
up in at least one list of approved backup/off-duty guns.
I hope there was no death or serious wound resulting from failures to fire.

They were cheap, small, and light (14oz empty), with no protruding features,
except the prominent front corners. They were striker guns, like Glock, and
the operation was too similar; they lost a patent suit by Glock.

I bought a used SW380 at a gun show, knowing little except that it was small,
light, easy to rack for my wife, and a name brand. .It has been a major waste
of time to try to make it work, and it's another serious blot on any reputation
Smith still has. [see "The Dark Side of Smith & Wesson" by Chuck Hawks,
Dec 2008. www.chuckhawks.com/smith-wesson_dark.htm]

When I installed a "lighter" Wolf target spring, it was much longer than
the spring that was in my used sw380. This is part of the light-strike problem.
But even with the Wolf spring, and extensive careful work, it will not fire
more than three in six rounds, even after shaving firing pin surfaces that
might drag on the interlock spool, and even after testing without the spool.

I dealt with every conceivable factor in battery, mechanisms, slam-fire block,
and alignments; and I took material off a dozen surfaces, even the impact nose.
I even used a punch to deform a cartridge centering wall to better align primers
with the firing pin.

Smith now has the 380 manual on their website, but they still want you to send
the gun in for striker part replacement. The striker is very light, so if the
assembly is not right, the impact is light. I think the problem is that the
striker, which combines a hammer and firing pin function, is too light, even
without and dirt, grease, or excess drag.

The slide is cast or MIM soft alloy, with a steel breach face cast or pressed
into the soft slide. What I read is that some have been good guns, and others
junk, like mine.
I would not pay ten cents for another one, since it might not fire when needed.
And I am very reluctant to buy another used gun at a gun show, or any Smith.
.

Two Current S&W Recalls.

-- Recent SW 22A pistols UBW0000-UBW9999 and UBY0000-UBY4104 are
being recalled for insufficient headspace, which can result in unintended discharge.
(as posted at the Smith website)

--The Atlanta PD is currently having a trigger fix done on 1,700 of their SW-MP40's.
www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/Atlanta_Police_Guns_Recalled_by_Maker_060909
.

Non-Warranty and The Smell Test

It seems gun makers want to discourage injured gun users from consulting an attorney.
An attorney would know that the feeble attempts in the gun manuals to avoid
liability would not survive common or statutory law (even unique law in Louisiana).
The famous case of the sw460 injury proceeds. Trial of Brown v Smith & Wesson
is scheduled for Sept 28, 2009 in Arkansas Western District Federal Court.
TO: Images on cylinder blast gap.
TO: revolver slowmo
TO: revolver test
TO: Smith 44 test
TO: Mythbusters Episode-122 "…can cause your fingers to be blown off …"


This wording is not pro-customer, and not very "Ruger".
(Maybe no big deal unless the heat treat was goofed up.)

Taurus is not much better ....

.

Revolvers are Reliable, but . . . WATCH OUT ! !

TO : Video of SW-29 44mag revolver at night

Semi-auto pistols malfunction.
Revolvers rarely fail.

Despite HAZARDS raised below:
The carry gun that I recommend
for reliable/ready defense, for the
average user, is a 22 magnum
revolver (full-jacket ammo to avoid
lead "spitting" from the cylinder gap,
and for penetration of barriers).

For always-carry, I might choose:
NAA-HG-M 22magnum.(7oz)
For larger carry, I might choose:
Taurus 941B2UL. (19oz)

……… First ..C A U T I O N
There is an important danger from revolvers that few talk about. .Except for
special revolvers, there's a gap between the front of the cylinder and the barrel.
This allows part of the detonation to escape around the front of the cylinder.
Such side blast includes flame, lead, grit, and gases; and this can get worse with use !

There is a natural temptation to place the free hand at the front of the trigger guard
to support the gun and steady the aim. .Fingers/hands can be BADLY injured !
I "resent" the lack of blast guards/gun-warnings, but producers aren't concerned enough !
TO Article on lawsuit against SW for negligence in design, indicators, warnings.
TO Video of a Smith 460 cannon. . . . count your fingers.
TO Ugly pic of one injury.
TO Another video of Smith 44 mag at night (Flash is tough to record, since the image
is sampled every .033 seconds from the ccd. You can now buy HD at .017 sec interval.)
One reason the danger is not more known is that you can't see it in full light.)

KEEP AWAY from the AREA AT THE FRONT OF THE CYLINDER !.
Lead/powder grit, gases, and fire WILL BURST FROM THAT GAP

(so fast that it takes slow-mo or darkness to see it)

(A shooter on youtube covers that area with paper to test how bad it is on his guns.)

Gap comment from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_10_54/ai_n28027458/
"… .002" is too tight ... lead particles and carbon residue, and the cylinder will
bind against the barrel. … gaps in excess of .006" are too big, contributing
to excessive muzzle blast, lead spitting, and a significant loss of velocity."

From page 12 of a 20-page manual for Taurus single action revolvers:
"The release of excess gases and hot particles from that point are part of the normal
operation of revolvers, and pose no safety hazard to the shooter > if < the firearm is
held in a normal grip and fired at arm’s length." "Never allow other persons to stand
beside you where they might be struck by ejected particles or gases."

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
A very short barrel tends to reduce side blast. Also, you can check the gap between
cylinder and barrel by backlighting the gap. Be sure to rotate the cylinder to all
positions to check the maximum gap. This is a known problem, even on new guns.

.....-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Revolvers tend to be heavier, wider, harder to reload, have more recoil,
and have triggers that can be tough to pull. But they give you at least five
shots when needed (if your fingers don't get in the way of "the gap").
Semi pistols are less reliable, and some are very unreliable.
www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=345373&page=12

If you have a single action option, with just a second to prepare, you can
be ready for an easy trigger pull by cocking the hammer.
This also improves accuracy, since the easy pull helps aiming. (If you don't fire,
then you must engage any hammer/pin safety, and/or rotate to a notch or empty
chamber, and/or carefully decock the hammer.)
There is usually no safety to remember, but many revolvers have devices that prevent
a strike to the hammer from causing discharge (hammer block, inertial firing pin,
recessed hammer, etc). .The top chamber can be left empty to avoid that risk.

…..... Second ..C A U T I O N

If a child finds a loaded revolver, there is a greater chance of a tragic result.
While a semi-auto magazine can be easily removed, and it is not necessary to
have a round in a chamber, a loaded revolver always has a round in a chamber.
Unloading is not so easy, and that also makes the gun less ready.

………- - - - - - - - - - - -
If you are not convinced of the reliable operation of a semiauto pistol, you are
"more ready" with a revolver, as long as you can accept side blast, a tougher
trigger, and cocking the hammer for single-action.
Some 38 revolvers are light and small enough. .But a 22mag (fmj) is powerful,
while lighter and smaller. (even a 17 magnum has good power if you can find one)

For me, the safety risks of revolvers keep me focused on semiauto pistols.
(for routine easy carry, I use just a self-corrected Keltec-32g2, with fmj/tmj euro)
(I will never again buy anything that is Smith & Wesson).

.

Eye and Ear Protection

My ears have had a "ringing" noise for nearly 40 years, mostly
from firing a machinegun without hearing protection.
It's "tinnitus", and it's too common in combat military, active and veteran.

The 7.62x51 ammo was loud, but even a 22 magnum handgun can cause this.
One girl at cc range qualification only had earplugs, and she had to walk out (wisely).

There are "ear valves" that are cheap insurance for those who need to hear
well until they fire a weapon. .If nothing is used for 10 or 20 shots, then
temporary partial deafness can interfere with any urgent situation underway.

At least ear plugs should be used in practice, and only if muffs are not available.
Even some muffs aren't good enough. .If you are firing 357, 40, 45, 9x19, or
similar, you might want to wear muffs over ear valves, or over ear plugs.
And if shooters next to you have loud guns, you will want both muffs and plugs.
(trust me on that; when your hair and shirt shake, ears beware)

Eye protection is mainly for an exploding gun; a result of barrel obstruction,
improper ammo, or gun defects .... but also for flying cases, sparks, and oil.
Shooting an ar15/m16 lefty often results in oil spray to the eyes, but it
happens even with semi pistols that have too much oil)
.

http://www.bradycenter.org/

Need for Background Checks on All Gun Sales

"A new Brady report makes a strong case for Brady
background checks on all gun sales in America,
including those at gun shows."
"Allowing dangerous people such as convicted felons
and domestic abusers to buy guns without Brady
background checks threatens the safety of our
families and communities."

"U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg has introduced
legislation to close the gun show loophole that allows
people to buy guns at gun shows in most states
without passing a Brady criminal background check."
….

" In 2007, 181 officers died in the line of duty,
including 68 who were shot and killed with guns."
....

"The same weak gun laws that are enabling the supply to
Mexican criminals are supplying criminals in the U.S. as well."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
There is an obscene loophole at gun shows. The problem is that
"private collectors" can in some states legally sell pocket guns or powerful
long-range guns with just a brief viewing of the buyer's driver's license.
Cash and carry ... no receipt ... no record of the transaction ...
no barrier for criminals and the mentally-injured.
.

Large Yaw is Not OK.

I've read opinions that short-range bullets which hit a target sideways,
or at some large angle, are not such a bad thing in personal defense.
But while a jacketed bullet can do more damage if it turns in soft tissues,
bullets that must pass through glass, bone, or leather before reaching soft tissue
should be close to nose-forward until that time. This is even more important
for a bullet intended to expand or fragment in soft tissue.

Testing indicates that a 32acp fired from a 2.8" barrel (2.1" rifled length)
will arrive nose first, then tumble in soft tissue, ending up pointed toward
the gun. The center of mass is a bit behind the center of pressure during flight,
but spin prevents tumbling. When spin fades, the center of mass can then
turn forward, reversing bullet direction at the end of penetration.

This path of a stable 32acp (fmj) is as effective as some expanding designs,
even moreso if there are barriers prior to entry into soft tissue.
Also, since the air drag on a small stable bullet is low, and the small nose
concentrates its energy, penetration tends to be better than expected.
(This is consistent with a ballistic armor display indicating that energetic,
wide, and blunt pistol bullets do not penetrate as much as would be expected.)

Concealed guns are very limited by their short barrels, starting with
reduced muzzle velocity. If the rifling twist it too high, energy and
initial stability are reduced, with more yaw at the muzzle, then
possibly serious aerodynamic effects on a wobbling overspun bullet.

But if the barrel twist is too low, the tendency of the center of pressure to
overcome the center of mass increases, and non symmetric forces are not
properly cancelled by spin. (Rifle bullets at long ranges are a wider story,
particularly because vertical drop is very important.)

When a flat-tail bullet separates from a barrel, it gets an unsupported final push
from the powder explosion, likely adding a bit to existing yaw.
It's normal for a bullet from a short barrel to have yaw up to 4 degrees at that point,
which grows if there is aerodynamic instability. To control this, I "gather" that pistol
barrel twist should be between 1-in-12 and 1-in-16, with rifled length 6 times bullet diameter.
(Subtract case length from the breachface-to-muzzle length to get the "rifled length".)

Some popular pistols do not meet these parameters, and I would not trust them
unless there was good evidence that the bullets traveled nearly nose-first to target.
You can check for excess yaw/wobble by firing into heavy cardboard or
light-color foam slabs at 5 to 10 yards. There will be a faint gray smudge
on the cardboard/foam (powder residue); this smudge should be fairly round.
If you can arrange it, use a piece of soft wood for the target, to check for yaw and penetration.
.

Locked Breech vs. Blowback

It's better for a semiauto pistol to have a locked-breech design
(rather than direct or delayed blowback), for both reliability and safety.
If the breech is not in fully-closed "battery", with the firing pin close enough to the
primer, the gun might not fire; and if it does fire without battery, that is dangerous.
A locked-breech pistol can indicate a problem before you attempt to fire.

In physical struggle with a perp, a locked breech will reduce the chance of the firing pin
moving away from the primer due to slide contact with a holster, pocket, or perp.
(shooting from a holster/pocket can save you)

A locked breech also gives the bullet more time to exit the barrel,
and for the chamber pressure to drop, before the breech opens.
A 22magnum revolver is a powerful and reliable choice for those who want simple safety.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headspace_(firearms)

"Dry Firing"

Dry firing an unloaded gun without a "snap cap" to take the impact
can deform the areas that stop the firing pin (or striker).
When in doubt, assume that you should not dry fire.
(you should have a colored "snap cap" when shopping for a gun)

If you have no "snap cap", you can take a fired casing and apply
a flexible material over the fired primer, or into the primer well.
(neoprene adhesive or tape works)
.

Some CC Needs

-- Gun should be small enough and light enough for hot humid days,
. . with light ordinary clothing, and for daily carry up to 16 hours.
. . (A "fanny pack" is one option that works with the larger small guns.)
-- Quick one-hand access with accurate first shot that can penetrate
. . auto door glass or a ribcage at ten yards. (little bullet yaw)

-- At least five shots without malfunction, plus loaded mag or revolver speedloader.
-- Indication that the gun is empty, providing some time to evade or reload, or to
. close the slide and bluff. . (slide locks back, or indicator, or last-chamber mark)

-- A semi that almost any adult can rack with wet, cold, and maybe dirty hands.
. . This can be a big hurdle. .I've had to make careful mods for my wife.
-- Rifled length ("barrel length" minus case length) at least 6 x bullet diameter.
. . . (for muzzle velocity, low yaw, aiming) . . This can also be difficult to meet.
. Barrel length is from breach face to muzzle; sometimes less than overall length.
. For 38acp(.36"), "barrel length" must be 2.85" to have a rifled length of 2.16".

-- The "6 x rifled length" is not in stone. I just accumulated indications of yaw
. . reports for various guns, some principles of short range stability, and range
. . tests with my Keltec p-32 to arrive a spec that seems to assure that a bullet
. . will arrive point-first at a barrier within 10 yards before entering soft tissues.
. . Many small guns have shorter barrels, but I would not buy one myself.

-- Avoid hollow/soft points in 17mag, 22mag, 25acp, 32acp . (avoid 25acp whatever)
-- Need range reliability testing for at least 30 rounds after functional corrective work.
.

Practical Concealed Carry

If a loaded CC gun is much more than 16 ounces, or it won't fit in
a box 5x6x1.4", then daily CC will be a problem with light clothing.

Semi-auto (for moderate risk): 32acp (fmj), 32naa (hp), 380acp (fmj).
. . . . . . (for high risk): 9x19mm (fmj/hp) . [357sig guns too bulky]
Revolvers: 17mag(fmj); 22mag(fmj), 32mag(fmj/hp), 38special/+p (fmj/hp)
. . . . . . [ 357mag only if you insist ]

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
22lr, 25acp, 25naa(hp) are too weak from short guns. . And 32acp needs fmj,
a 2.5" barrel, and Fiocchi/S&B/Geco ammo to get 125 ft-lb at the muzzle.
FMJ for penetration of bone, auto door glass, leather, etc. . (25naa is only in hp).

(You can use 38 specials in a 357 revolver for practice and defense; then
you also can carry with a mix of 38's and 357's if you know the 357 locations.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Some CC guns I AVOID: (bullet yaw, energy, hazards, defects, function, glass penetration...)
Keltec P-3AT & p32-g1 (reliability or safety); . Seecamps (bullet yaw, ft-lb);
NAA-32acp (yaw,ft-lb); .25naa(has no fmj); . Ruger-lcp (for now); most revolvers(size/wt);
Smith sw380 & sw9m (waste of money and time); ....

CC guns I might buy :
Keltec p32-g2 (fmj)(modified for function & reliability); 17/22mag revolvers (fmj);
NAA-32naa(magnum); titanium Taurus 357magnum/38spl ....

If you are really short of cash, but just need something, for $90+Fedfee you can
get a Phoenix 22lr semi at a pawn shop, as long as you can test snap caps ($15),
tweak it, fire live (coated) ammo ($.08/ea), and tweak it more until you can fire 50
at a range ($15/30min) without a single glitch.
You need common small tools to tweak the innards. The Phoenix 22 is common
at pawn shops since people often lack mechanical skills to make them reliable.
But with 22lr, you need to put a few on target in a hurry if that day comes.)

Some ammo I avoid : Wolf, reloads, old S&B, military; soft/hollow points .…
.

Ammo Mistakes

Refer to information marked on the gun and found in manufacturer specs
for the proper ammunition. (bullet type is a separate subject)

SOME examples of ammo mistakes …....
If gun is 32 S&W . . . don't try 32acp or 32 Colt.
If gun is 32 H&R Mag . . . don't try 32 Long Colt.
If gun is 32-20 Win . . . don't try 32-20 HV.

If 9mLuger(9x19 para) ... don't try 9x19nato or 9x18mak or 380acp(9x17kurz), etc.
If gun is 9x18 . . . don't try 9 Luger(9x19para) or 380acp, etc.

If gun is the old 38acp(9x23sr) . . . don't try 9 Win Mag, etc.

If gun is 380acp . . . . don't try 38acp.
If gun is 38acp . . . . don't try 380acp or 38super.
If gun is 38 S&W . . . don't try 38acp, 38Colt, 38 Special, 357, etc.
If gun is 38 Special . . . don't try 38acp, 38super, 357, or 9 Win Mag.
If gun is 38-40 Win . . . don't try 38-40 HV.

If gun is 22wrf, 22wm, or 22 WinAuto ... don't try .22 S/L/lr.
If gun is 22lr . . . don't try 17m2 (will fit chamber, but not barrel; and too hot)

. . . . . . but . . . . . .
If .357mag is marked on a revolver, you can also use .38 Spl or .38 Spl+p.
If 22LR is marked on a revolver, you can also use 22Long or 22Short.
(these do not apply to auto or semiauto guns)
There are other possible ammo swaps, but you must confirm
the safety and reliability of the swap before you try it.

Firing ammunition not specified on the firearm can cause serious injury or death.
Sometimes this is due to a bullet stuck in the barrel from a weak load, or from
water/debris in the barrel.
If you don't know that a barrel is clear, you should first clear the chamber
before checking the bore for any blockage.

When in doubt, I choose fmj (full jacket) or tmj (total jacket), and no-lead.
Full/total jacket feeds more reliably, and is more likely to reach internal organs
(not such an issue if you are shooting 357 or 9x19).
Speer is one source of tmj, which reduces lead vapor for leo-volume practice.
Tmj or no-lead is best for any indoor shooting.

SLAMFIRE - 2

Slamfire and dropfire are real risks for pistols if improperly designed,
modified, handled, or maintained. (This includes Glock and others.)
I regularly check the movement of a firing pin using my finger, or a probe,
to sense free movement, and check for a firm spring return.

If I want to make a rough check on my firing pin system, I place a piece
of black tape on the back of a metal snap cap (dummy round), or on a fired
empty cartridge case, then chamber the test item, letting the slide slam shut.
I check the tape for any dent. . A tiny dent "might" be acceptable.

Then I drop the gun three feet onto the muzzle to a firm, not hard, surface.
Then I again check the tape for a dent. Finally, I pull the trigger to check
for a normal-looking dent.

- - - - W A R N I N G - - - -
On some Keltec pistols, the firing pin retaining screw is a headless setscrew
that moves toward the centerline of the pin, and if tightened at all, it can lock
the firing pin in a dangerous forward position.
http://tinyurl.com/be4kjo
It's normal to hold the pin forward as the setscrew is adjusted to retain the pin,
and if free movement of the pin is not then checked, a slamfire can occur,
which can empty the magazine ... while the muzzle rises after each shot.

KTOG.org censored a warning on this hazard. . It was deleted by TxCajun,
who also claimed that a test confirming the hazard was an illegal alteration,
when it was actually just a natural error made possible due to poor KT design.
TxCajun should hope that this hazard does not result in a death or injury.

www.1bad69.com/keltec/droptestresults.htm
www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1157994707
www.e-gunparts.com/forum/readit.asp?qt=84663&cat=7
.

SLAMFIRE - Post 1

From KTOG.org in the section for KelTec P-11 & P-40 ...
Re: Firing Pin Question ...... 06/13/08 .... by RAT76
Quote from usedbookbrothers .... on 06/12/08:
"The P-11 does not have a free-floating firing pin, right ? ...Well, I had the
slide locked in the out-of-battery position this evening, and noticed that
when Ibturned the gun muzzle-downward, the firing pin drops down and
protrudes about 5 mm from its well. ... Is it supposed to do this?"
.
Response: " Jeremiah, no it is not supposed to do this.
I do believe you have a broken firing pin spring. . It's function is to
hold the firing pin BACK to prevent slam fires & drop fires. …."

------------------------------------------------------
This is one case where the firing pin system became unsafe on its own.
For a detailed article on slamfire, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slamfire

Another example of firing pin risk: a recall notice for a semi pistol
warning about installing the firing pin "upside down". (EAA Witness-style
semi-auto pistol with serial number AE00000 to AE70000)
("immediately field strip the pistol and send the slide assembly to
European American Armory Corp. … will replace the original firing
pin with an upgraded firing pin for your pistol.")
.

PUBLIC LISTING of CC LICENSE HOLDERS

In some states, information on CC licensees is still public information.
www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-04-24-gunpermitrecords_N.htm

And some editors have felt an urge to publish that information.
If those licensed are made public, then anyone knows who does not
have such a license, making them more at risk of being a target of crime.

Having a license publicized can possibly change attitudes of biased employers
and associates. If a battered wife gets a cc license, then the criminal
husband, or ex, can be more prepared if he intends further criminal harm.

If there is a competent system to screen those granted a CC license,
then there should be no excuse for publication.
If that system is not competent, then that system is the issue.
.

WHY CONCEALEDgun BLOG ?

1. With a need to work in an area with a high crime rate, I
decided to again touch a gun for the first time in 35 years.
I recently received a license to carry a concealed handgun.

2. In my search to identify the right gun to carry daily, and easily,
I reluctantly gravitated toward the KelTec P-32, knowing that it had
issues with quality, reliability, power, and use, particularly by my
frail wife, who also has a license to carry.
(second place turned out to be the stronger 22magnum revolver)

3. We both settled on the P-32, with my modifications, after gradually
eliminating the options; considering ease of carry, our needs, ballistics,
marginal effectiveness, and so on. .The P-32, using .32acp full-jacket
Euro ammo, was a difficult compromise, but won out over options that
included guns in .22mag, .32, .38, and 9mm.

4. The .32acp can deliver just 130-150 ft-lb from a mousegun,
with the faster Euro ammo, and a barrel at least 2.5" long.
For those at high risk, it's not good enough. .They should consider
a 22magnum, 38special, 380 acp fmj, or a 9mm. .They could
choose 357, 40, 45, etc; but these have noise and size issues.

5. I was a member of the Kel-Tec owners group (KTOG.org) for several
months, but I learned that there appeared to be an agenda to promote
products and mindsets, and that I could not rely on the information there,
and that safety hazard information was deleted at least once, followed by
empty explanation.

6. The "ktrange.com" site has little traffic, and some members are also
KTOG members who I learned to mistrust. . I needed this venue to warn of
problems in KT pistols and other small handguns, and related equipment,
and to reveal some things I learned about options, problems, and solutions
for small concealed guns, equipment, methods, and related matters.