My take is that, if forced to use it, there will be so much adrenalin in your system you could fire a lightweight snubby chambered in .500 S&W and not notice.
The primary purpose of a conceal-carry piece is just that, concealed carry. I want the meanest, nastiest, most effective caliber that will fit in the gun frame, wrist discomfort upon intended use be damned. Asking friends to bring me another ice pack is a far cry from the inconvenience of carrying my casket.
Brad
That was how I used to reason. Not sure I agree with the reasoning anymore, despite owning a .357mag titanium snubby my own self.
0. Subjective perception of recoil under the influence of adrenaline/stress is one thing. BTDT. But the objective reality of .357mag loads from a lightweight package is another thing altogether.
1. The differences between practice hardball and social JHP for a .45ACP are minuscule relative to the differences between practice & social ammo for .357mag lightweight snubbies (where velocity can more than double; ke=0.5*m*v^2; p=m*v).
2. I have experienced differences of more than 12" POI at
7 yards switching from .38spl to .357mag ammo from the same lightweight snubby at the same shooting session. Once with a Taurus Ti snubby, once with a S&W Ti snubby. (All quality factory ammo.)
3. I think this is not just the physics of a higher velocity bullet and time in bbl before exiting the muzzle. I think that even large fellows with not inconsiderable grip strength must bow to the physics of the situation and acknowledge that the shooter is being pushed around enough such that POI is profoundly influenced.
4. Even if one accounts for the shift in POI and corrects for it (aim high/low), the practice derived is teaching yourself the wrong thing if you practice enough. [See the PR terrorist vs Truman incident for how this plays out where the SS agent, used to practicing with .38spl tgt wadcutters, misses making an instantly incapacitating shot on a PR terrorist due to the POA/POI delta between practice & carry loads.]
5. A sure, dry grip on the weapon can not be assumed. Recoil on the edge of manageable, with the addition of liquids, is a recipe for slipped/lost grip. Or with the addition of haste and an imperfect grip.
Anyways, the above has influenced my
thinking on the practice load/carry load for lightweight snubbies. My own
practices have changed a bit, too.
0. Practice ammo is nearly the same mass & velocity as carry ammo. Or
is my carry ammo if I am feeling spendy.
1. That cuts into the number of rounds I can send downrange (reaching limits of pain to limb and/or wallet).
2. I do much more dry firing with my snubby. Such is greatly aided by the CT laser grip, which is a terrible tattle-tale, making sure one and all present see all imperfections of grip, aim, trigger pull, breathing, etc.
