DOCSLIB.ORG

Beginner's Guide to Carry Brought to You by Concealedcarryforum.Com

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Beginner's Guide to Carry Brought to You by Concealedcarryforum.Com As the readily accessible owner of many gun forums I get literally dozens of emails each week from folks who request my recommendations on firearms, ammunition, holsters, caliber choices, and questions regarding the defensive mindset and the role it plays in responsible carry. In order to best serve the needs of those who have not yet figured out what works best for them I decided it was time to present my personal recommendations on the forum for future reference. This guide is provided as a starting point only. While not absolute, it is intended to provide solid and proven recommendations to anyone who trusts my opinions. While there may be better choices out there for others, these are the choices that I happen to believe in most and are therefore the best recommendations that I can make. This is not intended to spark debate over what is better than what; it is a simple collection of my thoughts and opinions on what works for carry and what doesn't. Please do not take offense to my recommendations as they are just that; my recommendations based on my opinions formed by formal and informal testing of the products discussed. For example, you may feel adequately protected by a .25 ACP but I cannot in good conscious recommend that particular caliber to anyone in any application. With that out of the way, I'm proud to present: Beginner's Guide To Carry Brought to you by ConcealedCarryForum.com The first thing to learn (which will be demonstrated later) is that in regards to concealed carry, everything is a compromise. You sacrifice caliber for capacity or overall size, features for cost, sight radius for concealability, etc. Get used to this concept now as it will be a factor in every decision you make from this point. There is no perfect gun, there is no magic bullet, and despite my best efforts (in this message) there is no one size fits all. DEFENSIVE TOOLS CALIBER/BALLISTIC SCIENCE This has to be the most heavily debated topic of any given gun related forum. Starting as "9mm vs. .45" during WW2, with many new caliber choices the caliber wars continue to rage. Some believe in big bullets...some believe in lighter, faster bullets with higher simple energy numbers...some believe in shot placement....all are equally mistaken. The potential effectiveness of any bullet in a defensive shooting is always an issue of probabilities that factor in caliber, weight, velocity, shot placement, (resulting in penetration and expansion), and even the physical condition (drugs, rage, size, etc.) of the threat you are attempting to neutralize. You will hear of threats dropping immediately from a .25 ACP and you will hear of threats that continued to fight despite a solid .44 Magnum hit but these are rare exceptions and should never be considered representative in any way of overall stopping power potential. They are nothing beyond extremely rare incidents that have minimal impact on the overall averages used to calculate overall stopping power potential. If you remove the human element (your ability to shoot, for example) and limit your comparison to bullet performance its hard to argue with "bigger is better". Despite lower simple energy numbers, bigger and particularly heavier bullets carry more stopping power potential and this is clearly substantiated in history. Around the turn of the century (1900) the US army replaced the M1873 peacemaker .45 Long Colt revolver with a much lighter and faster .38 Long Colt (in a double action revolver). In 1902 during the American-Philippine war the US Army was sent into battle in the Philippines against the Moros Tribesmen where for the first time they faced enemy soldiers on heavy opiate based drugs of that era. US soldiers emptied their .38 Long Colts into the advancing tribesmen who continued to advance most often spearing and even beheading the US soldier before falling dead from their gunshot wounds. It quickly became obvious that the lighter .38 Long Colt was not up to the job of stopping the Moros Tribesmen. The Army replaced the newly issued .38 Long Colts with the recently retired M1873 Peacemaker .45 Long Colt that was put back into service. Just as it had in the previous century, the .45 Long Colt proved itself by dropping the Moros Tribesmen most often with a single shot (yes, a single torso hit from the .45 Long Colt proved superior to 5 and 6 shots from the .38 Long Colt!). This is documented US history and there is no disputing it. The .45 Long Colt played a crucial role in winning the war, and this directly lead to the development of the .45 Automatic Colt Pistol (.45 ACP) which served our troops equally well through two world and many smaller wars. In and of itself with all else being equal (shot placement, etc.) hitting a threat with a 230 grain .45 caliber slug is not the same thing as hitting that same threat in the same place with a 115 grain . 355" slug despite its considerably higher velocity. With typical handgun velocities at typical defensive handgun ranges bigger simply is better....but how much better is the question, and at what cost? 20 years ago there was significant difference in ballistic performance of the 9mm compared to the .45, but modern ballistic science has brought the 9mm closer to the .45 than ever before. While I still believe bigger is better (you don't shoot elephants with small and fast bullets, you shoot elephants with big, heavy bullets), it's hard to argue with a 147 grain 9mm bullet that penetrates 14" and has been shown to expand to .72" (147 grain federal HST). Although true and accurate, does the example of the Moros Tribesmen mean that everyone should carry the .45? Absolutely not. Although the .45 would serve anyone very well just as it has throughout history, this does not make it the superior choice for everyone. .45 caliber weapons are either relatively large or they have very limited capacity and this limiting factor rules out the .45 for many. To confuse the issue even more, although I firmly believe that all things equal bigger is better, all things are rarely equal when you factor in the human element. Although the 180 grain .40 offers slightly more stopping power potential than a 124 grain 9mm that does not necessarily make it a better choice for carry due to many reasons. If you find the .40 recoil uncomfortable you probably wont be able to hit with it with as much confidence as you would with the 9mm. Capacity is another issue, especially when you factor in cover fire. Is it better to have 8 rounds of .45 in your weapon or 16 rounds of 9mm? The answer to this question will be as unique as the individual in question. The following is a comparison of caliber with my assessment of each round: .22 LR Good: • Weapons are small. • Ammunition is cheap and plentiful. • Adequate as a backup weapon. Bad: • Not adequate as a primary weapon. Notes: - If you carry this caliber for a backup weapon, carry CCI Mini-Mags. .25 ACP Good: • Weapons are small. • Better than nothing. Bad: • Not adequate as a primary weapon. • Not adequate as a backup weapon. • Ammunition is extremely expensive. Notes: - Please don't carry this caliber. I have literally witnessed the .25 ACP knock over Coke bottles at 50' instead of breaking them. .32 ACP Good: • Weapons are small. • Better than nothing. • Adequate as a backup weapon with FMJ ammunition. Bad: • Despite its relative popularity, the .32 ACP is not adequate as a primary weapon. • Ammunition is relatively expensive and choices can be limited. .380 ACP Good: • Weapons are small. • Adequate as backup weapon with FMJ ammunition. Bad: • Despite its popularity the .380 ACP is not adequate as primary carry weapon with any ammunition. • Ammunition is relatively expensive. .38 Special Good: • Adequate as a primary carry weapon in 158 grain +P loads. • Adequate as a backup weapon at standard pressures. • Compact weapons. • Economical to shoot. • Very popular caliber with many great choices in weapons and ammunition. Bad: • Limited capacity (revolver). • Marginal when loaded at standard pressures. 9mm Luger Good: • Excellent as a primary weapon in 147 grain loads or 125 grain +P/+P+ loads. • Ammunition is cheap and plentiful! • Most popular handgun cartridge in the world offering a nearly unlimited selection of weapons. • High capacity even in compact designs. Bad: • Marginal performance from light loads at standard pressure. Notes: - The 9mm Luger has been around a little longer than the .45 ACP and has attained unmatched global acceptance. Most every modernized nation in the world today issues combat side arms chambered for the 9mm Luger. Because the 9mm is considerably smaller and lighter than the .45 the weapons chambered for it are able to carry more rounds, as are the soldiers who carry them. 147 grain loads make the 9mm a truly viable defensive caliber and this is the ammunition I recommend if your weapon will cycle it reliably. If choosing 115/124/125/127 grain loads, carry only +P. 357 Sig Good: • Excellent as a primary weapon. • This round just sizzles - 125 grains @ 1450 fps! • Penetrates hard objects like no other handgun round. Bad: • Ammunition cost literally twice as much as 9mm. • Ammunition selection is limited in most areas. • Generous recoil (relative). Notes: - Were it not for cost, the 357 Sig would be the best recommendation I could make for carry. The US Secret Service chose this round to protect and defend the President of the United States.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Basic Firearm Tutorial by John Kraemer, F-ABMDI April 2009
    A Basic Firearm Tutorial By John Kraemer, F-ABMDI April 2009 Statistics for Firearm-Related Deaths According to a 2005 study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were almost 31, 000 firearm‐related deaths within the United States. Of the 31, 000 deaths, 55% of those deaths were certified as suicides, 40% certified as homicides, 3% certified as accidents, and the remaining 2% were certified as undetermined. A previous study by the CDC covering the years 1993 to 1998 also found that most firearm‐related deaths were again caused by self‐inflicted acts and men and individuals between the ages of 15 and 34 comprised a majority of those firearm‐related deaths. Every medical examiner or coroner’s office across the country has investigated a firearm‐ related death. Depending on your jurisdiction, these types of deaths may comprise a large portion of your caseload or a small portion. Regardless of the number of firearm‐related deaths your office investigates, every medicolegal death investigator must be knowledgeable in the safe handling of firearms, basic ballistics terminology and the parts of a particular firearm, whether it be a semi‐automatic handgun, revolver, shotgun or rifle. General Safety Practices The safe approach to and subsequent handling of firearms is your personal responsibility. Safety is the number one priority when handling such weapons. At any death scene involving a firearm, the death investigator MUST ALWAYS ASSUME THE FIREARM IS LOADED! Most accidental discharges of a firearm are the result of not following safe gun handling practices and failure to use common sense.
    [Show full text]
  • The Governor's Guidelines for Firearms and Scare Devices for Protection
    THE GOVERNOR OF SVALBARD’s GUIDELINES FOR FIREARMS AND PROTECTION AND SCARING DEVICES AGAINST POLAR BEARS Adopted and enters into force on 20.07.2021 pursuant to Act No. 7 of 20 April,2018 relating to firearms, firearm accessories and ammunition (the Firearms Act) and Sections 5-7 and 6-11 of regulation No. 1452 of 7 May 2021 relating to firearms, firearm accessories and ammunition etc. (the Firearms Regulations). 1.Types of firearms 1.1 Rifle - Rifles are permitted to be acquired for use as polar bear protection in Svalbard pursuant to the Firearms Act and the Firearms Regulations - The person applying to acquire firearms for this purpose must meet the general requirements for conduct, sobriety and suitability in Section 15 of the Firearms Act, as well as document "sufficient proficiency" in the use of the firearm in question, cf. Section 5-7 of the Firearms Regulations. - Polar bear protection rifles must use ammunition of calibre 308 or 30.06. An expanding bullet shall be used where the projectile will weigh at least 10 grams and provide an estimated energy of at least 2,200 joule at a distance of 100 meters. Out of consideration for precision, range, stopping power, functionality and reliability in cold conditions, the Governor of Svalbard recommends the use of a rifle as primary protection against polar bears rather than other types of weapons. Acquisition permits for single-handed weapons will only be granted in exceptional cases, cf. Section 5-7 of the Firearms Regulations. Legal basis: Sections 15 to 17 of the Firearms Act, Sections 5-7 of the Firearms Regulations.
    [Show full text]
  • The Pistol in British Military Service During the Great War
    Centre for First World War Studies The Pistol in British Military Service during the Great War A dissertation submitted by David Thomas (SRN 592736) in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MA in British First World War Studies September 2010 1 Contents Introduction 3 Current Literature Review 3 Questions to be Addressed 5 Chapter One-Use and Issue 6 Chapter Two-Technique and Training 11 Accessories 14 Ammunition 16 Chapter Three-Procurement 18 History 18 Army Procurement 19 Royal Navy Procurement 23 Private Purchase 24 Overall Numbers 26 Conclusions. 26 Bibliography 28 Appendix 33 Acknowledgements 37 All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the author. 2 Introduction The British military services made considerable use of pistols during the Great War but it is evident that there is widespread ignorance and poor literary coverage of the weapons and their use. It is proposed to examine the pistol in British military service in the Great War, covering issue and use, technique and training, and procurement. Approximately half a million pistols were procured during the war, making it one of the numerically most widely issued weapons. A number of Corps, including the Machine Gun Corps, Tank Corps, and Royal Flying Corps were issued pistols as personal weapons, as well as extensive distribution in other arms. It is known that pistol use was widespread in trench warfare and critical on occasions. Decorations, including several Victoria Crosses, are recorded as being won by men using them aggressively.
    [Show full text]
  • Home Defense Handgun Recommendations
    Home Defense Handgun Recommendations Kalle often jounce corporeally when osteoplastic Buck equalised bountifully and avers her mandrels. blinksFundamentalism centrically ifand thysanuran unhealable Aldrich Herculie manumit stipple: or wifely.which Urson is constructional enough? Raymund Consider for home defense weapon can come with where people are guns on. In some cases, you can buy install or three defensive shotguns for the price of one tactical rifle. This lever does what again? Thanks so again for money kind words, Brooks! The sound will make aiming position, but part of rentals at home defense rounds in law enforcement interviews, or girlfriend of carbines, you must train. But a home defense of. Nobody should have to thick with that! Also thanks for two free targets. What handgun may want. Never chance a firearm as a bluff; if still have a gun his hand, shower must be prepared to same it at whoever or seeing is threatening you. Ball ammo and handguns? SHTF event or broken End table the medieval as should Know It. If a home defense handguns chambered, i recommend a lightweight handgun is recommended is being in my wife compared them. Hey Stan, awesome to hear! Are perfectly safe will surely like this, also recommend several limitations, recoil of defensive skills, but for defense systems in! Magazine loaded, round chambered. The recommended is there would recommend further statements and grab your inbox plus an event of his weapon in most states have proper hardware like i am. How wonder I Help You Find the example Home Defense Weapon? Eric about not carrying a handgun with it external safety but substantial legal reasons I would be modify the factory safety.
    [Show full text]
  • Reloading for Handgunners
    RELOADING FOR HANDGUNNERS PATRICK SWEENEY RELOADING FOR HANDGUNNERS PATRICK SWEENEY Copyright ©2011 Patrick Sweeney All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechani- cal, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a critical article or review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper, or elec- tronically transmitted on radio, television, or the Internet. Published by Gun Digest® Books, an imprint of F+W Media, Inc. Krause Publications • 700 East State Street • Iola, WI 54990-0001 715-445-2214 • 888-457-2873 www.krausebooks.com To order books or other products call toll-free 1-800-258-0929 or visit us online at www.krausebooks.com, www.gundigeststore.com or www.Shop.Collect.com Cover photography by Kris Kandler Hornaday Cover ISBN-13: 978-1-4402-1770-8 ISBN-10: 1-4402-1770-X Cover Design by Tom Nelsen Designed by Kara Grundman Edited by Corrina Peterson Printed in the United States of America DEDICATION or years, and books now, you have seen dedications to Felicia. Th is book is no excep- tion. Without her life would be diff erent – less fun, less traveled, less productive, and Ffor you the readers, less, period. However, there is an addition. Dan Shideler came on board as my editor for Gun Digest Book of the AR-15, Vol- ume 2. With all due respect to those who labored with me before, Dan was easy to work with, fun to work with, and a veritable fountain of ideas and enthusiasm.
    [Show full text]
  • United States Department of the Interior Geological Survey
    UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY SYLLABUS FOR FIREARMS SAFETY TRAINING Compiled by Michael E. Taylor, Charles D. Blome, Courteney Williamson, and John R. Clark U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado Open-File Report 90-92 This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for conformity with U.S. Geological Survey editorial standards. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement of the U.S. Government. 1990 CONTENTS Page Preface.........................................................................................................................................3 I. Introduction...............................................................................................................................^ II. Firearms Safety...........................................................................................................................5 III. Kinds, Construction, and Function of Firearms.....................................................................9 IV. Elementary Ballistics...............................................................................................................10 V. Gun Handling...........................................................................................................................12 VI. Mental Conditioning for Personal Defense..........................................................................13 VII. Reactive Defensive Shooting (RDS) .....................................................................................17
    [Show full text]
  • The Pre-WWII Colt Super .38 Automatic by Kevin Williams
    Uncommon, but Super: The Pre-WWII Colt Super .38 Automatic by Kevin Williams of the M1905 pistol and .45 ACP ammu- nition. The Browning-designed 1902 was scaled up and strengthened to handle the larger caliber, and the design continued to be tested, refined and developed until the Colt Model of 1911 was adopted as the standard sidearm of the U.S. Army. The Navy quickly followed suit. Colt began offering a commercial ver- Figure 1: an early Super .38. sion of the M1911 in March 1912. Its offi- cial designation was the “Colt Government Figure 2 (below, right): an Model Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45.” The early sales brochure. earlier designs in .38 ACP continued to be sold by Colt, but sales declined through BACKGROUND the 1920s, even though the cartridge had John M. Browning’s first automatic pistol, now com- some solid proponents, such as Major Julian S. Hatcher, who monly referred to as the Model 1900, was for .38 caliber. It thought the ballistics of the .38 were too good to die. was quickly followed by the Military and Sporting Models By 1928, Colt had redesigned the Government Model of 1902, and in 1903 a shortened version was sold as the to fire an improved .38 ACP cartridge and previewed it at Pocket Model. The U.S. Ordnance Department conceded that these pistols “posses[ed] numerous advan- tages over the revolver”1 and bought a limited number of them. However, .38 caliber revolvers proved to have such limited stopping power during the Philippine Insurrection that the Army’s Chief of Ordnance, General William Crozer, ordered Captains John T.
    [Show full text]
  • Calculations of Stopping Power
    Calculations of Stopping Power John Taylor did a study and developed what I have followed most of my life on shooting dangerous game. He called them “Knock Out Values”, hence the term Taylor’s Knock Out values or, TKO. To have a starting point to understanding this one must have the math used for John Taylor’s table. Consider the case of a standard NATO 7.62 × 51 mm cartridge. It has the following characteristics: • Diameter: 7.62 mm or 0.30 inches • Mass: 9.7 grams or 150 grain bullet • Velocity: 860 meters per second or 2820 feet per second The calculation is performed as shown above. 18.1 TKO is not bad for a .308. Here are some examples of TKO factors. The factory loaded cartridges listed I borrowed data and are as follows: 500gr .500 S&W, 1200fps =42.86 450gr .45-70, 1250fps =36.48 370gr .475 Linebaugh, 1400fps =35.15 325gr .480 Ruger, 1350fps =29.77 300gr .405 Win, 2000fps =34.71 260gr .454 Casull, 1800fps =30.22 255gr .38-55, 1650fps =22.84 240gr .44 Mag, 1350fps =19.86 230gr .45 ACP, 885fps = 13.11 200gr .35 Rem, 2100fps =21.06 170gr 30-06, 2850fps =20.76 165gr .40 S&W, 1080fps =10.44 158gr .357 Mag, 1400fps =11.28 150gr .30-30, 2250fps =14.85 115gr 9mm, 1250fps =7.31 85gr .243, 2950fps =8.70 71gr .32acp, 900fps =2.83 55gr .223, 3300fps =5.78 50gr .25acp, 750fps =1.33 30gr .22LR, 1400fps =1.33 1 Now look down near the bottom of the list at the illustrious 5.56mm or .223 has a TKO of 5.78.
    [Show full text]
  • The Ballistic Pressure Wave Theory of Handgun Bullet Incapacitation
    The Ballistic Pressure Wave Theory of Handgun Bullet Incapacitation Michael Courtney, PhD Ballistics Testing Group, P.O. Box 24, West Point, NY 10996 [email protected] Amy Courtney, PhD Department of Physics, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996 [email protected] Abstract: This paper presents a summary of seven distinct chains of evidence, which, taken together, provide compelling support for the theory that a ballistic pressure wave radiating outward from the penetrating projectile can contribute to wounding and incapacitating effects of handgun bullets. These chains of evidence include the fluid percussion model of traumatic brain injury, observations of remote ballistic pressure wave injury in animal models, observations of rapid incapacitation highly correlated with pressure magnitude in animal models, epidemiological data from human shootings showing that the probability of incapacitation increases with peak pressure magnitude, case studies in humans showing remote pressure wave damage in the brain and spinal cord, and observations of blast waves causing remote brain injury. I. Introduction 3) Experiments in animals showing the Debates in terminal ballistics such as light-and- probability of rapid incapacitation increases fast vs. slow-and-heavy debates are dramatic with peak pressure wave magnitude [STR93, oversimplifications of the more scientific COC06c, COC06d, COC07a]. question of whether the wound channel (directly 4) Epidemiological data showing that the crushed tissue) is the only contributor to probability of incapacitation increases with the handgun bullet effectiveness or whether a more peak pressure wave magnitude [MAS92, energy dependent parameter such as MAS96, COC06b]. hydrostatic shock, the temporary stretch cavity, 5) Brain damage occurring without a or ballistic pressure wave can also contribute.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to 9Mm Luger Cartridges
    Introduction to Collecting the 9mm Parabellum (Luger) Cartridge Lewis Curtis [email protected] In the November 1958 American Rifleman, Charles Yust had a three page article on the 9mm Parabellum cartridge which illustrated 27 headstamps and listed 110 headstamp codes, many of which never appeared on a 9mm Parabellum cartridge. I was fascinated by the variety of headstamps and loads and began accu- mulating 9mm Para cartridges at the tender age of 17, and have documented over 9000 different variations. Nobody, to my knowledge has a collection approaching 9000 9mm cartridges. A very good collection that doesn’t include date variations would be about 1000 specimens, and a truly outstanding collection would number over 2500. Note that there are over 1500 different headstamps documented. If a collection includes dates, then it could be expected to be two or three times this size. Origin of the 9mm Parabellum Cartridge The 9mm Parabellum cartridge was originally developed by George Luger, at the German company D W M (DWM). In early 1902, George Luger, through the Vickers Limited offered a 9mm version of his pistol to the Small Arms Committee. In mid-1903, three Luger prototype pistols in 9mm were delivered to the US Army for testing at Springfield Arsenal. These are the first pistols known to be chambered for the 9mm Parabellum cartridge. An additional 50 pistols in 9mm, along with 25,000 rounds of ammunition, were provided the US Army for testing in April 1904. The first evidence of German military interest in a 9mm version of the Luger was in March 1904.
    [Show full text]
  • CLASSIC HANDGUNS: British Enfield/Webley .3
    April 11 Blue Press Section 2 2/14/11 2:57 PM Page 40 40 By John MarshallLASSIC ANDGbeU a betterNS service weapon if the stopping power of p DuringC World War I, Great Britain’sH service the cartridge: couldB ber madeiti sgreater.h Enfieltd/Webley .38 Revolvers of WWII handgun needs had been served by a motley mix Kynoch made some test cartridges with 200- o of .455 caliber weapons, including Colt 1911-pat- grain lead bullets, powered by 2.8 grains of nitro- s tern pistols, Colt and Smith & Wesson revolvers, cellulose powder. These bullets tended to yaw after W Webley semiautos, and Webley revolvers. In the penetration, a desirable feature, and registered a a years immediately following the “Great War,” the 50-yard velocity of 570 feet per second from a 5” R standard British service revolver was the Mark VI barrel. The standard issue cartridge was modeled c .455 Webley, which utilized a topbreak action. on this design, and became known as the .38/200 o When the barrel and cylin- in England. In August 1922, the test committee pro- der were released and swung down, empty cartridges were ejected automati- cally, leaving the cylinder ready for reloading. In 1921, the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield began production of that revolver to supplement its production at Webley & Scott in Birmingham. Its nomenclature was official- WWII-contract ly “Pistol, Revolver, Webley, Mark VI.” It became the standard-issue sidearm for officers, who previ- ously had been allowed to purchase handguns of Webleys were their choice. Although some semiauto pistols had been purchased and issued in the First World War, the Brits stuck with revolvers for use in the postwar marked “WAR FINISH” era, considering them to be more reliable.
    [Show full text]
  • Title of PAPER
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by University of Leicester Open Journals Journal of Special Topics P2_10 Shotgun! Jasdeep Anand, Alex Buccheri, Michael Gorley, Iain Weaver Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH. November 13, 2009 Abstract This paper looks at the stopping power of shotguns as a function of distance from the target and number of shot in the shell. This relationship is determined, and it is found that the stopping power falls off quickly for larger numbers of pellets. Avenues for a more thorough investigation are also suggested. P2_1 Firearms area of the shot, is the velocity of the shot and is the drag coefficient, taken to be 0.5 Introduction for spherical shot [4]. Acceleration therefore A shotgun is a type of firearm that generally is given from Newton’s second law as uses a fixed shell size to fire a number of (2) spherical pellets, known as shot. The number where is the mass of the pellet and a is the of pellets inside is often varied depending acceleration. upon the application. Bird shot (used for bird hunting) uses a large number of shots in each The number of shots in a shell can be shell, while buck shot (used for hunting deer) expressed as uses fewer shots in each shell. (3) The stopping power of a shotgun is not where n is the number of shots, r is the radius universally defined. However for the purpose of the spherical shot, M is the total mass of of this article we will refer to it as the total the shell and is the density of the shot, kinetic energy of the pellets.
    [Show full text]