2 Jan 14
“It all depends…”
For my first Quip of 2014, I will talk briefly about trends in serious pistol calibers.
When asked about pistol calibers and guns, and which is ābest,ā Iām reminded of this poetic advice given to aspiring poker players by one of my favorite authors on the subject, John Vorhaus:
āPoker is a challenge, built on tendencies and trends
And many tough decisions, upon which a session bends
So, when Iām asked for advice by strangers, or by friends,
I look them squarely in the eye and answer,
āIt dependsāā
… I am just a politician
Who, waffling, contends
āItās poker, folks. It just depends!āā
After several decades of great popularity, at least among police, the 40S&W is currently losing market-share, to the 9×19!
The 357SIG, which languished for a decade, then suddenly garnered popularity, particularly among state troopers, is now singing what may be its swan-song, rapidly losing ground, again to the 9×19!
The 45GAP, if not still-born, never really got off the ground. Today, demand for 45GAP ammunition, and pistols in that caliber, is close to zero.
The 45ACP retains its popularity, against all assaults, but its cadre of ātrue-believersā diminishes slightly with each yearās passing.
The 380Auto, disdained by purists coast-to-coast, continues to grow in popularity among freshmen, just now deciding to go armed. Are they delusional? Many probably are. But, at least for some, there are few other real choices.
Many of my colleagues, for whom I have much respect, now advocate āstandardizingā on the 9mm (9×19). They are persuaded that the 9mm, with high-performance ammunition, represents the equivalent in stopping power of nearly any other popular, serious caliber, at least any that is commonly carried. Their logic is difficult to dispute!
Texas State Police (DPS), after pioneering the 357SIG, and issuing SIG pistols chambered for that round to its troopers for many years, is now going to the 9mm! Reasons cited are comfort, less wear-and-tear on guns, and cost of ammunition. Other states may follow.
āTrendsā are fickle and unpredictable. Logic and facts often play only minor rolls. As in art, one dies of hunger, or becomes a millionaire, for no other reason than the whim of fashion.
So, when asked about pistol calibers, like John Vorhaus, I usually answer,
āIt all depends.ā
It depends on a personās size, strength, size of his hands, degree of personal commitment to (or even interest in) our Art, fiscal means, lifestyle, likely threats, where/how he lives, what is likely to be most available, personal sensitivity to recoil, noise, concussion… and a host of other factors.
Continuing with Vorhaus:
āFor I canāt give affirmation
To your certain situation
Without better information,
Followed by some cognation,
And some subtitle calculation,
Not to mention computation,
To the point of constipation!
And now, with no more hesitation
Iāll complete your education,
And leave you with this explanation
Though the argument distends,
In the end… it all dependsā
It does indeed! So, make a decision, and donāt look back. Make firm plans, but donāt be too proud of them. Be bold, but cautious; courageous, but not foolish; clear, but flexible; realistic, but not self-indulgent. Donāt con your friends, and donāt con yourself. Think clearly and make sound decisions, and stop worrying about being, nor looking, ācoolā
You came into this world buck-ass naked, and it is fairly certain you will carry nothing out, including titles and status, when you leave. Everything in between is just fluctuation. Get over it. Get used to it.
In the end, weāre all dead anyway. In the interim, let us audaciously take complete responsibility for our own lives and fortune. Let us never give-up and never give-in, and ever go armed.
What caliber?
Take your pick… it all depends!
/John
