What Shot Size, Smallest Carry Caliber & Blood Alcohol

Following are a series of great questions from student and friend, Doug.

Eddie,

QUESTION: For a concealed firearm, what is your opinion: Carrying an expensive (i.e. Kimber) vs.a less expensive (i.e. Taurus) if is broken-in prior to being placed in-service.  Is the reliability that much greater to warrant the additional expense?

ANSWER: There is no advantage to carrying an expensive 1911 let's say Kimber, Springfield, Les Baer, Ed Brown that costs from $1,000.-$3,000. as opposed to a Taurus or Springfield or Para GI type that all run in the $600.-$700. range. A 1911 is a 1911 is a 1911 is a 1911. I've seen several Hi Point semi auto pistols (the latest at Cactus Builders) in .40 and .45 calibers that functioned flawlessly and were plenty accurate. They retail from under $200.

I haven't found many firearms from the "major" manufacturers to need any break in at all lately, Doug. They only need for us to familiarize ourselves with them at the range. That goes for me too. The Taurus That I bought following your lead, worked fine straight out of the box and all I've done is order a spare magazine from Taurus (it does take a specific one) as after-markets aren't available for the "P" model same goes for holsters but they are coming.

The truly custom shop guns all come with a recommended "break in". No I don't believe their price warrants any more reliability as the "majors" guarantee and warranty their pistols straight out of the box or as issued. Great deals out there for a great deal less money.

QUESTION: what shot do you recommend for a 12ga. riot gun for use w/in a house?

ANSWER: I believe the best rounds are #7 and #8 bird shot and Hornady TAP loads as they guarantee no over penetration. Bird shot Doug, gives a fist sized pattern out to 20 or 25 yards in short barreled fighting shotguns like your Benelli or my Remington 870 express police. Bird shot for sure will not over penetrate.

QUESTION: What is the smallest caliber you would recommend for a concealed carry?

ANSWER: A wiser man than I once said he carried a .45 because "they don't make a 46."
Nothing less than 9mm is my personal recommendation and whatever the largest caliber you can consistently shoot and hit with.

The smallest handguns I carry regularly are as you know Doug a Sig P226 in 9mm and a S&W model 19, .357 magnum with a 2 1/2" barrel loaded with +P+ hollow points and in 9mm the Winchester Ranger or Federal Hydra Shok or Hy Shok 146grHP (I believe).

QUESTION: Scenario: Say a person is returning from dinner w/ his wife, a firearm is in the vehicle, and:

• blood/alcohol is greater than 0.00 but less than 0.08?
• greater than 0.80?
• do the police have the right now to forcibly draw blood or breath-test?

ANSWER: There is no such thing as a legal limit of alcohol consumption in regards to concealed handguns and licensees. Any trace amount of alcohol is reason for weapon seizure and suspension (at least) of the CHL. The no refusal blood drawing from suspected violators of DWI or DUI is now working it's way through the appeals courts and Superior Courts and District Federal courts.  As I write this, several states under 4th, 6th, 14th amendments to the Constitution and will certainly be knocked down as unconstitutional. Even Federal Law Enforcement realizes that. States and their Highway Patrols in general knew that when they pushed for it in their states at all jurisdictional levels, but they did the old DWI/Insurance checkpoints until it was ruled un constitutional. Still got convictions until the ruling though.

Thanks Doug, good ones


Get in those questions and comments.  I love to hear from you,

Your Instructor... Eddie