LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

A match grade rifle is one using parts machined to stricter tolerances than an off the shelf.

The .45 ACP is used in a 1911.

And the .380 carries FEDERAL HYDRASHOCK JHP rounds and stats show a 70% one shot stop rate.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

SS would most likely wet himself if he ever had to be in the same room with a firearm.

Wrangler Loc: North Texas

Another thing about a 380 is that it is not not as likely to go through a target and hit something unintentionally behind the target. A .45 may penetrate more unintended targets.

I had to go to DFW Airport and drop off a friend. I left the airport and made a wrong turn and found myself on the wrong 4 lane. I noticed an exit sign on the other side of the 4 lane. I changed lanes to get off the exit and make a Uturn. I followed an 18 wheeler down the ramp just in time to catch a red light. I was in the turn lane and the truck was in the straight lane.
The driver said something that I didn't understand, so I rolled down my window and said "I'm sorry. I didn't hear you."
He said, "Why are you following me, mother f er?"
I replied that I wasn't following him I just needed to make a u turn.
He then told me that I was a lying mother f er. I told him that he didn't need to get his panties in a wad. He then jumped out of his truck with a tire tool in his hand and hurried around the front of my car and said, "You better have a big f ing gun!"

I was driving my wife's car and she had her little .380 in the console. I held it up and said, "All I have is this little one."
His eyes got real big, he ran back to his truck and went right through the red light.

I hope I never have to pull out a gun again in self defense.

waldron7 Loc: State of Confusion

Ruger 45cal semi
Taurus 9mm semi
Browning Buckmark 22cal
Ruger 357 Security Six revolver

Once a year if lucky. Indoor range over-crowded.0

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

What WNYShooter described is what is referred to as an NM or National Match rifle in competition circles. I have a couple of those. I don't remember anyone ever referring to his or her service rifle as a "Match Grade AR-15". The common term is something like "match rifle" or "NM rifle" or simply "my AR." Never "match grade AR-15."

So, this leads me to believe that LWW does not, in fact, have an NM rifle. Further his description of "match grade" indicates that it is definitely not an NM AR-15. Now, you can understand my initial question.

So, to follow up on that, I will ask which parts of his rifle does he consider to be "match grade" and why?

I know a little bit about match rifles, so I'm curious is all.

As for CCW, I prefer something in a .357Sig and hope that I never have to brandish, let alone use it.

Texcaster Loc: Queensland

Be warned Peg, LWW is a notorious re-brander.

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

I'm not worried, and it's not a trap. I just like the subject very much and everyone has their way of doing things. I'm always open to learning.

thom w Loc: San Jose, CA

Don't know actual penetration comparison between 45 and 380 but knock down power is vastly different and a 45 really doesn't have that much penetrating ability. I have always thought a 45 was a great city gun, It's stopping power is quite impressive, and you are unlikely to shoot neighbors in their homes. I had a Mauser HSC at one time. It had to be aimed. If you just pointed it you would damage your opponent's shoe every time. I'm sure there are 380s that isn't true of. I once shot a 45 into a phone book. It penetrated about an inch. A 357 shot into the same phone book came out the other side and disappeared.

Wrangler Loc: North Texas

At 15 yards the 45 fan has almost twice the stopping power of a 380. The projectile of a 45 is much heavier and the fps of a .380 is faster. I have never seen anyone shot with a 45 but I have been told by a couple of tunnel rats that a 45 would go right through a person. They carried a 45 when they went into NVA/VC tunnels.

Wrangler Loc: North Texas

I checked out some Youtube videos of .380 vs .45 into ballistics gel. You were right! There is little difference in penetration. The .45 penetrated a little farther and caused a much larger wound cavity but not much more penetration.

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

There are three areas of study in ballistics; internal, external, and terminal. Of the three the last one interests me the least as I am not a h****r nor in the military or LE. As long at the bullet makes a nice round hole on the paper target at 1000 yards, going faster than Mach 1.25, that's all I need to know about terminal ballistics.


Of course, since I'm a competitor, external ballistics have most of my attention. Big 3-day match coming up this weekend. We're going to murder a lot of paper.

Wrangler Loc: North Texas

If you are hitting a target from over 1/2 mile, you are doing some fancy shooting.

Nice job, SIR!

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

120 yards past 1/2 mile, to be exact. But I am not alone in that endeavor; there are close to 100 people competing this weekend; men, women and juniors. We get 400+ at the Nationals and at the Worlds.

The X-ring is 5 inches in diameter. We all use match rifles, not "match grade rifles," and match ammo. Happy to discuss what goes into making a match rifle. (Spoiler alert, it's expensive.)

phcaan Loc: Willow Springs, MO

Awwwww, I could do that easy, I would just have to hike a ways to to get a bead on it

Wrangler Loc: North Texas

Is your name Carlos Hathcock?