Was reading something this morning about “speed vs. accuracy”. The article was about not choosing between the two but striving to have both. I would agree with that. However, I still believe there’s ultimately one that can edge out the other for the top spot. Thus this post. I’ve got a list of things and am going to “pick one” and tell you why. This isn’t gospel, just rambling. But I’d be curious 1. what you’d pick and why, 2. if you’ve any other “pick one” situations to share.
Note, this isn’t purely a gun thing, so you non-gun folks are welcome to read on. 🙂
Speed vs. Accuracy
Which is most important depends upon your context. Let’s say self-defense. In that context, both are important: you have to get your shots where you want them to be, but you also have to get them there before the bad guy gets you (or the Grim Reaper comes calling). But I think in the end that accuracy gets the edge. The clichés help here: you can’t miss fast enough, spot placement is king, and so on. I recall some months ago there was an incident here in Austin where some jackass was running around shooting. APD was on the scene, gunfire was exchanged, but what stopped the incident? The officer slowed down, remembered his training, and peeled off slower but more accurate shots. All that fast gunfire didn’t stop it, well-placed shots did. Accuracy has to come first, and you have to get as fast as you can while still being accurate (within whatever range determines “acceptable accuracy” for your context).
Penetration vs. Expansion
Or perhaps better said, depth vs. width.
Again, both of these factors are import when it comes to ballistics performance and “stopping power” of a firearm/cartridge. You need to cut as wide a channel as possible down to the places where it matters. If I had to pick one, I’d pick penetration. A big wide hole doesn’t matter if it can’t get down where it counts; a little hole that gets where it counts will take you further. Of course, this is an oversimplification of the issue, but the point remains that both are important but I’d give the edge to penetration.
9mm or .45 ACP
I chose 9mm because the ammo is less expensive, and shooting a 9mm is (all other things equal) a bit easier to control than .45 ACP. That’s not to say .45 ACP is impossible to control, but again all things equal 9 will be easier to control.
Glock or 1911
I’d pick 1911 since I don’t have one yet. Of course, I don’t have a Glock either, but I don’t want one. 🙂
Semi-auto pistol or Revolver
That’s a tough one. I used to be semi-auto only, but ever since my buddy got me into the snub revolver well… I’m growing a fondness for revolvers. They both have their place. I guess it all depends upon the context.
Ketchup or Mustard
Mustard. Unless I’m at Chick-Fil-A, then it has to be a mix of ketchup and mayo for dipping waffle fries. Mmmmmm.
AR or AK
I’ve got AR’s so I’d pick AK in terms of expanding my library.
Frosting side or Whole wheat side
Frosting, of course.
Fast, Good, or Cheap
OK, this is really a “pick two”. It’s the “Project Triangle” and there’s no one answer. But in life, this tends to be what you have to choose between.
Blonde or Brunette
Brunette, of course! With light-colored eyes.
Which of course leads into the next question, which I’ll just answer: Mary-Ann.
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Ooooh, good one.
Speed vs. Accuracy:
Both. It wouldn’t make sense to use your 50 yard stance, sight picture, breathing (if you could control it, that is), etc. when someone’s trying to kill you from 3 yards a way. Hopefully, you’ve had some training getting the required blend of accuracy and speed for the circumstances, and that comes out.
Penetration vs. Expansion:
Penetration. Expansion is definitely secondary here.
9mm vs 45
45, but I carry a 9mm. I guess I’m a hypocrite. :)-~ Pick whatever platform you shoot best, and then pick the most reliable caliber for that platform. 1911 -> 45, Plastic -> 9mm.
Glock vs 1911
1911, but I’m going to buy my first Glock here pretty soon.
Semi vs Revolver
Depends on what I’m going to be doing with it. Most times the semi wins.
AR vs AK
AR.
The rest:
Mustard.
Shredded wheat sucks either way.
Fast and Good, usually.
Hair color never really mattered that much to me. 99% chance that’s not her real color anyway.
Speed vs. Accuracy – pick one. This is about picking one. Yes they’re both very important, but if you had to make a case for one being MORE important, which would it be and why.
BTW, I was up at GT Dist today. They’ve got those Gen4 Glocks in stock.
And Wife’s haircolor is her real hair color. 🙂
On their website they only have the Gen 4 G22.
I called them only a couple a days ago, too and asked and they had no idea when they would get the Gen 4 G17, hadn’t even got pricing.
Hrm …
I was looking in the knife case. Guy came up next to me and was looking at Glocks and asked “do you have Gen 4’s?” “Yup” and pulled one out of the case. I wasn’t paying any more attention than that.
Oh, and I refuse to pick only speed or only accuracy. :p-~
Wuss. 😉
Speed vs. Accuracy:
Accuracy – getting the first shot off may scare someone but getting where you want it stops someone. I’m not shooting to scare
Penetration vs. Expansion:
Penetration — the vital stuff isn’t on the surface
9mm vs 45
45 — why should someone twice 🙂
Glock vs 1911
1911 — has worked for decades – proven Texas tough
Semi vs Revolver
Semi for bad guys, revolver for bad things
AR vs AK
Either — have none so I would be happy to accept any donation to the “Help Bob make a decision on which is better” Fund
Frosting side or Whole wheat side
Heathen — breakfast is eggs with either bacon or occasionally ham steaks
Fast, Good, or Cheap
Good followed by Fast and Good. I want something that works each time for a long time — cheap often doesn’t get that.
Blonde or Brunette
Redhead — The Wife — she who lets me make her coffee in the mornings — was a redhead when we met.
Why shoot someone twice? Because they need it. 😉 Or like Greg Hamilton said, how can you double the stopping power of any gun? shoot it again. Something like that. 🙂
“bad things”. I like that.
Heathen? Actually I can’t remember the last time I had shredded wheat. But I can remember the last time I had bacon. *grin*
So in order…
You know what Lazarus Long about taking your shots – get your first shot off fast, that upsets him long enough to make your next one matter.
After having had to carry FMJs in the military, and hearing first-hand stories about them, I am all about expansion. Yeah, the vital stuff is down deep, but a 10mm hole in it is not going to stop them, unless you hit some teensy-assed stuff.
9mm at the moment, but that is just because I started out with a 9mm to practice for the military. .45 ACP in the future.
1911. But I have neither.
Semi-auto, but I have a thing for old, peculiar revolvers.
Mustard.
AR. Unless you want to bury it for a century and beat someone to death with it once you dig it up.
Frosting.
Good and cheap. I can wait.
Redhead. But brunettes work too :).
On the first, two, I’d say they both matter. I’m just having fun trying to force people to pick. 🙂
You could kill 2 birds with one stone: buy a 1911 in .45 ACP.
I plan on it. One day when I am not busy buying cars or houses… 😦
Pfft. Houses… they’re overrated. 😉
But hey, that car you have is niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice.