Pocket Pistols vs. Medium/Large Semi-autos

Haven't seen a discussion here on this lately, but have noticed an increased interest in pocket-size pistols during the past couple of years.

The author (not me) of the article linked below is a widely respected handgun and force-on-force trainer who lives/teaches over near Bastrop, Texas. IIRC he has a master's degree in engineering (I don't remember what discipline). He's a Master Class shooter in several IDPA classifications and is a Grand Master in two or three IPSC/USPSA divisions.

In other words he knows what he's talking about.

Karl's study Is a Pocket Pistol Enough Gun for Self Defense was published in the USCCA journal several years ago. It's pretty long, so here's the TL;DR conclusion of his study:

Conclusions
Is a pocket gun enough? Data analysis indicates that a five-shot .38 probably holds enough ammunition to handle 70 percent of all likely situations. In the hands of a “low skill” shooter (lacking training beyond the CHL level), the odds of getting acceptable hits are poor; that group averaged 57 percent on the test. When those two probabilities are multiplied to calculate total probability, the result is 40 percent, which isn’t great, but is better than 0 percent (no gun).

Training and skill, whether it’s acquired through practice with the pocket gun or a larger gun, dramatically increases the odds of getting acceptable hits from the low 60s to the mid 90s. Adding capacity to the pocket gun can also improve the odds, but adding capacity is not a substitute for developing skill. Three good hits are tactically and legally preferable to seven bad shots.

The best odds, regardless of skill level, come from carrying the primary, not the pocket, gun, since this overcomes both the capacity and the capability limitations of the pocket gun.

The best solution? Carry a medium or large sized handgun. Train and practice with it until you can shoot a passing score on the Three Seconds or Less drill. Carry that gun as often as you can.
Have a pocket gun, preferably one that holds six or more rounds. Train and practice with it until you can pass the test. Carry it in those situations when no other practical option exists.




Disclaimer: I've trained with Karl, have participated in one of his studies (not this one - the one comparing iron sights, laser sights and red dot sights), and have trained several times with one of the instructors he mentions in the article. So maybe I've drunk too much of the Kool-Aid ???

I'll just sit here and wait on some down-votes.