The host opens the segment by joking about dropping a .22 and immediately notes that modern designs can usually handle dry fire without damage. He then introduces the theme of the video: debunking five widely circulated gun myths, with this episode being part three in the series. Moving into Myth 5, he explains that many buyers assume that if a handgun has a threaded barrel, they can simply screw on any suppressor and expect flawless operation. On the table are several examples: a SAR9 and a SOCOM-style handgun each wearing a Dead Air suppressor, and a SIG Sauer P320 fitted with a Mojave suppressor that is primarily intended for pistol-caliber carbines or rifle-type setups. He explains that most handguns are not designed to run reliably with a long, heavy suppressor hanging off the muzzle unless certain conditions are met. The pistol’s recoil system is tuned for the bare barrel, so when you add a suppressor that effectively turns a 4.5-inch barrel into something that feels much longer and heavier, the slide can struggle to cycle. He removes the Dead Air can to show the Nielsen device, or booster, and describes how the internal spring allows the suppressor to momentarily move independently of the barrel during firing. This brief decoupling keeps the added mass from locking up the system so the slide can travel fully to the rear and then return to battery. He emphasizes that with a proper booster, most service-type pistols will run well, but performance still depends on factors like ammunition bullet weight and whether the gun has been tuned for that specific setup. Without a booster, all of the suppressor’s mass is rigidly attached to the barrel, and many pistols will short-stroke or fail to cycle unless they are specifically set up for that configuration and load. The takeaway is that a threaded barrel alone does not guarantee reliable suppressed function; you must match the suppressor, mounting system, and ammunition to the handgun’s operating system.
The discussion contrasts 9mm and .45 ACP, starting with their obvious size difference: 9mm projectiles measure around .355 inch in diameter, while .45 ACP bullets are roughly .45 inch. The myth claims that .45 ACP is automatically more effective simply because it is larger. The host references modern ballistic testing, including FBI evaluations at the Ballistic Research Facility in Quantico, Virginia, using duty loads such as Hornady Critical Duty. Those tests showed that the FBI’s chosen 9mm load can match or even surpass .45 ACP in overall performance through calibrated gelatin and intermediate barriers. He notes that 9mm hollow points can expand from about .35 inch to roughly .60–.70 inch, while .45 ACP hollow points can grow from .45 inch to close to 1 inch. Despite the difference in expanded diameter, the permanent damage tracks in tissue simulants are very similar when comparing quality modern defensive loads. He also points out that 9mm typically offers higher velocity, lower recoil, lower cost per round, and higher magazine capacity, along with a wider variety of firearm platforms. These advantages can translate into faster follow-up shots and better hit probability for many shooters. The conclusion is that with today’s ammunition technology, 9mm is not clearly inferior to .45 ACP; both can be effective when using well-designed defensive loads, and the choice should be based on controllability, capacity, and shooter proficiency rather than outdated assumptions about caliber size alone.
The next myth addresses the long-standing advice that you should never dry fire a .22 rimfire firearm. The host explains the difference between centerfire and rimfire ignition using a .45 ACP cartridge and a .22 LR cartridge as visual aids. In a centerfire round, the primer is located in the center of the case head, and the firing pin strikes that primer directly. In a rimfire round, the priming compound is distributed in the rim, so the firing pin must hit the rim area to ignite it. In many older .22 designs, if the chamber is empty and the gun is dry fired, the firing pin can overtravel and strike the edge of the chamber, gradually deforming the steel and wearing the firing pin. Over time, this can lead to misfires or damage. He then points out that many modern .22 firearms, such as the Ruger 10/22 and Taurus TX 22, incorporate a firing pin stop or similar feature that prevents the pin from contacting the chamber face when no cartridge is present. On these designs, occasional dry fire is generally safe and is even recommended by some manufacturers for practice or function testing. As a counterexample, he shows a North American Arms .22 mini revolver, which lacks a separate firing pin block and uses a design where the hammer directly impacts the rim area. On that style of revolver, repeated dry fire can still damage both the firing pin and the cylinder, so snap caps or dummy rounds are advisable. The key point is that the blanket statement “never dry fire a .22” is outdated; whether it is safe depends on the specific firearm’s design and manufacturer guidance.
This section challenges the belief that smaller-framed shooters should automatically choose the smallest possible handgun to better manage recoil. Using a 9mm cartridge as a reference, the host compares several 9mm pistols: compact models like the Springfield Hellcat and SIG Sauer P365, and a larger Springfield Prodigy. All of them fire the same 9mm ammunition, but the larger Prodigy has more mass, a longer barrel, and a more substantial grip area. He explains that lighter, shorter pistols tend to transmit more felt recoil and muzzle rise to the shooter because there is less mass to absorb and distribute the energy. The shorter sight radius and smaller grip can also make it harder to maintain a solid hold and track the sights through rapid strings of fire. In contrast, heavier, full-size pistols generally soften the recoil impulse and are easier to control, especially for newer shooters or those who are sensitive to recoil. He suggests that if someone is struggling with recoil in a compact 9mm, a better solution might be to move to a softer-shooting caliber like .22 LR or .380 ACP in a reasonably sized platform, rather than simply shrinking the gun while staying with 9mm. Compact and micro-compact pistols are presented as excellent for deep concealment and ease of carry, but not necessarily as the best choice for recoil control or training new shooters.
The final myth focuses on the assumption that shooters with small hands must use small pistols. The host emphasizes that grip shape, contour, and frame thickness are often more important than overall pistol size. He demonstrates this by comparing a full-size CZ P-10 with a relatively slim grip profile to a similarly large Springfield Prodigy with a noticeably thicker grip. A shooter with smaller hands is shown obtaining a full, comfortable purchase on the CZ P-10, with the trigger finger properly positioned and strong support from the off hand. When the same shooter grips the Prodigy, the thicker frame makes it harder to wrap the hand fully around the gun, and reaching the trigger comfortably becomes more challenging. This side-by-side comparison illustrates that two full-size pistols can feel very different in smaller hands depending on grip design. The host concludes that hand size does not automatically dictate a subcompact or micro-compact pistol. Instead, shooters should handle and, if possible, shoot a variety of models—including full-size options—to find one whose grip shape, thickness, and control layout allow a secure, comfortable hold and consistent trigger press. The real priority is fit and controllability, not simply matching overall gun size to hand size.
Loading...