Model

 
Theses graphs and ranks are by no means authoritative. For that matter they should be considered "For Entertainment Purposes Only". They are the author's attempt to provide relative power/defense information on all of the handguns in the database. Some measurements are absolute, based on standards and using known calculations. Others are entirely subjective, developed by the author. All are "Subject to the Viewer's Interpretation".

All information presented in this section is for the most part relative, meaning that the same calculations are applied to all guns in the database, and the results are ranked against the range from best to worse of all guns measured.

Below are the methods used for calculating the graphs and ranks shown in this section.

Absolute Measurements:

Power Factor
This calculation is based on the IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) power rating of a particular caliber/cartridge, which is determined by simply multiplying the bullet's muzzle velocity in (feet per second) by its weight (in grains).

Power Factor = Muzzle Velocity • Bullet Weight

Data used for all calculations are the average muzzle velocity for a given cartridge as measured by SAAMI(Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute), and the mean bullet weight from the range of bullets available for that particular cartridge.

SAAMI uses a specific barrel length for measuring each cartridge, so an adjustment is made of 2.5% of the test muzzle velocity for every inch difference between the gun's barrel length and the SAAMI test barrel length.

The graph represents the specific gun's power factor compared against the range of power factors for all guns in the database.

Recoil Factor
This calculation is based on a public domain free recoil equation that takes into account the bullet weight and muzzle velocity plus the cartridge powder charge weight and expelling gas muzzle velocity applied against the gun's weight. The result is measured in foot-pounds of energy.

v_gu = {(m_p • v_p) + ( m_c • v_c)} / m_gu • 7000 → Etgu = m_gu • v_gu² / 2 • g_c

Where:
E_tgu is the recoil energy expressed in foot-pounds (ft·lb).
m_gu is the weight of the gun expressed in pounds (lb).
m_p is the weight of the bullet expressed in grains (gr).
m_c is the weight of the powder charge expressed in grains (gr).
v_gu is the total forward velocity of the gun expressed in feet per second (ft/s).
v_p is the velocity of the bullet expressed in feet per second (ft/s).
v_c is the velocity of the powder charge expressed in feet per second (ft/s).
g_c is the dimensional constant and is the numeral coefficient of 32.1739.
7000 is the conversion factor to set the equation equal to pounds.

The graph represents the specific gun's recoil factor compared against the range of recoil factors for all guns in the database.

Total Capacity
This value is the maximum number of rounds that a particular gun can carry. For revolvers, derringers and single-shot guns the database value is used. For semi-automatic pistols with removable magazines, 1 is added to the database value. (i.e. magazine plus one in the chamber)

The graph represents the specific gun's capacity compared against the range of capacities for all guns in the database.

Subjective Measurements:

Concealability
This calculation is entirely subjective and is intended to provide a relative measure of concealability for each of the guns in the database. It is a simple calculation of the overall length of the gun (in inches) plus the weight of the gun (in pounds).

Concealability = Length + Weight

Ranking is based on a range bounded on the high end by the gun with the lowest calculated concealability factor and on the low end at an arbitrary setting of 16. (For example, this could be a gun that is 12 inches in length and weighs 4 pounds.) There are guns in the database whose concealability factor exceeds 16.

The graph represents the percentile that a particular gun ranks compared to the rest of the guns in the database, while the textual rank is represented by a 5-point scale; Very Poor, Poor, Fair, Good and Excellent.

Defense Ranking
This calculation is entirely subjective and is intended to give a relative measure of a gun's ability to provide concealed personal defense. This ranking is based on a weighted combination of the four previous calculations:

Power Factor• 60% + Capacity • 40% + Concealability • 30% - Recoil Factor • 30%

This value is compared against all of the guns in the database and is then represented as a percentile ranking.
(100% = the gun with the highest combined value, 1% = the gun with the lowest combined value)

Again, please remember, "For Intertainment Purposes Only" and "Subject to the Viewer's Interpretation". Please feel free to contact the author with any comments or suggestions.
 

 
Pricing shown is for reference only. We do not sell guns.

"MSR" pricing indicates the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for a new gun.
"Used Est." pricing indicates the average market value of a used gun in "Excelent" to "Very Good" condition.

These two prices basically represent the most to the least you might pay for a new, or like-new model. Typically the price you will pay for a gun will fall somewhere in between, your better value being closer to the Used Est. price than the MSRP price.

REF: NRA "Modern Firearm Condition Descriptions"
Excellent: New condition, used but little, no noticeable marring of wood or metal, bluing perfect, (except at muzzle or sharp edges).
Very Good: In perfect working condition, no appreciable wear on working surfaces, no corrosion or pitting, only minor surface dents or scratches.