Best SD caliber?

M

Maromero

Moderator
I was fiddling with the idea of standardizing our (me & wife) self defense handguns and calibers with the notion of acquiring new handguns or adding one or two. Question arises as to which caliber is better for the job at a hand.

.45

.44 Magnum/Special

10mm/.40 S&W

.357 Magnum/.38 Special

9mm

Platform is not an issue since I prefer revolvers but don't mind autos. Two guns for home, one for concealed carry. What would be your choice of caliber and handguns?
 
I recommend the 9mm. Plentiful choices of handguns in that caliber and it is fairly easy to learn to shoot well. It is also a proven self-defense caliber.
 
Any caliber will be good for SD, given these criteria:

The "best" gun is the one YOU like, not anyone else. It will be a compromise of:

1. Fit - It should fit in your hand like you were born with it there.
2. Reliability - It should go BANG about 99.8% of the time you pull the trigger.
3. Accuracy - In YOUR hand. It's how well YOU shoot it.
4. Concealability - It should be comfortable enough to wear and easy enough to conceal so you won't leave it laying on the dresser at home.
5. Cost - You don't want to scrimp on your "life protector" weapon, but you probably don't need a $2,000 Kimber, either.
 
It's really too subjective a question to ask. Only you can answer it accurately. What you like and are good with will be completely different from the next person and vice versa. You don't want something too big or too small, but what's too big or too small to you is not the same to a bigger or smaller person than you. You have Keltyke's famous 5 point criteria there before. Go with it, he knows his stuff. Personally I like the .40 but that's just me.
 
Each of those choices requires you to make a trade-off.

More power tends to require more practice to acquire the skill to attain the level necessary to be as competent as with a lower power round.
Generally, with more power you get more tissue damage.
 
Best SD caliber?

I was fiddling with the idea of standardizing our (me & wife) self defense handguns and calibers with the notion of acquiring new handguns or adding one or two. Question arises as to which caliber is better for the job at a hand.

.45

.44 Magnum/Special

10mm/.40 S&W

.357 Magnum/.38 Special

9mm

Platform is not an issue since I prefer revolvers but don't mind autos. Two guns for home, one for concealed carry. What would be your choice of caliber and handguns?
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Most of those you mention are good choices, with the exception of the .44 Magnum. The rest are currently in use or have been used in the past by police forces. Find one you and your better half can practice with enough to be proficient.

Of those you mention, the 9mm is hard to beat. Unless you reload, target rounds are much cheaper than the cost of other calibers and there are lots of good defensive loads for the 9.

The guns the 9mm is chambered in are known for being very reliable, if you stick to the same brands police agencies use.

The guns are often smaller and lighter than guns of larger calibers.

And since this is for both you and your wife, the recoil of the 9mm is not as bad as some of the larger calibers, something women might appreciate.
 
I have no idea what the 'best' SD caliber and pistol are

I never recommend pistols, or pistol calibers, but I decided to start doing it. Why not? I have 30+ years of shooting experience and you don't.:)

Go buy a Glock 19 with at least one spare magazine, also buy a couple hundred rounds of 9 mm ammo from the list below, which ever ones you like the sound of best and function well in your pistol. Don't worry they have all been professionally tested and will all do basically the same thing if you place them well.

Then practice, practice and practice some more. Ideally though you should also get some professional training as well.

Barnes XPB 105 & 115 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Federal Tactical 124 gr JHP (LE9T1)
Speer Gold Dot 124 gr +P JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 124 gr +P JHP (RA9124TP)
Winchester Partition Gold 124 gr JHP (RA91P)
Winchester Ranger-T 127 gr +P+ JHP (RA9TA)
Federal Tactical 135 gr +P JHP (LE9T5)
Federal HST 147 gr JHP (P9HST2)
Remington Golden Saber 147 gr JHP (GS9MMC)
Speer Gold Dot 147 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 147 gr JHP (RA9T)
Winchester 147 gr bonded JHP (RA9B/Q4364)

Glock-19.jpg


The 9 mm is easy to control, effective, has lower cost and often easier to find ammo. You will be well protected and if you like shooting and get to be a good shot then you can explore other pistol, caliber combinations.
 
Some fairly well-versed individuals say that you should carry the largest caliber that you can shoot well.

To me, that makes sense. Worst case scenario is multiple assailants, and in such a case we follow the dinner rule... "everybody gets first before anyone gets seconds".

In such a case, if I can only give one to each recipient, I'd prefer that each be effective. Any of the following would be my first choices: .357, ,45acp, .45Super, .45LC.

I have no problem with .357 sig, .40S&W, 10mm, but I don't reload for any of them and don't currently own any of them.

I also own and have been known to carry .380, 9mm and .38 Spl...however, I am attempting to transition from these calibers to the .357 and .45s.

YMMV, and good luck.
 
I appreciate all the responses but I will try to focus the request. I currently own several handguns and long guns. I've been thinking of standardizing my self defense caliber for me and my wife. Most of my guns have extensive range use except my last three purchases, a Glock 36 which after experiencing failures to feed I lost all faith in (my wife keeps it as her house gun loaded with Rem 185 GS and/or Powerball ammo/no failures with said ammo). I currently CC a Taurus 85 Titanium .38 and currently keep at home a 629 Carry Comp loaded with Corbon .44 Special DPX, which I happen to bring along whenever I have a bad feeling.

As an example I could keep in "duty" the G36 and get me two .45, maybe a full size .45 (example SA, S&W, Taurus, Dan Wesson, ext.) and a 41/2 or 3" for CC, or a revolver in .45.

Same goes for every caliber. Just want your feedback from this vast conglomerate of experience.
 
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As an example I could keep in "duty" the G36 and get me two .45, maybe a full size .45 (example SA, S&W, Taurus, Dan Wesson, ext.) and a 41/2 or 3" for CC, or a revolver in .45.
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.45 ACP is OK, I don't really understand what it is you are after. Every caliber and cartridge you listed in the OP is fine for SD, I use a .44 Magnum sometimes, but most would say its too powerful, but you are using .44 Specials so you have that covered. If you're wanting someone to tell you that one is better than the other, it is just going to be an opinion based on personal preference. I for example prefer the 10 MM, .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .45 ACP and .45 Colt for defense pistols, I like the .44 and .45 best, I'm just in that camp that feels the larger starting diameter the better. Others prefer the 9 mm or .357 Magnum, some the .38 Special and I can't say they are wrong, because I like those calibers too.

Here is the simplest answer, you pick a cartridge from 9 mm-.45 ACP, you pick a pistol, or pistols that you like and can shoot well, it doesn't get any better than that. That is the best SD pistol and caliber, the one you like best.
 
I don't really understand what it is you are after. Every caliber and cartridge you listed in the OP is fine for SD,
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Precisely. I want to standardize one caliber for three handguns destined for SD. The reasons are ammo interchangeability and bulk purchase. Any of those calibers will do the job.



If you're wanting someone to tell you that one is better than the other, it is just going to be an opinion based on personal preference. I for example prefer the 10 MM, .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .45 ACP and .45 Colt for defense pistols, I like the .44 and .45 best, I'm just in that camp that feels the larger starting diameter the better. Others prefer the 9 mm or .357 Magnum, some the .38 Special and I can't say they are wrong, because I like those calibers too.
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Well from your experience you could share (if you wish to) your preference as far as caliber and two handguns in said caliber, one for home protection and general target shooting and one for CC.

What is wrong with requesting your opinion and others based on your/their experiences? I might share them or disagree w/ them, or never previously experience it and might actually learn something or have some light shed on something which warrants a little research:confused:.
 
All right, I usually don't like hypotheticals, or limiting myself to one caliber, but if the pistols were for me and I wanted one caliber and a variety of pistols, I would go with the .45 ACP.

I would have a full size 1911, a Commander size 1911, possibly also a Colt Defender and a Revolver preferably an S&W Model 25/625.

S_W625.jpg


I would probably get a 3 or 4 inch 625 for general carry and SD, or it could fill the target hunting role in 6 inch configuration. The full moon clips are also the fastest way to reload a revolver.

The full size 1911 is also a great carry and home defense pistol, the Lightweight Commander is one of the best carry pistols ever.

If I were going to get a sub compact 1911 in .45 ACP I would get the Colt Defender.

There you have what you asked for those are the revolvers and semi autos that I would prefer if using only one caliber and that caliber would be .45 ACP.
 
they're all best

Your overall concept is flawed. Limiting by cartridge makes no sense; better might be platforms available for all modern 'regularly available' cartridges.

That said, I note every National Guard Armory might have 9x19 ammo stored.....
 
What round can you shoot best? What guns fit you and your wife best? Any of your suggested rounds would make fine SD cartridges, but each offers trade offs as well. I'm not sure there is a "best" that fits everyone the same way although its hard to argue with a .45 or a .357.
 
You left out one very effective combo,40S&W/357sig.In all but single stack guns,all that's required is a barrel swap...
 
Sounds like your wife likes and shoots the 36 well enough to trust it for her house gun. True? If it is, I wouldn't mess with that situation. I'd go ahead and pick out two more .45s.
 
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