Preferred handgun caliber for civilian SD

Preferred caliber for civilian (not LE) self defense

  • .380 Auto

    Votes: 4 2.2%

  • .38 Special / .357 Mag

    Votes: 36 19.8%

  • 9mm x 19

    Votes: 41 22.5%

  • .40 SW

    Votes: 23 12.6%

  • .44 Special / .44 Magnum

    Votes: 4 2.2%

  • .45 ACP

    Votes: 61 33.5%

  • Other (please specify)

    Votes: 13 7.1%
  • Total voters
    182
C

Cousin Pat

New member
What is your preferred handgun (not shotgun or rifle) caliber for civilan (non LE or military) self defense. This is for a commercial (not hand loaded) cartridge and handgun (revolver/semi-auto) of your choice. This is for your primary weapon, not backup.
 
I like the .40 S&W, but the 9mm and 45acp are also great! I guess it is whatever someone feels comfortable with.
 
I like .38 spl/.357 mag for its diversity; I can load it into a 7 or 8 shot house gun, a pocket gun, or a hunting revolver.
 
I picked the 38, not because I believe its the best round, but its the most practical round for me, that being the best ammo/gun combo in my opinion, and the way I carry, a little pocket revolver (I carry a 642)

Just my opinion on what works for me.
 
What gun I can shoot well?

Not to be flip, but I'd rather have my 642 (which I can shoot well) than a .45 I can't. Alternatively, I'd rather have my Para 12.45 LDA than a .38 or .357 mag that just doesn't point for me.

I've got several carry guns, in a variety of caliber flavors. I choose which one to carry based on other factors - dress, mostly. All of the guns I carry are ones which I can shoot reasonably well, because shot placement is more important than caliber.

That said, I'd rather have my Para, if possible.

Jim Downey
 
380 Auto
.38 Special / .357 Mag
9mm x 19
.40 SW
.44 Special / .44 Magnum
.45 ACP
Click to expand...

You really only have 3 different "calibers" listed (if you round to the hundreths).

I prefer the 38/.357 platform which is going to offer the widest range and multi-purpose versitility, but I'd jump on a S&W .44 Special if I found one while carrying a cash wad. I'm an unabashed revolver fan. For bump in the night duty I think it's nice to be able to point and "click" without having to remember to swipe off the safety.
 
I'd jump on a S&W .44 Special if I found one while carrying a cash wad
Click to expand...

You mean like this one?

Nickgunphotos003.jpg
 
It All Depends On What You Can Handle . Everyone Has A Particular Comfort Zone. ;) for auto 40 sw .revolvers 38. or 357.
 
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Used to be that .40 S&W was my favorite round. But now it is the old work-horse .45 acp. I just love shooting that round.
 
I gotta go with the .45 ACP. I own HD/SD guns in .380, 9mm, .40 and .45. They're all good rounds, but the .45 makes a bigger hole and the stopping power is undeniable.
 
Nowadays I use mostly a 9 mm (Kahr PM9) and two .45 ACPs, a SIG Revolution STX( its full size 1911 type) and a SIG Revolution Compact(its a Commander size slide on an Officers Model frame 1911 type.) Those two are my current favorite SD pistols, but I have various revolvers, Glocks, other 1911s, BHP, SAA, etc, etc that I would feel comfortable using for defense.

Thinking about it though I would say my #1 favorite SD pistol right now is my .45 ACP SIG Revolution Compact, I always thought the Commander size 1911 style pistol offered the best in portability, accuracy and power, but owning and using one with the Commander slide on an Officers Model frame has caused me to rethink that.

My 2nd favorite has to be my Kahr PM9, it is very compact, powerful and accurate.

As to caliber, anything from .38 Sp to .45 ACP is suitable for defense, if it is used in a reliable pistol, that you shoot accurately.

The calibers and cartridges smaller than .38 Special, the .380 ACP, .32 ACP, etc will work for defense, but I personally prefer something bigger.
 
I carry five different calibers based on situation and those are a .380, .38, .357, .40 and a .45. Out of those choices, I prefer a .45 to all others.
 
let me list what I own and you can figure what caliber I voted for ;)

Ruger Security Six in .357 mag; Ruger GP100 in .357 mag; S&W 642 in .38 spl +p; S&W 629 in .44 mag; Uberti Cattleman SAA clone in .45 Colt;

if that wasn't enough...which ones in the list are most appropriate for defense work?!? yer gettin warmer...;)

which ones can share a common caliber?!? come on!!! any more detailed and there's no use in ya guessin...:p

alright I'll let ya off the hook!!! .38 spl/ .357 mag...more specifically .38 spl :D
 
.40 s&w. Good compromise between mag capacity and bullet diameter. Local PD uses it. Easy to control. Revolvers chambered for it can usually shoot 10mm too, which is kind of nice (I kind of want a S&W 310 nightguard). But I'm just a novice so I don't know much, other than I hit the target as well with the .40 as the 9mm, and better than the .45 the first time I went shooting.
 
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