Preferred handgun caliber for civilian SD

[mavracer]

you left out an option for all of the above.switch the .380 to 9X18 mak and the .40 to 10mm and then all of those are in my rotation along with 32acp,38 super and 45 colt.

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

no there's 4 .36,.40,.43 and .45.
If your gonna welcome a new member with ridicule at least be accurate.

 

[swman]

I personnally like 357 magnum, but 45 acp is easier to conceal in a manageable platform (1911).

 

[Dustin0]

I voted for 45 becuase thats what I carry. But any of those rounds will get the job done.

 

[Catfishman]

I voted other. 10mm

 

[mssurrey]

why no .357SIG?

I would vote for .357 SIG but it's not on the list so I think the poll is not representative of calibers used for SD purposes

 

[fisherman66]

no there's 4 .36,.40,.43 and .45.
If your gonna welcome a new member with ridicule at least be accurate.

I certainly didn't mean it to come across as ridicule. Cartridge and caliber are different. Just pointing that out. Thanks for catching my error.

 

[Mello2u]

I vote other, for the 10mm auto (200gr HP at 1250fps).

 

[kickslikeamule]

.40 SW for my semi and .357 for my revolver.....


{I have used a .45 acp [colt 1911] for years but got tired of modifications needed to do what other manufacturers do out of the box.}

the best cal. is the one you can hit your target with, shot after shot in any situation.

 

[tbeb]

I have a .38 spl., 9mm, .357 magnum, and a .45 ACP. I like them all, but my answer is .45 ACP.

 

[4INCHSMITH]

I like the .38/.357, the guns themselves tend to be a little smaller than a .45 or .44mag so they conceal a little better and they still pack a decent punch.

 

[Maromero]

For civilian SD I just switched to .40 caliber for CC and a .44 stached in the house.

 

[alberich]

Why do you have .38Spl and .357 Magnum under one ammo type? I believe there is a real difference. Well maybe not that much with a short barrel, thats right.

Concerning the original question, many agree that there is no reliable one shot stopper handgun caliber, and everything what matters is a shot placement. So maybe it would be better to ask about a gun type.

From my point of view there are actually only two main categories, a pocket gun, and a normal fullsize gun.

For a pocket gun the winner is a snubnose revolver, which means your .38Spl/.357Magnum combination.

For a normal handgun (holster c.carried) I believe the caliber is not that important. You just need something you will carry without problems, and practice with quite often. So you can place that shot where it counts. I'd go for Glock 17/19 for no fancy all bussines everyday carry pistol since it is light and small for it's capacity. You will have more practice for the same money, and practice is what's most important. Note that G21 feels the same as G17 so if you are into .45 a lot, you can always buy a G17 for practice and G21 for carry.

I'd not really consider anything else than .357Magnum, 9x19 (9 Luger) or .45 ACP, because these are the most common calibers, and therefore available and relatively cheaper than the other stuff.

For a pleasure shooting, I prefer my CZ75 in 9 Luger, and since I generally prefer DA/SA system, and have a soft spot for CZ guns, I'm looking forward to see whether the new P07 gun would really become the DA/SA Glock alternative. So far we know that it's surely about as ugly as a Glock.

 

[chilie23]

357 sig!

 

[Flapjack23]

.480 Ruger. No need for follow up if you miss target, any other bad guy seeing it discharge will run away. Obviously not concealable, but good for home defense (I don't have a safe big enough to keep it in the bedroom, so my Glock 22 is what I will use if I have to).

 

[Para Bellum]

Excellent Ballistic Handgun Tests online: Choose Yourself

Goto: http://www.winchester.com/lawenforcement/testing/testing.aspx

Then click onoto: Launch Testing Comparison Tool

And then compare whatever loads and caliber you like. You have to scroll the window to the left to see all results and test mediums since the window can't be maximised.

If you compare the same bullet type in all calibers you will come to a very simple and clear conclusion (IMHO).
Keep in mind that there is no "shock" and that temporary cavity doesn't kill. So only penetration and expansion count (placement given).

 

[AZAK]

Other

10mm auto. Most often carried CC and SD handgun.

No wrong answer for this poll, shoot what you enjoy shooting and shoot well.

If you can't hit your target, does not matter which flavor you picked; unless you just enjoy the big "bang" and muzzle flash.

I do believe that there are differences between cartridges/loadings; looking at the extreme ends clearly shows this, compare a .22lr with a .500 S&W. However, either one of these can stop a threat and/or kill with a single shot; but I am personally more confident, in the cartridges ability, carrying a 10mm than a .25ACP. (And I have carried both, depending on the situation.)

 

[Don P]

Any one caliber that will/could defuse the situation without firing a shot, or any caliber that can be shot to stop the situation/ attacker

 

[Socrates]

Detonics Combat Master, carrying 45 Super, 230 grains @ 1100 fps, or 45 ACP 230 grain ball.

 

[Creature]

I have always wondered why the rear sights were moved forward on the deltonics...thereby shortening the sight radius. Obviously this was done intentionally...but what purpose does that serve? To me, this seems to put the shooter at a disadvantage.

 

[Terry A]

My favorite is the .45acp (Springfield XD). I carry it about 75% of the time.
I also carry a Glock 23 (.40) the other times. Either one is great for me, but I prefer the .45.