The smallest caliber you carry
- Thread starter Mark M33
- Start date
Walt's seen my smallest: a Freedom Arms .22Magnum minirevolver, 4shot, 1.5" barrel and grips the same size as an NAA .22LR minirevolver. It's *small*, absolutely and totally discrete.
He also saw me drop all four onto a 4"x6" steel plate at around five healthy paces, firing one shot per second. This one's marked "Casull's Improvement" and is about 10 years old, it pre-dates FA selling the minirevolver biz to NAA.
I paid $140 total for that little beast, made my own pocket holster for it. It's a "deep cover front-pocket surprise"...any mugger wants my wallet, he's gonna get a 30grain JHP doing 1,200FPS in the face.
I've also got a 4" bull-barrel NAA Mini Master with a trigger job in dual .22LR/.22Mag convertable. THAT discrete little pup can stay within 5" at 25 yards with defense-grade Mag JHPs.
Either of these runts should at least be able to penetrate skull on a headshot...and they're absolutely undetectable on the street. I carry the .22LR cylinder for the 4" loaded with Yellowjackets, in the probably vain hope I could keep their heads down with "Baby" the FA mini while reloading the 4" with a "Clint Eastwood style" cylinder swap.
I also favor .38 snubs...but the two minis put together still add up to less bulk.
Jim March
He also saw me drop all four onto a 4"x6" steel plate at around five healthy paces, firing one shot per second. This one's marked "Casull's Improvement" and is about 10 years old, it pre-dates FA selling the minirevolver biz to NAA.
I paid $140 total for that little beast, made my own pocket holster for it. It's a "deep cover front-pocket surprise"...any mugger wants my wallet, he's gonna get a 30grain JHP doing 1,200FPS in the face.
I've also got a 4" bull-barrel NAA Mini Master with a trigger job in dual .22LR/.22Mag convertable. THAT discrete little pup can stay within 5" at 25 yards with defense-grade Mag JHPs.
Either of these runts should at least be able to penetrate skull on a headshot...and they're absolutely undetectable on the street. I carry the .22LR cylinder for the 4" loaded with Yellowjackets, in the probably vain hope I could keep their heads down with "Baby" the FA mini while reloading the 4" with a "Clint Eastwood style" cylinder swap.
I also favor .38 snubs...but the two minis put together still add up to less bulk.
Jim March
Mike Spight
New member
Depends on weather conditions. When it's hot, S&W Mod 60 (hard chromed, hard rubber Speigel grips) loaded w/158gr LSWCHP +P Federal ammo. Carried in a IWB holster along w/5 extra rds in speed strip in trouser/jeans/shorts pocket. Concealed with oversized polo type shirt, untucked. In cooler/cold weather when coats are worn, SIG semi, either 220, 226 or 229 (.45/.357/.40) In a straight drop holster, w/one extra mag of ammo in pouch on weak side.
The gun I carry most often is a .38 Spl. S&W Model 38 Airweight Bodyguard. I carry it in a Galco Deep Cover IWB holster that allow the shirt to be tucked in over the gun. I also carry a speedloader in my front pocket (strong side)--why does anyone bother with those ridiculous speed strips? I use the Federal 125 gr. Nyclad HP "Chief's Special" load (non-plus P). I would not carry any lesser gun or load. I always carry a Spyderco Endura as well.
Smallest caliber I carry is the only caliber I carry, .45ACP. Most of the time in a 1911, sorta like an American Express card-I don't leave home without it, but sometimes an AMT DOA Backup in the same caliber. My AMT has never malfunctioned with anything I have fed thru it and the hole in the end of the muzzle looks to be about .65 caliber not .45 when it is up close and personal. 
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Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
[This message has been edited by Jim V (edited March 02, 1999).]
[This message has been edited by Jim V (edited March 02, 1999).]
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Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
[This message has been edited by Jim V (edited March 02, 1999).]
[This message has been edited by Jim V (edited March 02, 1999).]
P
PreserveFreedom
Guest
I am new to the firing line and glad to be here. Being in Finance, I have carried as small as my 2 shot Davis Derringer in .22LR. Outside of work, however, when I can dress casual, I have lately leaned toward my Beretta Cougar 8040 in .40 S&W with an inside the pants concealment holster. That is, of course, just to buy time so I can get my Ruger Mini-14 from the car.
A .22mag in the pocket it better than a .45acp at home or in the car.
Anything is better than nothing, not everyone has the means to purchase a selection of handguns to protect themselves with. So I say buy what you are comfortable with, that falls within your price range.
They say 2 months salary for a diamond ring for the old lady.
What do you guys think the rule should be for a self defense side arm?
I carry a Glock 23 in .40sw almost everywhere I go. Sometimes even this compact powerhouse is difficult if not impossible to conceal. This is when I turn to my Glock 29 10mm Sub-Compact, this little monster will fit into a front jeans pocket (inside pocket holster) and not draw unwanted attention. Although in Tennessee the law says I can carry open or concealed, I choose concealment for many reasons.
If all I could conceal was a .22mag that's what I would go with. Something is better than nothing.
Anything is better than nothing, not everyone has the means to purchase a selection of handguns to protect themselves with. So I say buy what you are comfortable with, that falls within your price range.
They say 2 months salary for a diamond ring for the old lady.
What do you guys think the rule should be for a self defense side arm?
I carry a Glock 23 in .40sw almost everywhere I go. Sometimes even this compact powerhouse is difficult if not impossible to conceal. This is when I turn to my Glock 29 10mm Sub-Compact, this little monster will fit into a front jeans pocket (inside pocket holster) and not draw unwanted attention. Although in Tennessee the law says I can carry open or concealed, I choose concealment for many reasons.
If all I could conceal was a .22mag that's what I would go with. Something is better than nothing.
KY-Midnight
New member
I'll carry the biggest thing I can, if I can keep my 1911 around I do, other wise Glock 22(.40), failing that, Sig 239(9mm),or Walther PPK/S (.380), and if nothing else will work, beretta 21a in .22.
To be honest though, I carry my Glock 22 openly most of the time (People get REALLY anxious with the 1911 in cond. 1, it's rough enough with the glock) Here in KY you don't need a permit and can go places that Concealed carry is illegal. I do get some comments, and alot of stares, but gotta do what we gotta do.
To be honest though, I carry my Glock 22 openly most of the time (People get REALLY anxious with the 1911 in cond. 1, it's rough enough with the glock) Here in KY you don't need a permit and can go places that Concealed carry is illegal. I do get some comments, and alot of stares, but gotta do what we gotta do.
Kent White
New member
Well, my Beretta 21A is gone (stolen-may the thief's hands rot off!), but I liked that gun, and may get another one. Mine was very accurate considering the crappy sights. I like the 21A for when I need to be very discreet, though a Colt Mustang .380 might be better.
Right now, it's the DAO Ruger SP 101 .357 magnum. Just as small as my wife's M60, but more power. Fun to make Edzilla guess where it is, too!
;-)
Right now, it's the DAO Ruger SP 101 .357 magnum. Just as small as my wife's M60, but more power. Fun to make Edzilla guess where it is, too!
;-)
Most of the time it is a full size 1911. When that is not possible, I carry a NAA Guardian in 32 ACP with Silvertips. Anything that goes bang is better than fingernails.
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"Every normal man must be tempted, at times to spit on his hands,hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats." H.L. Mencken
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"Every normal man must be tempted, at times to spit on his hands,hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats." H.L. Mencken
My philosophy on handgun combat is...
"Only hits count" I'm best with my Kahr K9 in 9mmP, so that's what I would carry...if I couldn't hit the bull with anything but a .22, we'll, then that's what I would carry...
As for bringing a knife to a gunfight. If you haven't been shot five times and then won in a knife fight, you are not experienced enough to convince me that this is a good idea...
"Only hits count" I'm best with my Kahr K9 in 9mmP, so that's what I would carry...if I couldn't hit the bull with anything but a .22, we'll, then that's what I would carry...
As for bringing a knife to a gunfight. If you haven't been shot five times and then won in a knife fight, you are not experienced enough to convince me that this is a good idea...