Whats the LARGEST caliber you would carry for self defense?

worn 'em all

The biggest I've worn was my 5.5" 45 Colt Redhawk (Sparks HSR).

The biggest I currently wear are 45 ACP 1911s and an EAA Witness, and a 5.5" 44 Redhawk.

The biggest GUN I currently wear is a 7.5" 357 Redhawk (and it carries splendidly in that open-muzzle HSR), but I gotta wear a big coat to conceal it (cool; gotta pair of London Fogs).
 
I carry a 1911 when it's cool enough to wear a cover garment of some sort, and that's about it for size ... when it's warm and I'm pocket carrying, the biggest is a 9mm Kahr ... also will carry a j-frame and NAA Pug in pocket carry mode when the mood strikes me ...
 
I routinely carry a .44 Magnum (S&W 629 with a 4" barrel) for both man and beast, particularly in colder weather. The largest diameter I'd consider would be .45 in either the ACP or Long Colt flavor though I currently don't own a .45 LC. The most powerful semi-auto that I carry is a 10mm (S&W 1076).
 
I don't carry but, I would not want anything over .45 ACP

I still believe 9mm is enough gun with the right ammo.
 
I rarely go to the city, so around here I don't carry anything smaller than the 44, unless I'm small game hunting then this a 22 + something big.
 
The largest I feel the need for me to carry for SD is 45acp and I carry that primarily in the cooler months. In the warmer months its 38+P.

If I lived in an area that had a higher bear population that had frequent bear sightings close by, it would be at least a 44mag.
 
"Whats the LARGEST caliber you would carry for self defense? "

A .50 S&W. Why? 'Cause they don't make a .60! But that's simply in response the wording of the question, what I DO carry is a .45ACP.
 
Routinely the largest I carry for personal defense is either .357Mag, 9mm, or .45ACP. Many days in the summer though find me with a .380 or a .38 in my pocket. Sometimes with a 9mm or .357 on belt as a primary, but sometimes not.

When I'm in the woods it's most often a 4" GP100 in .357 to this point. I did recently acquire a .45Colt 5.5" Blackhawk though that will likely take over that role.
 
As age advances and a thickening waistline my carry gun has taken the following route: .45 Colt auto for 20 years,S&W 5906 9mm 10 years,J frame S&W 2", .38 125 gr + p velocity, 10 years.Actual use: had it out of holster 3 times,once in a NY subway at 2AM, no shots fired, just the sight of the gun was enough to deter an incident.
 
Well, this is all hypothetical for me, since my state is the LAST in the Union that prohibits it's citizens from carrying a firearm for self defense - stupid Illinois - I'd go with .45 Colt for human sized vermin, and I DO carry a 454 Alaskan when I'm up north in bear country.

Did I mention that I love my SRH Alaskan?
 
To answer the question as asked, the largest caliber I would carry for self defense would be .451, I would carry it loaded in the appropriate specs and case for a .45 ACP.

Caliber is just diameter?

Same caliber for .45 GAP, ACP, LC (might be bigger?), .454 Casull?

Always has to be one :)
 
Summer carry: 9mm; Glock 26 or S&W 3913/.38+P;Ruger LCR or an LCP (380) as my backup weapon. These are my choices with 2-legged predators.

Winter carry: 10 mm; Glock 29 or a Glock 20, plus my LCR as a BUG.
I'm working on getting a Taurus PT145 for winter carry.
 
Based upon my geography, . . . a 1911, 8+1, with good hollow points is really all I should ever need for either scenario.

The worst critters I face in central Ohio are coyotes and feral dogs, unless I have to go to Columbus, . . . then it is the urban jungle. I'm much more concerned about the latter place.

Now, on the other, if one of our well wishing members here were to invite me to an all expenses paid 4 week horse back elk hunt, . . . I'd probably unlimber my .44 mag to go with me, . . . but I'm not sitting by the phone all day just in case it happens. :D

May God bless,
Dwight
 
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