Which caliber would you prefer for HD duty?

Which caliber would you prefer for HD duty?

  • Total voters
    165
It looks as if the .45 is winning the poll by a landslide.

Never really thought about the loud noise of the .357 indoors. Might have to re-think my HD set up a bit.
 
For me it's a toss up, but I did vote for the 45. My Kimber has night sights and holds 9 rnds. compared to 6 in my 19, or 66. Less muzzle flash with the 45.

I really see little difference. Either would be OK with me.
 
since on other forums I've had to defend my position from outright mockery
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We've had some pretty lengthy discussions of it in the last few months. There are those who say you won't even hear it in the adrenaline rush of a HD situation, but common sense and physics dictate that you prepare yourself with defenses that are adequate but yet won't cost you one of your five senses. Yes, you'd use anything in an emergency, but given the time and foresight to prepare why not do what's best for you and your family?
 
With that in mind I'd use the 45. It has less penetration than my 357 would. BUT - it is amazing how far a 45 ACP, 230 gr round nose, full metal jacket bullet will go in an urban situation. Don't ask.
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Very true. Just watch this video to see an example of what a .45 is capable of penetrating. Either round is capable of penetrating through a number of walls, so being sure of your backstop is a must regardless of which you choose.

Personally, I prefer the .45. It won't deafen me as much, and I can shoot my 1911 faster and more accurately than my 6" GP100.
 
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my vote

I would call my local police department, they are armed why some kind of plastic gun in 45 acp. but really I would use pick up my springfield milspec loaded with 230gr.hardball. If they get past the trip wires, and the dogs,and the attack cat.
 
"prefer" a 45 and have a 1911 in the nightstand most of the time. However I've experimented and I sleep just fine with a 357 in the nightstand.
 
I have 38 spcl HPs for Home defense. I don't like the .357 cus being in SoCal my neighborhood is pretty densely populated. I'm worried about hitting one my neighbors.
 
hmmmmm since I can download a .357 magnum to .45acp ballistics, I figure I wouldn't have the flash and bang of a full house .357 magnum. On the other hand, why limit ones options to .45acp ballistics ? Might as well use 9mm if you are going to do that.
 
I've used and fired both, as well as carried both calibers.

While I much prefer the .357 Magnum, others in the household who may be forced to use the gun, do better with the .45 ACP over the "King of the Street" loading in my .357 Magnums. For that reason I selected the .45 ACP.

Biker
 
Since we are talking home defense, that boils down to which round I would rather shoot without hearing protection. In that case the .45 ACP wins hands down.

I shot a .357 without hearing protection once, in 1996, and my left ear hasn't stopped ringing since.

Shooting a .45 indoors with no hearing protection wouldn't be a treat either, but in my opinion, a .357 fired indoors would almost qualify as a stun grenade.
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Exactly my line of reasoning. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that the .45acp in a suppressed handgun would be the choice.

Dirty Harry never had to put his hand up and say "what was that?", 15-20 times a day, it's not so manly.
 
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