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This is a subjective question. Nobody can anticipate every circumstance and condition. So this discussion is about whats best for you.... Vote below and tell us why?
Shooting (Sport)
Crime
Self Defense
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 89
15
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Although the round I feel is best and is left off is the .40 Good knockdown power similar round count to the 9mm without the over-penetrating problem. Also firm believer that you need to practice and be proficient with whatever weapon you choose. Unfortunately to many people buy them and carry or use them as nightstand protection without firing them regularly to maintain proficiency.
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9mm is all you need as a carry caliber...However, a weapon is only as good as its handler. So on that note, spend more time and money on training and less about big caliber sizes.
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SGT William Howell
I carry a .45 because I am a macho man. 30 years ago I would have argued you were wrong that a 9mm is as good as a .45. With modern ballistics they are so close that either is a great round for self defense.
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SPC Randy Torgerson
SFC Gates, you have to shoot 8 times if you miss 3-4 of them. It is such a rare event for a threat to continue after 1-4 shots hitting almost anywhere let alone center mass. Officers today are a little to panicky if you ask me. Here in California some of these officers are emptying 15 round magazines twice per officer, with 2-6 officers shooting. That is completely unnecessary. Just my opinion.
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CPL Rick Stasny
I agree that regardless of the caliber, proficiency with your choice of weapon is the most critical factor.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
SPC(P) Jay Heenan - Now I do not have anything against the 9MM, but often those test are conducted against the pretty old school versions of the 45 ACP ammo. If you look at Hornady's Critical Duty ammo, the 185 gr 45 ACP had more energy at 50M than the 9MM has at the barrel even with the longer barrel. Bigger wound cavity and more energy translates to more lethality.
As someone has already pointed out, placement is as important as how big the wound cavity it creates, so shooting something you are comfortable with is probably more important than what caliber you shoot. A hell of a lot of people have died getting shoot with a 22 caliber.
I am a huge fan of the 45 ACP, but my EDC piece is an LCP in .380. It's small enough and light enough that you can carry it and not have it noticed in just about any attire.
As someone has already pointed out, placement is as important as how big the wound cavity it creates, so shooting something you are comfortable with is probably more important than what caliber you shoot. A hell of a lot of people have died getting shoot with a 22 caliber.
I am a huge fan of the 45 ACP, but my EDC piece is an LCP in .380. It's small enough and light enough that you can carry it and not have it noticed in just about any attire.
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10
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I went with .380.....I would have chosen 9mm at any time in the past, but I recently picked up a Glock 42 after looking at nearly every .380 out there. Yes, it's a small round, but it's also a small frame that is easy to conceal in just about any attire.
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SPC Steven MorningStar
I use ..380 as a back up. To my .S&W .40. I also have a Ruger 9mm. My Son carries one, I'll carry the other. But we both have. .380 as a back up. We try to shoot every weekend if not every other weekend. We also shoot what we use for defence which are Hydroshocks.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
LTC Paul Labrador - I use the Hornady Critical Defense Ammo in the LCP. It has surprisingly good ballistics for a pocket gun. I haven't tried the Glock, they were late in entering the Sub Compact Pistol competition, but the LCP is reliable and reasonably accurate at ranges I would anticipate having to use it. It is not fun to shoot, but I doubt that the Glock is either. The Gen II LCP fixed most of the things that I thought needed improved, a better trigger and a last shot hold open being the biggest. Some improved ergonomics, but not enough for me to switch just because of it, and a bit more distinct sights, or as much as you can get on a 3" slide.
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I'm all about a .45acp. It's what I carried in combat and in Law Enforcement. A slower round but great knock down! But in the civilian world I have grown fond of my Ruger LCP. It's a .380 I carry Hornady Critical Defense rapid expansion ammunition. They're 90 grains of kick ass. I carried the Critical Defense 185 grain in .45 as duty ammo Anyways I like the LCP because it's small compact and I can hide it just about anywhere on me. Another caliber I like not mentioned is .357sig
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SFC (Join to see)
My second favorite concealed carry and my old back up weapon from my law enforcment days is the Glock 33. It is a .357sig Love this piece. another easy firearm to conceal. Sorry I was a Weapons Sergeant so I could talk shop all day and night about this :-)
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CPT Lawrence Cable
No one has mentioned an 11mm either.
I want one, I just can't find a reason to justify buying it.
I want one, I just can't find a reason to justify buying it.
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9mm, Sometimes a .40, .380 or even a .25 or .32.
I make sure to carry something whenever I can.
a .22 in your pocket is better than a .45 at home.
I make sure to carry something whenever I can.
a .22 in your pocket is better than a .45 at home.
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MSgt Roger Lalik
Wow... what do you do when you're not safe in your own front yard... that's terrible James. So sorry that happened to your family.
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Capt Richard I P.
LTC (Join to see) Sir, I strongly concur, the best weapon is the one you have, however as I post just about anywhere this topic comes up: currently the "Armed Forces" are prohibited from being armed. Come support us in our efforts to change that.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/arm-the-armed-forces
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/arm-the-armed-forces
Arm the Armed Forces! | RallyPoint
The outcome of the discussion "Concealed carry for CAC holders?" by [~222148:SGT Bernard Boyer III]. Below follows my skeleton letter to congress, based on the edits RP members have suggested to the 10 points. Anyone and everyone is welcome to edit and personalize the letter for their own use in writing to their congressional representatives. We sent a mass email on 3 January, the swearing in of the new congress, now it's a free for all. You...
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1SG (Join to see)
For personal carry, Taurus .380 (7rds-90 grain hydro shockjhp hallow pts). It's small, easy conceal/access. Also keep the Taurus Judge (45rd/410g s
hotgun) 2 1/2 inch barrell. Trigger pull on the Judge is a little tight, so if the trigger is pulled, it was meant to be pulled...not accidently.
hotgun) 2 1/2 inch barrell. Trigger pull on the Judge is a little tight, so if the trigger is pulled, it was meant to be pulled...not accidently.
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If an Aircraft Carrier or M1 Abrams tank is not available, I usually have a .40 S&W.
But, first rule of a gunfight is to have a gun.....so the best carry defense weapon for me is whatever I happen to have at the time.
But, first rule of a gunfight is to have a gun.....so the best carry defense weapon for me is whatever I happen to have at the time.
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I carry a Ruger 1911 .45. I choose .45 for its knock down power. I practice drawing and firing from a concealed carry at least once every two weeks. If you don't practice drawing from concealment you will not be able to draw and fire when the time calls for it.
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Glock 27 (.40cal), tritium sights( if you don't have night sights, you are WRONG). Concealable, reliable, accurate. Carried for years, without issue.
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As long as you don't short change yourself with cheap ammo, 9MM is plenty.
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SPC Korey R.
For under 300 meters. Cant beat it. plus you still can carry a full combat load without much added weight. Another plus... legal to hunt with on deer size game. Some question the accuracy of the round but I personally use Thermold magazines as the inner "rib" does not hit the bullet as much as the PMAG's do so it potentially moves the projectile in the case less. I feel this is the problem with open groups on the platform.
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