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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
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I can't decide. I'd take all of them. I have an ambidextrous 9MM Ruger. I told my husband I want 9MM Ruger Revolver since my Ruger needs a sibling. I believe you should have a gun for each hand.
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MSgt Roger Lalik
I carry a 10+1, 9mm SCCY CPX-2 loaded with RIP on the ankle and a 45 Sig P250 Sub-Compact IWB loaded with 230gr Golden Saber.
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Currently, nothing as I am stationed overseas. On a day to day basis, I am never without my Smith & Wesson M&P Shield in 9mm. Once i return, this will become my wife's and I'll switch to the M&P Shield .40, the frames of both are identical, and perfect for concealment.
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SSgt James Connolly
I was using a 380, than moved to 357 and now I agree with you the 40 is the right choice,I carried the 380 because of size but I am getting comfortable with the 40 at the range and home
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Carry the largest caliber YOU can quickly draw and accurately fire. A .22LR in your hand is infinitely better than a .44 magnum on your dresser...
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9 Mil with special ammo from Cor-bon, JHP, DPX or Glaser safety slug depending. Projectile impact is what matters.
Critically the best self defense weapons is the one you have on you ALL the time. 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
Critically the best self defense weapons is the one you have on you ALL the time. 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
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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I prefer my Glock 23 in .40 cal. I like the reliability of the Glock, which has been proven over and over. I also like the "ready safe" mechanism and lack of external hammer (won't get caught on clothing). It's also compact enough so it's easily concealed, but holds a solid 13 rounds. The ammo I carry with it will also do the job very well should the need arise.
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I have and have carried, .380, 9mm, .40, and .45 though. Not a huge fan of .380, 9mm all depends on ammunition selection, .40 is very snappy, .45 will do the trick in just about every scenario no matter the round...
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SPC Randy Torgerson
There has been a lot of myths about the stopping power of different handgun bullets, some people put all their faith in high speed "Hydrostatic shock" while others think that the caliber and mass of the bullet are the only thing that matters, how do we sort out fact from fiction? What better place to start then the statistics kept by the FBI.
Here are a few examples of performance of different bullets. ATI=Average incapacitation time. This is an estimated number based on their formula of shock and blood loss. All of these were among the top performers in their respective calibers.
exp pen shock one shot stop ATI
Cor-Bon JHP +P 90 0.58 9.0in 467psi 70.0% 10.2 sec 380acp
Cor-Bon JHP 115gr 0.55in 14.2in 626psi 90.6% 8.8 sec 9mm
Federal Classic 125 0.65 12.0in 1487psi 95.8% 5.7 sec 357 mag
Remington Golden Saber0.68 12.0in 771psi 93.8% 7.9 sec 40 S&W
Cor-Bon JHP 185 0.7 11.3in 920psi 91.7% 7.2 sec 45 ACP
What does this tell us, well first of all the puny little 380 is far from worthless seeing as 70% of the time one shot was all it took.
Although the 45 did beat the 9mm in one shot stop ratio the margin was so slim that it is hardly noticeable.
The myth on larger bullets always being more effective is busted here as the 357 magnum (9.1mm) has a higher one shot % and a faster ATI then any of the larger bores. The choice of bullets seem to have more of an effect on performance then the choice of caliber as each had good and poor performers. Other things start becoming more noticeable when comparing these charts in detail. The rapid opening shallow penetrating "shock" bullets tend to have a faster ATI but a lower one shot % then slower, heavier, deeper penetrating bullets that seem to be a more consistent performer. The FBI's 115gr silver tips that gave the 9mm such a bad reputation after the Miami shootout had very poor performance stats, they only had 8 inches of penetration and ranked amongst the lowest of any 9mm round.
I hope this will reduce some of the caliber questions. Now its time to just figure out which firearm you think is prettier....(:
Here are a few examples of performance of different bullets. ATI=Average incapacitation time. This is an estimated number based on their formula of shock and blood loss. All of these were among the top performers in their respective calibers.
exp pen shock one shot stop ATI
Cor-Bon JHP +P 90 0.58 9.0in 467psi 70.0% 10.2 sec 380acp
Cor-Bon JHP 115gr 0.55in 14.2in 626psi 90.6% 8.8 sec 9mm
Federal Classic 125 0.65 12.0in 1487psi 95.8% 5.7 sec 357 mag
Remington Golden Saber0.68 12.0in 771psi 93.8% 7.9 sec 40 S&W
Cor-Bon JHP 185 0.7 11.3in 920psi 91.7% 7.2 sec 45 ACP
What does this tell us, well first of all the puny little 380 is far from worthless seeing as 70% of the time one shot was all it took.
Although the 45 did beat the 9mm in one shot stop ratio the margin was so slim that it is hardly noticeable.
The myth on larger bullets always being more effective is busted here as the 357 magnum (9.1mm) has a higher one shot % and a faster ATI then any of the larger bores. The choice of bullets seem to have more of an effect on performance then the choice of caliber as each had good and poor performers. Other things start becoming more noticeable when comparing these charts in detail. The rapid opening shallow penetrating "shock" bullets tend to have a faster ATI but a lower one shot % then slower, heavier, deeper penetrating bullets that seem to be a more consistent performer. The FBI's 115gr silver tips that gave the 9mm such a bad reputation after the Miami shootout had very poor performance stats, they only had 8 inches of penetration and ranked amongst the lowest of any 9mm round.
I hope this will reduce some of the caliber questions. Now its time to just figure out which firearm you think is prettier....(:
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SGT (Join to see)
SPC Randy Torgerson Thank you for your comment! I have done plenty of research on the different caliber studies and agree with you that they can all stop a threat. I'm just a fan of .380, I guess you could say I'm less of a fan of .380 handguns rather than the round. Almost all .380 handguns are very tiny and most (aside from the Sig P238) all have very long and heavy trigger pulls. Most .380s are designed as pocket guns so they should have this trigger so I'm glad they do, I just don't like it. Also since they are so tiny, they pack a significant recoil for the caliber. So why not buy a larger .380? What's the point? If you step up in handgun size, it makes more since to go to a 9mm.
As for the 9mm. I own and carry frequently, 2 9mm handguns. They can be very effective depending on the ammunition as I stated earlier. IF FMJ or a poorly designed hollow point were the only 9mm rounds available to carry, I would not be carrying a 9mm. However, I carry Hornady Critical Duty 135 Grain +P hollowpoints. These are some excellent rounds, and were the first rounds to pass all FBI Protocol test. So with the right ammunition, 9mm is great.
I started out on the .40 S&W round. My first handgun was a Glock 23 and I loved it. I put 5000+ rounds through it flawlessly and it's current owner is still pumping rounds through it with no problem! My 2nd handgun was a Glock 22 and it was a great handgun as well! I have no problems with the .40 S&W round. I believe it is a great "in-between round" It provides ballistics closer to a .45ACP with capacities closer to a 9mm. BUT it is a very hot and snappy round. For a new shooter, it may not be the best round to start out on because of this. My wife did not like my .40's because of the recoil. I ran 175 Grain Hornady Critical Duty through that as well and had the utmost confidence in that round as well.
Finally, the .45 Auto...When comparing recoils, the .45 is in a different realm. I feel it is a smooth but powerful recoil that is easy to manage. Once again, I carry Hornady Critical Duty in my .45. They are 220 Grain +P rounds.
All in all, .380 or bigger can stop a threat. Carry what suits you. My frame allows me to carry anything from a Ruger LCP to a Glock 41 which gives me a lot of options that I have explored extensively.
http://www.hornady.com/store/Critical-Duty
As for the 9mm. I own and carry frequently, 2 9mm handguns. They can be very effective depending on the ammunition as I stated earlier. IF FMJ or a poorly designed hollow point were the only 9mm rounds available to carry, I would not be carrying a 9mm. However, I carry Hornady Critical Duty 135 Grain +P hollowpoints. These are some excellent rounds, and were the first rounds to pass all FBI Protocol test. So with the right ammunition, 9mm is great.
I started out on the .40 S&W round. My first handgun was a Glock 23 and I loved it. I put 5000+ rounds through it flawlessly and it's current owner is still pumping rounds through it with no problem! My 2nd handgun was a Glock 22 and it was a great handgun as well! I have no problems with the .40 S&W round. I believe it is a great "in-between round" It provides ballistics closer to a .45ACP with capacities closer to a 9mm. BUT it is a very hot and snappy round. For a new shooter, it may not be the best round to start out on because of this. My wife did not like my .40's because of the recoil. I ran 175 Grain Hornady Critical Duty through that as well and had the utmost confidence in that round as well.
Finally, the .45 Auto...When comparing recoils, the .45 is in a different realm. I feel it is a smooth but powerful recoil that is easy to manage. Once again, I carry Hornady Critical Duty in my .45. They are 220 Grain +P rounds.
All in all, .380 or bigger can stop a threat. Carry what suits you. My frame allows me to carry anything from a Ruger LCP to a Glock 41 which gives me a lot of options that I have explored extensively.
http://www.hornady.com/store/Critical-Duty
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Boy....no one gun for every situation, but 10mm sure makes a good try at it!
90% of my conceal carry guns are 40S&W. My bear gun is a 44mag (329pd). my BUG is a 637CT which rides in a pocket or on my ankle (38S+P) I've got a backup BUG which usually rides in another pocket...which is a North American 22MAG. But it's a 3rd option, last option.
9mm makes a solid people gun, but in climates where people where big coats, and workwear...I prefer a bit more punch. My little brother enjoys his selection of 380's, I try to keep to as few different calibers as possible.
90% of my conceal carry guns are 40S&W. My bear gun is a 44mag (329pd). my BUG is a 637CT which rides in a pocket or on my ankle (38S+P) I've got a backup BUG which usually rides in another pocket...which is a North American 22MAG. But it's a 3rd option, last option.
9mm makes a solid people gun, but in climates where people where big coats, and workwear...I prefer a bit more punch. My little brother enjoys his selection of 380's, I try to keep to as few different calibers as possible.
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TSgt Phillip L.
My real world target practice with 9mm shot at targets with carharts and other workwear type outerwear common in Alaska...revealed results not favorable enough for me to consider 9mm as a primary weapon. Similar, the 38+p and (obviously) 22mag turned in results I'd prefer not to bet my life on. Coupled with the fact that large animals (moose and bears) are just as likely to be my threats, the 44 mag never strays far from my reach. I keep a short barreled 12 gauge in my truck year round as well.
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I've shot just about everything under the sun as far as calibers for small arms and handguns go. I am not a small man: I have big hands and the upper body strength necessary to control my sight picture. Therefore, I go with .45 for my home defense. I now possess my grandfather's 1911, I own a Kimber and a Wilson 1911-pattern, and I also have a Springfield XD45 LE. If I get the drop on anyone entering my house, he ain't walking out of there on his own power. Personally speaking, I don't feel that a 9mm will do the job.
I used to advocate something along the lines of "anything that isn't of a caliber starting with a 4 and ending with a 5 isn't good enough". After thinking it through, my new stance is "shoot what you can handle". Some people just can't handle anything more than 9mm for whatever reason: hands too small, not enough upper body strength, etc.
I used to advocate something along the lines of "anything that isn't of a caliber starting with a 4 and ending with a 5 isn't good enough". After thinking it through, my new stance is "shoot what you can handle". Some people just can't handle anything more than 9mm for whatever reason: hands too small, not enough upper body strength, etc.
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Suspended Profile
I carry the Ruger .380 auto mainly because it is soneasy to conceal.
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