Minimum Carry Caliber vs Primary Carry Caliber

[Arisin Wind]

I was looking at the polls on the "minimum carry caliber" and "your primary carry caliber" and was wondering how many people are carrying at or below the perceived minimum caliber.

Now this isn't scientific in any way. The two polls talk about caliber - bullet diameter but they list cartridges. One poll had a mixture of cartridges and calibers. I consolidated the data into calibers and looked at the results.

Almost 82% said the .355-.358 (.38/9mm) caliber was the minimum caliber they would carry. Looking at the primary carry numbers I found 60% are carrying at or below the perceived minimum caliber - .355-358. This also means 40% are carrying above the minimum. Kind of surprising and reassuring.



Better data can be had with better polling but this shows a sizable number of people are carrying above what the majority thinks is the minimum diameter bullet.

Remember, you can make numbers say anything you want.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[DaveH]

Don't think it's a surprise.

Don't think there is a conflict.

My EDC is a .45.

My BUG is a .40

On rare occasion I drop down, for deeper concealment, with both the primary and/or BUG.

[TX-JB]

I agree... No surprise or conflict...
I always carry either 9mm or .45... my wife .38+P all the time.

[chrise2004]

I agree... No surprise or conflict...
I always carry either 9mm or .45... my wife .38+P all the time.

+1 to that. No surprises in this data. people carry and prefer different things depending on different situations.

[archer51]

Using bullet diameter is not a good way to try and judge either. Remember the .355-.358 includes .380 ACP, .38 cal, .357 as well as the 9mm calibers. While a .380 may be someones minimum carry caliber, a 9mm could very easily be their EDC.

[BuckeyeEric]

Using bullet diameter is not a good way to try and judge either. Remember the .355-.358 includes .380 ACP, .38 cal, .357 as well as the 9mm calibers. While a .380 may be someones minimum carry caliber, a 9mm could very easily be their EDC.

I don't know if it was you Archer that mentioned on the other thread about "its not the size but the whole cartridge". But if it was I agree with that.

I sometimes carry my 5.7x28mm pistol. Its outside diameter is equal to a .22...BUT...it travels at about 2100 fps. There are youtube video's of tests done through wet phone books that show the HP SS192 round expanding to almost .60 cal.

There is a whole lot to say about kinetic energy and yes...you need to look at the whole cartridge. You can pick up a rock and have it be 2.00 cal but if you can only throw it 30 fps...its really not effective.

[Ram Rod]

Well, my minimum was the 9mm. I carry above the minimum now with the 40S&W G23. I seldom carry a BUG until climate allows for extra cover. Then I like to carry the same caliber in both primary and BUG such as the G23/G27.
I also think the poll would be easier to decipher if the calibers were listed versus the bullet/bore diameters.

[Karter2]

Uhm yes, the whole cartridge matters. There is a major difference between .380ACP and 9x19. Of course type matters as well.

Some effectiveness statistics based only on one-shot stops (yes this is a limited and not a full view of ballistic effectiveness) from this website:

Selection of best ammunition for a defensive handgun


A .380 ball ammo:

Federal FMJ, 95 grains, has a 51% one shot stopping success.

A .380 +P JHP:

Cor-Bon +P JHP 90 grains 70%

A 9x19 +P JHP:

Cor-Bon +P JHP 115 grains 91%

[Avenger]

I said that my minimum caliber was a 9mm. I have yet to carry one. I always have carried either a 40S&W or 45ACP. I said 9mm only because its not a bad caliber and maybe one day I will carry a 9mm. I just dont own one.

[Thumper]

I carry .45ACP for primary and +P .38 in my BUG... both very adequate if I do my job!

[Arisin Wind]

Using bullet diameter is not a good way to try and judge either. Remember the .355-.358 includes .380 ACP, .38 cal, .357 as well as the 9mm calibers. While a .380 may be someones minimum carry caliber, a 9mm could very easily be their EDC.

What are we trying to judge? There is no judging. The question asked was for minimum carry caliber and what is actually carried. The poll answers were given in cartridges. I grouped them into calibers to see what size hole puncher was being carried and what was the smallest hole puncher people thought they would carry.

In the example you give the person's EDC is the same caliber as their minimum carry. There is nothing wrong with that. 58% of the people's EDC is at the majority's minimum carry.

The only thing we're looking at is hole size - nothing else.

My surprise came that so many people are carrying above what they consider the minimum.

[Arisin Wind]

I also think the poll would be easier to decipher if the calibers were listed versus the bullet/bore diameters.

Caliber is the bullet diameter.

[zacii]

I also think the poll would be easier to decipher if the calibers were listed versus the bullet/bore diameters.

Caliber is the bullet diameter.

He meant the cartridge and I bet you knew that.

[retsupt99]

Primary EDC is always a .45, the secondary carry (rarely used) would be a .380...

[gunthorp]

What retsupt99 said.