Why did you choose the caliber that you use? - Page 2

retsupt99 · April 26th, 2008, 01:50 PM

If I'm going to start tossing lead, why not toss as much as possible? I prefer my .45 for the same reasons listed above, but I also do not want to be focused on an 'ammo stash' in various calibers.
I have ammo for various weapons but have lots of three main types: .45 for my EDC, .223 for my evil black rifle, and 00buck for my home SD coachgun.
Other calibers are stored, but not in huge quantities...just seems like the thing to do.

Stay armed...keep a stash...stay safe!

FallenPhoenix · April 26th, 2008, 02:12 PM

I chose .45 because of the 1911 platform, I've always loved the looks, history, and functionality of it. It doesn't hurt that it lobs a big heavy hunk of metal either.

enigmaone · April 26th, 2008, 02:24 PM

357 Sig, Protects the Prez , It's good enough for me.

BikerRN · April 26th, 2008, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exactlymypoint

I do want to get into a caliber war, but I would like to know what your thought process was behind choosing the caliber you use for your EDC.

I have a few choices in my off duty carry, won't discuss on duty much.

My choices are based on what I know works, and what I like to shoot. Since I'm a wheelgunner at heart it should come as no suprise that I favor the .357 Magnum loaded with 125 Grain JHP's.

I can shoot 38 Special out of the same gun, and do shoot that out of my BUG, but I prefer the .357 Magnum for it's proven fight stopping ability.

My second most carried caliber for a "Primary" is the 45 ACP. I like this round also, for it's proven ability too. Eventhough the "statistics" are fairly close in all of my carry guns, as far as one shot stopping percentages, I feel that the 45 beats the 9mm in the "Temporary Wound Cavity" department. Just because we can't measure something doesn't mean it's not there.

Yes, the 9mm will work, and I have a couple. It is carried when I feel I may need large ammo capacity, like out hiking in the desert. Lots of illegals and drug runners out there these days. The 9mm is a little better than the 38 Special, but niether is my favored caliber. Both of those rounds are at the floor as far as what I regard as "adequate" for fight stopping ability.

I rely on no handgun round to stop a fight. I always have a back-up plan. I've seen too many guns fail to trust any of them. I just want mine to work when I need it.

Biker

Captain Crunch · April 26th, 2008, 02:43 PM

For me, it harks back to my old Army MP days, when we carried the M1911A1. I never had to fire it in anger, but I knew guys that did. One solid hit was enough to render the BG DRT.

Back then, I was so envious of the Air Force SPs, because they carried real police guns (S&W M15 revolvers). Little did I know that their issued M41 anemic 130 grain FMJ ammo was not much better than a glorified BB.

Then when I went into civilian LE, I experimented with the whole gamut of off duty guns and calibers, but always went back to the .45 ACP, a choice I still make today.

FknRa · April 26th, 2008, 02:44 PM

I chose a caliber that I felt was strong enough to get the job done but small enough that my wife could shoot well. All of the pistols we have right now are 9mm. However now that I am comfortable that she can shoot these competently and we have home covered, I'm starting to get the GAS again. (gun acquisition syndrome) I have this pit in my stomach that can only be filled with a 1911, or maybe a 357 snub, or a 380, AHHHHHHHHH pop

/ that was wills head exploding we apologize for the splatter on the inside of your monitor, it will be cleaned shortly, continue about your business please

LenS · April 26th, 2008, 02:52 PM

I was carrying .40 when I tried a friend's 1911. That hooked me and while just "cruisin'" in my favorite gun shop (Four Seasons Firearms), I spotted one used for a great price.

I can shoot the 1911 more accurately and consistently than any other gun I own. It became my primary carry gun (if clothing/occasion allows for it).

If the planets align correctly, I should have an M&P .45 by late next week. Shot the one out at S&W's range and really liked it. We'll see if it becomes primary after working it out for a while.

I'm a believer that the biggest gun you can carry and shoot accurately is the best choice. So that's how I make the decision.

Ragin Cajun · April 26th, 2008, 03:22 PM

I started off with a 380 because of the price and size of the gun. I wanted a 40 and finially got one last December. I went with the 40 because I wanted something bigger then a 9 but didn't want a carry gun as large in frame as a 45. The one I bought is a M&P 40C and it shoots great. No regrets!

mrhutch · April 26th, 2008, 05:25 PM

i've shot a 9mm, and heard enough accounts of it to consider it weak sauce. i shot a .40, and a .45, and aside from the fact that the 230 gr .45 round felt like i could have thrown it and killed someone with it, the .45 just felt better shooting it.

bmcgilvray · April 26th, 2008, 05:41 PM

At 18 years of age my first handgun was a Smith & Wesson Model 10 .38 Special. A rural, outdoor, and hunting lifestyle soon educated me that Texas varmints and critters promptly expired when fairly struck with a standard velocity 158 grain semi-wadcutter bullet. I've employed the .38 Special on mice to deer and everything in between and it's worked much better than its reputation of the past 25 years or so would suggest. Whether it's a 'coon raiding the dog's food on the back porch or a deer passing the stand at close range I've had good results with the .38 Special. A +P wadcutter load, whether factory or handloaded is a little "gravy" as far as performance but I've administered finishing shots to deer with standard velocity wadcutters that penetrated deeply and effectively "settled their hash." I can't recall anything that I turned my .38 Special on that ran off.

I really like some other handgun cartridges, the .44 Special and the .45 ACP being among my favorites. Almost wish I'd settled on something more "glamorous" than the ol' .38 Special but I have a lot of affection for it. It has a lot of performance choices available in factory loadings, is the handloader's friend, is capable of outstanding accuracy on paper, offers little recoil in medium frame revolvers, manageable recoil in the tiny, lightweight snubs that are now popular, and gives effective performance. Thirty three years and many handguns later, I'm still primarily carrying that same Model 10 I obtained at 18 and am still waiting on it to wear out.

Oh yeah, and I'm a weird duck because I consider the .38 Special to be marginally better than the 9mm.

April 26th, 2008, 01:50 PM	#11
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 11,272	If I'm going to start tossing lead, why not toss as much as possible? I prefer my .45 for the same reasons listed above, but I also do not want to be focused on an 'ammo stash' in various calibers. I have ammo for various weapons but have lots of three main types: .45 for my EDC, .223 for my evil black rifle, and 00buck for my home SD coachgun. Other calibers are stored, but not in huge quantities...just seems like the thing to do. Stay armed...keep a stash...stay safe! __________________ ‘‘Four out of five politicians surveyed prefered unarmed, ignorant peasants.’’ — Unknown Liberals are as American as 'dog dodo' pie...

April 26th, 2008, 02:24 PM	#13
enigmaone Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: englewood fl Posts: 941	357 Sig, Protects the Prez , It's good enough for me. __________________ quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

April 26th, 2008, 02:43 PM	#15
Captain Crunch Senior Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW Montana Posts: 5,344	For me, it harks back to my old Army MP days, when we carried the M1911A1. I never had to fire it in anger, but I knew guys that did. One solid hit was enough to render the BG DRT. Back then, I was so envious of the Air Force SPs, because they carried *real* police guns (S&W M15 revolvers). Little did I know that their issued M41 anemic 130 grain FMJ ammo was not much better than a glorified BB. Then when I went into civilian LE, I experimented with the whole gamut of off duty guns and calibers, but always went back to the .45 ACP, a choice I still make today. __________________ *"The maximum effective range of an excuse is 0 meters".* Terry

April 26th, 2008, 02:44 PM	#16
FknRa Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Shingle Springs, Ca Posts: 300	I chose a caliber that I felt was strong enough to get the job done but small enough that my wife could shoot well. All of the pistols we have right now are 9mm. However now that I am comfortable that she can shoot these competently and we have home covered, I'm starting to get the GAS again. (gun acquisition syndrome) I have this pit in my stomach that can only be filled with a 1911, or maybe a 357 snub, or a 380, AHHHHHHHHH pop / that was wills head exploding we apologize for the splatter on the inside of your monitor, it will be cleaned shortly, continue about your business please __________________ To those that paid for my freedom, I WILL NEVER FORGET. As with all statements I've made and All that I will make, please check your local laws to verify accuracy. (and if i'm wrong let me know as I like to be right in the future) After all I'm just some goofball posting on an internet forum.

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April 26th, 2008, 02:12 PM	#12
FallenPhoenix Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tx Posts: 26	I chose .45 because of the 1911 platform, I've always loved the looks, history, and functionality of it. It doesn't hurt that it lobs a big heavy hunk of metal either.

April 26th, 2008, 02:52 PM	#17
LenS Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: US Posts: 1,246	I was carrying .40 when I tried a friend's 1911. That hooked me and while just "cruisin'" in my favorite gun shop (Four Seasons Firearms), I spotted one used for a great price. I can shoot the 1911 more accurately and consistently than any other gun I own. It became my primary carry gun (if clothing/occasion allows for it). If the planets align correctly, I should have an M&P .45 by late next week. Shot the one out at S&W's range and really liked it. We'll see if it becomes primary after working it out for a while. I'm a believer that the biggest gun you can carry and shoot accurately is the best choice. So that's how I make the decision.

April 26th, 2008, 03:22 PM	#18
Ragin Cajun Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 312	I started off with a 380 because of the price and size of the gun. I wanted a 40 and finially got one last December. I went with the 40 because I wanted something bigger then a 9 but didn't want a carry gun as large in frame as a 45. The one I bought is a M&P 40C and it shoots great. No regrets!

April 26th, 2008, 05:25 PM	#19
mrhutch Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 202	i've shot a 9mm, and heard enough accounts of it to consider it weak sauce. i shot a .40, and a .45, and aside from the fact that the 230 gr .45 round felt like i could have thrown it and killed someone with it, the .45 just felt better shooting it.

April 26th, 2008, 05:41 PM	#20
bmcgilvray Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Texas Posts: 891	At 18 years of age my first handgun was a Smith & Wesson Model 10 .38 Special. A rural, outdoor, and hunting lifestyle soon educated me that Texas varmints and critters promptly expired when fairly struck with a standard velocity 158 grain semi-wadcutter bullet. I've employed the .38 Special on mice to deer and everything in between and it's worked much better than its reputation of the past 25 years or so would suggest. Whether it's a 'coon raiding the dog's food on the back porch or a deer passing the stand at close range I've had good results with the .38 Special. A +P wadcutter load, whether factory or handloaded is a little "gravy" as far as performance but I've administered finishing shots to deer with standard velocity wadcutters that penetrated deeply and effectively "settled their hash." I can't recall anything that I turned my .38 Special on that ran off. I really like some other handgun cartridges, the .44 Special and the .45 ACP being among my favorites. Almost wish I'd settled on something more "glamorous" than the ol' .38 Special but I have a lot of affection for it. It has a lot of performance choices available in factory loadings, is the handloader's friend, is capable of outstanding accuracy on paper, offers little recoil in medium frame revolvers, manageable recoil in the tiny, lightweight snubs that are now popular, and gives effective performance. Thirty three years and many handguns later, I'm still primarily carrying that same Model 10 I obtained at 18 and am still waiting on it to wear out. Oh yeah, and I'm a weird duck because I consider the .38 Special to be marginally better than the 9mm.