Pete Zaria

My criteria:

1) Track record & "stopping power" - must be a caliber with an excellent record in service.

2) Widely available ammo - must be a caliber you can find at any sporting goods store, and preferably not cost an arm, leg, or firstborn.

3) Controllability - must be able to perform follow-up shots in a timely manner.

Calibers I've decided meet this criteria: .45 ACP and .357 Mag.

Just personally, I wouldn't carry anything smaller than 9mm in an auto or .38 special in a wheelgun. I don't have confidence that anything smaller than those will do the job with a solid hit or two center-of-mass.
I have confidence that a modern JHP from either .45 ACP or .357 Mag center-of-mass will stop a fight; I have even more confidence that two of them will.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

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Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead

"Booger Hook Off the Bang Switch" - unknown

obxned

I chose a platform, and it was availble in ony two calibers. I chose the larger.

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"I'm mad as hell, and I won't take it anymore!"

There is only one gun law in this country, the 2nd Amendment. All else is bureaucratic nonsense that I choose to comply with or not at my discretion.

When governments make laws, they must consider the unintended consequences.

InspectorGadget

I have seen the lack of stopping power from a NATO 9mm first hand in Afghanistan, I'm ok with the design of the gun(M9) in and of itself, but in a 9mm NO FRICKING WAY.

I have carried both the 1911A1 and the M9 and just like the 1911 better. And most importantly to me the guys handling my security element in Afghanistan (SOCOM) trusted the 45ACP over the NATO 9mm. Considering how many rounds they had put into BG's there with both weapons that is the best reccomendation I ever got.

I have never shot someone with the .45 although I carried it for 15 of 20 years but since it's my caboose on the line that is an easy choice.

For a camping weapon, I want sheer power .44 Mag Mountain Backpacker for defense against hungry animals. I'll keep my 1911 avaliable for the real monsters if they show up.

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Colt 1911 New Agent, CTLaser

God Made all men, Sam Colt made a 5FT tall woman and a 300lb Gorilla equal.

SatCong

I agree. Thankyou for your service.

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NRA PATRON LIFE

Superhouse 15

I don't care much about the caliber, I chose based on the gun I wanted to carry. If I want to carry one of the 1911s today, I'll be using a .45. If I pick a Glock 19, I'll be fine with 9mm. Showing off with a 10mm Revolver open carried at the gunshop, no big deal. Nothing is 100%. Ask Stacy Lim. Pick ammo you like and practice with it. People have survived hits to the heart with JHP .357 mag and people have been killed with .22 shorts from RG revolvers.

rmarcustrucker

got a glock 27 40 cal needed something compact and it fits the bill.

stormbringerr

i like to carry my 1911 in the winter sometimes but mostly i stick w/my 9mm because thats what im the most adept and skilled with.
for the .45 lovers.
The Gun Zone -- High Speed .45 HST

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later ,Stormbringerr

The obstacle is the path. - Zen Proverb

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Marvin Knox

.357

I wanted to carry a snubbie revolver.

S&W made the most compact and light one.

The 5 shot was the narrowest for concealment.

The biggest round in that was the .357 magnum.

I lose a lot off the .357 with the short barrel - but it's adequate with proper bullet choice. The .38's are nice for practice.

I'm happy with my choice and so are quite a few police detectives.

MARV

KingPerformance

I chose the 10mm GLOCK 29 to CCW for several reasons. I am required to carry concealed at work. This means I need a small high powered gun that is comfortable to shoot, and packs a heavy hand. 15 Rounds of 10mm in a subcompact glock do that quite well. In my work environment I may have to shoot through walls, glass, doors, etc . Any place I may need to defeat cover… and the hand gun round that has the best ballistic performance for that is the 10mm. Not to mention I enjoy shooting it, it has less recoil then the .45, a flat trajectory, and quite simply it hits exactly where you put it. The round is also one of our "recommended" rounds. Oh, and the 9x25 option is super cool too.

coffeecup

I like my BGs with BIG holes in them and a M-29 is to heavy and hard to conceal, so my EDC is a .45acp.