Ram Rod

Can't say I depend on one caliber alone. I rely on three different calibers, just like I rely on several different pistols. They're all specific tools for specific circumstances. I can honestly say that out of my 9mm, 40 S&W, and 45ACP---not one stands above the rest.

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RamRod-----sans remords

nativenyerintexas

WHat he said. My decision when buying my frst gun was that it'd be a rnage gun to use as self-defense, not a self-sefense gun I take to the range. I've also read that it's not the caliber that makes the differnce in a self-defense scenario but the choice of ammo used. There are more than a few 9mm rounds that are better for self-defense than some .40S&W.

I use Remington Golden Saber 124gr +P and Magtech Guardian Gold 115gr +P ammo for self defense. I'm more accurate with the Golden Sabers than any other self-defense round but the Magtechs have a slightly higher muzzle velocity and energy than the Golden Sabers. The Golden Sabers are in the top five of one-shot stops for the 9mm round at I think about 88%. The Federal Hydrashoks are #1 at 92% and the Gold Dots are also in the top five. I have the Golden Sabers in a 17 round mag and the Magtechs in a 20 round mag but the 17 round one is the one that's in the gun most of the time.

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It is to be observed that Right of Self-Defence, arises directly and immediately from the Care of our own Preservation, which Nature recommends to every one. . . , and that this right is so primary, that it cannot be denied on the basis that it is not "expressly set forth.

--- Hugo Grotius

nativenyerintexas

9mm NATO rounds aren't meant for stopping power, which is what you want when carrying. I understand the military can't carry anything but FMJs but most of us aren't military. The Remington Golden Saber 124gr +P has a muzzle velocity of 1180 fps and muzzle energy of 384 ft lbs. It also expands very reliably and has about an 88% one-shot stop rating according to the book "Stopping Power: A Practical Analysis of the Latest Handgun Ammunition". It was stated in the book that it's not the caliber that makes the difference but the choice of ammo. The Magtech Guardian Gold has even more impressive ballistics: 1246 fps and 397 ft lbs of energy at the muzzle. The book goes on to say that the INS and The Border Patrol, the largest LEA in the country, won't even consider a round unless it has at least 400 ft lbs of energy at the muzzle. These two come very close and there are some .40S&W and .45ACP rounds that fall very short of those specs. I'm not trying to create an arguement here, just participate in the discussion. Basically it's a trade off of velocity, momentum and energy and how reliably that enegy can expand a hollow point round in a short amount of distance without exiting, i.e. transferring that energy to exapnd the round enough to stop the BG by creating as much damage as possible.

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It is to be observed that Right of Self-Defence, arises directly and immediately from the Care of our own Preservation, which Nature recommends to every one. . . , and that this right is so primary, that it cannot be denied on the basis that it is not "expressly set forth.

--- Hugo Grotius

Fast Cloud

44spl...There's no replacement for displacement. The bigger the wound channel the better IMO, and Speer gold dots open up nicely. A concealable 45acp would be better I suppose but alas...so many guns, so little money.

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"The handgun would not be my choice of weapon if I knew I was going to a fight. I'd choose a rifle, a shotgun, a RPG or an atomic bomb instead"---Clint Smith

NRA member

JeffLrrp

for me, 9mm or .38. Excellent recoil control in mid-size guns, still-respectable knock-down power, faster follow up shots and cheaper ammo (at least for 9mm).

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“Laws that forbid the carrying of arms . . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes . . .
----- Thomas Jefferson

NRA member

InspectorGadget

That's almost a hypnotic shot of the bullet! Awesome Photography.

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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.

sojourner

Mostly 9mm for me. I initially chose 40 for SD. Why I changed to 9mm: cheaper to shoot, my wife does not like the recoil of a 40 but can handle a 9mm, can carry/store more 9mm than 40, low recoil, availability, my perception of the marginal difference between 9/40/45 for SD using hollowpoints, low recoil and the capacity of 9mm in a handgun magazine.

If I lived in NY or Cali, I would choose the 45 or 10mm or some other larger bore caliber. If I cannot have capacity, then I will go for largest diameter round I can get.

I have only 1 40 cal handgun left and I will be trading that in soon for a 9mm or a 10mm.

I never was a 45acp kind of guy.

I just purchased a 10mm (Glock 20) for SD when hunting. If that floats my boat, I may carry it or a 10mm subcompact (Glock 29) during winter weather. I do like everything I read about the ballistic performance of the 10mm. It is hard to argue against 357 magnum performance or 41 magnum performance with a 15 round magazine.

I am happy with my choices. The only time I question them is when I compare size of 9mm Hollowpoint right next to the size of a 10mm Hollowpoint.

I, or anyone else for that matter, cannot buy guns/bullets/etc. our way to performance. It is easier to throw $$ at a perceived problem, when in fact we should be throwing time and energy perfectly practicing perfect technique to be effective. It's the software and not the hardware.

Rev9mm

Well, I'm still on my first handgun, but here was my reasoning for purchasing a 9mm:

Local LEO's recommended nothing smaller than a 9mm (they carry .40 cal) for SD. I considered the price of ammo: figured 9mm ammo was cheaper, so I'd be shooting more. Considered .45 cal based on older "stopping power" arguments, but then realized a JHP could have quite a punch even from a 9mm. And then there was the fact that I wanted my wife to be able to shoot it if necessary.

Once I got it, I realized that the level of recoil was quite manageable even for me as a new shooter.

All in all, I'm happy so far.

g29cc

Interesting thoughts on this. I have several calibers and am starting to open carry. So small doesnt necessarily play a factor as much. But I have a MP9c , I like the feel of that, I am pretty good with it. I really like my Sig 229's, I have 4 of them. 3 .40's and 1 .357. I like the way it feels and the way it points, and I am pretty good with it as well. I also just picked up a HK 40 compact with a LEM trigger. I havent shot it yet, but I like the ergos of it. I really like my 220 , but I am not as accurate as I am with the .40's. I have a HK 45 new mod coming soon, so I am going to try that out as well. I have a couple of 226's , one in 9 mm and another .40. The 9mm is a laser beam and a half. I can almost just imagine what I am shooting and it could go around a corner and hit the bull's eye it seems. I also have a 225 in 9mm and that seems to be pretty nice too. But low capacity ( 8 rnds ). My .357 mag , 1955 model 27 is cool , and a 3" barrel, but its so huge I just have it for collector / history I guess. I just sold a Glock 29, it was on a whim and I liked it as well. But it just so expensive to shoot.

So I guess what caliber do I like. Well I guess that depends on if its monday , its sunny , 70 degrees and I woke up on the left side of the bed. I try to practice with everything I can when I can, so I am pretty good at shooting all of them. Enough to trust them all. I am just bad with trying to decide on one thing , so I figure I have to buy alot to "test" them

dripster

Glock 19 because that is what my job qualifies us with. If I am carrying on my Pistol permit, I would go with the glock 23.

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