Who carries a small caliber?

Nothing smaller than 9x19 for me, and those with +p hollow points. I don't fault you guys who carry smaller calibers unless it's a .22 or a .22 magnum. Of the 3, I'd take the sharp stick over either of those two. <g>

The smallest gun that I carry is a Taurus PT22 loaded with CCI Stingers. It is handy for going to the barn or out in my woods and I can hit what I want out to 30 feet. Of course a 9 mm along with it is ok also.

When you're in a defensive situation, I will tell you from experience that a 12ga pump action shotgun with 8 in the tube and one in the chamber feels too small.

That said, I carry a .45 most of the time, but sometimes if I need to REALLY be concealed, I'll carry a .25 pocket pistol or a J frame revolver in .38sp.

BodyGuard 380 day in day out. As most have mentioned todays ammunition has come a long way.

I carry a .380 if that's considered small. If I had to I'd even carry a .32ACP - I'm not much for the caliber debates. I would draw my limit at (intentionally) carrying a .25ACP or .22LR though. Not that I wouldn't want one rather than nothing if the need arose, but I wouldn't purposefully take one out of the house for defense.

I carry a NAA Pug in hot weather while cutting the grass. It's a good "get off me" gun.

And I also pocket a Beretta Bobcat now and then. The stingers make a lot of noise and flash. I can empty those mags really fast while staying on target too. I like it so much I might get the .32acp version.

If i wake up I've got my .22 lr naa mini in my pocket...

Now given 1/2 a chance I've got my kimber eclipse II target 1911 on my hip. And if I'm in my truck I've got a .410 ga. derringer side by side full of winchester PD 000 buckshot. And if that won't stop the threat, i shouldn't have been there to start with... Just a Redneck being a Redneck...

I own a Kahr PM9 that I carried every day for 3 1/2 years...until I discovered I could carry a .45 every day.

The PM9 has seen the light of day maybe three times in the last three years.

Likewise, I've owned an LCP for about three years. Range trips aside, I've carried it maybe three times...when I was going to spend the day on a creeper under a car.

I'm old (55) and set in my ways. If there comes the day when I physically cannot carry the most powerful caliber I can shoot well then I will compromise and carry something smaller and weaker.

Until that day comes, I cannot and will not.

When I can't fit my .38 snubby in my pocket, I fill my pocket with my .32 ACP NAA Guardian topped up with FMJ ammo.

Sometimes a .380 or a .32, if maximum concealment is the main issue. Otherwise a .38 Special, 9mm, or .45, particularly someplace where open carry is allowed.

Right now I alternate between a Walther PPS in .40 S&W and an S&W Bodyguard .380. I'm thinking about getting a .38 snub again, but I'll keep the .380 regardless.

Another Kel-Tec P32 carrier here. I carry it in my right front pants pocket in a Desantis Nemesis holster, and I honestly forget that it's there from time to time. It has been very reliable, and I can shoot pretty well with it: better than I would have imagined with such a small gun.

I've been known to carry a .32 or even a .25 especially on long trips. Better than nothing (really).

I carry my .22 naa mini mag 1 1/8" barrel. With winchester dyna pointes or the new gold dots I carry in it now. At approx 8' I've shot these rounds straight through 2" of solid wood. Their is no way I could duplicate that power level with a any "sharp stick".

Y'all remember what Jeff Cooper said about carrying a .25? (This is close)

Never carry a .25. If you carry you may need it one day, and if you need it you'll be tempted to draw it. If you draw it you may be tempted to fire it, and if you fire it you may hit the guy. And if you hit him with a .25 and he finds out about it, he's going to be MAD....

<g>
Dan

For years I carried a P32. I never felt unarmed. I have since owned a NAA mini in 22 mag and also a 642 J frame. Currently on the smaller side I have a CM9. I sold my P32 and my NAA so that I wouldnt carry them. I still carry 38sp from time to time but its in a 4" K frame I couldnt control the round in my J frame. I purchased the CM9 because I find it concealable, shootable and controlable. I have found that when I am dressed where I need to tuck. I can slide my CM9 in my pocket of most khakis. On other days I have a smart carry holster that allows me to carry from my CM9 to a Glock 26. Otherwise its appendix carry with just a regular fitting untucked shirt.

No need for anything smaller than 9x19 for me. BUT, I sometimes carry my 9x18 Radom P64 anyway just because I like the thing. It's enough. But, I can easily pocket my Kel Tec P11 or my Taurus M85SSUL and they get the brunt of my CCW use. I don't need no stinkin' micro .380.

BUT.....

The .22 is an everyday weak side also gun and the Black Widow sees duty on rare occasion as a primary, church gun, etc. I've even carried my Super Companion, nifty little gun with some good pop to it, as much as a 30 grain .22 mag when loaded properly.

Most of the time I carry my SP 101 .357 concealed, but if its just a quick run to the store, I'll slip my Beretta 1935 .32 into my pocket, filled with 73 gr. FMJ rounds. I like the SP better, but not afraid with the .32 being close at hand.

I carry a .22 !!!!!!!!!!

I had a Kel-Tec P32, and carried it quite a bit as a back-up gun, as I gained faith in its reliability, I carried it some as my only gun. I foolishly sold it and swore off "mouse guns" for good. The reality is, for most of us a small true pocket pistol is sometimes the only thing we can carry truly and comfortably concealed. I purchased a new Kel-Tec P3AT a couple of months ago, and it now lives in my pocket, I keep my .38 close by/on me as well most of the time, but it's nice to have the .380 always. When it comes right down to it, it's not what you shoot, it's how you shoot that matters.

My three carry weapons are in the following calibers:

380acp

38spl

9mm

Some consider all three to be small calibers. I consider all three sufficient for my needs.