4 Choices for Self Defense in Urban /Suburban. Situations. Your Choice.

[IJ1981]

This probably covers most of THR

 

[jmr40]

I can do anything I need to do with a handgun with 9mm and 10mm pistols. IMO 9mm with proper loads handles all 2 legged threats. 10mm is versatile enough to be a 2 legged threat stopper, but with heavy loads is a suitable 4 legged predator stopper. I do have others, like and use them. I have everything on the poll except 44 mag and I've had that in the past.

But if forced to only have one cartridge for handgun use it's going to be 9mm.

 

[Anchorite]

Where’s the .40S&W??
12 gauge shotgun?

I really like a 180gr. in a .40 and #6 in a 12 gauge pump for urban/suburban self defense.

I guess limited to your choices, toss up between 45/44.

 

[Miami_JBT]

It ain't the arrow, it is the Indian. I'm fine with all four listed and more.

Heck, give me my Beretta Mod. 81 in .32 ACP. And I'll feel fine with it as long as it is loaded with proper European FMJ loads.

 

[GEM]

A Glock 19, M&P or similar model in this vein in 9 mm is just fine. Now folks can start the 'stopping power' wars. Sadly, I have no popcorn at home. Do have peanuts.

 

[luv2safari]

I like the whop of a 45a.c.p. and flat-on-their back results. It's a round that has less chance of exiting my home walls and entering a neighbors, also.

 

[Anchorite]

A Glock 19, M&P or similar model in this vein in 9 mm is just fine. Now folks can start the 'stopping power' wars. Sadly, I have no popcorn at home. Do have peanuts.

If only it were a Friday night ….

 

[Anchorite]

I like the whop of a 45a.c.p. and flat-on-their back results. It's a round that has less chance of exiting my home walls and entering a neighbors, also.

‘Ol slab sides has sure served our country well over the years.

 

[Miami_JBT]

A Glock 19, M&P or similar model in this vein in 9 mm is just fine. Now folks can start the 'stopping power' wars. Sadly, I have no popcorn at home. Do have peanuts.

The NYT settled that debate.

People Kill People. But the Bullets Seem to Matter. (Published 2019)

Handgun caliber has been getting bigger over recent decades, even as murder rates have fallen. New research suggests that if the guns had stayed the same, homicides would have declined even more.

www.nytimes.com

 

[LiveLife]

It ain't the arrow, it is the Indian.

So true as for pistol calibers, I think shot placement overshadows bullet diameter in many circumstances.

Urban/Suburban Self Defense

Now for PCC, IMHO the extra velocity sure helps as 9mm bullet out of most pistol length barrels may be "meh" but at near .357 Magnum velocities backed up by 30+ round magazines, hey now ...

Where’s the .40S&W??

Yes, my choice of caliber.

For me, it's 40S&W Glocks with 40-9mm conversion barrels and 22LR slide kit for cheaper practice as @Miami_JBT pointed out, trigger time is important along with deliberate situation specific training like engaging multiple targets at different distances, cadence shooting (Jump to 5:20 minute of video for demo), point shooting, etc.

 

[Anchorite]

Yes, my choice of caliber.

For me, it's 40S&W Glocks with 40-9mm conversion barrels and 22LR slide kit for cheaper practice as @Miami_JBT pointed out, trigger time is important along with deliberate situation specific training like engaging multiple targets at different distances, cadence shooting (Jump to 5:20 minute of video for demo), point shooting, etc.

One could certainly have the best of many worlds in a G.22 and a drop-in 9mm conversion barrel (and I’d like to throw in a 357S barrel).
A .22 Slide kit for everything else!

 

[jar]

Caliber is a total non-starter when I consider what to carry for Self Defense and capacity is right there at the very bottom of the list with caliber.

 

[tmd16556]

Nothing smaller than a TOW missile. Never know if the hoodlums are bringin’ T-72s.

Really, they’re all fine. I voted 9mm, but I feel good with 9mm Makarov or 38 Special, too. 45 is great if you are capacity limited or cant use anything but ball. I’ve always been able to shoot 38 well. Hits overpenetrate less than misses.

 

[IJ1981]

It is good to see a lively discussion! I could have certainly added the 10mm and 40 S&W but was trying to hold it to 4.

 

[Armored farmer]

Much like @tmd1655, i have all all the chamberings listed and would be content with any of the above.
All things considered, I carry a 9mm.

 

[Bazoo]

I guess my vote is for 45 ACP, particularly in a 1911. I would make it work with any of those listed though.

 

[Leon tP]

Where's the .22 lr? 30 Super Carnage? 380 ACP?

The 380 is the ultimate urban assault cartridge, along with my urban assault knife and my bottle of urban assault water (to quench my thirst after the melee, gotta stay hydrated)

I voted 45.

40 S&W? Meh, it's what I'm wearing right now. ✔

 

[jstert]

pure protection only, by a generically normal suburbanite, i.e. one who largely doesn’t rub up against any aspect of criminal justice in any capacity (patron, victim, perpetrator, enforcer, even bystander), who shoots a little, with a spouse who shoots once, handgun sleeps until the one time that it must work well by whoever in the family employs in extremis…steel 38sp revolver, new taurus, used s&w, grips and ammo easily and reliably changed to taste.

all around use, i.e. protection, and lots of target shooting, plinking, teaching, again by same suburbanite…22lr semiautomatic pistol, ruger sr22 or similar brand name piece loaded with cci minimags.

 

[Robert]

This topic, or ones very much like it, pop up all the time. And time and time again the correct answer has been, and always will be, a Howdah Pistol.

 

[DustyGmt]

It ain't the arrow, it is the Indian. I'm fine with all four listed and more.

Heck, give me my Beretta Mod. 81 in .32 ACP. And I'll feel fine with it as long as it is loaded with proper European FMJ loads.

I keep Fiocchi 73gr in mine, it's got a lil more snap to it than the others I've tried. I've looked for non +p Lehigh solid copper XP's but haven't looked in a while because I can't even remember the last time I carried my .32acp. I think those XP's would give it a serious leg up though. Buffalo bore makes a solid hard cast flat nose standard pressure .32acp that sounds like a good hot load. You should read the product descriptions for the .380 and .32acp on Buffalo Bores website, they are hysterical.

 

[Legionnaire]

You said urban, so I went with what I carry most frequently: 9mm. I don’t own a .45 and would have voted .40 S&W had it been on the list. I like a .357 for field carry, .44 mag for hunting.

 

[CDW4ME]

Urban / suburbs - from the perspective of FL Man.
9mm - Most versatile: could be pocket size Sig 365, a Glock 19/17 or 1911 - providing at least 10 rounds and less recoil than other options.
357 mag - maybe 8 rounds, more likely 6 - more blast & recoil than 9mm with slower follow up shots, no thanks.
45 acp - 1911, Glock 30SF, Glock 21SF - so options from 8 -14 rounds, solid choice.
44 mag - only 6 rounds with blast that rattles my molars and the slowest follow up shots, no thanks.

 

[hawg]

Considering you're probably not going to have time or won't think about ear protection the noise level alone leaves out the magnums. Do you even carry ear protection when you're out and about? I don't care much for the 9mm so a 1911 in .45 ACP would be my choice.

 

[S.Crockett]

This probably covers most of THR

Noop. No 10mm AUTO in the poll = major poll fail.

No 40S&W listed either, but that’s understandable since it’s been declared a ‘dead round’ by the FBI’s ballistic experts.

 

[AlexanderA]

The choice of caliber is way down the list of priorities. First is the decision whether to carry or not, and then the choice of gun.