9mm/The King: Adequate ballistics for self-defense use with quality Hollow Points, which are plenty. Best capacity, the variety of gun size options, recoil is mild (depending on size of gun).
.40/The Optimal Powerhouse: This is the best go-to if what you desire is best firepower. Big expansion (more than .357 generally), RELIABLE expansion (more reliable than .45), better capacity than .45 ACP or .357mag. Comes with more recoil than 9 (and .45 depending on specific loads), but still considered controllable by many. Less recoil than .357sig or 10mm, allowing for quicker rapid shots. More ccw sized guns compared to 10mm or .357sig. This is for those who don't wanna think twice if their weapon will "perform" if needed. I'd settle for this over .357sig or 10mm. More power than this, and I'd go for a .556 rifle.
.380/The Useful Little Guy: Of course less powerful than the other calibers listed, but it's still powerful enough for self-defense. Almost non-existent or more recoil depending on size of gun, very concealable. Can even be pocketed with ease.
.357 Mag: Powerful and effective, but it doesn't beat .40 as far as overall firepower. Not just thinking foot pounds of energy, but also capacity, reliability and size of expansion, ease of shooting (effective shots). .357 mag has more force and reliable (yet smaller) expansion than .40 (because of higher velocity). But 7 shots? Can have twice as much of .40.
.38 Special/The Go Between: Less powerful than 9mm, and more powerful than .380 (generally). Great variety of gun sizes (can be pocketed), recoil is mild/moderate depending on load and gun size, capacity is meh.
.45 ACP: It works. Capacity is decent, less than 9 or .40 tho. Good sized round, but expansion reliability has proven to be iffy in under relatively long barrel lengths (4.5-5"). Recoil can be less or more than .40, depends on load.
All with self-defense against humans in mind.
.40/The Optimal Powerhouse: This is the best go-to if what you desire is best firepower. Big expansion (more than .357 generally), RELIABLE expansion (more reliable than .45), better capacity than .45 ACP or .357mag. Comes with more recoil than 9 (and .45 depending on specific loads), but still considered controllable by many. Less recoil than .357sig or 10mm, allowing for quicker rapid shots. More ccw sized guns compared to 10mm or .357sig. This is for those who don't wanna think twice if their weapon will "perform" if needed. I'd settle for this over .357sig or 10mm. More power than this, and I'd go for a .556 rifle.
.380/The Useful Little Guy: Of course less powerful than the other calibers listed, but it's still powerful enough for self-defense. Almost non-existent or more recoil depending on size of gun, very concealable. Can even be pocketed with ease.
.357 Mag: Powerful and effective, but it doesn't beat .40 as far as overall firepower. Not just thinking foot pounds of energy, but also capacity, reliability and size of expansion, ease of shooting (effective shots). .357 mag has more force and reliable (yet smaller) expansion than .40 (because of higher velocity). But 7 shots? Can have twice as much of .40.
.38 Special/The Go Between: Less powerful than 9mm, and more powerful than .380 (generally). Great variety of gun sizes (can be pocketed), recoil is mild/moderate depending on load and gun size, capacity is meh.
.45 ACP: It works. Capacity is decent, less than 9 or .40 tho. Good sized round, but expansion reliability has proven to be iffy in under relatively long barrel lengths (4.5-5"). Recoil can be less or more than .40, depends on load.
All with self-defense against humans in mind.
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