Best Cal. for a S.D. Handgun?

It is hard to beat a 9 for power, magazine capicity and size.

Cripes! This question has been hashed so many times in the past. It sits right up there with the "What is the best caliber for bear defense" threads.

Pick a caliber you are comfortable and accurate with and will carry all of the time. A gun that is too bulky or is uncomfortable for you is going to get left home in the safe.

The first rule of gunfighting: Have a gun.
Everything beyond that is details.

While I have a .45acp that serves duty in the colder months, my Ruger LCP (.380) spends nearly every day with me. I subscribe to the thought that this diminutive little gun can go with me everywhere, regardless of what I am wearing, thus obeying rule #1.

9 is good for SD on all accounts you just mentioned. Too bad it is among the first to run dry when the ammo panic strikes.

People are still having trouble coming up with 9mm ammo - more so than most other common SD calibers.



What I have noticed, in my area at least, is that you can get .40 S&W the easiest come panic time. That being said, my answer to the OP is .357, simply because you can use .38 special too and usually you can at least find one of the two somewhere. Keep in mind that I am only speaking strictly in terms of panic availability, and nothing more.

tubeshooter said:

9 is good for SD on all accounts you just mentioned. Too bad it is among the first to run dry when the ammo panic strikes.

People are still having trouble coming up with 9mm ammo - more so than most other common SD calibers.



What I have noticed, in my area at least, is that you can get .40 S&W the easiest come panic time. That being said, my answer to the OP is .357, simply because you can use .38 special too and usually you can at least find one of the two somewhere. Keep in mind that I am only speaking strictly in terms of panic availability, and nothing more.

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He's right about the ammo part..40 is everywhere here, and has been throughout the entire panic.

Any 9mm that suits your fancy. The key to getting through ammo shortages is to buy it cheap when available and have enough to get you through. That is easier to do with 9mm.

Among the wisest words I have ever heard:

Pick a handgun that fires the largest/most powerful projectile you can shoot accurately and quickly/repeatedly. Make sure said handgun is one that you can and will carry daily. Find a round that functions 110% reliably (not a concern for you revolver guys). And then carry it 24/7...or guess right.

Yes, I have taken the words of several wise men and put them all into one (hopefully cogent) conceptual paragraph.

You will see many people say that "a hit with a .22 (.380, 9mm, etc) is better than a miss with a .45" as if those were the only two options. I've never seen anyone claim the inverse to be true.

And while it is true that the .380 in your pocket is of more value than the .44 mag at home...again, those are not the only two options.

Remember that most people are happy to share their opinion with you. Most often, they will be trying to validate their own choices, not help you find what is right for you. If you take one thing away from this discussion, take that.

You must examine the continuum of size, power, capacity, weight, etc...and decide the point that fits you. And be advised, what you decide today may change a year or five years down the road. Doesn't make one choice "better" or "worse"...just "better for you" at this point in time.

If there were one "right choice", do you think there would be so many options?

Everything in life is a compromise. Having lots and lots of money only makes the compromises a bit easier to deal with, and the consequences of a wrong choice a bit less painful.

The journey can be an enjoyable one--don't make it a chore.

Glock 19 or glock 23. You can use both for SD carry and range time fun. And they are widely available at good prices.

Assuming the OP is asking for suggestions based solely on the current ammo supply, I'll offer a suggestion based on a person who owns no guns now, and needs to be able to get ammo fairly easily via local outlets (in my locale.)

Ammo that I routinely find readily-available and is suitable for handgun usage is either in .40 S&W, and .22WMR. So, if I knew someone who needed a defensive piece now, and had to be able to get ammo for training, function-testing, and carry, I'd suggest a piece in one of those calibers. Which one would depend on the individual.

When I pack a J revolver, then .38 or .357 (I really like my 640-1 snub with DPX .357 ammo.)

When I pack my sub-compact Glocks then 9mm, .40S&W, or .357 Sig. I like 'em all but I do tend to just pack the 9mm 26 with Winchester +p+ 127s (but DPX is mighty fine to.)

See with ammo shortage I just reload my practice ammo and very sparingly shoot expensive JHP hollowpoints.

Deaf

For me, it's the .40S&W, provided it's in a small enough package to conceal in my required attire. It often isn't, and that takes me to a .38SPL or, more recently, a .380 Auto.

For you? I have no idea, but as many have said, you can't go too far wrong with a 9x19.

For me it is either a small 9mm or a .380 because I am more comfortable with a "pocket rocket". KelTec PF9 is affordable and reliable and there are several others I would feel comfortable carrying.
I have been able to pick up 9mm ammo off and on throughout the recent panic and have as much now as I did when it all started even though I shoot it more than any other. Can't walk into Walmart every day and find it but I have gotten lucky a couple of times. .380....not so much.

Why not look at the ammo supply when you go to get your gun?
Buy as much as you're willing to afford.

9 40 45 would be my first three.

I wouldn't base my choice of SD carry sidearm based on a temporary aberration in ammo supply and demand.

9mm or even .40 would fit the bill. I see a lot more .40 nowadays compared to 9mm.

Well, I'll admit that the concern about ammunition availability is a valid one when making a choice about a self-defense handgun. You should be able to buy enough ammunition to establish and maintain proficiency with your weapon, as well as carry whatever self-defense loads you wish.

HOWEVER, the current ammunition issue is short term...and improving even now. So it's not as valid a concern as it would otherwise be.

My advice is to ignore the current ammunition crisis and make your choice based on other criteria.

My personal opinion is that one should carry the largest caliber handgun that they can comfortably and easily control when shooting.

To be sure, there are other factors which may be considered, and rightfully so. But whatever your choice, it will be a compromise of many of these factors, to one extent or another.

Huh!

You will see many people say that "a hit with a .22 (.380, 9mm, etc) is better than a miss with a .45" as if those were the only two options. I've never seen anyone claim the inverse to be true.

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What is the inverse to that? Is there an inverse?
A hit with a .45 is better than a miss with a .22?
A hit with a .45 is worse than a miss with........??
A miss with a .22 is better than a miss with.....
What?
&:^)

I still see .45 Colt ammo on the shelf at Wal-Mart when nothing else is in stock.

It was a man-stopper in 1879, and it still is!!

rc

I carry a 380... And a 9mm... And a 45... Sometimes a 357... And then... Well it's more about the platform than the round in my opinion. Between 9, 40, and 45 the terminal ballistics are so similar that I don't think it's a big factor. I don't carry a 40 though, not because I don't like it, I just have 9s and 45s and reload for them so I stay away from 40 for the reloading factor.

Best BUY? I'm not sure what you're getting at. I'll just state my fave carry calibers, pocket I prefer 9mm, .38 is my revolver pocket carry. On a belt, I prefer my .357 magnum. I do carry .45ACP some.

I'm really not that anal about caliber, but 9 is scarce right now I understand. I handload so I don't keep up with ammo problems except in rimfire. 9 is traditionally more affordable than most other calibers, even .380.

I'm an old revolver guy, though, and find myself totin' a .38 Ultralite pocket carry and as back up to a .357 when I belt carry. I like that because a Bianchi speed strip of .38s will fit either gun. Just kinda makes sense.

Caliber does not matter. When it comes down to it 9mm, .40, .357 sig, .45 acp, .38 special etc, they are all pretty much the same. What matters is shot placement, get the gun you want and learn to shoot it well

Caliber does not matter. When it comes down to it 9mm, .40, .357 sig, .45 acp, .38 special etc, they are all pretty much the same.

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Shhh. Are you trying to start an internet war or something? Comments like that can cause a thread to get 500 posts in an hour.

In my area 10mm is the only handgun cartridge that I saw continually on the shelves during this shortage. Whos to say the next shortage wont be different? Pick a gun and stock up on ammo or reloading equipment. Thats all you can really do.

These days, with modern bonded hollowpoints, any service cartridge with premium JHP ammunition is as good as it gets. There is so little real-world difference between them, it's difficult to say one is more effective than any of the others. 9mm, .40, 10mm, .45, .357 SIG, .38, .357. See which one you shoot best.

38 spl. , 357 mag , 44 mag, 9mm, 40 S&W, 45 acp, 357 sig, 10 mm, 45 colt, and 44 spl. Will all get the job done. Some are better than others for ballistics, cost, availability. Many considerations, but many only you can answer.