Of All of Your Hanguns, Which Is Your Minimal Level of Comfort for SD?

Any functional handgun is better than bare hands, but I consider every modern cartridge from 9mm P on up to be a good choice with proper ammo in a reliable gun.

In some cases, a .22 or .22 Mag is a decent choice - for example, an arthritic senior citizen may not be capable of shooting something more potent without pain.

I'd have no problem using a 22lr to protect myself if that was all that was available.

From the replies I think I have you all beat, Davis .22 Mag derringer.

This one ...

Mil-Dot said:

That's an easy one. For me it'd be my .22 Ruger Single Six.
Weakest round, and non-repeating action.
But even then, I wouldn't complain, it's a hella lot better than a wiffle-ball bat !!

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Non repeating? My Single Six is a six shot revolver.

Bob Wright

My handgun calibers ranked from least comfort to most, assuming well-chosen SD ammo for all:

22 LR (only as a last resort)

38 Special and 9mm - would put these about equal round-for-round, but would prefer to have more rounds so 9mm would get the nod if the gun in question carried significantly more rounds (mine does).

.45 ACP would rank higher than the 9mm for SD since my .45 holds 11 rounds. Drop that back to a 7 or 8 rounder and I might go 9mm with more rounds.

.357 Magnum with hot 125 gr JHP, even with 6 rounds, would probably be the one I'd have most confidence in.

Either My .22 Beretta 21 or Walther TPH is in my pocket all the time I'm at home. I figure I can fight my way to the Glock 19 in my bedroom.

The absolute last line of defence would probably be a Spanish Colt vest pocket 25 ACP I got from my FIL I've never fired it so I don't know for sure it works, my Beretta 21a 22 LR and my real Colt vest pocket 25 actually have been carried but usually as a BUG to a real gun.

My 32 NAA. That thing is nasty. I have a MKII and a Buckmark that I can't miss with but those would be worst case scenario.

BobWright said:

Mil-Dot said:







Non repeating? My Single Six is a six shot revolver.



Bob Wright

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It's a single action. Each pull of the trigger does not fire a round like double action or semiautomatic. I'm assuming this is what that member meant when he said non repeating.

Well, if I'm cleaning guns, I'm in the basement. Unless I have my carry gun on me, a H&R mod 622 22 revolver is the only thing at the ready. If I'm cleaning a revolver, 10 feet away is an ample supply of 38 or 357 ammo.

I Got Lucky

@Tallball - If you assumed that I am unarmed while I’m sitting around the house then you assumed wrong. If I have no intention of going out, the minimum I have with me is a Glock 27 in a DeSantis pocket holster.

Eight years ago I was in my kitchen when I looked through the windowed entrance from the garage and I saw a man rummaging around the garage. I was caught off guard with the nearest gun two rooms and a hallway distant in the bedroom. Only the doorknob lock was on and he could have easily kicked the opening-in door in.

Luckily when he spotted me he was more startled than me and he ran out to a waiting pickup truck. Once burned - twice shy.

So if time doesn't allow getting something more serious and several mags to go with it, then you have my answer.

Anyone else carry while at home?

Dragon813qt said: (Referring to a Ruger Single Six)

It's a single action. Each pull of the trigger does not fire a round like double action or semiautomatic. I'm assuming this is what that member meant when he said non repeating.

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I've always assumed a magazine arm, lever, bolt, or slide action, was a repeater, even though not a semi-automatic.

True, a Single Action is not a "spray and pray" arm, but their rate of fire is not to be taken lightly.

Bob Wright

BobWright said:

True, a Single Action is not a "spray and pray" arm, but their rate of fire is not to be taken lightly.

Bob Wright

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If the operator is skilled enough, not to be taken lightly at all. Skip to the 20 second spot and enjoy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgav7mNzIYo

(of the Single-Six not being a "repeater")

It's a single action. Each pull of the trigger does not fire a round like double action or semiautomatic.

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..and BobWright responds with:

I've always assumed a magazine arm, lever, bolt, or slide action, was a repeater, even though not a semi-automatic.

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I agree. I think the original Henry Rifle Company did, too, when they first introduced their "Henry Repeating Rifle."

I'm pretty sure the term means any firearm that can be fired more than once without it, or it's magazine (if there is one) needing to be reloaded after the first shot.

I don't "carry", but am applying for a concealed weapons permit. Many years ago, when Miami was hit by hurricane Andrew, I remember people preparing to defend their home by wearing a gun, and something like that is the only scenario where I see myself walking around "armed".

To answer the question in this thread, the only gun I would feel comfortable walking around with, is my small 357 S&W revolver. Nothing to need to remember if under stress, it will fire if you pull the trigger, it's small, light, and comfortable to wear.

In an actual emergency, I think my 1911 would be a better weapon for self defense if necessary, but this thread was for "Which Is Your Minimal Level of Comfort for SD?".

Hard decision as I own more than a few handguns.
I guess the Charter Arms Bulldog, easy to carry concealed, lightweight and the 44 Spl makes a fair sized hole.

I would also say my Beretta .22 Neos. It certainly isn't my first choice but 10 rounds of .22 can be pretty devastating with good shot placement. As a side note, it would make a pretty effective club if all else failed.

Saw-Bones said:

Anyone else carry while at home?

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Nope, but there are three loaded guns in my home at all times when I'm there. I'm never more than about 4 steps from one.

I also live in a really low crime area also, and I keep my property secured and locked up at all times.

Every single one of my guns can be pressed into a self defense role as they are all 32 caliber and larger. But I probably would be least comfortable with my 1911, as it is a little finicky on ammo.

My newest two are a Bauer .25 Baby Browning Copy and an Auto Nine Corp .22 LR of almost the same size.

For me, it is the very same gun I EDC, my Shield in 9mm. While I have other guns that I could use, from .22 to .44 Mag, the Shield is my constant companion. For social work, my minimum caliber is 9mm/.38 special.

The minimum for me would be my S&W model 10-8 38 Special. If you want maximum then that would be one of four different guns. My 20" rifle sight barrel Remington 870 Wingmaster, Colt AR15 SP1, Beretta CX4 Storm Carbine, or my 5 1/2" Bright Stainless Ruger Vaquero in 44 Magnum should fit that bill nicely.

Tallball said:

Sorry if I stated it poorly. I wasn't trying to make a scenario as much as I was just curious where everyone's comfort level was.

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I don't think you stated it poorly. Some poster's reading comprehension seems to be a bit poor though. The pistol I would be least likely to grab is my Keltec P3-AT. Also, addressing your comment about crazy terrorists with rifles. Why would your choice be any different for that scenario?

^ ^ ^ ^

Tallball - "So here is the deal, you are sitting around the house cleaning guns and you hear a door or window right near you being smashed open. Or you receive an urgent phone call and have to rush out of the house right that second to go help a close friend or family member in serious distress."

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The opening thread sure sounded like a scenario. To whose reading comprehension are you referring to?