In this thread we carry pistols 40 (10mm) or larger caliber.

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CDW4ME

CDW4ME

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Glock 35 is (has been) a favorite primary carry pistol for me, long slide helps distribute pressure strong side IWB.
Glock 35 is "soft shooting" and offers 15 + 1 capacity of 40 S&W.
Kahr PM40 is easily carried as 2nd option in pocket and (despite caliber) less punishing to shoot one hand weak hand than a LCP 380 (IMO)

Not long ago, I got a Springfield XDs 45 acp which conveniently fits in the same pocket holster as the PM40.
XDs points well (naturally) one hand weak hand (my left) and like the PM40 is less punishing (IMO) to shoot one handed than the LCP 380
Since the Glock 35 was a favorite carry pistol, I got a model 41 in 45 acp which has the same slim slide width and length.

Now, I have the option of 40 S&W or 45 acp in pocket and on belt; however, the 45's are my 1st pick and the 40's are righteous second place.
40 S&W is not "short & weak" impressive results (below) especially from the pocket gun.
Pictured with pistols is 150 Federal Bonded shot from PM40 and 230 HST shot from XDs into water filled gallon jugs fronted with 4 layer denim.

40sand45s.jpg
My chrono averages for 5 shots:
PM40
155 gr. Federal Bonded @ 1,086 fps / 406# KE
180 gr. Speer Gold Dot @ 950 fps / 361# KE
180 gr. Federal HST - 947 fps / 359# KE
Glock 35
Winchester Ranger T 165 @ 1,204 fps / 531# KE
Federal HST 180 @ 1,019 fps / 415# KE
Speer Gold Dot 180 @ 1,008 fps / 406# KE
Springfield XDs
Remington Golden Saber 185 +P @ 1,092 fps / 490# KE (More recoil than I want)
Winchester Ranger T 230 @ 843 fps / 363# KE
Federal HST 230 @ 838 fps / 359# KE (This is my carry load, expands from short barrel (tested) and has recoil like FMJ)
Glock 41
Remington Golden Saber 185 +P @ 1,195 fps / 587# KE (Impressive KE, but I'll stick with one of the 230 gr. loads for carry)
Winchester Ranger T 230 @ 897 fps / 411# KE
Federal HST 230 @ 885 fps / 400# KE

Carrying a 40 (10mm) or larger caliber pistol, this is your thread. :thumbup:
 
I no longer carry concealed for a number of reasons. I do have an affinity for 10mm auto and a bit of hatred for 40sw. I can’t explain either of those. Over the years though, I have carried several big bores.

Taurus 405 40sw 5 shot snub revolver (appendix or pocket)
Taurus m44 44 mag 6 shot 6” (vertical shoulder rig)
Colt Delta Elite 10mm auto (vertical shoulder rig)
Colt series 70 standard 1911 .45acp (SOB canted, hurt my back)
Leinad “Double D” 45/410 death trap

I am going to swap out my truck gun soon. It’s an AR pistol in .223, I’m considering 10mm there but I’m not sure yet.
 
Am I allowed to count my CA Bulldog 44 special?

Ever since I was booted out of the He Man Woman Haters Club, I've been trying to find another gig. :)
 
I switched my main carry caliber from 9mm to .40S&W about 7 years ago. I have owned some .380, 9mm, and .45ACP during that time, but have consolidated. I currently only own .40. A S&W M&P FS, and a SA XD-S 3.3. My wife liked my XD-S so much, that we had to get her one, too. She made me swap the front fiber optic color so that she could always make sure she was shooting "her" gun.
 
I prefer .40 for carry. I have a XD-40 & an old Ruger P-94 in .40. I usually carry the XD. My only .45 is an SR 1911. I like it a lot but it is difficult to carry due to the length of the barrel. I want to get a .40 that was actually designed for the round in a compact size. It is next on the list now if my finances will only cooperate.
 
Use to carry a Colt Combat Commander and a Colt Officer's Model ACP, both in .45, for a number of years. Tried several different .40s, including a Kahr CW40, but they just didn't work out for me. Eventually I downsized to 9mm. with a Kahr CM9, Ruger SR9c, and CZ P01 in the mix. Might give the .40 (still have some ammo for it I think), another chance someday but nothing happening right this moment.
 
I'm coming along.. trying to find time to prove my recently-acquired Kahr CW45, moving up from 9mm or .38 Special (though those will still get carried from time to time.)
 
badkarmamib said:
I switched my main carry caliber from 9mm to .40S&W about 7 years ago. I have owned some .380, 9mm, and .45ACP during that time, but have consolidated. I currently only own .40. A S&W M&P FS, and a SA XD-S 3.3. My wife liked my XD-S so much, that we had to get her one, too. She made me swap the front fiber optic color so that she could always make sure she was shooting "her" gun.
Click to expand...

I had a couple of 380's but don't anymore, traded them for bigger caliber.
Insufficient ASAP potential, for me, Example: LCP & Gold Dot @ 841 fps = 141# KE - that is not power I'd prefer to bet my life on.
If someone is limited by work attire to just pocket carry, the Kahr CM/PM conceals (in holster) with something to break outline like pocket hand sanitizer.
 
I've carried a Commander length 1911 in 10mm for almost a decade.
10mm_commander_bottom.jpg


Before that, a Sig P229 in .40 S&W. Also have a Government length 1911 in 10mm. Unless something changes, I see no reason for me to move away from my current primary carry gun.

While presenting a lecture on elastic and inelastic collisions, mathematical analysis and computer simulations had me thinking "heavy and fast".

The general pattern was, the greater the momentum, the greater the damage done along the bullet's velocity vector. The greater the energy, the greater the damage done orthogonal to the bullet's velocity vector.

So, for me, a 10mm is a practical way to carry a handgun that has relatively more of each.
 
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It seems every six months or so I bounce between .45 and 9mm. Currently on a 9mm kick but once the fall gets going and I ca wear flannels again I bet my Glock 21 will spend plenty of time in my holster.

Unless I go back to 1911 land, the the VBob or R1 Doublestack will be my daily companion.
 
Dan Wesson Razorback and CCO model 1911's in 10 mm IWB for about 15 years. When I moved to town, I backed off on the horsepower and now carry .45s or 9mms.
 
harrygunner said:
I've carried a Commander length 1911 in 10mm for almost a decade.

Before that, a Sig P229 in .40 S&W. Also have a Government length 1911 in 10mm. Unless something changes, I see no reason for me to move away from my current primary carry gun.

While presenting a lecture on elastic and inelastic collisions, mathematical analysis and computer simulations had me thinking "heavy and fast".

The general pattern was, the greater the momentum, the greater the damage done along the bullet's velocity vector. The greater the energy, the greater the damage done orthogonal to the bullet's velocity vector.

So, for me, a 10mm is a practical way to carry a handgun that has relatively more of each.
Click to expand...

What make is that commander 10mm 1911?

I carried 1911's for awhile and like the 10mm versions. ;)

10mm1911's.jpg
 
.40 S&W is a potent self-defense, handgun cartridge. I prefer it in midsize, all-metal pistols. I have two SIG P229s chambered in .40 S&W that I occasionally shoot 357 SIG out of. In full-size, home defense pistols that accept larger magazines I have a mild preference for .45 ACP and in compact or subcompact pistols with limited magazine capacity I choose 9 mm Luger for practical reasons.
 
CDW you do this across too many forums. My primary carry guns are 9mm but I do have a couple of .45's that are worthy of carry rotation. However I've decided I don't want to subject my Gold Cup due to the possibility of poor police property room treatment. That leaves me with only the Sig P250 .45acp for carry. So I'm in short supply for .40+ pistols for carry.
 
My most common carry gun is a .45 1911 in commander format (4.25" barrel, bobtail grip). In the woods or in certain other rural locales, I will carry an EAA Witness Match in 10mm. Usually IWB at 4:00 for either.
 
If the following comments are not appropriate for this discussion, the moderator should let me know, and I'll open a new topic and not drag this one down.

I continue to be interested in discussions about the use of larger or more powerful rounds (.357 SIG, .357 Magnum, .40, .45, and 10mm) in self-defense situations. (I've owned .357 Magnums, .357 SIGs, even had a 10mm for a while, but now have mostly 9mm and .40 handguns.)

Everything I've read, heard, or can find supporting evidence for suggests that in a self defense situation, the most important self-defense act is to STOP the attacker as quickly as possible so that he or she can't stop you.

That is done by a well-placed shot to the attacker's central nervous system (CNS). The secondary effects of a handgun round passing through the body (i.e., the wound channel) seem to have little immediate effect unless the bullet is traveling at rifle speeds (i.e., at least 2,000 fps). At that speed and higher, the secondary wound channel is likely to be quickly debilitating. Darned few handgun loads come close to 2,000 fps.
  • While a larger diameter bullet has a somewhat greater chance of hitting a critical spot in the attacker than a small one, it's still got to be a well-placed shot. The differences are not that great.
  • A larger wound channel might cause the attacker to bleed out more quickly, but that won't necessarily stop his or her attack in time to keep you alive. (Even a shot to the heart can give the attacker 30-60 seconds to continue his or her attack, time enough for a couple of shots or a slash or thrust.)
  • A through-and-through wound channel will arguably speed bleed out, but that doesn't stop the fight quickly.
  • If the shooter is proficient in the use of his or her weapon, the larger caliber rounds are likely to be a bit more effective than smaller-diameter rounds, simply because they are bigger -- but the FORCE with which they hit the target, given appropriate penetration, seems to be a non-factor. (In other words, a well-designed .40 round should be just as effective as a well-designed 10mm round.)
  • Shot placement (with adequate penetration) remains the most critical factor in stopping the attack and remaining alive.
It appears that almost any center-fire round, regardless of caliber, that penetrates deeply enough -- at least 12"-13" but not more than 18" (where unintended damage to others is possible) -- and hits a key part of the CNS (spine, brain) is likely to take the attack out of the attacker quickly.

If these points are correct, what are some advantages the larger caliber or more powerful loads in self-defense offer the shooter that are not addressed in this type of discussion?
 
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