Just curious: best combat caliber?

I figure I would have whatever the supply sergeant issued to me.

.25 acp

In a modern combat situation... which situation? Linear war or asymmetric war?

Linear war is two standing armies fighting each other. In that case, a FN Fiveseven. It will go through body armor. The last "linear war" we had in my opinion was the Korean war.

In an asymmetric war, I would say "whatever you shoot fast and well." Anything from 9mm to .500SW if that's what you are good with, because in theory most of your enemies are going to be unarmored. The Iraq war was an asymmetric war. To some extent, the Vietnam war was asymmetric too.

45acp.
Good enough for WW1, WW2, Korea, Vietnam, and all the others between, so it's good enough for me.


BTW:
I admit being a 45 fan boy.

I've always liked the 45 but prefer a 40 as it will do what a 45 will but seems to penetrate better, comes in a 9mm sized gun and has more rounds in that package.

But if I had to go with a 45 I'd take a G21 SF or a Colt 1911.

So assuming everyone's answer is going to be similar to Jim's because no resupply = :banghead:... lets rephrase the question.

What cartridge and or handgun would you like to see on the hips of our fighting men and women?

Answer: Glock 21

Derek Zeanah said:

When I was in my primary weapon was 4.2" in diameter, and my secondary was 5.56mm. I guess I don't put much stock in pistol calibers when talking about armies and war.

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Were you an 11C?

I know a lot of grunts that would never want to be burdened with a pistol in a combat zone, and I have met a lot that made sure they DID have a pistol in a combat zone. Nowadays, it is harder to have a choice, based on current regulations. Back when, officers mostly cared less if a troop wanted to have a handgun. Some people don't like or care to be burdened with handguns. The question was "best combat caliber" for a sidearm in combat. You don't have to like handguns, or carry pistols in combat, just choose a caliber for a pistol that you think is the best. It is not a tough assignment.

Lasers! PEW,PEW,PEW....

I think Colonel Cooper was spot on with the idea of replacing the .45 ACP with the 10mm.....so give 'em all a G20. 200 gr. bullet @ 1200 fps -good out to a 100 yards.

Here's a quote from Wiki for those who haven't fallen in love with the 10 yet -

"The cartridge is considered to be high-velocity, giving it a less-curved flight path and less drop or rise above point of aim ("flat-shooting") relative to other handgun cartridges. In its lighter loadings, the 10mm Auto is an exact duplicate of the .40 S&W cartridge. More powerful loadings can equal or exceed the performance of the .357 Magnum, and retain more kinetic energy at 100 yards than the .45 ACP has at the muzzle"

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Dunno what caliber it is ......

45acp.

88 Magnum. It shoot's through schools...

.357Sig

.40 sw

I preferred a radio, short of that, rather have a gunner launch a tow at to make sure, Though my personal best (gun I shot most accurate) was a MK19...

And I was the medic....
a M9 was fun, but I left that for the range.