Best Cal. for a S.D. Handgun?

[5Wire]

I had this for a while and, foolishly, sold it. I lucked out on another one some years later and another, later model (PXT Carry LDA), a month or so. Both do carry duty in rotation with a S&W 642 and S&W Bodyguard 38 depending on season, depth of pockets, and social environment. It is a bit heavy for its size.

LDA stands for Light Double Action. The pistol is double action, without second strike capability, based on partial cocking when the slide is cycled. The flush hammer must be cycled for the pistol to fire. Other controls are similar or the same as the venerable 1911. Most 1911 magazine will function in these pistols for a round or two more as backup mags.

Para Ordnance C6.45 LDA (.45ACP), it's about 6.5 inches long.



Para Ordnance PXT (Power Extractor) Carry LDA



The current equivalent is the LDA Carry:

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Where I live you can get 9, 40, and 45 defensive ammo. The generic FMJ is still a bit hard to find. I personally wouldn't let current ammo situation dictate which to get. If you don't know which you like, I would reccomend starting with 9 mm as has the least recoil of three I mentioned. Over time as you shoot more you can see if you want to go to a bigger caliber.

 

[PabloJ]

With all the problems with ammunition going on. What Cal.handgun do you think is the 'best 'buy right now for a S.D. carry gun? & Why?

Not being you it is impossible for me to answer your question. What is 'best' depends on the ultimate user.

 

[sheephearder]

^^^
This is the correct answer. For me in a full size gun any thing from 9mm/38sp up but my wife has weak hand strength and will not shoot any thing but her 22lr S&W 422.

 

[all357mag]

If a revolver, 38spl. You don't barrel length to wring out magnum velocities like a 357mag. In auto, 45acp or 40 s&w. The guns in 40cal are usually a little slimmer and easier to conceal.

 

[gandog56]

Member


Join Date: May 26, 2007
Posts: 5,841

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.

That or reload, like I do. I reload any caliber I have except of course .22 LR. I can use any caliber pistol to fit the situation. And what is meant by an SD gun, anyways? We talking a carry piece, a bedroom gun, what? What I carry would depend on what clothes I'm wearing. I mean I use a .380 Auto in weather where I am wearing shorts and tees. If it's colder I wear a jacket with an inside holster, and go something bigger, up to 1911 in 10mm or .45. For a bedside gun I have both a 12 gauge shotgun and a 10mm with a laser sight.

 

[Kleanbore]

Several considerations:

• Adequate penetration and unexpanded diameter; means something in the .38 Special or 9MM class or higher
• Your ability to get hits on target very rapidly; rules out gun/ammo combinations that generate heavy recoil
• Adequate ammunition capacity; usually rules out a five shot firearm for primary carry and mitigates against a six shot, but if that's what you want, there is a solution--carry two of them
• A firearm that is sufficiently light and compact to result in your carrying it all the time; mitigates against large-frame revolvers
• Large enough to be fired with reasonable effectiveness
• Not too high on the decibel scale, for use indoors; mitigates against magnum loads and some others
• A relatively common chambering

 

[Mauser lover]

Well, lets see... Best caliber for a South Dakota handgun...

For ammo availability, Black Hills ammunition is in Rapid City, so if you live in the western part of the state, .45 LC is a decent option, as far as ammo availability. Black Hills ammunition is usually pretty decent ammo, so...

(Sorry, I couldn't resist)

Go with whatever you want, and if you cannot get ammo, start reloading! There are so many different combinations for reloading that you should always be able to make some semblance of ammunition that works okay in your gun.

Maybe black powder is for you? I believe NAA made one of their little revolvers in a percussion model. Or go for the self defense firearms that were used 120 years ago! They worked then, they should work now, maybe not the absolute best, but I haven't heard about any ammunition shortages for black powder fans.

 

[Yo Mama]

The only guns I have ever had problems with were revolvers. There is plenty that can go wrong.

 

[BlindJustice]

SE Wash/central ID

hardly any .22LR since last year, there are
some boxes of Fed. 40 countfor $4.

9mm Luger is coming back slowly.

I tnink the old stock of .40 S&W & 10mm Auto is
gone now andit's not getting restocked real quick.

.45 ACP was the last to get scarce
and I do see some .45 Colt but it isn't popular.

That Said, my SD/HD "Carliber" options?

1911 5" - Milt Sparks #Aciom holster with MS
IWB mag carrier and MS Belt

Long Gone: Marlin 1894 20" Bbl. 10+1 in .45 Colt

Favorite Range GUn: S&W 625 5" Bbl.
which would require imo a vertical shoulder rig to
carry it.

I also have a CZ 75B in 9x19
uber reliable and accurate, bought it for a
cheaper alt. to the price of .45 ACP et al.

and a backup J-frame .38 spcl/.357 Mag

So, I'm looking currently for a smaller than
a full size 1911, probably a Commander and bobtail it.

It would be nice to get a S&W610 which
can chamber/fire the 10mm AUto and.40 S&W
so whatever ammo I find I'd be able to shoot it.

R-

 

[barnetmill]

It really depends on a lot of factors and what is the best round for you may not be the best for someone else. If you are an older female with arthritis perhaps a 1911 is not for you. But a .22 short, .22 lr, or .25 may be the best that you can use. I personally now days mostly carry the a G33 and and G19. For me the 9mm is the best caliber although I often go about with a .357 sig. I purchased the .357 caliber prior to realizing that 9 mm luger was a better choice for me. This is from someone that was raised on the 1911 .45 ACP myth. If possible for small calibers the penetration of the round should be looked at and the .22 short not used if at all possible. Most of the other common pistol rounds have enough penetration for multiple shots to penetrate into vital organs. I would be dubious of some .32 revolver loadings and also the factory underloaded .38 S&W loads. I think a .32 HR MAG is the minimum for people without disabilities for SD. I at times do carry .32 and .380 ACPs pistols, but prefer 9mm loadings when feasible.

 

[hariph creek]

I've seen 10mm, consistently, through this most recent stupidity.
And .41 mag.
And .32 acp.
And .40 s&w a lot, lately.

 

[mesinge2]

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

I was actually one of those guys that used to say: If you want power get a 45, if you want capacity get a 9mm, but I don't see the reason for the 40.

Well, after the last ammo panic in 2009 I purchased a few 40s specifically because that ammo was readily available on the shelves. Now, it is one of my favorite calibers. I still like the 45 and 9mm but the 40 has its place. Also, I think that because a good deal of LE agencies use the 40, it always seems to be at least marginally available.

 

[bdickens]

There is no "best."

That's like asking what is the "best" car, the "best" saw or the "best" food.

Experiment and find what works for you.

 

[Bovice]

My minimum is a 9mm, preferably with a 4" barrel or longer.

 

[peacemaker45]

Well, the best handgun round is .45ACP, in an autopistol or revolver with moonclips. Unfortunately, the platforms which launch it tend to be either large and heavy, or small and difficult to shoot well. Now, no one who's given the matter much serious consideration really wants to stake his life on a gun he can't shoot worth beans. This is where smaller calibers come in, because smaller guns are easier to carry, but need to launch smaller bullets if they're going to be manageable. Thus, the perfect caliber varies depending on the size of the gun you choose to carry it in. For example, my current carry battery consists of a full size, all steel .45 ACP, a compact lightweight .38 Super, and a pocket pistol in .32 ACP.

Of course, there is a good deal of conflicting opinion out there. Some of it comes from people whe can't separate their caliber choice from their ego, and thus insist on a micro .45, or else a loudenboomer magnum of some sort. Some of it comes from people who think that a gun, any gun, no matter how small is a talisman, that bullets are magic, and will protect them from harm, no matter how small or few they be.

Members of both camps, ironically, often point to the "average gunfight," of two to three rounds at halitosis distances, and ask, "How much power/controllability/capacity/insert desirable trait here, do you really need?"

I suspect that these people are forgetting that one should prepare for what one's enemy can do, not just what one thinks the enemy will do. At least that's what
Clausewitz thought, and it seems reasonable to me.

 

[osteodoc08]

Whatever I have on me when SHTF. Usually 40 or 45. I also carry 9mm. I feel comfortable with any. So long as I'm carrying, I'm comfortable with what I have. It's all about training.

 

[mdauben]

With all the problems with ammunition going on. What Cal.handgun do you think is the 'best 'buy right now for a S.D. carry gun? & Why?

I guess everyone recommending the 9mm ignored the first sentence? I know 9mm has been non-existent in my area and most online sources for the last six months. Its just now starting to reappear with any regularity.

Since the first of the year, the common SD ammo I have had the most luck finding has been .45ACP so I'll have to say that. I've been able to keep my G36 filled without any real problems.

 

[wow6599]

Too many to list.....but I'll pick my favorite.

From Underwood -

Caliber: 10mm Auto
Bullet Weight: 165 Grains
Bullet Style: Speer Bonded Jacketed Hollow Point
Case Type: Brass

Ballistics Information:

Muzzle Velocity: 1400 fps
Muzzle Energy: 718 ft. lbs.

Nasty stuff.....

 

[Mike J]

As far as "carry guns" go I have pistols in 9mm,.40 caliber & .45acp. I actually only recently acquired the .45. In all honesty the only subcompact in the lot is the 9mm but depending on what I am wearing and where I am going they all have their place. I also have an old .357 revolver with a 4" barrel (I consider it my "woods carry gun"). I like having guns in more than 1 caliber because it increases the odds of me being able to find something I can use.

 

[RBid]

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.

Familiar words to live by.

 

[MattShlock]

For me it is 9x18mm; 9mm Makarov. ...with the right guns which are generally disposeable cheap Eastern Block milsurp.

They are also good for bear defense ya know!

 

[krupparms]

This question was asked so that some friends & I could get an idea of what ammunition is available & where. It would seem 9×19mm & .22Lr. were the first to go. Followed by the other Cal.s. We cannot find .22Lr. yet but some of the other Cal.s. are starting to appear on shelves again. Thanks for the information. And please don't stop! The more posts from around the country help us know what is available & where that ammunition is at! Good information for us all! Thanks! K.

 

[TUBBY1]

Find the gun you feel most comfortable to carry. Then practice shooting.the caliber will relate to the available size of comfortable concealment.sometimes I've got my 380 lcp, other times my .410, 45lc bond arms ck2000. Cold days my sp101,357 or shield 40. You have to be comfortable and accurate. The only mistake is none at all.

 

[smkummer]

98 redline has it right

First of all the gun has to be carried. If you can try before you buy, then see how the gun works or carries for you. While certain calibers may be a tough find now, it won't last so don't base a SD carry gun on that. While the New Colt Agent 45 is what I would want to draw (and they shoot well also), it needs a holster. Most of the time my Smith 61 (22 auto) just fits in any pair of pants or cargo shorts I am wearing. So it is always with me. Second is my Colt alloy agent 38 special. For myself, flat side autos carry easier for me but I shoot the snubbie revolvers better.