For Self Defense, what weight, in what caliber is more often preferred?

[DonRon]

My favorite self defense caliber is NATO 5.56 at 100 yards or more!

 

[Ben86]

Save frangible bullets for shooting steel. They can't be relied upon to penetrate deep enough to damage vital organs.

This is true, the conditions change lighting, adrenalin, point shooting instead of using sights, moving and running can you still can put them .22 LR into eye sockets?
On paper it easy to put em into eye sockets I can do that with my Browing Buckmark.

Don't make the mistake of thinking a SD situation will be like paper punching at the range. There are a lot of people who have never even played airsoft, or any kind of force on force game, and don't realize this. Not that airsoft and the like will teach you everything, but it does show you that its a lot harder to get a good hit when you are under attack.

 

[Erik M]

In my GP100 I prefer Hornady 125 grain. In my 9mm I carry Federal 115 grain (9BPLE +p+). The old stand by .38 snub is loaded with 158 grain Gold Dots.

 

[wow6599]

Not saying it's the best, just what I use for carry rds -

357 Mag - 125
9mm - 124 +p
45 ACP - 200 or 230, but I like the idea of the slightly faster 200 gr
10mm - 165
380 - 102

Now, for SD against 4 legged critters I go with -

357 Mag - 180 gr HC
10mm - 200 gr HC
No need for any thing over a 357 or 10mm here in Missouri.......biggest 4 legged animals are small black bears and the one in a million mt. lion.

 

[squinty]

POA/POI variations in different bullet weights, velocities

Forgive me for not wading through all six pages of this thread. I have always used standard pressure loads fmj for practice, and tried to carry SD loads in the same bullet weight/velocity range not because of terminal ballistics, but because I wanted something that handled most similarly, and shot to the same POA/POI, as the ammo I practiced with. Shooting .38 out of my snubnose for practice, I noticed that .357 shot several inches higher out of the same gun, so I had to make a decision: spend more money to train and practice with .357 (and create more wear and tear on the firearm, but oddly easier cleaning of the chambers) or use .38 special for self defense.

A round with very different qualities than what I'm used to practicing with, I'm afraid, would not go where I try to put it in a stress situation. Are my fears unfounded? How much of a difference could it really make at SD distances (and for me that could be 20 yards or so - I have a big back yard, and have had uncomfortable confrontations with people standing at the top of my hill.)

That said, I has a question:
I really like Cor-Bon DPX ammo for some of my handguns, but I'm sad that they don't make .45 ACP in the traditional 230 grain weight. Only a 160 grain standard and 185 grain +p. I would like to use the solid copper bullets in my XD .45 and/or my Springfield 1911, and my P220 (sadly, aluminum framed...)

Has anyone used these rounds, in these platforms? If so, did you notice any significant variation in recoil or point of impact compared to cheap hardball? (whitebox, remington, american eagle, magtech are my usual range rounds.)

 

[Maverick223]

A round with very different qualities than what I'm used to practicing with, I'm afraid, would not go where I try to put it in a stress situation. Are my fears unfounded?

For the average SD distance the difference will be negligible, but for moderate-long range (for a pistol) it certainly can make a difference. I prefer to train with ammunition that stays pretty close to my carry load. In other words I wouldn't train with .38Spl. and carry .357Mag., nor would I settle for the lesser .38Spl. unless I couldn't handle the .357Mag. sufficiently well.

Has anyone used these rounds, in these platforms? If so, did you notice any significant variation in recoil or point of impact compared to cheap hardball? (whitebox, remington, american eagle, magtech are my usual range rounds.)

In my .45ACP I can only discern a negligible amount of difference between my training rounds (230gr. FMJ) and my carry load (230gr. Ranger T-Series +P). My .380ACP is a short range pocket pistol, and I virtually can't tell any difference at all. That said, I don't vary my weights in either (at least not by much) and it is always best to try different cartridges before dedicating them to SD use.

 

[JTH]

Just come from a gun show. I was really looking for a Draco AK but I've been seriously considering purchasing another semiauto pistol. I presently have a 9mm Tokerev and a .32 Bryco pistol, passed down form my late dad but this pistol has never been shot. I'm going to get my CCW soon. In looking at prices, I have set my limit at $500. I have a a big ammo stash of 9mm ammo. The 9mm doesn't have the stoping, take down power that a 45ACP does. A high capacity 9mm shooting hollow points would be a decent pistol for SD I want a higher round capacity pistol but I also want something relatively compact.
After looking at all the various pistols and manufacturers, I knew I need to do more reserach before making a purchase. I know my budget limits, what's available but I haven't ruled out purchsing a used pistol. If purchasing used what should I look at , in examining the pistol? I have never bought a used semiauto pistol before. Any thoughts?
JT

 

[DonRon]

Just come from a gun show. I was really looking for a Draco AK but I've been seriously considering purchasing another semiauto pistol. I presently have a 9mm Tokerev and a .32 Bryco pistol, passed down form my late dad but this pistol has never been shot. I'm going to get my CCW soon. In looking at prices, I have set my limit at $500. I have a a big ammo stash of 9mm ammo. The 9mm doesn't have the stoping, take down power that a 45ACP does. A high capacity 9mm shooting hollow points would be a decent pistol for SD I want a higher round capacity pistol but I also want something relatively compact.
After looking at all the various pistols and manufacturers, I knew I need to do more reserach before making a purchase. I know my budget limits, what's available but I haven't ruled out purchsing a used pistol. If purchasing used what should I look at , in examining the pistol? I have never bought a used semiauto pistol before. Any thoughts?
JT

The Kel Tec line of pistols is very affordable and they have an outstanding warranty service department and factory right here in the United States.

http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/

 

[stinger 327]

Just come from a gun show. I was really looking for a Draco AK but I've been seriously considering purchasing another semiauto pistol. I presently have a 9mm Tokerev and a .32 Bryco pistol, passed down form my late dad but this pistol has never been shot. I'm going to get my CCW soon. In looking at prices, I have set my limit at $500. I have a a big ammo stash of 9mm ammo. The 9mm doesn't have the stoping, take down power that a 45ACP does. A high capacity 9mm shooting hollow points would be a decent pistol for SD I want a higher round capacity pistol but I also want something relatively compact.
After looking at all the various pistols and manufacturers, I knew I need to do more reserach before making a purchase. I know my budget limits, what's available but I haven't ruled out purchsing a used pistol. If purchasing used what should I look at , in examining the pistol? I have never bought a used semiauto pistol before. Any thoughts?
JT

A Beretta Tom Cat .32 ACP might fit you as it is very compact and under the price range you mentioned.