Have You Given Up On a SD Caliber?

[Inebriated]

I already said .40, but I completely forgot about .380.

For the size differences, I'll take 9mm every time. The gap in gun size isn't as large as it used to be, between 9mm and .380.

 

[BBDartCA]

I started this thread with the 40 S&W in mind. Went from it to 9mm +p 147 because I'm far more consistent and quicker following up with 9mm than any 40 load. Plus my competitive shooting is with 9mm loaded similar to the above +p 147. An my pocket / BUG mouse gun is 9mm +p 147 . . . plus the Uzi is always not too far away, so common ammo is nice.

 

[Bikewer]

Many years ago, when I was with my first department, I had a Walther PP in .380. Nice little gun; slightly longer barrel than it's sexier cousin the PPK. I even had a Bond-type shoulder rig for it. (damned uncomfortable)
However... After several of our department members were involved in shootings with the .380, either as shooters or shootees...And very poor performance.
I watched a video of a fellow at a bank robbery who was shot in the heart by an off-duty officer and yet continued to fight for over a minute before finally collapsing.
A fatal wound but not a stopper. (the copper's pistol jammed after the one shot...)

So... I sold the PPK and bought a 2" .357. Then, of course, the price of the Walthers shot through the roof and I regretted selling it.

 

[coalman]

I started this thread with the 40 S&W in mind. Went from it to 9mm...

These threads almost always start with .40sw directly or indirectly in mind... or as covert/overt 9mm validation. I've observed the .40sw to be the "20-something's" caliber of choice at a time they think 9mm "too weak" and .45acp "too expensive" or "too low capacity". With age and experience, around the late 20s-30s (or 40s at the latest), this preference seems to change to 9mm and/or .45acp, with the .40sw falling by the wayside more so than any other service calibers for non-LE. That said, I believe the .40sw is a superior (to 9mm and .45acp) LE caliber in full sized belt guns. But, in any other application, not so much.

 

[k_dawg]

When I lived in South Florida, I often relied on a .32ACP or .380ACP. Light weight clothes + rabidly anti-carry police/public precluded larger carry often.

Now I have moved, and I can OC or CC. I have no need for a 'mouse' gun anymore.

 

[smallbore]

No.

 

[OilyPablo]

.50 bmg

 

[nickn10]

Recoil?

I have/ had 9mm Barettas, Glocks and Ruger LC9s. S&W, Glock, XD and Ruger Shield in 40 S&W, 1911s Sig 220, Ruger 97DC and S&W M&P in 45ACP. NONE had unmageable recoil. :banghead: The 2 worst handguns I owned for recoil were a Charter arms 44 special with Elmer Keith spec handloads and a Titanium snubbie 38 spec with +p loads. The S&W 40 Shield and the M&P 45 are pleasant and fun to shoot as well as being excellant self defense cartridges. If ammo cost is a factor RELOAD!, IT MAKES SHOOTING MORE FUN.

 

[JEEPX]

Tried the. 40S&W and .45acp. Both great calibers, I jut prefer the 9mm in any size pistol.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[powder]

No, have many SD/HD/D firearms in many calibers...they all shoot to stop the threat.

 

[Skribs]

These threads almost always start with .40sw directly or indirectly in mind... or as covert/overt 9mm validation. I've observed the .40sw to be the "20-something's" caliber of choice at a time they think 9mm "too weak" and .45acp "too expensive" or "too low capacity". With age and experience, around the late 20s-30s (or 40s at the latest), this preference seems to change to 9mm and/or .45acp, with the .40sw falling by the wayside more so than any other service calibers for non-LE. That said, I believe the .40sw is a superior (to 9mm and .45acp) LE caliber in full sized belt guns. But, in any other application, not so much.

Hey, I'm mid 20s and I made the switch from .40 to 9! Well, mentally. Still working on the hardware

For me, it was more that I couldn't decide betwee .45 and 9, so I just split it down the middle. I figured if 15 rounds of 9 was good enough for the army, then 16 of .40 should be just fine for me (my first was XDm .40).

 

[mavracer]

.357 Magnum, due to harsh blast, excessive recoil in smaller revolvers, and the fact that (other than a few "novelty" guns) it doesn't come in a semi-auto.

I kinda have too, I still pack a 357 at times but I don't carry full power 357s in them.

 

[vba]

Believe it or not .357 Magnum. Couldn't get my mind around touching off one of these rounds in a self defense situation

I feel I'm better off with .45 acp, .45 Colt, .38 Special or non-plus P 9mm.

 

[TrueTexan]

Still using 45 acp but looking at 357 mag

 

[FMF Doc]

I guess you could say I gave up everything else when I consolidated to just 9mm for pistols. I don't carry .380 in the summer like I used to, I just found a better way to carry my 9mms. Shortly after that, I ended up trading my revolver to a friend, so that was the last "other" caliber I had. Now it is all 9 all the time!

 

[Skribs]

I guess you could say I gave up everything else when I consolidated to just 9mm for pistols. I don't carry .380 in the summer like I used to, I just found a better way to carry my 9mms. Shortly after that, I ended up trading my revolver to a friend, so that was the last "other" caliber I had. Now it is all 9 all the time!

I've pretty much done the same thing. Unless they make a Glock-style 5.7x28mm, all my handguns are going to be 9mm, and all my long guns 12-ga until I transition to 5.56.

If they do make a Glock-style 5.7x28mm, my compacts will be 9x19 (don't see compact 5.7 as viable) and my duty-size will be 5.7mm.

 

[threefortyduster]

Never given up on any. In reality, I'm becoming more tolerant of calibers. With age I'm starting to realize that any gun will get the job done for the most part and arguing about caliber annoys me just as much as arguing about trucks, ATVs, or anything else. They all have their merits and all have their demerits.

I do have to second the remarks about recoil...I don't find recoil to be too terrible on either my snubnose .357 (exception: lever evolution rounds) or my short barreled .40 compact. The recoil on those is no worse than the recoil on the Kimber Solo Carry 9mm I test fired this weekend.

 

[savanahsdad]

my hand guns are 22lr, .380 , 9X18 mak, 9X19, 357mag, 44mag, 45acp ,I had a .40SW but got rid of it , not because the round was bad , but because the gun was junk , it was a cops gun with a lawyer triger, still have the ammo and dies for it, so I guess I'll be getting another .40sw some day ,

 

[FMF Doc]

I've pretty much done the same thing. Unless they make a Glock-style 5.7x28mm, all my handguns are going to be 9mm, and all my long guns 12-ga until I transition to 5.56.

If they do make a Glock-style 5.7x28mm, my compacts will be 9x19 (don't see compact 5.7 as viable) and my duty-size will be 5.7mm.

If I could afford the platforms that shoot them, I would go 5.7 all the way. If I could afford to carry an FN FIVE-SEVEN, I could afford to find a way to conceal it for daily carry.

 

[The Man With No Name]

Gave up on 9mm. Seen too many times how ineffective it can be even in a +P+ loading. Gave up on 45acp. The only platform I've had that I really liked it in isn't suitable as my only defensive gun.

I have gone back to 40S&W. Controllable and effective.

 

[The Man With No Name]

These threads almost always start with .40sw directly or indirectly in mind... or as covert/overt 9mm validation. I've observed the .40sw to be the "20-something's" caliber of choice at a time they think 9mm "too weak" and .45acp "too expensive" or "too low capacity". With age and experience, around the late 20s-30s (or 40s at the latest), this preference seems to change to 9mm and/or .45acp, with the .40sw falling by the wayside more so than any other service calibers for non-LE. That said, I believe the .40sw is a superior (to 9mm and .45acp) LE caliber in full sized belt guns. But, in any other application, not so much.

The thing is I'm in my 40's. I'd compromise with the 9mm for reduced recoil and lower ammo costs but I am in a position where I am more likely than ever to have to use my handgun. I guess the decision of what to carry caliber wise can also be tempered by your life situation. That is why .40 is my minimum.

 

[Doc3402]

Years of rescue work showed me how ineffective a 9mm is so I switched to .40 S&W with a .357 magnum backup. I'm now giving serious thought to a .357 Sig, but I still have some doubts about feeding issues with the necked down cartridge. The research continues.

 

[StrawHat]

For a few years I carried a 357 Magnum, less than a decade. I switched to a 45 ACP revolver and have never gone back. Now, anything I need to do with a 36 caliber handgun can be accomplished withthe 38 Special.

 

[CraigC]

The gap in gun size isn't as large as it used to be, between 9mm and .380.

Actually it is. Compact 9mm's of today are comparable to yesterday's .380's. While .380's of today are comparable to yesterday's .32ACP's. Everything has gotten smaller.

 

[wow6599]

I'm now giving serious thought to a .357 Sig, but I still have some doubts about feeding issues with the necked down cartridge

You have it backwards. The design if the .355 Sig is conducive for reliable feeding.