Is bigger better ... have you PERSONALLY switched to a smaller caliber?
- Thread starter Alan Fud
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Schuey2002
Member
I'm wishy-washy.
Back and forth I go. One day it's 9mm.. " All the Time!"
The next day it's .45acp.. "It's never been Finer!"
The day after that it's .40 S&W.. "Hey! How 'bout them 49ers!"
Round and round I go..
Where I'll stop no one knows!!
Back and forth I go. One day it's 9mm.. " All the Time!"
The next day it's .45acp.. "It's never been Finer!"
The day after that it's .40 S&W.. "Hey! How 'bout them 49ers!"
Round and round I go..
Where I'll stop no one knows!!
Rob96
Member
Stayed the same. I primarily carry a Colt 45acp, every now and then I do carry a Glock 19.
In revolvers I've moved away from 45Colt, 45acp, .44, to the .357/.38/9mm. In semi-autos, I've moved away from .45 to the 9mm and even the .380. Never was interested in the .40. The 9mm and the .357 do just about everything I want a handgun round to do. I like the bigger bores but shoot the medium bores better and it simplifies my want/buy/wish list. Reality says I must draw the line somewhere.
SnWnMe
Member
I had to do a double take. For a while there I thought it was a Cosmoploitan Mag article
It's more of a size of gun/caliber issue with me. I like .45 acp and larger in heavier guns, while the 9mm is great in midsize guns. They're all fun, but some are better for specific tasks. I wouldn't sneeze at carrying a .22mag mousegun in my pocket either...if that were legal here.
caz223
Member
Guns are like ties.
It isn't in good taste to wear the same one two days in a row.
As for switching calibers, what do you mean by switch?
You should have 'em all, and carry 'em all.
Rotate your carry guns, practice with them all.
That way, you know all their strengths and weaknesses.
It isn't in good taste to wear the same one two days in a row.
As for switching calibers, what do you mean by switch?
You should have 'em all, and carry 'em all.
Rotate your carry guns, practice with them all.
That way, you know all their strengths and weaknesses.
SapperLeader
Member
Started off with thinking .40 was THE caliber, and was carrying a .32 as backup. Kept resisiting the idea that 9mm was a excellent caliber(The gun rags said .40 was the BEST!.)Then a friend pointed out if i trusted my life to .32, why not 9mm. I took his advice to heart, and now I like 9mm, its effective, its cheap, doesn't bother my arthritis, and it is great for starting a debate with people. Its amazing how many people seem to think 9mm will bounce off peoples skin and has no stopping power. If I want stopping power, Im grabbing my remington 870.
Preacherman
Member
As a result of being far too close to (and sometimes involved in) many armed encounters in a civil war situation in another country, I decided early on that 9mm. was NOT a dependable round for self-defence. I saw far too many cases where 1980's-vintage hollowpoints (not the +P and +P+ rounds of today) simply failed to stop a determined attacker until he'd done major (sometimes terminal) damage to the shooter. I'm afraid that even with the advent of higher-power loads, I retain a visceral distrust of 9mm. Parabellum as a "fight-stopper". I'll use it if I have to (particularly in smaller guns such as the Kahr PM9), but I won't like it.
I've standardized on .40 S&W and .45 ACP as my "carry" calibers in semi-autos, and .357 Magnum in revolvers. In very light snubbies, I'll use the FBI load in .38 Special.
I will never, under any circumstances, trust a round of less power than 9mm. Parabellum or .38 Special as a primary fight-stopper (although they have their uses in backup guns). Again, I've seen what works "up close and personal" - and the small stuff just doesn't cut the mustard... Sure, these rounds will kill anyone: but they won't necessarily STOP them, and it's really, really hard to get a CNS shot or two in the heat of the moment, especially with movement, noise, turmoil and panic in the air! I want something that will deliver as authoritative a "smack" as possible to my opponent.
I know there are many who will disagree with me, and that's fine. However, on the basis of far too much experience (which I would rather not have had, thank you very much), I'll stay with the "bigger is better" school...
I've standardized on .40 S&W and .45 ACP as my "carry" calibers in semi-autos, and .357 Magnum in revolvers. In very light snubbies, I'll use the FBI load in .38 Special.
I will never, under any circumstances, trust a round of less power than 9mm. Parabellum or .38 Special as a primary fight-stopper (although they have their uses in backup guns). Again, I've seen what works "up close and personal" - and the small stuff just doesn't cut the mustard... Sure, these rounds will kill anyone: but they won't necessarily STOP them, and it's really, really hard to get a CNS shot or two in the heat of the moment, especially with movement, noise, turmoil and panic in the air! I want something that will deliver as authoritative a "smack" as possible to my opponent.
I know there are many who will disagree with me, and that's fine. However, on the basis of far too much experience (which I would rather not have had, thank you very much), I'll stay with the "bigger is better" school...
Nine is fine. Either 9x19 or 9x18. Have a few .357's too. Don't carry any of them, but a CZ-85 Combat is loaded in the safe. 16 rounds of JHP that go where I point them. The CZ fits my hand so well, it almost hits the target by itself. If I had to carry a gun, I wouldn't feel under-armed with my Mak either.
For hot weather pocket carry, went from j-frame .38's to Kahr P9covert.
For home defense, went from .38spl revolver to 16rd Sig P226 9mm.
For belt carry, has been a LW 1911 .45acp pistol since 1973.
Recently picked up a Garthwaite custom .40cal BHP that "might" become my belt carry after I shoot it more.
regards
For home defense, went from .38spl revolver to 16rd Sig P226 9mm.
For belt carry, has been a LW 1911 .45acp pistol since 1973.
Recently picked up a Garthwaite custom .40cal BHP that "might" become my belt carry after I shoot it more.
regards
Jack19
Member
Stayed the same. 9mm since the late 70s.
Hot brass
Member
357mag to 45acp, no looking back.
cool45auto
Member
I went from .380 to 9mm then got a .45, which I kept and like, but eventually returned to 9mm as my primary. That's what I'm most comfortable with.
Started out with a Para P13 (.45) and traded it, then went to G27 (.40) and traded it, then ended up with P7M8 (9mm). While I will always love the .45 ACP, the platform was essentially the reason why I landed on 9mm.
I'd have more choice of calibers/platforms if I had more money and less interests in other fun things. As is, the handguns I own basically serve as tools having a specific role in self preservation... i.e. nothing specifically for plinking, gaming, hunting, loudenboomer, etc. Would be nice to have more but I'm not sure I have the time or $$ for all of em!
cheers
I'd have more choice of calibers/platforms if I had more money and less interests in other fun things. As is, the handguns I own basically serve as tools having a specific role in self preservation... i.e. nothing specifically for plinking, gaming, hunting, loudenboomer, etc. Would be nice to have more but I'm not sure I have the time or $$ for all of em!
cheers
Abominable No-Man
Member
I swore by the .45 for several years. Switched to my 9mm about a year ago.
I had the .45 and the 9mm for a long time (4506 and 5906 S&W), got them about the same time. Started mulling it over after a few years of letting the 5906 collect dust in my lockbox and figured that what I really wanted was a smooth, hi-cap pistol I could shoot quickly and accurately (that's the 5906), and a knockabout woods/trail/etc. pistol that had some real punch-
45 doesn't quite fit the bill for me.
Ultimately I would like a 9mm or two and a 10mm (looking for a S&W 1006-
YEAH! Firepower! ) as a counterpart to my .357.
ANM
I had the .45 and the 9mm for a long time (4506 and 5906 S&W), got them about the same time. Started mulling it over after a few years of letting the 5906 collect dust in my lockbox and figured that what I really wanted was a smooth, hi-cap pistol I could shoot quickly and accurately (that's the 5906), and a knockabout woods/trail/etc. pistol that had some real punch-
45 doesn't quite fit the bill for me.
Ultimately I would like a 9mm or two and a 10mm (looking for a S&W 1006-
YEAH! Firepower!
) as a counterpart to my .357.ANM
bpisler
Member
I carry several different calibers,38spl +P,357mag,44spl and 9mm para.I feel each of these should work when loaded with decent ammo and the shots are properly placed.
Denny Hansen
Member
.45 ACP.
It's big, slow and old. So old that it's proven itself for nigh onto a hundred years in places where it matters the most.
It's big, slow and old. So old that it's proven itself for nigh onto a hundred years in places where it matters the most.
Greybeard
Member
Carried .38 "Chiefs Special" for many years, then .40 for 7 years after getting Glock 23 for birthday in 1990. Eventually traded that Glock for a Kahr K-9 with "a nine considered fine" with Corbon +Ps for the next couple of years.
Then, working outside in the heat a lot, I got hooked by the airwight 5-holers and went back to .38's/.357s. And another Kahr (PM-9) joined the "carry family" last year.
But ... when fixing to hit the road or have to go somewhere I had rather not, the compact handguns generally become backup to my "brick" - another Glock - this time in .45ACP.
Then, working outside in the heat a lot, I got hooked by the airwight 5-holers and went back to .38's/.357s. And another Kahr (PM-9) joined the "carry family" last year.
But ... when fixing to hit the road or have to go somewhere I had rather not, the compact handguns generally become backup to my "brick" - another Glock - this time in .45ACP.
antediluvianist
Member
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- May 16, 2003
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- 182
never mind the" usuals" ; how mbout the "extremes"?
After a while you get bored with just one caliber, and try another.
But how many of us go to the extremes, rather than the usual .45-to-.22 range calibers?
What proportions of handgun shooters actually fire- with some frequency- say, a .500? Or a .30-06 single-shot handgun?
How many fire a handgun in something smaller than .22?
After a while you get bored with just one caliber, and try another.
But how many of us go to the extremes, rather than the usual .45-to-.22 range calibers?
What proportions of handgun shooters actually fire- with some frequency- say, a .500? Or a .30-06 single-shot handgun?
How many fire a handgun in something smaller than .22?
L
Logistar
Guest
I started with the 9 mainly because ammo was cheap and I felt that the guns could be smaller (good for ccw). This allowed me to practice - a lot. I have fairly quick follow up shots with them and I am accurate enough. The 9mm isn't THAT bad.
However.......... if I suddenly lost ALL my handguns and all my 9 mm ammo, I would seriously consider a .45 . (or perhaps a .40)
Logistar
However.......... if I suddenly lost ALL my handguns and all my 9 mm ammo, I would seriously consider a .45 . (or perhaps a .40)
Logistar
rappa
Member
Started 9mm, bought a .40, bought a .45. Carry any of the 3 depending on dress, where I'm going and weather. All 3 get range time. No safe queens here.
W Turner
Member
I kind of agree with Tamara on this one....I dont carry just one caliber.
That being said because my job does not allow for safe concealed carry and because I never know when I will be going away from the facility, I have a pocket .38 spl. about 90% of the time.
This may be changed if the Taurus 9mm revolvers prove to be reliable.
Mino
That being said because my job does not allow for safe concealed carry and because I never know when I will be going away from the facility, I have a pocket .38 spl. about 90% of the time.
This may be changed if the Taurus 9mm revolvers prove to be reliable.
Mino
C. H. Luke
Member
".45ACP ... to either a 9mm or .357SIG or .40S&W or 10mm ?"
Arthritis & DJD have forced a swith down to 9mm from .45.
Can shoot 1500 rnds. per month in training and Matches with 9mm
PF loads plus Ranger SXT 127 +P+ is no paroblem at all to train with.
Granted bullets do not reliably track or expand in a CCW situation but shot placement is what really counts!
Arthritis & DJD have forced a swith down to 9mm from .45.
Can shoot 1500 rnds. per month in training and Matches with 9mm
PF loads plus Ranger SXT 127 +P+ is no paroblem at all to train with.
Granted bullets do not reliably track or expand in a CCW situation but shot placement is what really counts!
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