Largest CCW caliber
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Justin
Moderator Emeritus
kjeff50cal
Member
Welcome to THR!
I say 155mm where possible
.
.45 acp is the biggest most reasonable (.50 GI cost too much in ammo and very few can afford a $3000
CCW pistol)
I say 155mm where possible
. .45 acp is the biggest most reasonable (.50 GI cost too much in ammo and very few can afford a $3000
CCW pistol)Chipperman
Member
Welcome to THR!
There are too many variables here. How large are you? How much experience do you have? What is the biggest gun you could reasonably conceal?
Not many people could conceal a S&W 500 or Desert Eagle without a coat.
Even if you can conceal a .44 Magnum, you don't want to CCW it if you can't hit the broad side of a barn with it.
Find a gun platform that you can shoot well, conceal, and is reliable. caliber should come after these considerations.
There are too many variables here. How large are you? How much experience do you have? What is the biggest gun you could reasonably conceal?
Not many people could conceal a S&W 500 or Desert Eagle without a coat.
Even if you can conceal a .44 Magnum, you don't want to CCW it if you can't hit the broad side of a barn with it.
Find a gun platform that you can shoot well, conceal, and is reliable. caliber should come after these considerations.
MCgunner
Member
I, personally, want a gun I can comfortably wear all day and easily conceal. Most I've ever carried was .45/.357 service sized guns. I normally carry a .38 snub or compact 9.
I have, however, concealed a Thompson-Center contender in .30-30, but I was driving to the deer stand. I stopped at a store and bought a cup of coffee on the way home, though, with the shoulder rig under my coat. So, I guess you can say I have effectively carried a .30-30 Winchester concealed. While not larger in caliber than the .45, it's one HECK of a lot more gun! 
I have, however, concealed a Thompson-Center contender in .30-30, but I was driving to the deer stand. I stopped at a store and bought a cup of coffee on the way home, though, with the shoulder rig under my coat. So, I guess you can say I have effectively carried a .30-30 Winchester concealed. While not larger in caliber than the .45, it's one HECK of a lot more gun!
Lennyjoe
Member
I CCW a 10MM G20 and in my eyes thats not bigger but badder than the .45 ACP
I'd say smallest would be +P .38 SPL, not .32 ACP. .32 is way too small. .380 and down factory loads just don't have the sectional density and velocity to expand and still penetrate. For biggest, I'd say .45. Most powerful I'd carry, 10mm.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Practical issues aside yes, a Smith 50 is about it!
To get size down maybe a Ruger Alaskan could fit the bill - a smaller revo in .454 would sure have some punch and probably muzzle blast would ruin a BG's day too - but then so too would your hearing suffer!
If I could tote it - my BFR in 45-70 sure would do some serious business - so we are still .45 ya see
To get size down maybe a Ruger Alaskan could fit the bill - a smaller revo in .454 would sure have some punch and probably muzzle blast would ruin a BG's day too - but then so too would your hearing suffer!
If I could tote it - my BFR in 45-70 sure would do some serious business - so we are still .45 ya see
THE DRILL INSTRUCTOR
Member
.44 mag
I once concealed a ruger super blackhawk with a 7.5 inch barrel in a crowd, so nothing is really imposible to conceal if you want to.
But... for rifle CC you may want to invest in a long coat
I once concealed a ruger super blackhawk with a 7.5 inch barrel in a crowd, so nothing is really imposible to conceal if you want to.
But... for rifle CC you may want to invest in a long coat
2k5Adam
member
Welcome!
All jokes aside...why pack anything larger than a .45? IMHO, shot placement would be far superior to a larger caliber. A proper shot with a .22LR will do more damage than a missed shot from a .500 S&W...
All jokes aside...why pack anything larger than a .45? IMHO, shot placement would be far superior to a larger caliber. A proper shot with a .22LR will do more damage than a missed shot from a .500 S&W...
Springfield_1911SS
Member
id have to say a .45 ACP
MICHAEL T
Member
(QUOTE) 32 is way too small.( RyanM) Lets see Hilter killed himself with a 32,WWI was started by a 32 Auto. We had a President killed By a 32 short pocket rev. Might be small but has caused a lot of damage and changed history. Wild Bill 36 cal colts were about same as todays 380 in balistic. Worked for him.
I belive of the 400+ police killed last year 18 were killed with a 25 auto a even weaker round. 22 ,25,32,and 380 are very deadly and are carried by a great many people for SD either main or BUG. I rather have my P- 32 in my pocket than nothing
I belive of the 400+ police killed last year 18 were killed with a 25 auto a even weaker round. 22 ,25,32,and 380 are very deadly and are carried by a great many people for SD either main or BUG. I rather have my P- 32 in my pocket than nothing
bpisler
Member
The largest common round is going to
be the 45acp.I carry a 45 colt when
i feel like putting up with the
weight of a N frame.
be the 45acp.I carry a 45 colt when
i feel like putting up with the
weight of a N frame.
Lots of people kill themselves with razor blades and painkillers. The Roman gladius has killed more people and been used in more wars than any other specific weapon in history. The most deadly (by kills) non-specific weapon would have to be the spear. Both gladius and spear worked quite well for the soldiers who carried them.
By your standards, I guess I should carry a box cutter, a bottle of aspirin, and a short sword or spear for defense?
.380 and down may be adequate with really good shot placement, but .38 +P and up give a lot more margin of error.
MCgunner
Member
My own minimum carry is a .380, but I feel better about carrying my .38 or nine. However, I believe the .380 can do the job if I do my part, put 'em where they do the most good. And, there's 12 rounds in that thing. If nothing else, I'll just lay down some suppressive fire and haul buns. ROFLMAO! But, the gun is very pocketable. The caliber is a little anemic, but I like the platform.
Practical carry, I say the 10mm is about tops. However, I DO like the looks of the Freedom Arms thumb buster! Very, very nice!
Practical carry, I say the 10mm is about tops. However, I DO like the looks of the Freedom Arms thumb buster!
Very, very nice!cmidkiff
Member
Biggest I've seen is John Ross's de-comp'ed 'snubby' .500s&w, in a smartcarry
(Hi John!)
(Hi John!)
DocHolliday
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Think about whether or not you will be involved in a prolonged firefight.
A riot at Starbucks may get out of hand when the patrons discover that there are no more scones to be had! For which you will need something in at least a .40 with over 30 rounds on your person to take down the caffiene-induced savages.
In a (hope it never happens) situation involving a hold-up or attempted mugging/car-jacking, you will be mano y mano and should be ok with your six or seven shot compact pistol. You'll have time for two, maybe three well-placed shots and then its time to get 911 on your cell phone.
Typical carry for me: 9mm or .380 +p.
Starbucks carry: now we're talking Smith 50!
A riot at Starbucks may get out of hand when the patrons discover that there are no more scones to be had! For which you will need something in at least a .40 with over 30 rounds on your person to take down the caffiene-induced savages.
In a (hope it never happens) situation involving a hold-up or attempted mugging/car-jacking, you will be mano y mano and should be ok with your six or seven shot compact pistol. You'll have time for two, maybe three well-placed shots and then its time to get 911 on your cell phone.
Typical carry for me: 9mm or .380 +p.
Starbucks carry: now we're talking Smith 50!
What is the most powerful round that you can shoot reasonably efficiently?
It's power vs. ability to shoot. If you are picking the front sight of the SW 500 out of your forehead for the second shoot (your first one went into space because of your flinch) - that isn't going to work.
This is a question best answered after some skill with rounds of various caliber is obtained.
It's power vs. ability to shoot. If you are picking the front sight of the SW 500 out of your forehead for the second shoot (your first one went into space because of your flinch) - that isn't going to work.
This is a question best answered after some skill with rounds of various caliber is obtained.
Here in Oklahoma you can not carry anything larger than .45. Don't ask me why, its part of the law. I have carried a 7.5 inch blackhawk in .45 colt a lot during the winter while wearing coveralls. Living in a small, rural town I actually fit in dressed like that.
chaim
Member
Largest or most powerful?
Largest auto caliber? .45ACP. Sure, .50AE is bigger and more powerful but the guns are too big for most people to reasonably carry or conceal.
Most powerful auto caliber? .45ACP. Sure, 10mm is arguably more powerful, but there are more defensive loadings in .45ACP, there are more concealable guns to choose from, and a good .45ACP loading in the real world probably isn't any worse than 10mm.
Largest revolver CCW caliber? Well, anything larger than .45LC is likely to be in too big a gun to reasonably conceal or carry so I'd have to say .45LC. In addition to the large framed S&W N-frames and similar, .45LC is available in a few more CCW friendly guns as well (Taurus Tracker, Taurus 450), though only available used right now unfortunately. Also, a revolver chambered in .45ACP would obviously qualify as well.
Most powerful revolver caliber? Well, again, the powerhouses in .454, .480. .500, etc. are going to be simply too big for reasonable CCW, also the recoil is such that you won't have reasonable follow-up shot times. Some people may find .44mag to be concealable and controllable. Many people can and do conceal the large S&W N-frames, also you can now get a .44mag Taurus Tracker (basically between a S&W K-frame and L-frame in size) with a 4" barrel. Going down to .357mag is probably more realistic for more people with tons of options in platform (from N-frame to J-frame in size and all in between), in a mid-sized or larger gun it is controllable, and some loadings are more powerful than many .45ACP loadings. Another option is the .41mag, less recoil than the .44mag, more powerful than the .45ACP or .357mag, again many can conceal the large N-frames, and it is available in the 4" Taurus Tracker or the 2 1/2" Taurus 415.
Largest auto caliber? .45ACP. Sure, .50AE is bigger and more powerful but the guns are too big for most people to reasonably carry or conceal.
Most powerful auto caliber? .45ACP. Sure, 10mm is arguably more powerful, but there are more defensive loadings in .45ACP, there are more concealable guns to choose from, and a good .45ACP loading in the real world probably isn't any worse than 10mm.
Largest revolver CCW caliber? Well, anything larger than .45LC is likely to be in too big a gun to reasonably conceal or carry so I'd have to say .45LC. In addition to the large framed S&W N-frames and similar, .45LC is available in a few more CCW friendly guns as well (Taurus Tracker, Taurus 450), though only available used right now unfortunately. Also, a revolver chambered in .45ACP would obviously qualify as well.
Most powerful revolver caliber? Well, again, the powerhouses in .454, .480. .500, etc. are going to be simply too big for reasonable CCW, also the recoil is such that you won't have reasonable follow-up shot times. Some people may find .44mag to be concealable and controllable. Many people can and do conceal the large S&W N-frames, also you can now get a .44mag Taurus Tracker (basically between a S&W K-frame and L-frame in size) with a 4" barrel. Going down to .357mag is probably more realistic for more people with tons of options in platform (from N-frame to J-frame in size and all in between), in a mid-sized or larger gun it is controllable, and some loadings are more powerful than many .45ACP loadings. Another option is the .41mag, less recoil than the .44mag, more powerful than the .45ACP or .357mag, again many can conceal the large N-frames, and it is available in the 4" Taurus Tracker or the 2 1/2" Taurus 415.
MachIVshooter
Member
The largest/most powerful rounds that are generally feasible in a CCW are .45 ACP, 10mm auto and .357 mag. Anything more will result in either a a gun too large to really be concealed effectively/comfortably or a lightweight gun in a large caliber that is somewhat uncontrollable. I own .44 mags, a .454 Casull a Desert Eagle .50 AE. While they would undoubtedly be very effective stoppers as compared to the "standard" handgun rounds, the guns are large and heavy and the recoil makes for difficulty with follow-up shots. I can unload 11 rounds of full-power 10mm out of my Witness Compact into center mass of a silhouette at 21 feet in less time than 4 rounds out of my Desert Eagle .50, and firing at that rate with the .50 often results in one miss. A stray 325 grain hollowpoint moving at over 1500 FPS is not something I want to be accountable for.
1911 guy
Member
The final answer is...
If you believe that, I'll sell you a bridge. My opinion, however, is to carry the most potent round you can comfortably shoot in the platform that suits your hands and carry mode.
Now about that bridge...
If you believe that, I'll sell you a bridge. My opinion, however, is to carry the most potent round you can comfortably shoot in the platform that suits your hands and carry mode.
Now about that bridge...
If you Can't Hit It, Or Can't Stop It, You're In Trouble
Carry a .50 BMG bolt-action pistol, but if you can't hit the target, it's for nothing. Same with carrying to little firepower. If you have to keep hitting, and hitting, and--you get the point.
Carry the biggest, baddest weapon you can control and that you can master. Short of that, you're just making yourself (feel) safe.
For my part, I have .45 ACPs, 9X19MMs, .380 ACPs, and .22s (in a NAA mini-revolver). Each has strengths and weaknesses. Each can be carried on a different part of the body, and at a different time of year. I believe that based on performance, availability and cost, the best choices are .45ACP and 9X19MM.
Doc2005
Carry a .50 BMG bolt-action pistol, but if you can't hit the target, it's for nothing. Same with carrying to little firepower. If you have to keep hitting, and hitting, and--you get the point.
Carry the biggest, baddest weapon you can control and that you can master. Short of that, you're just making yourself (feel) safe.
For my part, I have .45 ACPs, 9X19MMs, .380 ACPs, and .22s (in a NAA mini-revolver). Each has strengths and weaknesses. Each can be carried on a different part of the body, and at a different time of year. I believe that based on performance, availability and cost, the best choices are .45ACP and 9X19MM.
Doc2005
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