Smallest caliber you will carry

[Gottahaveone]

.380 is the floor for me. And I don't like carrying it.

 

[Colin Doyle]

I didn't see the .700 Nitro Express on the list.


Actually... my every-day carry is a NAA mini revolver in .22WMR, so I voted accordingly.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

The smallest I have is 9mm.. but shopping for a 380 pocket pet.

.... and 22lr beats a pillow fight.

 

[Just One Shot]

I'd carry a BB and a sling shot if it was all I had!

 

[FLR72]

.380 can get the job done with a +P round and is small enough not to be noticed by those who know how to look for a concealed firearm.

 

[texaspunk]

hmm...i'd carry anything as a 3rd backup. lol. but i guess 32 acp is the smallest i'd carry as a BUG. 9mm is the smallest I'd feel comfy with if there was any chance someone might shoot back.

 

[Still Too Many Choices!?]

SorryI didn't read the whole thing, and I can't participate in the pole... Wheres the option for .40 S&W , lol...

Still 2 Many Choices!?

 

[jahwarrior]

i voted other, because .380 is the smallest i'd go.

 

[tinygnat219]

For Self Defense: .380 ACP as a BUG. 9MM as a primary.

For Hunting: I carry a .22 Pistol as a sidearm to my rifle. It's for "mercy" shots on downed prey, or a chance at a particularly annoying squirrel.

 

[#shooter]

.380 / 38 special

 

[Juna]

Right now the smallest I carry is a .380 ACP, but if I have no other options I will always obey rule #1 of a gun fight, which is: Bring a Gun! (even if it's a .22 LR Derringer)

 

[Matrix187]

You forgot the commie caliber. 9x18 Makarov. I might be wrong though since its in between a .380 and a 9mm luger, and might not be a "small" caliber.

 

[sturmgewehr]

Without reading the entire thread... where is .380? This is by far the most popular small caliber out there.

 

[heyjoe]

north american arms 22 short

 

[Texpatriate]

By checking "other small caliber", I'm indicating none of the above. I don't carry anything smaller than a 9mm Gold Dots in an XD Sub-Compact. I "wouldn't" carry anything smaller than a .380, if I had one. I've been eying a Ruger LCP for summer shorts carry.

 

[Gun Slinger]

Had to check "other small caliber" since the smallest caliber that I will carry is the 9x19.

 

[jackdanson]

.38 special.

 

[Still 2 Many Choices!?]

I agree with thos that say,"If I owned one, .380 is as small as I would go".

Still 2 Many Choices!?

 

[VINTAGE-SLOTCARS]

A BERETTA 948 .22 with h/v h/p's

 

[Dusty308223]

9mm ok

a 9mm for me, placement is the key.

 

[tasco 74]

great story shaka

and very good advice.. never assume anything.... i still condend that 4-6 .22 rimfire shots to the center of mass will screw up anyones evening...............

 

[Flamer]

380 for me as well, My smallest carry pistol is a Bersa model in the 380 caliber.

I have several 22 pistols and such but I wouldn't bet my life on them. I know the saying of a 22 in the hip is better than a 45 in the safe, But when I know I am going out and I am not carrying my revolver then the smallest I carry is a 380, and thats not very often.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

I voted .22LR, not being sure if .25ACP counts as bigger or smaller.

However, I would only carry that if it was all I had, I don't trust it to stop somebody, and I'm not sure I would feel safe with it.

I guess I'd carry a .17HMR if it was all I had, but I don't trust it to pentrate through bones of any kind.(Which is a necessity to achieve good stopping power.)

 

[The Annoyed Man]

Either my P3AT .380 (as a last resort), or my 642 in .38 spl. In Texas, the minimum caliber requirement for a CHL qualification is .32 caliber. Fortunately for me, there are very few occasions when I cannot carry my Kimber .45.

 

[sailortoo]

.22 Mag is grossly misrepresented, in my opinion. I have seen what it is capable of, and I never want to be on the wrong end of one. Sure, my regular carry .357 is way superior, but in a summer "shirt sleeve" serious meeting, among sheep (not sheep dogs - descriptive, not disparaging), that extra concealment of a small, flat NAA Black Widow is comforting. My wife is not able to safely rack a P3-AT, and I really don't like them at all (doesn't fit my hand); to each his/her own. Just so you practice with whatever you carry.
sailortoo