What caliber do you carry most for Self Defence?

[Chisel Head]

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMw4n4n-TKg

 

[mgkdrgn]

NAA Black Widow in 22Mag (there is always room for the Noisy Cricket!) and 9mm in a Glock 26 when weather/dress permits. (spend most my time in tshirt and shorts down here in SC!)

 

[Seafoxfla]

I carry a .40 and a .38 as a back up

 

[pps]

archangelcd, "Oh man, my poor .38 Special is now running in 3rd place and there are more votes for the .380 Auto than the .357 Magnum!!

Thanks for all the participation, please keep on voting!"

I'm pleasantly surprised the 38 is ahead of the 40. I wasn't expecting to see my .357 in the top three but I am disappointed it is lagging behind the .380

 

[stevereno1]

.40cal.180gr hornaday TAP in a Glock-27. Fobus paddle holster, Meprolights, Glock factory +1 mag extentions. I can't think of any better combination for me.

 

[Gun Slinger]

9x19 (Glock 17)

 

[bja5006]

.38 + P. although anything would work well for 2-legged critters.

 

[SIGMYSTER]

.357 SIG in an HK P2000sk.

 

[fastbolt]

I don't think I voted in this Poll ...

Discounting what I carry on-duty (which has included .357 Magnum, 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP, depending what was issued at the time), I'd have to say that my present off-duty choice is more often than not a S&W J-frame loaded with .38 Spl standard pressure or +P, depending on the model.

Back before my interest in J-frames was reawakened it would've been 9mm, though.

FWIW, I have more J-frames than I do either 9mm or .40 S&W pistols (considered separately), but more pistols chambered in .45 ACP than I do 9mm & .40 S&W combined. More .45's than .38's & .357 Magnum's, too, for that matter ...

But I generally choose to carry a J-frame for normal off-duty activities.

 

[Deaves1]

45 ACP most, sometimes 9MM or 38 special

 

[SouthronBoy]

Kel Tec P11 most of the time, with Taurus 605 .357 (carrying .38+p) a distant second. About the only other thing I ever carry is a Makarov.

Service pistols are too big to carry, or I'd carry a 1911.

 

[rojocorsa]

I live in California, and I'm not old enough to carry anyway. But I would carry 230 gr. .45 ACP JHP

 

[bigmike45]

45acp 75% of the time & 9mm 20% and .357mag 5%

 

[WoofersInc]

45 ACP is my primary carry. However I have some other calibers on my permit such as 9mm, 38 Special, 40 S&W, 357 Mag, and 380 Auto.

 

[6_gunner]

I voted .25 auto. I carry a Baby Browning most of the time. When I can carry a larger gun (usually a Smith model 10), the .25 serves as a BUG.

 

[10-Ring]

I've learned it's much better to have and not need, so I carry my 442 and my false sense of security, my 25 caliber mousegun

 

[GRR]

45 Gap

 

[Poohgyrr]

Interesting thread, hope no one minds if I bring it back.

For my two cents, the little J frame is too handy not to have one around, and that pretty much answers this question. Second most often would be a 45 ACP or 357; these handiguns are simply too reliable & accurate not to use.

Someone mentioned the .357 carbine; I'm right there with you.

 

[fastbolt]

I retired since I posted in this thread.

Since then my most common choice for a retirement CCW weapon has remained one or another J-frame loaded with .38 Spl +P.

I still occasionally carry one of my small 9mm or .40 S&W pistols, depending on my activities and travel, but the J-frames are still the more frequent choice.

I shoot my various 9's, .40's& .45's quite a bit when it comes to sheer numbers of rounds, but my .38's get their fair share of training & practice time (since I've kept my hand in some activities as an instructor).

Handy little gun, the J-frame.

Matter of fact, I'm planning to pick up another one in the near future, probably a M40 in nickel since I don't have a nickle steel J-frame anymore. I also wouldn't mind picking up a 638 some time, either, as I rather like my older stainless bodyguard and would like to have an Airweight version of it.

I want to get a M&P 45c to complement my full-size M&P 45 first, though ...

 

[Stophel]

I always have a .38 Model 10 with me, if not necessarily on me. 158gr +P LSWCHP's.

If I ever get around to making a handle, fixing up the front sight, and blueing the gun, I'll have the big S&W .44 Special with me always. Concealment is not that much of a concern for me.

I'm also surprised how few carry/use a .357.

 

[fastbolt]

I'm also surprised how few carry/use a .357.

When I carried an issued .357 Magnum I carried either it, or one or another of my personally-owned Magnum wheelguns, on my own time more often than not (when not carrying a .45 Commander or a .44 Magnum). I've owned a lot of .357 Magnum revolvers over the years.

I considered it an excellent medium-bore caliber which can be pretty versatile. Still do, for that matter.

After many years of lugging around the bigger wheelguns I've learned to appreciate carrying slightly smaller & lighter one, though.

I wouldn't mind filling out my .357 Magnum collection a bit to recapture some of the excellent ones I let slip away over the years, but not really for the purpose of carrying one.

I only have 5 nicely done .357 Magnum revolvers left in my collection. The only one I carry a good portion of the time is a M&P 340, though, and even then I only use Magnum loads in it for some training/practice, and load it for daily carry with +P loads.

I still have an older 3-screw short-barreled Blackhawk which saw many years service as a light duty backwoods gun (when a .44 Magnum wasn't chosen).

 

[mesinge2]

I usually carry one of my colts: Defender or Combat Elite both in 45 ACP (pictured below):

View attachment 113397

 

[MCgunner]

I can't remember if I posted here or not, but I didn't vote. I have and carry alternately depending on dress and mood and weather, a .45ACP, a .357 magnum, a .38 special, a 9x19 (actually two), a .380 ACP, and a .22 caliber mini revolver. Hard for me to pick cause I could be carrying one or the other on any given day. They all have DA in common except the mini revolver, of course.

I voted 9x19 because I carry it the most. But, lately I've been carrying a .357 magnum backed up by a .38 backed up by a .22. Why not? I mean, it's cold and I have plenty of cover garments.

 

[GasX]

I voted 10mm by accident (fat fingers on an iPhone).

Correct answer is "otherAKA 9x18 Makarov

 

[Paints]

In winter, I'm almost always carrying a .45. In summer it will be split between the .45 and a 3" 5 shot .357 which conceals more easily with summer clothes.