What is the "wimpiest" handgun you would carry for SD?

[Barry the Bear]

.44 special or .45 acp

 

[Jim NE]

The gun I have with me the most is the Ruger LCP in .380, because it's so small. If I feel I might need something more potent, I might also carry either my my Ruger SR9c or my Taurus PT145, but I'll usually still have the LCP with me. Sometimes it's not practical to have more than the LCP with me, so that's what I live with.

I have a .32 S&W long revolver made by H&R, and while it wouldn't be my first choice to protect a member of my family, I had toyed with the idea of letting my sister use it for defense. Mostly because she's handicapped and has limited arm strength to handle recoil. A better option for her in that respect might be the Hi Point .380. Some people might laugh at the Hi Point, but it's hands down, the lightest recoiling centerfire handgun I own. Maybe the lightest that there is. And mine's very reliable.

 

[gunsablazin]

My KelTec P3AT, and I rarely carry it as a primary, it usually accompanies my Champion. I know, "any gun will do, if you will do", but I still prefer a .45

 

[riceboy72]

Count me in with the .38 camp. I debated a few weeks ago about picking up a .380 for those really warm days, but decided to stick with the .38 instead. Ammunition choices and advancements have kept this a viable option for many years.

 

[Schwing]

I am seeing a pattern here so I will jump on board. I almost always find myself carrying a .38.

I have many other firearms that are probably going to be more effective etc, but the dang little lcr just fits in my pocket so comfortably that it is what I reach for 90% of the time.

 

[Plan2Live]

I work in a non-permissive environment all day so the wimpiest handgun I carry is no gun. I suppose if I curled three fingers around like they were gripping a pistol, extended my pointer finger forward like the barrel of a gun and had my thumb up like a hammer that would qualify as a "handgun". Now that's pretty wimpy!

 

[GEM]

NAA Mini 22S.

If that's what works with the situation. In a sense, this a question that doesn't not take context into effect. Some situations may necessitate a little mouse gun.

In the abstract, with no constraints - a 9mm something is preferred.

 

[montanaoffroader]

In a revolver - 22LR. In a semi-auto - 32 acp.

 

[VA27]

I absolutely refuse to carry anything smaller than my NAA 22 short.

 

[bannockburn]

Even though in the past I have carried smaller, as in .22LR and .25, the "wimpiest" gun I would go with today would be my KelTec P3AT.

 

[Combat Engineer]

Have carried this 25 Cal 11 oz Colt (Circa 1973) as a primary on rare occasions.

It will do everything my 45 Cal 1911 Colt Govt will do, very accurate out to 7 yards (21 feet).

Well OK, maybe not everything.

 

[CajunBass]

I wouldn't hesitate to carry this one.



Walther PP in 7.65 (32 acp).

Shoot, I've carried a 22 and probably would again.

 

[ohioshooter]

A 9 mil is the smallest round i'd carry

 

[TUBBY1]

380 is the smallest to date. If you hit where you want nothing is whimpie. I have to find a MAC stinger after seeing it earlier. Looks like an old roll of Certs. Happy to see me or is that a MAC stinger? Should be able to hide that!

 

[Teachu2]

Carry? 9mm Shield. Use? Ruger 22/45, tuned. Preferred? Something in .45acp, be it a 1911, a G21, a G30, or a G36.

 

[Rodentman]

S&W 351PD (22mag)

 

[Don357]

I carry a Kel-Tec P-11 9mm as a general rule, but I have carried a P3-at and a Cobra derringer in .38 spl. Never felt undergunned. A friend of mine who worked as a bar bouncer has been shot 7 times, mostly by 9mm and .38's and lived, said the only time he went down was when he was shot by a .22. This guy had no reason to lie about this, and even took to carrying a NAA .22lr himself. Go figure.

 

[Hometeached1]

Don, if you don't mind, do you know where he was shot at with the .22 or the 9mm as well as the .38. Like COM from the right side or such.
Thank you.
Hometeached1

 

[Cocked & Locked]

One of these two .380's

 

[mavracer]

Beretta Bobcat 22lr, it's my, when I can't carry a gun, gun.

 

[AFDavis11]

I carry a Walther PPK in .380, or a 5 shot 38 when I'm carry light. I'm not sure which one is more wimpy. I actually feel a little better with 8 rounds of .380.

 

[verdun59]

My p32 is the smallest, or Colt Pony Pocketlite. The trouble is I can't find any ammo for either one of them. On the other hand I see plenty of .45acp which surprises me since an overwhelming number of people on this forum swear that they never leave their homes without a 1911 in their front pocket .......

 

[*Kemosabe*]

NAA Mini chambered in WMR and worn in a neck holster as a BUG to my G-27.

The “wimpy” NAA can just barely kill you!

 

[Drop45]

S&W I-frame .32long. Been carrying it for 6 years now, used to be my fathers. I load them up pretty hot also.

 

[just for fun]

I work in a non-permissive environment all day so the wimpiest handgun I carry is no gun. I suppose if I curled three fingers around like they were gripping a pistol, extended my pointer finger forward like the barrel of a gun and had my thumb up like a hammer that would qualify as a "handgun". Now that's pretty wimpy!

And if you were in grade school that would get you sent home for a week! That's as wrong as it is sad!