What is your preferred carry caliber?

[ms6852]

Right now I mainly carry a 1911 in 45 acp. On occasion and depending on attire I will carry a 38 snub nose, a S & W mod 642. I am in the market for a 686 + P in 357 mag with a 3 1/2 barrel or a cimarron Thunderer in 357 with a birdshead grip for conceal carry.

 

[jiminhobesound]

Carry Handgun Caliber

For years I carried a .357 and hunted deer with a Ruger Super Blackhawk in .44 magnum, most fun firearm I ever shot. However, as I age and contend with arthritis in my hands I think I am pretty much limited to the 9mm. I have a Sccy and it is a wonderful carry size for a 9mm with ten rounds. It is very light and easily carried in a pocket. I would like to try a Taurus pt145 as test reports say it shoots soft. I also have a Cz in 9x18 and I love the gun but I will stick with the 9mm. If somebody would come out with a good SD round for my Tokarev I would carry it because it is so thin and I want lots of penetration.

 

[bcp280z]

Funny I thought .40 was more popular, it's the perfect compromise between capacity and power...or so I think.

If it's cool out it's my 40 M&P typically on fobus owb, maybe belly band if I think I'll really need it, but typically my sw 438 via iwb does just fine. If I could afford another, I'd get a smaller gun in 40 but I do alright with .38

 

[Dr Dave]

Make mine a 4" 7-shot .357 at home, a 2" 7-shot .357 when not at home.

Federal 125gr JHPs and at least two speedloaders either way. Federal 110gr Hydra-Shoks in .38+P if I'm worried about overpenetration (never happens though).

I like revolvers. I like Marshall and Sanow.

I carried an NAA .22 Magnum 5-shot derringer for a few days and now want something tiny - probably a Kel-Tec .380 or a good deal on some .32 or 9X18.

 

[Ben86]

9mm

Because when I'm far away from my ammo stash I want something that will give me considerable capacity. I'm also not a big believer that bigger is all that better.

I don't go with +P because to me the 10% or less kinetic energy gained is not worth the extra recoil (slower follow up shots) and partially negates what I love about 9mm (low recoil).

Did I mention cheap ammo?

 

[M ammo]

9mm

training and bullet placement, is more important than, bullet type, size and weight,

a miss with a .50 is not as good as a hit with a .22

Jim

 

[doc2rn]

.32 H&R Magnum, I have medical issues with recoil and I really like the bullet performance.

 

[silverking]

I'd be the first to admit that I don't practice enough to call myself a proficiant shooter (adequate, maybe) but the M&P .40c gives me the preferred (to me) balance and weight I like. I consider the platform before the caliber. I have 9mm-.38-.357-.40-.45-.44mag

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

Looks like the bottom feeders have the wheelgunners beat by about 4-1. I would have thought there were a lot more people carrying the traditional J-frame .38.

And only one Fellow Traveler has discovered the merits of the .22? I demand a recount!

 

[armsmaster270]

4 favorites 357Sig, 40S&W, & 45 ACP For primary weapon in same order. 38/357 for BUG

 

[jeepmor]

10mm and 45ACP

 

[Twiki357]

Depends… You didn’t specify open or concealed carry. Depending on clothing and location, open: 45 ACP or 38 Spl; concealed: 380 or 9mm.

 

[BushyGuy]

1st choice 9mm +p, 2nd choice .45 acp 230 gr JHP or FMJ

 

[Jonah71]

I've started carrying my old (2003) Kimber .45 again because I'm just not accurate or confident with the G 23 yet. Along with the G 26, tucked away I'm OK. For some reason I sure do have problems with the .40 cal. no matter what name is stamped on the gun. I've gone through a lot of rounds in the past 3-4 weeks and my accuracy sucks. It's not the gun. Everyone else seems to have no problem with it. Guess I'll just stick to what works for me. (plus the old Mod 36 is always within reach)

 

[Ben86]

For some reason I sure do have problems with the .40 cal. no matter what name is stamped on the gun.

Have you tried a S&W M&P40, softest recoiling .40 I've ever shot. It took me a while to get good with my old G22, but the M&P40C I used to have worked great for me right away. YMMV.

 

[Random Discharge]

Preffered? 9mm. Carried the most? 380

 

[Hunter2678]

40 S&W at minimum.

 

[Jonah71]

Have you tried a S&W M&P40, softest recoiling .40 I've ever shot. It took me a while to get good with my old G22, but the M&P40C I used to have worked great for me right away. YMMV.

When I see one in the shop I'll give it a try. Have heard nothing but good things about it.

 

[usmccpl]

I used to be die hard 9 mil with a good wheelgun backup. Then I got a chance to get my Sig 226 with a 40 and a 357 barrel. Still keep a backup. Though my round count went from 15+1 to 13+1 this one is twice the gun of most 9s Ive ever handled and 4 times the gun on others.

 

[hey_poolboy]

if I could carry in my communist home state it would be the .45ACP. I love the 1911 platform. Yes, I know they make other guns that are chambered in .45ACP, but none are as nice as the 1911.

 

[Pyro]

.32 S&W Long HBWC as of right now.
Would like to get something better.