Which Gun to Grab: 380? 9mm? .45?

[Hokie_PhD]

I went from 9 mm as my EDC carry to 45 ACP both single stack sub compacts.
But I’m ready to get a double stack M&P 2.0 9mm compact double stack as a EDC.

My thought is More rounds are better inmost cases
So carry more

When deep conceal is needed I have a small 9 and the 45
And in those cases the choice is bigger when carrying less ammo
Then anything is better than nothing

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Whatever gun I grab in a similar situation will already be loaded. At night it would be an AR with a mounted light otherwise my EDC which is always on or near me and never smaller than a 9.

Alexa was off

The next morning, set Alexa on a fence post at 100yds to verify zero of the AR.

 

[Armored farmer]

Alexa might fit in my clay pigeon thrower.

Hey alexa....can you say PULL!

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Alexa might fit in my clay pigeon thrower.

Hey alexa....can you say PULL!

Sounds Mega Viral if anyone wants to make a video.

 

[gwpercle]

For the bump in the night (or bird whistle signal) nothing is more reassuring than the 12 ga. pump loaded with as many #4 buckshot as it will hold , butt cuff filled with 00 reloads ...makes me fear no evil.
the model 58, 41 magnum is just for back up ...it has never been required to date .
Always go as big as you can.
Gary

 

[GEM]

What do you shoot best and practice with under some stress (classes and/or competition)? That's a better question than a stopping power debate.

 

[jf89]

Had an interesting experience last night that kinda proving for me at least "bigger is better." Sort of. Maybe.

Was pushing a deadline to get my newspaper column done so I was at my desk writing around 2:30 am.

Heard a distinct, and loudish four or five note whistle from outside my window, sorta like a bird but no bird I ever heard. My computer speakers were off, Alexa was off. Never before heard that sound from my phone.

Now maybe I've been watching too many old westerns, but I couldn't help but think it was a signal of some sort, maybe from someone(s) around the house? (But none of the motion detector lights were lit.) A bit of an adrenaline rush and it was time to pull out some self defense.

In my desk were three guns a Smith .380 EZ; Walther 9mm Q and an M&P 2.0 in .45.

I looked at the .380, thought no; considered the 9 and thought "not big enough bullets;" went to the .45, put the mag in, racked slide and sat with the lights out for half hour an hour. Nothing more. Still a mystery. And all that adrenalin gone to waste.

My point is how naturally I went for the biggest "stopper" bullet almost by reflex, but with a couple of nano-seconds of semi-logical thought. Sort of making me rethink my carry guns....as I rotate 380, 9, and 45 depending on what I'm wearing. (I've got a Smith 442 PC for pocket carry.)

I appreciate the added capacity of my 9s...but when I thought something might really be happening it was the .45 I felt safest with. Interesting.

Looks like the ,45 Shield and Sig 245 could see more holster time.

.45 acp in almost every situation ,ymmv.

 

[Tallball]

I live in a very low-crime area and have two large inside dogs who love to bark. Thus I feel okay with a mere 357 magnum or 44 special or 45acp or somesuch kept within arm's length while I sleep.

I things were different it would be my Remington 870. There is no "magic bullet", but there is 12-gauge buckshot.

 

[CDW4ME]

The pistol you would prefer to have in your hand at home is the one you should strive to carry.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Now maybe I've been watching too many old westerns, but I couldn't help but think it was a signal of some sort, maybe from someone(s) around the house?

I happened to be listening to and Internet radio station the first time I read the OP and right in the middle my reading I heard a three note whistle. It freaked me out a little until I realized it was a commercial, maybe that's what the OP heard?

That said, I have two self defense guns a Glock 26 and a Glock 19. When I'm at home the 19 gets nightstand duty and the 26 is in my pocket. So I would have gone with the 26.

 

[FL-NC]

If I found myself in an unexpected incident where I thought I may have to shoot someone and i had a pile of loaded guns, I would probably grab the biggest one in the pile. Of course, since all my loaded guns are 9mm Glocks, and I don't keep them in a pile, it really doesn't matter which one I end up with.

 

[WrongHanded]

.380 in one pocket, 9mm in the other, .45 in the hand.

 

[CraigC]

This:

 

[TTv2]

You had one incident where you choose a .45 over a smaller caliber. In the same situation, I'm grabbing the gun I shoot best with and that is most reliable for me that isn't not a .22 or a .25.

 

[Charlie98]

Well... oddly enough my .380, 9mm, and .45 all hold roughly the same amount of cartridges... 7, 7,& 8, respectively. I would just reach for whichever is handy, the 9mm in my case. I also have more Kahr 9mm magazines sprinkled around the house than any other, too.

 

[the Black Spot]

I carry a 45 (or 44) literally until i crawl into bed.
I dont own anything else for self defense(sold the 38 and 357), i have no choice but to grab what i have on me

 

[Charlie98]

In reality, the proper weapon to grab is the one at hand... which brings up Rule #1: Bring a gun. Luck favors the prepared.

I guess I'm lucky... my daughter is almost 21, so I have guns sprinkled around the house and garage, I'm less than 5 seconds away from a firearm at any given time.... no trigger locks, no cables, locked and loaded.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

In reality, the proper weapon to grab is the one at hand... which brings up Rule #1: Bring a gun. Luck favors the prepared.

I guess I'm lucky... my daughter is almost 21, so I have guns sprinkled around the house and garage, I'm less than 5 seconds away from a firearm at any given time.... no trigger locks, no cables, locked and loaded.

So that means that anyone who breaks into your home is also less than 5 seconds from a firearm too right?

 

[Charlie98]

So that means that anyone who breaks into your home is also less than 5 seconds from a firearm too right?

They have to find them, first... with the exception of the 12ga by the bed, they are not out in the open. By and large, there is someone at my house almost 24hrs a day.

 

[murf]

totally agree, 45 caliber for the win!

murf

 

[easyg]

I don't think it would have mattered which pistol you chose (outside of your own head).
But confidence in one's weapon is definitely a factor when it comes to one's own performance.

If bigger is better...then everyone should be carrying a .50 Desert Eagle, or a S&W .500 magnum revolver.

 

[Jack B.]

IMO. Having confidence in a 50 caliber handgun is difficult .

 

[JR24]

My bump/whistle in the night gun is the same one I carry all day and shoot the most/best. I like consistency.

It is nearly always a duty size gun, either 9mm or .45, though it's been 9mm for a year now. Currently a Sig P226.

Something happens at night it'll have to be 19 rounds of 9mm plus 110 lbs of snarling dogs and my wife's 9mm backing me up.

 

[Spade5]

My personal opinion is to always listen to your inner voice and you did. Plus you did not eliminate the other pistols, you just prioritized them. The only reason I would pick my 9 over the 45 is it has a light on the rail and 13 vs 8. Now if someone crashed through the front door and both were in front of me, no doubt I would pick up the 45. Truthfully either would work which is why I have both.

 

[Godsgunman]

Shotgun but in the case you are asking, grab the one that is least important to you. If you ever end up actually using it then that gun will be gone for a very long time if you ever actually get it back at all. It will go to the evidence locker for the local PD so choose the one that gets the job done but is your least favorite.