[roachsquasher]

I myself carry .40 and do not own a 9mm not that I wouldn't own one. Your views on the positives and negatives of each.

[roachsquasher]

What is the smallest caliber you feel safe carrying for personal protection? Safe as in...this gun will get this guy off me and keep him off.

[Squirrel_Slayer]

.38 spcl is the smallest I carry, but more often than not, my .45 gets called upon.

[c3shooter]

What he said up there..........

[DrJason]

You are going to get a dozen opinions from a dozen people on this one.

Doing a quick search this thread came up with a similar question asked: http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/f17/concealed-carry-caliber-choice-24687/

Also, I noticed you've been around for a couple weeks and haven't stopped by the Introductions section, might be nice to let us all know a little bit more about you and your interests in firearms. http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/f2/

[NGIB]

The simplest and only real answer to this question is whatever caliber/platform of gun YOU shoot well. Buy a quality gun and train with it - the caliber matters much less than your ability to shoot quickly and accurately.

A .44 Magnum won't stop crap if you can't hit the target under stress and a well placed .380 round can end a problem. Not long ago we had a fella claiming he carried twin 1911s with 2 mags strapped to each ankle - I guess if that's what you need to feel secure. Many folks buy a hand cannon that's difficult to conceal and heavy to carry - so they do not carry it 100% of the time. A .22 in your pocket is a tad more effective than the Desert Eagle 50AE you left at home.

BTW, I generally carry a small .380 as it's comfortable and convenient - two factors very important to me. And yes, I have shot it extensively...

[Dillinger]

Aw Man, do we have to do this again?!?

Okay, let all the facts and opinions rip. I'll be back tomorrow to clear a few posts and close the thread if it gets out of hand....

My girl carries a 9mm. 135 or 147gr +P Winchester Rangers in an all steel 1911. I have no problems with her carrying it.

I carried a Sig P-229 in .40 Smith for probably 5 or 7 years and never had to use it, but never felt I was under carrying a round that would not do what I needed it to do.

The question you have to ask yourself is whether YOU can put enough rounds on target to STOP THE THREAT that you are confronted with.

If you can you are carrying the right round. If you can't, then you need to evaluate the situation and see what, SPECIFICALLY, the problem is with your performance.

You put a pistol in the hands of a pistol shooter like NGIB, Cane, Jack or one of our LEO's like Robo, Glass or Scubie and confront them with a man sized target at 10 yards, it won't matter WHAT caliber you give them, that target is going to get some holes in it where they count, but in a hurry.

JD

[NGIB]

I have to tell you that search is your friend.

We probably have a half-dozen threads a week on this type of subject. Everyone has an opinion and rarely will you get a consensus on any caliber.

BTW, thanks for the props JD but the caveat is the bad guys have to within 10-12 yards - so I can actually see them...

[Dillinger]

I have condensed these two threads as they are very close to the same topic.

JD

[m72law]

i can reload more nine-millies,but....
get more ''scrap'' cashback .40's S&W