What is your faviorite Defensive Pistol Caliber

[00dlez]

9mm

-Adequate for self-defense
-Low cost
-High availability
-Higher capacities

[turbo6]

Being budget minded, 9mm is the way to go.

There are lots of variables in real life defensive shooting, no matter what the caliber you just never know. However I've sifted through enough data to be pretty confident in the 9.

[Mad Dog Jones]

.30 cal. M1 carbine in a 2004 Taurus Hunter, SS, 8 shot, SA/DA, 12"bl. Revolver with 8rd. stellar clips(full moon), also digest .32ACP's qwit nicely for those times when I dont need th equivalent to a .357mag. that .30M1 is(all in-house and such), and with proper chamber adapters Im shooting my handgun ammo threw my 7.62mmX51mmNato when conserving th rifle ammo, hunting for a bit of small game for instance. All 3 calibers being military surplus, they are stockpiled in military and police warehouses around th world in abundance. I do commend all those who choose 9mmX19mmParabellum(Luger), they will probably be th last firearms still shooting long after everything else has used up all other calibers. My vote is for .30M1 carbine. Put that in ur pipe and smoke it, zombie slayers. Just doing what I can with what I've got. On a post script note,.357Mag. users have a similar versatility in that they may opt for .38special, .38 S&W long or short for keeping things all in-house, and soft shooting.

[From0toHero]

I don't think there's a big enough difference between modern defensive 9mm, .40S&W, and .45ACP for there to be much of an argument on the matter.

What I do know is that 9mm is generally lighter recoiling than .40 and .45, even in +P loadings, making it more pleasurable to shoot. I also observe that it is much less expensive when shooting bulk FMJ ammunition. And that's totally ignoring the capacity differences between, say, a Glock 17 and a Glock 21 (using flush-fitting magazines.)

One of the most important benefits of 9mm is less wear on the handgun. All high pressure ammo reduces the life span of a handgun quite rapid.

[ralfy]

.22 followed by 9 mm if they are readily available.

[From0toHero]

In my eyes 9mm is king. There are many advantages. First there is the high magazine capactiy, fast follow up shoots, less wear on the gun itself. The FBI turned there back on the much praised 40 S&W because of the recoil and the much faster wear on there guns. And the most important thing is modern 9mm defence ammo have the same effect as the 40 S&W and the 45ACP. And when a 9mm is not enough, you need a rifle.

[rednekrampager]

10mm , 41 mag, .460 Roland

[Neptune Glory]

In my eyes 9mm is king. There are many advantages. First there is the high magazine capactiy, fast follow up shoots, less wear on the gun itself. The FBI turned there back on the much praised 40 S&W because of the recoil and the much faster wear on there guns. And the most important thing is modern 9mm defence ammo have the same effect as the 40 S&W and the 45ACP. And when a 9mm is not enough, you need a rifle.

I agree with 9mm being the best for potential human aggressors. I do, however, think that 10mm makes a good option for a sidearm while camping, hiking or hunting... preferably with a solid projectile that could penetrate a bear's skull. A proper rifle or shotgun would, of course, be better... the point of the sidearm in that situation would be for if you set your long gun down for whatever reason, you would still be wearing the 10mm just in case.

Hopefully wearing a good can of bear spray right next to it, also.

[LowKey]

In my eyes 9mm is king. There are many advantages. First there is the high magazine capactiy, fast follow up shoots, less wear on the gun itself. The FBI turned there back on the much praised 40 S&W because of the recoil and the much faster wear on there guns. And the most important thing is modern 9mm defence ammo have the same effect as the 40 S&W and the 45ACP. And when a 9mm is not enough, you need a rifle.

I agree with 9mm being the best for potential human aggressors. I do, however, think that 10mm makes a good option for a sidearm while camping, hiking or hunting... preferably with a solid projectile that could penetrate a bear's skull. A proper rifle or shotgun would, of course, be better... the point of the sidearm in that situation would be for if you set your long gun down for whatever reason, you would still be wearing the 10mm just in case.

Hopefully wearing a good can of bear spray right next to it, also.

Fully concur.
If unarmored homo sapiens is your only real threat, 9mm is the way to go.
If larger predators along with homo sapiens are a realistic concern, 10mm.
If you're more concerned about homo sapiens clad in body armor, maybe 5.7 or something similar is what you'd want to fit the bill.

9mm is a good pill for unarmored humans, and seems to be a good compromise between mass, diameter, sectional density, penetration, and recoil/control (for follow up shots). Still, rifle calibers are better as humans are tough, stubborn, and unpredictable.

[okrim]

9mm (luger)

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[rowdyrugby]

I am a firm believer in shot placement over caliber. I like 9x19 for duty/CC purposes. I also have a healthy love for the 9x18 caliber for plinking and occasional CC.

[Neville]

My head says 9mm. It's affordable, there are plenty of ammo choices, stopping power is acceptable, recoil is minimal, magazine capacity is excellent. My head says, this one gets the job done with fewer downsides.

My gut says, I want a heavier bullet with a bigger diameter. I want something that hits HARDER. And it says it's willing to sacrifice a bit of mag capacity and put up with more cost and more recoil to get those attributes. 180gr .40 cal fits that bill - it looks like a REAL bullet. I like .45acp too but for some reason it looks clownishly big. Don't get me wrong, my bedside gun is a .45acp - because weight and size are no issue and I have 3 loaded 8-round mags sitting right there, that I don't have to lug around with me. And a 12 gauge to back it up if that's not enough. But generally if you're talking pistol, portability comes into play and the 45acp just doesn't work as well for me on that score.

I have pistols in both calibers, 9mm and .40. . I shoot both. But my carry permit lists 2 .40's and one .44m (backwoods trail gun). So when it comes to facing off with a threat of some kind, it looks like my gut won out.

[Hiroshima_Morphine]

9mm Parabellum (Latin: for war): cheap to stock pile, easy to scavenge due to being used by military and LE and other civilians, and the hydro-static shock theory is proven biological science.

Wonder why the OP put revolver ammo in his poll? I notice no one voted for them even though they are very popular rounds.

[ZomCon Sargeant]

9mm Corbon JHP 125 gr +P

9mm ASYM BJHP 124 gr. +P is a very close 2nd

Update:

Lehigh Defense Controlled Fracturing 9mm 105gr. +P

I still love my previous choices however when the SHTF I will be using this.

[Smash05]

9mm Corbon JHP 125 gr +P

9mm ASYM BJHP 124 gr. +P is a very close 2nd

Update:

Lehigh Defense Controlled Fracturing 9mm 105gr. +P

I still love my previous choices however when the SHTF I will be using this.

I might choose something with a verifiable track record, like Speer Gold Dot or Federal HST.


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[DesertGator33]

for defensive shooting I stick with 9mm. I own the 3 major auto calibers (9mm, 40, 45acp) and love each one individually, but when I walk out the door, I'm carrying a double stacking full-sized or sub-compact 9mm depending on the circumstances. I've also heavily considered purchasing a 10mm if I start camping more, but for now the 9 works great.

When talking about armored individuals, I'm assuming we've moved into an apocalypse type scenario, and would more readily rely on a short-stocked Ar being carried at low ready.

[NoSeeUm]

I carry either a 9mm or a 45acp at a 98% to 2% ratio, respectively. So 9mm would be my favorite carry caliber. Mainly because my XD is a double stack (16 + 1 vs 8 + 1 of Colt Commander).

I personally believe the terminal ballistics of the 45acp is better but, not as good as two 9mm rounds. So, that is my logic for carrying 9mm.

[gorilla0712]

Older thread worth bumping...

In my personal weapons for social work I chose both .357 magnum and .45 ACP. Perfectly confident in either one.

My department issued handguns are .40 cal.

[NT2C]

Depends on the weather. If it's warm enough for shorts and Hawaiian shirts then .45 ACP, because it's not easy concealing my full-size 9mm double stack but my M&P Shield 45 rides nice under a Hawaiian shirt, but if the weather is cool enough for a light jacket then my 9mm is my EDC.

ETA: Carry loads in both are Federal HST. 230 grain for the .45 and 124 grain for the 9mm

[delarey]

9mm Para or 9mm Kurtz. I edc a lcp custom in the right pocket and a spare mag in the left (NPE). When not at work, a G19 is on my belt.
Less recoil
More capacity
Less wear on the pistol
More ammo choices and availability
Many reasons to go 9mm para. Oh and if need be, i can take my g19 mags and run them in the Sub2k or one of the PCC AR pistols!
I carried a 1911 for some time and won't hesitate to carry one again, but I'm heavily invested in the G19 and lcp platforms at this point. I do have a NAA .22lr that sees occasional duty [emoji23]

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[Silent Kube]

9mm is my daily carry. They're more than enough for any human threat.

If I'm going into the woods, I pack my .357 mag in case of big predators and a .22 in case I need to rustle up some grub.

[ZomCon Sargeant]

It has been awhile since I have been here on the forums.

My EDC Handgun is a Walther PPS M2 9mm 8+1 round mag with Trijicon HD Night Sights carried in a Stealthgear Scorpion Holster and my Self Defense ammo of choice now-a-days is Federal 124gr HST Standard Pressure. Sometimes Lehigh Defense Xtreme Defender 9mm 90gr +P.

My Wife's EDC Handgun is the Glock 42 with Pearce Grip +1 extension loaded with Underwood 90gr Xtreme Defender.

[Dooms]

Social work with ball ammo only: .45 acp
Social work with quality defensive ammo: 9mm
Woods walking: 10mm with heavy hardcast loads

That being said, there's a special place in my heart for the classic .357 Magnum. If you reload it's a ridiculously versitile cartridge. Light loads for an Airweight concealed carry piece all the way up to heavy brush-busting loads for a full size revolver and carbine combo.

I guess I can't choose just one