9mm Makarov. Why? I like my FEG PA-63. I own it. Guess I could go buy a Walther, but why?

I checked "other", but it is a 9mm. Just not THE 9mm.

That is awesome 😎 I'm a big believer in using what you feel most confident with, sounds like an outstanding choice for you! Never heard of the other 9mm now I'm curious 🧐

My first choice would be 9 x 19mm.

Why?

Because modern 9mm SD ammo very nearly matches the performance of 357 magnum ammo, while allowing me to carry 2x (or more) the round count in a smaller, and more easily concealed package. And that doesn't even take the ease of reloading into consideration.

My plain-Jane Sig P365 with a MagGuts spring kit, gives me 12 rounds of hot, hollow point 9mm +P ammo - in a package that is smaller, flatter, and lighter than a 5-shot J-Frame 38 special revolver.

That's a win-win IMO. YMMV...

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My favorite caliber is the .36 caliber(.355, .357). Particularly as it appears in the form of .357. Great versatility and power range due to the plethora of bullet designs and power loadings across the entire spectrum of this caliber. You get .38, .38 +P, and .357. There’s something in there that can handle most every task the everyday Joe would face. That being said, the price and scarcity of this caliber have pushed me more to the runt of the litter, the .355. Otherwise known as the 9mm.

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otis

I voted "other"... I mostly carry a 9mm or 40s&w, but I PREFER 357SIG... and I do occasionally carry a sig subcompact in 357SIG.. I like the power & penetration... but mostly carry the "cheaper" guns just incase officer friendly wants to "borrow" it until judge friendly says that I can have it back.

I was a 45 acp guy and at times I still carry a 325.

Pro Big heavy bullet stopping power, light gun

Con, bulky and hard recoil

I now often carry a 2" alloy 32 H&R mag

Pro light, easy to carry and conceal, decent power for package size

No where near the power of the 45acp

I understand what you’re you’re saying completely. But all I can think of is Joe Citizen trying to cuff a guy and it going haywire.

They're a lot more docile and compliant with a bullet in them...Maybe a couple of warning shots in the legs?......Ben

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I didnt choose 45. As soon as I shot the shield 45 I put my 365 back in its case and haven't looked back. Then I read through a study done 7 or 8 years ago, and that confirmed in my mind that I could be confident in what I carry. In this study/test, it was observed that a hollow in 9mm would fail to properly expand 35% of the time, while the 45 version of the same bullet only had a failure rate of 5%. 10mm and 357sig hollow points had a tendency to fragment or expand too quickly. 40s&w hollows had about a 15% failure rate iirc. Many different calibers were tested, in many different bullet types. 45 proved to perform the most reliably.

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I had a beautiful Walther (Manurhin) stainless PPKS .380 30+ years ago, and a FEG R-61 9x18 (same as a PA-63 but PPK size).
Difference was the FEG was always reliable, I could not say that for the PPKS. Guess which one i still have!
Smiles, Mike

That's why I said "learn how to use them". A perp...whether wounded or not is easier to control with wrist restraints than without. And if wounded the perp could be more desperate and dangerous. Calling 9-1-1 for assistance is easier with the perp restrained than loose while you're trying to cover him and call for help.

It's all situational...what might be the way in one scenario won't work in another. One has to be able to adapt to circumstances.

Preferred is a .44 Special but I also own and carry regularly , .380 , .32 ACP, 9mm, .38 S&W, .38 Special and .45 ACP . Have carried the .357 Magnum but not in the last several years. The only way I'd carry a .22 or .25 would be as a BUG .

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Grumpy Old Man With a Gun

My FEG has a spring kit in it that really helped the DA trigger pull. A heavier recoil spring has also softened the recoil. They respond well to Wolf spring kits.

Not a lot of brass around, but fortunately you can make it fairly easily from 9mm Luger brass. I expand them out and trim them back then load with lead bullets. I shoot those for practice then I have fire-formed brass to use. I have a stash of Hornady XTP's for the Makarov I load for self-defense. They've been discontinued but pop up on the auction site sometimes.

Prvi Partizan also sells a hollow point for the caliber. There are plenty of cast LRN and plated bullets for it. I also have a mold if need be.

First and foremost armed people should get Professional Training.

Too many possible scenarios exist so we can not guess. But who is an armed citizen is going to handcuff? Now when I prevented a man from murdering his ex-wife the bad guy had dropped his weapon (bat) and walked away from us. No reason to restrain him because she is safe and the on-duty cops will pick him up later. But what if the bad guy had disarmed me when I attempted to restrain him myself?

I cannot foresee me ever carrying handcuffs as I now lack the strength to grapple with a wounded assailant.

My first priority it to get me and mine away from the threat as safely and expeditiously as possible.

Barring that my next priority is to stop the threat and by stop I mean stop.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

Before carrying cuffs, consult an attorney, in your state, and see what your laws says about citizens arrest.

Kevin

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I will stand by my previous post of the CCW carrier has no business carrying handcuffs.

I also hope the comment of "two warning shots to the legs" was a joke. Comments like that do not help the CCW cause and can be discoverable in a trial.

I have found that retired policeman often lose sight of the fact they are nothing more than citizens. No longer sworn to protect and serve.

When I retired one of the first things I did was take some CCW classes. Most important of those was Mas Ayoobs MAG20. In none of these trainings was handcuffs mentioned as an option.

No snarcasm directed at anyone but I cannot recall ever reading of or hearing a LEO (present or former) ever advocating for civilians to carry restraints.

What police agencies have ever openly recommended this?

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

My choice is a 9 mm Glock 19.

I chose it because it was the smallest gun on the approved list for security guards in Colorado Springs.

There's not enough "No" in the World

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Retired Career Security Guard

2 J frames loaded with 38 specials, although the 6 shot 32 Magnums are growing on me. At one time, i experimented with a micro-nine and a J frame but I have never trusted an auto as my sole carry gun.

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SWCA 3417 HF 642 NRA-TC

It was obviously a joke. And a funny one to boot.

I carry a mod 66-8 2.75" 125-gr XTP most days for around town, with appropriate loads when I head to the woods, which isn't far to handle two legged or four legged critters.

While I'm usually one of the first to jump on the new "latest and greatest" technology bandwagon, I've withheld the urge of moving on to one of the small 9mm platforms.

I do admit to being sorely tempted by the Sig P365, though.

I've been shooting and carrying firearms since the mid-1970's and am reasonably well-invested in older .38 / .357 / .45ACP platforms.

My EDC for the last couple of years is a 640-1 Pro stoked with .38 +P and but I do occasionally carry my Kimber Ultra Carry (Series I). I've never felt under-armed with either.

So, while the temptation is always there, I just go out to the range with one of my "old-school" handguns which always brings a smile to my face. I feel blessed...

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This is a seriously terrible idea, on several fronts . . .

(As far as what to carry, carry what you shoot well, or what makes you smile. My consistent position on armed self defense, and actually unarmed self defense as well, is that all I am trying to accomplish is make that other fella' realize he's got something better to do at the moment than to screw with me and mine . . . )

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I voted "Other". Because panache never goes out of style...



DW 1911 Super .38 and Colt 1903 .32 Rimless Smokeless:

Everyone has to know his limitations. My recommendations...as well as those of others...are for discussion and consideration...not in stone. As with everything in life...it's all a calculated risk...what we're each willing to do or not do.

I don't mean to be rude, but this is an incredibly bad idea. Why are you "restraining" your attacker after shooting him? Why are you closing the distance with him and making yourself more vulnerable?

Going hands on with any violent offender is extremely dangerous - especially solo - and that's what LEOs are trained and paid to deal with. Once retired, you don't see any LEO advocating doing that.

Back away, shoot if he advances and is a threat.

Duly noted . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Thanks Glen,
Nice to meet a fellow R-61 owner! 9x18 in a PPK was about the best we could do power/size in the 90's. for a semi.
You sound like a "Brother from a different Mother" i am right there with you,
- hardest DA trigger i ever used,(never went off in my pocket,
always reliable, although i have not carried it for years.
-nice tip on springs and loading tips,
-I also have a stash of Hornady XTP's for the Makarov (1962 E German)
- Prices on GB are ~650-700 for .380's and a few hundred more for 9x18 originals.
- I got mine from KBI back in the early 90's, matching #s including the mag (spare mag has different #s). also has the correct grips including the thumb swell grips. still a little "yellow tinge" as i never completely cleaned all the preservative-just enough to use. very nice guns like unissued.
R-61 cant be many of us out here
Smiles, Mike

To Me: Whatever caliber, gun, to which you are most comfortable and which one you shoot the best.

In the wintertime I carry a 686+ three inch loaded with Remington 158 grain 357 hollow points. I do the same if I go to town. On my morning walks and around the house in warm weather I usually have my Governor with me with one 410 bird shot for snakes followed by five 45 Long Colt hollow points. Occasionally I will stick my 642 in my pocket loaded with Gold Dot 135 grain +p.

Hugh


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Most of the time, I carry an M&P 40c in 357 SIG. When I want to go lighter, I carry a Shield 45. I've shot them a lot, with 16,000 rounds through the 40c and 8,000 though the Shield, so I know they'll work when I need them to.

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What, me worry?

Seeing as I've never had to shoot someone in 16 years and have never had a dramatic Hollywood style shoot out (and hope I never do) I usually opt for 38 Special or if I want light carry depending on my activity, 22 Magnum.

If I want to step it up, 357.

I always carry a J Frame or snub nose.

Used to tote Glocks and high caps off and on. Don't anymore. Love revolvers.

YMMV.

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Go ahead... make my day.

The ever ubiquitious .38 Special is my second choice.

I could carry .380 if I had a good reason.

What I shoot at the range has little to do with carry except for SD practice. I don't carry .357 or use it for home defense. The .357 would be loaded with .38s.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Life's lessons hast taught me....



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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Or maybe this'n....


10mm



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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Anyone carry 22 WMR? I've always wondered about that.

340 M&P AIWB under my retention belly

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Some assembly required..

vs.

I'd like to see some discussion on these two statements.

I am not very familiar with either cartridge but in recently researching 9mm was surprised to learn that it is considered comparable to 38 spl for SD purposes. And looking up .357 Sig just now, it seems to be almost, but not quite, as capable as .357.

I would find informed comments useful as I think I am at the start of switching from .38 spl to 9mm for EDC.

https://youtu.be/0rPTk8raXdo?si=vyTWo-U3XWKH7P_t

I don't feel qualified to compare, but I have just the guy for you. Paul Harrell does a great presentation on 9mm vs 38 special for carry that you may find useful. I posted this link above.

I primarily carry .38 and .45 handguns. Occasionally a 9mm. Based on where I live I always carry Hornady Critical Defense or Critical Duty. I live near the PRNJ and occasionally have the need to travel there. Hollow points are restricted for carry there.
For whatever reason, while is is a reliable expanding ammo, it is not considered a hollow point bullet due to the polymer filler.
I trust it is as reliable as any other modern defense ammo for a reputable manufacturer.

I do love a beautiful SW and enjoy taking mine to the range occasionally. I love the functional art (my auto correct just put in funeral art which might be apt) but I do not carry.
I’m not into that whole Killin thing. I’d rather talk my way out of it or stick my hands up if confronted with a guy with a gun. I’m not going to go reaching for one if he’s already pointing his at me.
I realize I may be in the minority on this site but for me, guns are not for shooting people. I’d rather live in that mindset than have a tool on my waist that I’ll know is there, and might just be tempted to use when I shouldn’t, or if there’s another option in a bad situation. I just don’t like the idea of walking the streets with a loaded gun.
Just me, anyway. I’m brand new to gun ownership so I’d rather eyre on the side of extreme caution.
Of course, some may say that carrying is being cautious.
I get it. It’s just not for me.
With that said, if there’s a bad guy with a gun and he’s going nuts, I’d be happy to see one of you guys stop him as quick as possible, in which case a SW bodyguard is small and powerful enough.

It seems to me that your reasons for not carrying a gun are largely philosophical, which is fine. It is certainly not for everyone.

If you think, as a new gun owner, however, that you would like to become safer and more proficient with guns, you might consider training courses, starting, as you have perhaps already done, with basic safe handling and how to shoot, and then moving on to more advanced courses. There's a lot available, and many of us enjoy the training. (For what it's worth, I would not carry a gun unless I'd had professional training.)

Ask and ye shall receive.

Compare the performance of 9mm SD ammo in real 3" semi-autos
BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: 9mm Luger Results

To the performance of comparable bullet weights in 357mag in real 2" barrel revolvers
BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: .357 Mag Results

Why would we compare two different barrel lengths? Because those are the barrel lengths you get when you are comparing a sub-compact 9mm pistol (like my P365) to a J-Frame 357mag revolver that is very close to the same physical size.

Some examples:
In a 2" 357mag revolver the results for 2 flavors of 110gr CorBon SD ammo were 1134fps and 1132fps.

In a 3" 9mm pistol the results for 2 flavors of 115gr CorBon SD ammo were 1245fps and 1215fps.

So the 9mm is pushing a bullet that is 5gr heavier and it is moving at 84-111 fps faster.

For the 357mag for 2 CorBon 125gr loads the speeds are 904fps and 1050fps

The 9mm CorBon 125gr clocked 1170fps and the 124gr Speer Gold dot clocked 1108fps

So the 9mm pushed the 125gr pill a minimum of 20fps faster and as much as 104fps faster.

140gr CorBon 357mag clocked 911fps

147gr Federal 9mm clocked 902fps - only 9fps slower - despite being a 7gr heavier bullet

All in all that looks like pretty comparable performance to me for SD ammo in comparable compact SD guns.

Now, if you want to get into heavier weight bullets - like 158gr, the 9mm falls out of the competition because 147gr is about the heaviest weight bullet loaded in readily available SD ammo. BUT as many people will attest, the recoil of 158gr 357mag SD ammo is very unpleasant in a lightweight J-frame and getting back on target quickly for a follow up shot is difficult at best. Less so with lighter bullets.

IMO, this is less of an issue with semi-autos because the reciprocating action of the slide dampens some of the recoil impulse - I think of it as being kinda like a shock absorber.

Anyway, you wanted to see why I said what I said, and there you go. And yeah, my P365 with magguts kit holds 12 + 1 - as compared to a comparably sized J-frame with 5 - so I can pack over 2-1/2 times as many rounds with comparable performance in a package that weighs less and is also flatter - so it is actually smaller in one dimension.

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Definitely on my to do list, and probably a refresher now and then.
I think it’s all about good habits that become natural. Just like anything else.

Interesting Poll. I would guess the younger Forum members went with 9mm and the older crowd 38 Special.

If I were only carrying medium-sized 6rd revolvers everyday, my choice would've been .357MAG, hands down. Why not get that little extra 'squeeze' of velocity out of the Magnum loads, with some weight helpful in mitigating felt recoil, everything else being more or less the same.

That said, I'm about to head over to meet a friend at one of my cigar clubs, and the warm weather makes it pocket-holster carry, and my .38SPL +P loads are kinder on aging wrists and elbows in the little Pocket Mule J's, than Magnum loads.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

It is interesting, in an unscientific sense. I too would have expected (guessed) different numbers, thinking the younger guys might have said 9mm and the older types .45 Auto. As usual, I was wrong. .38 Special outdistanced .45 by quite a ways. Of course speculation about age group preferences is merely that.

Much as I like the P365, and use it most often, it is not what I prefer. Laziness prevents me from using the .45 most often, but it’s what I prefer.

The choices that are missing in this poll are the +P rounds in 38 special, 9mm, and 45ACP...

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If it had been an option, I'd have selected both 45 and 40 using the same model (Shield 2.0). Either is fine.