Bumping up caliber

[StrawHat]

Double Stacked .45ACPs

These can be fastened side by side inside a fanny pack for a lot of ammo carrying capacity and out of sight (your imagination and the size of the fanny pack is the limiting factor) or to your belt; if one is carrying a S&W 625 .45 ACP revolver. 4 carriers X12 rounds=48 total rounds, 5 carriers X 12 rounds =60 total rounds + 6 in the gun.

I like the way you think!

Kevin

 

[keith44spl]

I'm jest gonna stick with what's been bringing me home every nite for the last half century.

Colt Gov't Model 1911 / 230gr JHP +Ps

///

 

[Echo40]

I've been carrying .40 S&W since 2019 which suits its purpose as a self-defense round.

Previously I carried .380 ACP, which I felt perfectly confident in and still believe is a viable self-defense cartridge, (to this day I carry a LCP as backup) but after wild animals started wandering out of the woods surrounding my residential area, I decided that I wanted to carry something more powerful, and there were a ton of cheap .40s on the market. Since then, I've grown extremely fond of the cartridge, hence my username.

I don't see myself upgrading to a more powerful cartridge because based on my research on the subject, once you step beyond common duty cartridges like 9mm Luger, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP you start to get diminishing returns as far as effectiveness against humans goes, then the probability of overpenetration increases as well. I just got a USP45, but that doesn't mean that I'm going start carrying it loaded with .45 Super, because I don't live in Alaska, the biggest animals around here are black bears, and it's excessive against humans with no real benefit.

Practically all of the common self-defense cartridges are viable for self-defense and the differences in terms of performance between them is marginal since they were all designed for the same purpose. So unless you're concerned about running into something far more fierce than your average thug, emaciated meth addict, or crazed 20something shooter who has decided to blame whatever establishment you happen to be standing in at the time for their misery, whatever it is that you're already carrying is most likely adequate.
If there are other threats like wild predatory animals who are particularly hardy in your area, then you should probably consider stepping it up. Otherwise, stick with whatever you're already carrying and have learned to shoot proficiently.

 

[SMSgt]

Either my 9mm or .45 as usual, 10-12 rounds depending on which.

 

[rjroberts]

I'm lucky in that I'm retired, and don't have to go through busy areas constantly. My usual trips would be 3/4 mile to the supermarket, or a few miles to Home Depot. And, I can pick my known circumstances, meaning quiet times. My only real risk most times might be a one on one mugging. (thankfully never happened, and thank the Lord I've not had to shoot anyone) But, one can never tell. One sees "flash mobs" on the news, gathering in stores and tearing the place apart and robbing people. To me, it's tactics. Yes, I would look for a place to hide. I would be prepared to shoot if I had to, but a good hiding place would narrow my field of fire. All I could do: I try to be prepared, but I don't have a red cape.

Fortunately, when the BLM marches got started in the local counties, the mayors and police shut them down right quick.

As far as firearms, I've been trying to condense down, minimize calibers, having a couple revolvers and a rifle in the same caliber. I usually carry a .380. I had been thinking of selling my 9mm, as it just sits. Dunno, maybe I should keep it if the "wilding" comes here.

 

[rockquarry]

I was forced to use my issued .38 to put bad guys down three times during my career, saving me or someone else. Don't get caught up in these silly caliber debates, carry the weapon you shoot best & put in regular range time.

Certainly the best post. It's refreshing to have someone provide such simple and worthwhile advice, though it's likely not something those eaten up with easy chair gunfighting theory want to hear.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Nope lately I've drifted back to my EDC from 1990 -2019 a 3913; from the highcap 9mm's I carried a lot last year ( S&W PC Shorty-9 12+1+15= 28rds or Beretta Compact 15+1+ 18=34rds. with Meg-gar mags)

That said I've upgraded from one extra mag to two in a Milt Sparks IWB double mag pouch worn OWB under my belt (with the sweat shield) it's very comfortable................ 8+1+8+8=25rds.

I'm a firm believer in the double/triple tap ...... I'm not going to rely on the stats to get a one shot stop...... cus none are 100%, 100% of the time!!!!

While reloads can slow you down;if you shoot to slide lock .... I think they can help you with ammo management.......

 

[Protected One]

Realistically, most of us have no clue how we will perform under fire until that time comes, but we do know how we want to perform!

Perhaps if GSSF or IDPA had a truly demented person developing a course of fire, they would create a stage where a tennis ball thrower would start launching tennis balls at the shooter's box at the start of the timer! What better way to safely test one's ability to accurately return fire when drawing fire?

For me, I think I'll carry a semi-auto (9mm, 40 S&W, or 45) with extra magazines before I would up the caliber! The important part is to carry what you shoot best.

That still wouldn't give one a good gauge of likely response to REAL fire.
I am all for training, and probably take more classes than most people, but the fact is that "training classes" are designed to be 'safe', and all participants go in knowing that the odds of being shot or killed are practically ZERO. This creates a certain "mindset". While we may operate with an elevated adrenalin, there is no real danger. If one gets into a real gunfight there are no such guarantees, and that alone causes the brain to function differently, thus removing any predictability from our actions.

 

[Mainsail]

I'm still carrying the same as always- 357Sig mostly, 45acp second most, .40S&W if the mood should strike me to carry the USP that day.

My wife carries 9mm, you know, 'cause she's a girl.

Seriously though, "they" say the handgun calibers are all the same at the receiving end. Assuming that's true, the critical thinker might ask; But under what conditions? If the person needing perforation is standing in the open, facing you like a paper target, sure, I can buy that. If there is something between you and the person needing perforation, maybe not. In a carjacking one might need to shoot thru the side window glass. Once might need enough umph behind the projectile to pass through some other obstacle and still drive deep enough to do the necessary damage. For me, 9mm (or .380) doesn't give me the same confidence I have with the other calibers I have available.

What you choose to carry is up to you, and I wholeheartedly applaud your decision to do so, caliber notwithstanding.

 

[dmar]

I'm jest gonna stick with what's been bringing me home every nite for the last half century.

Colt Gov't Model 1911 / 230gr JHP +Ps

///

Beautiful rig, and great choice of weapon!

I'm not upping my caliber either, and I also don't play into the fear mongering that is in "the news." All you here about is the bad stuff, never the good. It's always been a dangerous world, especially if you're in the wrong neighborhood and/or doing bad things.

That said, I usually carry a 9mm, or a .45acp. Don't care too much for .380 as a defensive round, but of course it's better than nothing. .38 Special is a decent round, but I'd rather a 9mm and more rounds on tap, if needed.

 

[kmyers]

I typically am carrying a .40, SWMBO carries a 9mm.

 

[Eric300]

.38 Special for me. It's all about bullet placement anyway.

It's all about not getting shot first. Then you can put your bullet where it needs to be.

 

[S-W4EVER]

It's all about not getting shot first. Then you can put your bullet where it needs to be.

We were taught to "take your time in a hurry".

 

[WCCPHD]

Attributed to Wyatt Earp:

"Fast is fine, But accuracy is final. You must learn to be slow in a hurry."

 

[smithra_66]

With this rash of senseless shootings is anyone bumping up to a bigger caliber? Going bigger than 380acp, 9 mm mak, 9 mm Luger ect? To a more powerful magnum round for concealed carry?

I carried a 44 mag for decades. I switched off and on to the 45acp and 357 often. Recently I have the cz82/9mm mak but I'm thinking of carrying a 357 or 41 as a main handgun. I'm good with either one. I been thinking about a backup handgun.

Anythoughts?

I've always carried a 357 mag or 45 Auto primarily.

I've never had a need to bump it up!

 

[smithra_66]

Pretty hard to beat a 9x19 with hollow points. Going to a more powerful gun/caliber will not make you safer.

ehhhh......pretty easy to beat with:

40 S&W, 45 Auto, 357 Mag, 357 Sig, 10mm Auto, 38 Super, 44 Special, etc.

 

[OLDSTER]

I've been pocket carrying a Seecamp .32acp for some years now and don't intend to change based on the latest senseless shootings.

 

[S-W4EVER]

Attributed to Wyatt Earp:

"Fast is fine, But accuracy is final. You must learn to be slow in a hurry."

Yup, NRA Firearms Instructor training back in the early '80's.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

Certainly the best post. It's refreshing to have someone provide such simple and worthwhile advice, though it's likely not something those eaten up with easy chair gunfighting theory want to hear.

Old Cop is the real deal. No flash, no attention getter, but just the right guy to have by your side when you need someone.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[yeti]

Not exactly. Choosing compact doublestack 40 more recently instead of 6 or 7rds of 45. Capacity seems to speak to me more these days.

I know, I know.