Carry Preference

[flop-shank]

John, I agree that the .357 SIG is a great cartridge. As for 9mm it gets .357 magnumish in it's better +P and +P+ loadings. IIRC, Erich was getting 540 fpe. from Winchester 127 gr.+P+ out of his Sigma.

flop-shank, I admire your conviction, carrying a revolver to the exclusion of all other choices.

I prefer revolvers, but use a P3AT as part of my line up. It has it's niche. I would hate to not take advantage of the different strengths of both autos and revolvers.

 

[Papa]

.45 because that is what I bought Friday. Have carried 9mm, 38, and 357 at times.

 

[cjw3]

cj, So I have a brother in Georgia!
My very first S&W was a Md# 37 Airweight That I would carry IWB or in a shoulder holster depending on the moment. I still have the 37 but later on in time I picked up the shorter 36. They both shot very well for me and felt comfortable to carry.
As for the Glock, I am not a Glock fan and picked up the 27 on a whim, fell in love with it and shot placement was remarkable. But the one thing I do not trust is the trigger safety.
The LCP just replaced a .25 Colt Vest Pocket that I would carry when nothing else would fit the need. I liked the lightweight and thiness.
But the 36 will always be my favorite as is the 37.
In fact I think for Christmas the 36 is going to get a set of Rosewood stocks!

Regards,
LnL

I got the 27 to carry in an ankle holster as a second gun to my issued G22, and to wear on a dress belt when the duty belt was not needed. Totally reliable, plenty of power, quick to reload, simple to maintain. Also heavy and bulky for most of my use now that I am retired, but it is staying with me.

I have had the 36 for only a few months. Found a nice clean round butt in an LE supply store that was a department trade-in. I went back a couple of weeks later and picked up a square butt. (One is good...two must be better, right?)

I picked up the Kel-Tec about 2 years before I retired; just a little something to slip in a pocket w/Desantis Nemesis holster. .380 ballistics out of such a short barrel don't inspire a lot of confidence, but that is the price to pay for such a compact package.

Each has its place, but I do prefer the 36...good blend of weight, size and capability.

 

[Keech]

Now that I am no longer in Law Enforcement and don't routinely have to go into areas where I can't feel fairly safe and comfortable, I would now take my .45. Prior to this, I would take the 13 rounds of 9mm or 12 of 40 S&W. But the final decision has to be what you feel comfortable and safe with.
Keech

 

[The Highlander]

Whichever functions best with quality self-defense rounds, and which you shoot best. Those two are tied for first.

Nothing else matters, assuming you don't throw in a .22lr or something similar on the premise you shoot it better than a .45.

I'm very comfortable with the 9mm, it has been doing the job for over 100 years, and is better now than ever. Incidentally, all my carry weapons are full-sized, except a Glock 29 10mm. I am a Clint Smith follower! In my situation, I seldom have to worry about printing, and my wardrobe is untucked shirt wear 99% of the time. It's great owning your own business! Don't let comfort get in the way of comforting, as Clint would say.

 

[BlackAgnes]

Hunt-- You could find gun which accepts "pre-ban" magazines and legally exceed the 10-round limit.

To answer the question, I think with modern expanding ammo, I'd feel comfortable with the 9mm, and might not feel the need to carry a spare magazine.


Tim

 

[gearchecker]

So I can't use my Double Stack?

I thought the idea was to always carry what you can.
I prefer to carry my .45 with the double stack full up. but 9 rounds is adequate for the .45. Once you get used to the weight it's really not an issue. I always carry 2 additional mags topped off too, so the weight really isn't an issue.

My 9mm is double stack too and again 2 full mags.
Much better to conceal so the 9mm is my daily carry choice.

Less than 1 lb. difference between the 9mm full weight and the .45 full out?

 

[tom turner]

It doesn't matter. Whatever you shoot well. Most times, my high cap stuff stays in the safe, and all the time a J-frame rides in my front pocket when I'm off work.

I'm quite comfortable with that little five shot, but usually have other firearms close by if things were to ramp up.

However, I'm not in law enforcement so I don't have to ride up to trouble and deal with it . . . and I carry legally concealed, so it is usually MY choice as to whether to engage or not. Most citizen gunfights are over in three rounds or less . . . and a handy J-frame in the pocket is better than a high cap. .45 in the safe anyday!

T.

PS: To answer your question directly . . . I love a .45 ACP cartridge for self defense over all other automatic rounds.

 

[viceunit]

My Glock 23 capacity is 14 rounds of 180gr Speer Gold Dot HP. It cuts about the same profile and carries nearly the same as a Glock 36 I had, which held 8 rounds of 45 acp. I feel that the increased capacity in a LE environment is more of an advantage than any difference in the performance of the two calibers using premium ammo.

 

[40cal]

Given the same approx weight and size, would you prefer to carry a gun with 8 rounds of 45 acp or 13 rounds of 9mm?

I got to split the difference and say: 14+1 .40 S&W.
Hope to never need more than two, but the double stack makes me feel all warm inside. lol.

 

[pawncop]

Well count me in 45 ACP (M&P - 11 rounds) school but off duty I carry a Glock 32 in 357 Sig (17 rounds with the 2+ magazine).

So I really don't count in either cause I carry more rounds than was originally specified.

It all comes down to this - I cheat! So there.

 

[Hook686]

I prefer 8 rounds of .357 magnum.

 

[jbull380]

I carry what I train with and I can afford train more with 9mm than I can .45ACP. I like the lower recoil as well but it's not that big of a deal. Extra ammo is just gravy.

 

[230therapy]

8 rounds of .45. (I hit what I aim at )

But, do you hit what you're aiming at when both you and the target are moving? It's very enlightening to folks on their first time with the moving targets. I typically see 20-25% hit rates for folks at five yards; 10% hit rates farther out.

A simple way to do this is to get one of those moving carts made from 4 2x4's with caster wheels on it. Two eye bolts and 100' of rope passed through two pulleys (set 30' apart) on each side. Put another two pulleys 10 yards uprange to make pulling easier and so the shooter doesn't trip over the rope if they move back. I mount an IDPA target on two 1x2's attached to the base. You'll need one or two people to pull...works great!

 

[Thicker]

8 is Enough.......

 

[KyWstJoe]

I carry a 16+1 9mm but am thinking about a Glock 30SF with the 13+1 45ACP.

 

[s2harry]

I got a Combat Commander in 9mm squirts em out as fast as you can squeez em no jams. 10 +p and a spare mag aint bad outa that gun. Stock Combat Com in .45 wont let you down either always carry a reload. pic to follow

 

[signsrup]

I feel well armed with 7 or 8 + 1 in one of my 39xx's. Could do the same with my 4586, but don't feel the need.

 

[Eagle 477]

Now that its getting colder I switched to my Para P14... 14 rounds of .45

and yes I do hit what I aim at...

Bob

 

[bubbajoe45]

Its not the thirteenth round that is the most important, its the first round.

I think you've got it here, 18. I also thought this debate was decided (in favor of the .45) about 15 or 20 years ago! To each his own . . .