Larger Caliber CCW

[Donnie805]

Concealability and caliber are only two factors in the equation. Ability to use that weapon effectively is of prime importance. Because of neurologic damage in my shoulders and hands, I have to use and carry a weapon that I am able to rack the slide, drop a mag, and insert a new one. For me, a Glock 42 has been a constant companion and a Bodyguard 2.0 is there as well. However, I only carry what I practice with constantly.

 

[URIT]

Stick with the firearm that works best for you. Up-calibrating can't possibly give you peace of mind if you don't have the trigger time with the weapon to feel competent and confident.

Avoiding situations and places where altercations are more likely may be the best strategy. Running to cover could save your life and give you a better chance at survival than engaging out in the open.

Training in point shooting may save you the milliseconds necessary to prevail at the scene, in the media, and in the criminal and civil courts. The courts are the stress producers. Remember the jury panel will not be NRA members.

You can save money training in point shooting by using a BB pistol, e.g., the Beretta M92 A1 Blowback Full Auto .177 BB Gun. Be realistic and train from 1-7 yards. I use 6' paper plates and post-its.

That said, OP, do what is best for you.

 

[Denverd0n]

DISAGREE........WHO determines what's optimal? Your opinion matters only to you.......See my .22 post

No, you don't disagree with me. Who determines what is optimal for YOU is YOU!

The question was, do you feel like you need to move to a different caliber because of "the current situation." That's YOU making the decision that the caliber you have been carrying is sub-optimal. If that's your opinion, then you should have changed calibers a long time ago. You should not need to change calibers just because of what's going on in the world.

 

[wileyjackhammer]

Mighta been Clint Smith who said, "None of them are small enough to carry, and none of them are big enough to fight with." In my few LE gunfights I never wanted a smaller gun, a smaller caliber, a cheaper gun, or fewer bullets.

I agree completely, having had similar experiences...
I believe Clint also said "Gun are designed to be comforting, not comfortable"..
I may have been paraphrasing on that one, it has been quite a while since I have seen him..... A very straight forward instructor....

 

[robertrwalsh]

No. I have downsized over the years due to arthritic hands. I can handle a very compact 1911 9mm very well still. A full-size 1911 45 not so much. I practice with it regularly. I can hit with it. I have confidence in it.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

No, you don't disagree with me. Who determines what is optimal for YOU is YOU!

The question was, do you feel like you need to move to a different caliber because of "the current situation." That's YOU making the decision that the caliber you have been carrying is sub-optimal. If that's your opinion, then you should have changed calibers a long time ago. You should not need to change calibers just because of what's going on in the world.

I carry all kinds of weaponry...........Sometimes just a hand grenade.

 

[dogkinkead]

Arthritis from decades of shooting IHMSA as well as other large caliber stuff has reduced the caliber of my daily carry. I can dump a mag of 32ACP very quickly and very accurately out of a PPK or a cylinder full of 327 out of a SP. Used to be a 357.

 

[65-2x2]

In my opinion, the least important component of a gun fight is the caliber of the weapon used.

 

[Jon651]

EDC is a .45acp

Dont see any reason to go to a .46

I completely agree. I chose .45ACP a while ago, but none of my reasons were ever based on "what is happening today". I picked that particular caliber because:
1. Based on my reading I didn't feel the need for a pistol with super-high capacity, and if I was going to have fewer rounds I was going to use larger rounds.
2. Past experience (during the pandemic specifically) showed me that .45 was always available. Contrast this to .380 which I could NEVER find and 9mm which was still available but literally everyone wanted it and bought it up quickly.
3. My EDCs are certainly not the only .45 ACP pistols I have, so I am very comfortable firing that particular round.
4. Frankly I don't expect to see Iranian sleeper cells popping up all over the country; but a cyber attack nixing our power, communications, banking system or whatever is certainly more possible but not something a larger pistol-caliber round will be able to do anything about.

 

[bigggbbruce]

I went from 158gr to 180gr.
Oh, that's not what you meant.

 

[erikpolcrack]

My CCW is my Sig P365 XL MS. I have carried a larger caliber in the past, usually my Kahr compact 45. I find it a little smaller and handier than a commander-sized M1911.

 

[Brian Parrish]

Another opinion.
I completely agree that the caliber question is the least important issue in the subject of armed self-defense. The most important issue without question is physical fitness. Since a gunfight is more fight than gun, get in shape. Make no excuses; at least get in BETTER shape.
That aside, I certainly do prefer to carry a Model 411 which is a 3rd gen, 40S&W, with a 4-inch barrel.
I have no issues concealing a full size handgun.
It is not heavy, since I cannot even feel it on anymore.
My backup is always a .38 Special or a .380 ACP.
I do not feel motivated by anything going on, nor any greater concerns about safety or danger.
The decisive factor is the ease and accuracy at the range. When it comes time to perform this is the one with which I CAN.

Best Regards!
BrianD

 

[Mike LaNier]

I moved to a .45 as EDC years ago after a trip to Thunder Ranch; Clint made it pretty clear. Colt Officer's Model, customized, with 7-round mags. Enough to fight my way to a rifle...

 

[Neumann]

Recoil of .40 SW is pretty snappy compared t0 .38 SPL or 9 mm. That said, a semi-auto pistol absorbs most of the added recoil compared to a J-frame, despite weighing several ounces less. That improves the accuracy of a possible follow-up shot. In fact, I find my knuckle gets badly abused by the trigger guard with .38 SPL in a J-frame. Recoil of .45 ACP is surprisingly manageable in a sub-compact Springfield or Kahr, or .357M in a 3" 686+.

 

[Brian Parrish]

Recoil of .40 SW is pretty snappy compared t0 .38 SPL or 9 mm. That said, a semi-auto pistol absorbs most of the added recoil compared to a J-frame, despite weighing several ounces less. That improves the accuracy of a possible follow-up shot. In fact, I find my knuckle gets badly abused by the trigger guard with .38 SPL in a J-frame. Recoil of .45 ACP is surprisingly manageable in a sub-compact Springfield or Kahr, or .357M in a 3" 686+.

I have a question about this.
I really cannot tell the difference in caliber for follow up shots.
I CAN tell the difference when I change caliber, however. Once accustomed to the pistol returning to point of aim with my 40 cal the same way and at the same time, that is when follow ups are fastest.
What slows me down is my eye/aim, not the difference in muzzle rise.
Thoughts or helps?
BrianD

 

[alwslate]

I'll stick with my Glock 42 .380. I'd bet if a threatening perp saw it pointed at his chest it would look plenty big enough to convince him to change his mind.

 

[erikpolcrack]

I'm not really in a position to try 40 for EDC. I only have three 40s, all full-sized pistols - a Beretta, a Glock, and a Sig P226. Enjoy shooting them, but they're too big for EDC/CCW, in my opinion.

 

[Hair Trigger]

I carry either a .40S&W Commander-size 1911 or a M66-1 snubbie. Either should take care of business if I hit what I aim at.

 

[Farmer17]

The 9mm Sig 365 is great for concealed carry with a good compromise of power, capacity, size, and weight. Anything bigger and I go straight to my 4" M&P 10mm that I shoot very well.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

HA! What everyone above said makes sense and then there's this:

Given current situation in US,

Seriously? Is there a situation where you think you need a caliber change?

\have you "upsized" your CCW caliber? Example, I have gone from a .38 SPL snub revolver to a .40 caliber sub compact for daily CCW.

Is there going to be that much of a difference between 800+ fps versus 1000+ fps in any confrontation you're likely to find yourself in?

Now, if you said you went from a .38 Special snub-nosed revolver 5 or 6 shot, to ANY pistol caliber with more rounds of firepower that might make some sense. I carry a M649 5 shot J frame every day but, when I'm headed to certain places where targets of opportunity might be more attractive to Tangos and other belligerents, I switch to a 9mm Walther CCP with 60%+ more firepower - - but that's a round count situation, not a power factor consideration.

And age has nothing to do with it, not for anyone.