Putting the Argument to Rest: The Indisputable Best Self-Defense Caliber/Cartridge.

[Mike SC Hunter]

For generations folks have argued over what's the best Caliber/Cartridge for Self-Defense? The argument is generally a worthless waste of time with most people just arguing in favor of their preferred cartridge with little or no objective facts to backup their claims, meanwhile there was always one objectively ideal cartridge for Self-Defense, but few folks are bold enough to come right out and say it because they know they'll get bombarded with baseless arguments against their claim.

Fortunately, I'm bold enough to say it once and for all, right here, right now...

The best Caliber is .729 and the best Cartridge is none other than the mighty 12 Gauge Slug Shell.
That really ought to be a mic drop right there, but obviously folks will attempt to argue against the fact, so I'll keep going to explain why it's the best.

Obviously a 12 Gauge Slug packs a heck of a punch, delivering over 3000 Foot Pounds of Kinetic Energy at the muzzle and still maintaining over 1200ft-lbs at a distance of 100 Yards.
In other words, a Brenneke Black Magic Magnum Slug delivers as much energy at the Muzzle as a .500 S&W Magnum — The Most Powerful Handgun in the World — at the muzzle, and as much energy at a distance of 100 Yards as a .44 Remington Magnum — The Former Most Powerful Handgun in the World — not to mention the 5.56x45 NATO — The standard issue rifle cartridge in NATO Armed Forces — at the muzzle, and it does it all with a 602 Grain, .729 Caliber Projectile.

Some would argue that it's too powerful, too punishing, and delivered from a Firearm too large/heavy to carry concealed.
NONSENSE, I SAY! Nothing more that anti-gun rhetoric designed to pacify the masses and encourage citizens to carry less-than-adequate tools for Self-Defense.

In the modern-era, 12 Gauge Firearms are available in compact, concealable packages such as the Serbu Super Shorty and the Mossberg 590 Shockwave.
Furthermore, there exists a plethora of lower-powered yet still extremely effective 12 Gauge Slug Shells on the market, ranging from Federal Mini Shells for those of smaller stature all the way up to the aforementioned Bear-Slaying Brenneke Black Magic Magnum.

When you strap this on when you head out and you don't have to question whether or not you're adequately prepared to defend yourself.

Also, it's time to say it, people... Carrying a firearm isn't enough! If everyone maintained a rigorous daily exercise routine then nobody would argue that it's "unrealistic" or "impractical" to EDC a 12 Gauge.
Furthermore, if folks had some actual confidence and weren't overly concerned about what others think of them, then they wouldn't have to hide a Pocket Pistol in their pants when they go out to the store.

Folks need to start taking their Self-Defense seriously! You can't just carry whatever happens to be convenient, you've got to carry what gets the job done, and for all the endless arguments over which suboptimal handgun cartridge is the best of the worst option for minimalist Self-Defense, nobody has ever disputed that a hit from a 12 Gauge Slug is a fight-stopper!

The absolute best is the one you have in your hand when needed...............Everything else is conjecture.

 

[ladder13]

For generations folks have argued over what's the best Caliber/Cartridge for Self-Defense? The argument is generally a worthless waste of time ……..

Worthless for 25 years and 3,000+ similar ( my uneducated guess ) threads on this forum alone.

 

[Neumann]

Self defense starts from the neck up. What am I willing to carry, every day, concealed, with enough practice that I can place two or three quick shots in center of mass at 10 yards? That .50 Magnum is not on my short list (nor log book). Even .44M is something only I carry in brown bear country when a .45-70 carbine would attract too much attention. I'm okay with a 38 oz (or less) gun on my hip or IWB, which encompasses .357M, 10mm, and .45 ACP. Each must assess his own needs and capabilities.

 

[65-2x2]

I love these kinds of threads. So many of the arguments could only be valid in a world where there were a sliding scale degree of dead perhaps from just barely dead to grave-yard dead.

A short barreled .12 ga. shotgun is my go-to bedside gun, so I appreciate the OP's position. I could only conceal one under a trench coat, and when I am wearing a trench coat, I am not wearing anything else, so it would tend to chaffe my tender skin.

 

[65-2x2]

If I knew I was going to be in a gun fight, my absolute first choice for a men stopper would be the MK19

Barrel length: 16.25 inches (413 mm)
Cartridge: 40×53 mm
Muzzle velocity: 750–790 feet per second (230–240 m/s) (average)
Rate of fire: 325-375rpm (cyclic); 40 rpm (sustained); 60 rpm (rapid)

PS it is also good against light armored vehicles

If I knew in advance, I would choose a bus, or train.

 

[CW3RDL]

9mm FMJ's have killed more people than any other pistol load.

While killing power doesn’t necessarily equate to “fight stopping power,” Evan Marshall, the great writer on the subject and accumulator of statistics on actual gun battle results discovered some interesting facts. He and Ed Sanow published really hard to find data in their 2002 book, Stopping Power. The 115 grain 9mm FMJ stopped fights 70% of the time in over 300 recorded encounters. The 40S&W 180 grain FMJ: 71%; .45ACP 230 grain FMJ: 62%; 38 Spl. LRN 158 grain: 47%/(49% from 2”). So, among conventional calibers, quality 9mm ball is hard to beat, especially when you realize you can carry 50% more ammo on your duty belt for the same weight as .40S&W and twice as much as ,45ACP.

 

[duke2002]

My opinion. What ever you shoot the best and can hit with.

 

[rockquarry]

My opinion. What ever you shoot the best and can hit with.

Sensible post; thank you, but many will run if you approach them with logic.