smallest caliber you trust to protect yourself
- Thread starter roundgunner
- Start date
Cole K
Member
My personal minimum is a .38 Special +P in a revolver.
But, I prefer a .357 Magnum or a .45 ACP if I really thought it was necessary.
But, I prefer a .357 Magnum or a .45 ACP if I really thought it was necessary.
Your sisters husband or your wifes brother?
Will Carry
Member
The 105mm howitzer. But in a handgun a 380 is a small as I go. I would use a 22 LR if I had to.
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A straight razor - doesn't jam or run out of ammo.
That's funny roundgunner, too bad it was wasted on here.
It reminds me of the guy that said he was being chased by a bear and jumped for a branch 60 feet in the air, but missed. But that was alright, he caught it on the way down.
It reminds me of the guy that said he was being chased by a bear and jumped for a branch 60 feet in the air, but missed. But that was alright, he caught it on the way down.
I have carried a .32-20 S&W while working as a sheriff's deputy.
"It reminds me of the guy that said he was being chased by a bear and jumped for a branch 60 feet in the air, but missed. But that was alright, he caught it on the way down."
Elmer Keith wrote that he was walking down a trail once and almost stepped right on top of a rattler. He stated that he jumped straight up, drew his Colt single action, and fired three times, once on the way up, once at the top of the jump, and once on the way down. When he landed, there was pieces of snake everywhere.
"It reminds me of the guy that said he was being chased by a bear and jumped for a branch 60 feet in the air, but missed. But that was alright, he caught it on the way down."
Elmer Keith wrote that he was walking down a trail once and almost stepped right on top of a rattler. He stated that he jumped straight up, drew his Colt single action, and fired three times, once on the way up, once at the top of the jump, and once on the way down. When he landed, there was pieces of snake everywhere.
truckemup97
Member
I'm a pretty good size fella. I have one BIL who's a couple inches shorter but outweighs me by a good 50 pounds. I have another who's an inch taller and + 30. I'm going to leave the .22 Shorts at home and move up to a .22 Long Rifle.
Don't even think of posting this sort of subtle and sardonic comment in the reloading forum, lest you run afoul of Skip and his acolytes.
Sebago Son
Member
9mm. Then only if loaded with 124 Gold Dot +P's because I know that they work.
I had a bad experiance with a .380 and since then the higher end 9's are now the lightest I will pack.
Failing that it's a .40 Kahr or a .357 Smith 640-1.
I had a bad experiance with a .380 and since then the higher end 9's are now the lightest I will pack.
Failing that it's a .40 Kahr or a .357 Smith 640-1.
Ogandydancer
Member
I would go as low as .380 but would much prefer 40 S&W.
old school
At home, it depends on which room I'm in, but never a .22. A retreating action moving towards the heavy stuff means N frame .44s and 45acp the goal of reaching the 12ga. or the 32-40 SRC.
At home, it depends on which room I'm in, but never a .22. A retreating action moving towards the heavy stuff means N frame .44s and 45acp the goal of reaching the 12ga. or the 32-40 SRC.
OP
The first time I spent any time with my wife's brother (we were married over 10 years by then) I was sure the family had been exaggerating. Nobody can be that bad. I was wrong, the wife was right.
It is hard to explain but this will scratch the surface:
Father in law(one of the best friends I have been honored to have) and I served together a couple times before he retired as a Master Chief with over 33 years, he talked about his kids some but not too much. I may have seen my wife once or twice before I really MET HER as in a date when we were in our late 30s.( a whole different odd story)
BIL joins Marines and starts crying and begging to get out. Tries to get FIL MC to help grease the get out of the Corps wheels. Gets out after about a year.
I had never met him but now he comes back and has USMC T shirts, bumper stickers, hats, etc...
Treats his kids like they are in boot camp, a real prize.
One of the funny stories my nephew tells is that his ex wife (former Marine) beat the stuff out of him and chased him out of the house with a frying pan. ;-)
OzarkRecluse
Member
What round do you think will knock someone back? Remember one of the basic laws of physics: "equal and opposite reaction". People getting knocked back is movie stuff for the most part. You sure can slow someone down though with a large enough round.
I do think there are better choices than a .22 though they would work great on a brother-in-law's knee.
mesinge2
Member
Generally the smallest gun I carry is a .40 S&W M&P compact or my .357 snubbie. I know that knocking someone back is a movie thing but I would not be confident that a 22 out of a 2-3 inch barrel would necessarily end an encounter. A larger caliber stands a better chance of ending the assault and protecting your life when compared to the 22.
buckeyeshooter1
Member
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I carry a 45acp or 44 magnum. period!
Good plan, having your BIL fight a delaying action, while you withdraw to a more defensible position.
