For me, I'd have to say .357 magnum. Maximum loads are plenty effective. You can practice with 38 special wadcutter loads cheaply. Easy and inexpensive to reload with cast bullets. A multitude of factory loads available including shot cartridges. Any store that carries handgun ammunition will surely have a box of 38 special ammo of some sort in stock. Maybe not the best in every situation, but a good all around caliber.
What's Your Favorite Handgun Caliber?
- Thread starter ZeeOSix
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9mm, .40S&W, 45 acp....
All are fun at the range and have their place for CC or HD. My most recent acquisition, a Glock Gen4 23, is a remarkable combination of power, capacity and concealability.
All are fun at the range and have their place for CC or HD. My most recent acquisition, a Glock Gen4 23, is a remarkable combination of power, capacity and concealability.
Super .38 ACP.
Ah yeah. C & C too!!!!!
Like my old 45, it's got a nice punch. Really only good in close. It is my bedside weapon.
I carry a Ruger Blackhawk when hog hunting. Now if you can shoot it has excellent accuracy. But that 3 foot muzzle flash will confound your aim!
I carry a Ruger Blackhawk when hog hunting. Now if you can shoot it has excellent accuracy. But that 3 foot muzzle flash will confound your aim!
I carry USP in .40.
I carry an Ed Brown Kobra Carry in .45 ACP. Federal HST rounds.
Alternate with a Kimber .45 ACP Ultra Crimson Carry 2. I traded a Springfield EMP in 9MM for this, since I could not shoot that EMP very well, and always jamming. Returned to Springfield twice but kept on jamming.
I also have a Ruger Redhawk Alaskan in 45 Colt/454 Casull. Now this pistol is a hoot with full load Casull rounds. Would make a practical defense round with 45 Colt. Only problem is that the factory 45 Colt loads are pretty weak. If reloaded the 45 Colt is about equal to the 44 Magnum, but we all know reloads are a no no in a defensive situation.
Alternate with a Kimber .45 ACP Ultra Crimson Carry 2. I traded a Springfield EMP in 9MM for this, since I could not shoot that EMP very well, and always jamming. Returned to Springfield twice but kept on jamming.
I also have a Ruger Redhawk Alaskan in 45 Colt/454 Casull. Now this pistol is a hoot with full load Casull rounds. Would make a practical defense round with 45 Colt. Only problem is that the factory 45 Colt loads are pretty weak. If reloaded the 45 Colt is about equal to the 44 Magnum, but we all know reloads are a no no in a defensive situation.
Originally Posted By: yaris0128
Im a big fan of 9x18 Makarov. Costs the same as 9mm and easy handling of the expensive .380. Love it in a good CZ-82.
I like the round as well but what you are really saying is steel cased 9x18 for near discount brass 9X19 prices. Because I can assure you they are not the same cost for brass. I agree .380 (9x17) is a ripoff.
Im a big fan of 9x18 Makarov. Costs the same as 9mm and easy handling of the expensive .380. Love it in a good CZ-82.
I like the round as well but what you are really saying is steel cased 9x18 for near discount brass 9X19 prices. Because I can assure you they are not the same cost for brass. I agree .380 (9x17) is a ripoff.
I thought this was interesting info.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/beginners_stopping_power.htm
"The famous 125 grain .357 JHP bullet, the most effective one shot stopper of all handgun loads, penetrates 13.25" in ordinance gelatin and produces a football shaped stretch cavity. This is how the very best bullets perform. And bullet performance has a great effect on stopping power."
http://www.chuckhawks.com/beginners_stopping_power.htm
"The famous 125 grain .357 JHP bullet, the most effective one shot stopper of all handgun loads, penetrates 13.25" in ordinance gelatin and produces a football shaped stretch cavity. This is how the very best bullets perform. And bullet performance has a great effect on stopping power."
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
I thought this was interesting info.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/beginners_stopping_power.htm
"The famous 125 grain .357 JHP bullet, the most effective one shot stopper of all handgun loads, penetrates 13.25" in ordinance gelatin and produces a football shaped stretch cavity. This is how the very best bullets perform. And bullet performance has a great effect on stopping power."
I got some of 'em...
I thought this was interesting info.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/beginners_stopping_power.htm
"The famous 125 grain .357 JHP bullet, the most effective one shot stopper of all handgun loads, penetrates 13.25" in ordinance gelatin and produces a football shaped stretch cavity. This is how the very best bullets perform. And bullet performance has a great effect on stopping power."
I got some of 'em...
7.62x38R
my favorite handgun caliber for myself is a .40 S & W.
However, my favorite handgun out of everything I own is a little Ruger .22 that my dad taught me to shoot with...and just recently I've began teaching my own son about firearm safety with that same pistol. Good times!
However, my favorite handgun out of everything I own is a little Ruger .22 that my dad taught me to shoot with...and just recently I've began teaching my own son about firearm safety with that same pistol. Good times!
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
I thought this was interesting info.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/beginners_stopping_power.htm
"The famous 125 grain .357 JHP bullet, the most effective one shot stopper of all handgun loads, penetrates 13.25" in ordinance gelatin and produces a football shaped stretch cavity. This is how the very best bullets perform. And bullet performance has a great effect on stopping power."
There is no such thing as a "one shot stopper". Those who believe such myths make serious tactical errors such as carrying a pistol with insufficient capacity. A handgun is a remarkably inefficient killing tool so make sure you've got lots of rounds with you, whatever caliber you favor.
I thought this was interesting info.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/beginners_stopping_power.htm
"The famous 125 grain .357 JHP bullet, the most effective one shot stopper of all handgun loads, penetrates 13.25" in ordinance gelatin and produces a football shaped stretch cavity. This is how the very best bullets perform. And bullet performance has a great effect on stopping power."
There is no such thing as a "one shot stopper". Those who believe such myths make serious tactical errors such as carrying a pistol with insufficient capacity. A handgun is a remarkably inefficient killing tool so make sure you've got lots of rounds with you, whatever caliber you favor.
For home defense: .45ACP. Good stopping power/less over penetration. (Springfield 1911)
Fun/practice: .22LR (Buckmark).
On the road: Sig .357 (P226)
Concealed: Walther PPK .380acp
Dave
Fun/practice: .22LR (Buckmark).
On the road: Sig .357 (P226)
Concealed: Walther PPK .380acp
Dave
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: Indydriver
There is no such thing as a "one shot stopper".
Shooter skill is the other main factor in that statement to be sure and put the round where it will be most effective.
true...but the enemy gets a vote on where your round strikes
Originally Posted By: Indydriver
There is no such thing as a "one shot stopper".
Shooter skill is the other main factor in that statement to be sure and put the round where it will be most effective.
true...but the enemy gets a vote on where your round strikes
Originally Posted By: Indydriver
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
I thought this was interesting info.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/beginners_stopping_power.htm
"The famous 125 grain .357 JHP bullet, the most effective one shot stopper of all handgun loads, penetrates 13.25" in ordinance gelatin and produces a football shaped stretch cavity. This is how the very best bullets perform. And bullet performance has a great effect on stopping power."
There is no such thing as a "one shot stopper". Those who believe such myths make serious tactical errors such as carrying a pistol with insufficient capacity. A handgun is a remarkably inefficient killing tool so make sure you've got lots of rounds with you, whatever caliber you favor.
True and add to this that shot placement is just as important.
However, with that being said, it is a fact that the .357 has the title of best man stopper based on real world data collected from law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
I thought this was interesting info.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/beginners_stopping_power.htm
"The famous 125 grain .357 JHP bullet, the most effective one shot stopper of all handgun loads, penetrates 13.25" in ordinance gelatin and produces a football shaped stretch cavity. This is how the very best bullets perform. And bullet performance has a great effect on stopping power."
There is no such thing as a "one shot stopper". Those who believe such myths make serious tactical errors such as carrying a pistol with insufficient capacity. A handgun is a remarkably inefficient killing tool so make sure you've got lots of rounds with you, whatever caliber you favor.
True and add to this that shot placement is just as important.
However, with that being said, it is a fact that the .357 has the title of best man stopper based on real world data collected from law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: 95busa
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: Indydriver
There is no such thing as a "one shot stopper".
Shooter skill is the other main factor in that statement to be sure and put the round where it will be most effective.
true...but the enemy gets a vote on where your round strikes
No voting allowed ... placement by my choice. Only focus on two areas, and one or the other will always be successful.
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: Indydriver
There is no such thing as a "one shot stopper".
Shooter skill is the other main factor in that statement to be sure and put the round where it will be most effective.
true...but the enemy gets a vote on where your round strikes
No voting allowed ... placement by my choice. Only focus on two areas, and one or the other will always be successful.
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