Poll: only one defensive handgun

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If you could only have one defensive handgun, what caliber would you choose?

.22LR
1
1%
.380
0
No votes
.38 spcl
2
2%
9mm
28
21%
.40 S&W
25
19%
10mm
6
5%
.45 acp
56
43%
.357 mag
11
8%
.357 sig
2
2%
.44 mag
0
No votes
 
Total votes: 131

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canvasbck
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Poll: only one defensive handgun

#1

Post by canvasbck »

Assume here that you KNOW that your chosen caliber will be used in a defensive shoot. You don't know ahead of time when or where the shooting will take place, nor do you know the number of BG's you will face. Ignoring the cost of ammo, what caliber would you most trust your life to. Please discuss the reasons.

I chose the .40 S&W since I feel it strikes a good balance of stopping power, manageable recoil, and a decent number of rounds per mag (double stack mags usually carry 11+1).
Last edited by canvasbck on Sun Sep 12, 2010 4:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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G.A. Heath
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Re: Poll: only one defensive handgun

#2

Post by G.A. Heath »

.45 I carry plenty of extra mags for my Kimber, but I could also carry 13+1 for my XDm-45. Whether or not the bullet expands it will still make a .45 caliber hole, and if I get into the fight where ammo is sold I will likely find a ready supply.
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Re: Poll: only one defensive handgun

#3

Post by USA1 »

45 ACP.

It's a proven man stopper...some may disagree.
The wound cavity and hyper-static shock that it produces in center mass is devastating to vital organs.
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Re: Poll: only one defensive handgun

#4

Post by flb_78 »

5.7x28
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Barbi Q
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Re: Poll: only one defensive handgun

#5

Post by Barbi Q »

I tried to vote 38 special because that's what I actually carry.
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Re: Poll: only one defensive handgun

#6

Post by .45mac.40 »

:tiphat:

USA1, G.A. Heath .... :iagree:
Ditto, same same. Tha' .45 ACP ! (( Double stacked mags. IE: Spgr. XDs ))

Mac :fire XD .45 > > > >>>>>> # %%%oo%%% #
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Re: Poll: only one defensive handgun

#7

Post by canvasbck »

Barbi Q wrote:I tried to vote 38 special because that's what I actually carry.
I added the .38 spcl, didn't know that would reset everyone's votes, those of you who already voted once are welcome to re submit your votes. :banghead:
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Re: Poll: only one defensive handgun

#8

Post by USA1 »

canvasbck wrote:
Barbi Q wrote:I tried to vote 38 special because that's what I actually carry.
I added the .38 spcl, didn't know that would reset everyone's votes, those of you who already voted once are welcome to re submit your votes. :banghead:
I redid my vote but accidentally hit .357 . Now I'm locked out. :cryin

BTW, you left out .38special+P :leaving
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Re: Poll: only one defensive handgun

#9

Post by C-dub »

I, of course, chose the .40 S&W, but after shooting TAM's .45 I may reconsider in the future. Right now and for the last 8 years the .40 has, theoretically, been the right balance of stopping power and number of rounds.
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Re: Poll: only one defensive handgun

#10

Post by canvasbck »

C-dub wrote:I, of course, chose the .40 S&W, but after shooting TAM's .45 I may reconsider in the future. Right now and for the last 8 years the .40 has, theoretically, been the right balance of stopping power and number of rounds.
I started this poll because I have been carrying a .40 and love the caliber,and the weapon that I carry . Today, we started the break in proccess for my wife's new Kimber Ultra CDP II (pics coming later after I take them). I put a couple of mags through it and was really suprised at how manageable the recoil was even with the 3" bbl. Kinda makes me want a Kimber for myself.
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Re: Poll: only one defensive handgun

#11

Post by USA1 »

canvasbck wrote: Kinda makes me want a Kimber for myself.
Uh Oh, you've been infected. There's only one cure that I know of. ;-)
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Re: Poll: only one defensive handgun

#12

Post by G.A. Heath »

canvasbck wrote:
C-dub wrote:I, of course, chose the .40 S&W, but after shooting TAM's .45 I may reconsider in the future. Right now and for the last 8 years the .40 has, theoretically, been the right balance of stopping power and number of rounds.
I started this poll because I have been carrying a .40 and love the caliber,and the weapon that I carry . Today, we started the break in proccess for my wife's new Kimber Ultra CDP II (pics coming later after I take them). I put a couple of mags through it and was really suprised at how manageable the recoil was even with the 3" bbl. Kinda makes me want a Kimber for myself.
And so the 1911 (and/or Kimber) addiction begins...
How do you explain a dog named Sauer without first telling the story of a Puppy named Sig?
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Re: Poll: only one defensive handgun

#13

Post by canvasbck »

G.A. Heath wrote:
canvasbck wrote:
C-dub wrote:I, of course, chose the .40 S&W, but after shooting TAM's .45 I may reconsider in the future. Right now and for the last 8 years the .40 has, theoretically, been the right balance of stopping power and number of rounds.
I started this poll because I have been carrying a .40 and love the caliber,and the weapon that I carry . Today, we started the break in proccess for my wife's new Kimber Ultra CDP II (pics coming later after I take them). I put a couple of mags through it and was really suprised at how manageable the recoil was even with the 3" bbl. Kinda makes me want a Kimber for myself.
And so the 1911 (and/or Kimber) addiction begins...
I believe that it will be a Kimber addiction. We wanted my wife to shoot a 1911/.45 before we bought a $1300 gun to make sure she was OK with the .45's recoil. The Arms room had one that they rented (a beat up Taurus 1911). To say the least, we were not impressed. We were talking with the range master (Brian) and when he found out we were doing research for purchasing a Kimber, he offered for her to shoot his Kimber Ultra.

Thanks Brian, you have cost me at least $1300 so far. :lol::
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Re: Poll: only one defensive handgun

#14

Post by CC Italian »

Well I went with the 10mm. Here is why. 15+1 rounds in the Glock 20. It has more energy on target then the .45. . It has 357 mag like ballistics. Contrary to belief the 10mm is not a recoil beast like a .44 mag. Most say it is and that was what I was told by everyone until I shot it and realized I should never listen to caliber rumor. Just a little more recoil then a .45 acp. There is no way the .45 acp is going to lose this battle. Yes I own a .45 acp but if I needed a "battle semi auto" it would be a 10mm.

This reminds me of threads on the internet when people ask what handgun you would have during a zombie apocalypse. Many say the 10mm!! No one is going to go against the .45acp. It has proven it’s self in war and for law enforcement. Many people carry the .40 so they can carry more rounds but have power approaching .45acp. Why not carry just as many rounds as the .40 S&W and the energy of 10mm. That’s why I never understood the whole .40 vs .45acp when you have the 10mm. Just my 2 cents.
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Re: Poll: only one defensive handgun

#15

Post by canvasbck »

I think the demise of the .10 has been the lack of availability of ammo. I was VERY intreagued by the .10mm years ago when it came on scene, but since it never really caught on, the ammo just isn't easy enough to find, hence my decision to go with .40 S&W.

Edit to add: I'm curious as to the thought proccess of the person who selected the .22lr. Don't want to flame or anything, just curious as to why someone would make it their one choice for PD, or was that a troll vote?
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