CCW Caliber Poll

[lrb111]

I'll go down to a .22, but won't carry a .25.

The .22 has more energy and is far more effective than the .25 ACP. For ultra-deep concealment, the NAA Black Widow in .22LR or WMR would be acceptable, if only in the "when you can't carry a gun" category.

I knew a fellow, moons ago, that tried suicide by placing a .25 against his right temple. His recovery went from paralyzed, to partial paralysis to walking with a cane, to near complete recovery.
I've never forgotten that the doctor told him if it had been a .22, he would have succeeded.

Below is the first 8 shots out of my Taurus PT-22, from a couple years ago. The hole below the barrel was the very first shot, the remaining seven were "adjusted". Ten yards, off hand with Federal hollow points. The .38SWC is for reference on the expansion of the bullets going through that steel sign.

[alibatesknapper]

Used to carry 45 acp now I carry 40 sometimes with 357 BUG. I had a friend whose wife shot him with a 380 in the belly. The bullet lodged just under the skin.

[Aggie_engr]

I want the Ruger LCP for when I can't carry my .45, which isn't too often!

[asleepatthereel]

I'll carry a Bersa .380 if I can't hide my .45.

[doc540]

When carrying the Colt DS is simply not an option, I carry this in .22 mag. At pointblank range it's better than a set of car keys in my fist.

[HighVelocity]

Those 22's did not expand going through the metal sign. They simply stretched the metal when passing through.

[Tactical_Texan_CHL]

I'm a .45 guy. I don't have anything against anything else, I just like the .45 best. I just got a new gun to carry, see my pics of the Kimber Ultra Covert II in another thread. I usually carry a Glock 30, when I can't carry that, I have a Kel-Tec P3AT in my pocket. .380 isn't my favorite, but it's better than nothing. I also have a few 9mm's that I used to carry before I got the G30. Nothing wrong with them either. My brother is an officer. They're issued the .40 Glock 22. Before he moved to another town, the department he was with issued a .45 Sig P220. His off duty is a .45 Para 645 LDA. He's a big fan of the .45 also, but doesn't see anything wrong with the others. My mom carries a Sig 232 in .380, but she just got an XD 9 Sub-compact that she wants to start carrying. My wife carries lip stick and a cell phone.

[lrb111]

Those 22's did not expand going through the metal sign. They simply stretched the metal when passing through.

Hollow points don't expand when they meet resistance? That's going to surprise some folks.

[KBCraig]

Those 22's did not expand going through the metal sign. They simply stretched the metal when passing through.

Hollow points don't expand when they meet resistance? That's going to surprise some folks.

They expanded, but the expansion doesn't create the hole, nor (necessarily) match the size of the hole.

[Vic303]

The smallest one I have carried was a .22lr. Normally I carry a .45acp, or sometimes a .357 or 9mm. When weight is an issue, and caliber is not, then the .22 comes out.

[rm9792]

I started out carrying a .25acp around my early twenties, then .380, then 9mm now nothing but .45s. Only 9mm I have now is a Calico M950 and CX4 Storm with matching Beretta M9. There is a .38 derringer in the car as a last resort BUG.

[agbullet2k1]

I've never carried less than a .38spl, but normally I carry a .40. I'll probably pick up a 9mm soon just so I can afford to practice more.