CCW Caliber Poll

[tarkus]

What is the smallest caliber you would carry in a CCW?

.22

[Venus Pax]

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

[Keith B]

9mm with Cor-Bon Pow'R Ball

[paadams]

I my usual carry is in .40, personally i wouldn't carry any thing smaller in caliber than 9mm.

[Dan20703]

Depending upon the attire I could be carrying a .32 or a .380 or a .38 or a 9mm or a.357.

As long as I am always carrying something!

[lrb111]

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

[RKirby]

My primary carry is a 9mm, but I will also carry a .380 under certain circumstances. I always carry a spare mag no matter what I carry. I don't feel the least bit out-gunned with either. But then, I'm looking to trade up to a .45 also.

Having seen first hand how much damage a lowly .25acp can do up close and personal with good shot placement (or in this case, a lucky shot), I am now a firm believer that shot placement is what matters most, caliber is secondary.

[nuparadigm]

...
What is the smallest caliber you would carry in a CCW?
...

I carry .45 ACP, but the smallest I would ever carry is 9X19.

[dac1842]

Geez. It really depends on where I am headed and how I am dressed. Right now I carry an H & K USP Compact .40 daily, with an H & K P7 in the console while driving. When I rotate those guys into the safe, I carry a Sig Pro 3240 or Glock 22. I dont have a regular system of rotating them out, just when the mood strikes.

[jbirds1210]

I carry only Glocks.....my clothing helps me decide on the model. Lately I have been hooked on a Glock 19 (9mm) for concealed carry in a OWB holster.

Jason

[Emmett]

I carry a S&W M&P 9c daily, but I am going to get a .380 for the days I am in clothing that won't allow for a good conseal of my 9mm. The important thing is shot placement. Everyone who carries should be practicing on a pretty regular basis at the range with there weapons. I believe if you are going to carry you should be able to shoot your weapon better then most. I also know that when you are in a situation, your nurves get jittery, but we should be thinking about that as we do practice, so if it does happen one day, and you need to pull your weapon and use it in deffense of yourselfe or your family you wont be as shakey. Just my .02 for what it is worth.
Emmett

[KBCraig]

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 don't currently own one, but I would carry a .380 for special occasions. I'll probably add the LCP when everything settles down and all the bugs are discovered and corrected.

Right now I'm 80% .45, 15% .38+P, and 5% 9x18 (Makarov).

[texasmr2]

I am now a firm believer that shot placement is what matters most, caliber is secondary.

+1 that is my opinion also.

[bigolbigun]

The important thing is shot placement. Everyone who carries should be practicing on a pretty regular basis at the range with there weapons. I believe if you are going to carry you should be able to shoot your weapon better then most. I also know that when you are in a situation, your nurves get jittery, but we should be thinking about that as we do practice, so if it does happen one day, and you need to pull your weapon and use it in deffense of yourselfe or your family you wont be as shakey. Just my .02 for what it is worth.
Emmett

After attending my first class on an introduction to IDPA shooting I could not agree with you more. Such a huge difference in just shooting at the range as compared to shooting while drawing from a holster, moving ,using cover,reloading,target recognition & acquisition, etc. It is amazing to me the pressure and adrenaline you feel from just a simple beep signaling for you to begin shooting,and the difference it makes in your shooting accuracy. It was a very humbling experience for me, as I had always thought I was a pretty decent target shooter. I realize now I have about a million things to practice and improve on. I can't wait to shoot my first match to see if I have improved. And if even if I am the worst shooter at the match I know the things I have learned and practiced will help me protect my family and myself.

That being said my daily carry is the Springfield XD 45 compact usually OWB but if needed I can carry it IWB also. And always with a spare 13 round mag.

[The Annoyed Man]

I usually carry a .45 ACP. When not carrying that, I carry a .40 S&W.

Here's a thought... if you carry a milder (read that, "Cheaper") to shoot caliber, will you practice more and thereby become more proficient (and lethal) with it?