Much also depends on the person. For instance in getting a carry firearm for the wife, I ended up with a Ruger LCR using 125 grain LRN at fairly low pressure. The reasoning is she just plain has a "fear" of the excessive punch and noise of the +P's that it will handle. In other words she can't hit the broad side of a barn with hot loads. Yes, with practice she can work up to the more potent rounds but we just haven't got there yet. My belief is that a .22 LR is a far supperior weapon to a .45 if you can punch a single hole with the first and not hit diddley with the latter. Besides, You get right down to it, the "mouse" rounds have dispatched many a varmint, 4 and 2 legged, in it's day. There are other considerations too such as comfort. I have tried on occasion or two to carry my Security Six and found it to be awkward and heavy. Is it far superior to the 2inch snubbie I carry now, yep, but the smaller is more comrortable to wear and causes less notice by the unwashed. I like the feel, or lack thereof, when carrying the LCR. Hardly notice it's there. The problem I have is I like to have a bit of heft in my hand when I shoot so I carry the much heavier Taurus 2 inch in .357 mag. I do use a big round in it too. I shoot a hand load of max pressure rounds with Nosler 180 grn partition full metal hollow points. Would not like a day of shooting with that combo but for taking care of the bad guys, for me it's no problem.
Bottom line, there is no perfect carry rig/firearm. I'd have no problem wih a .32 cal.
TBG
I actually buy from www.midwayusa.com because I'm only 18 and they allow it and most companies want you to be 21. I got 50 .32 Longs for $15, but they're russian-made. More like plinking rounds than defense. I have 7.65mm rounds from Fiocchi, but i heard that there is a slight difference in 7.65 and .32acp. One jams in the other maybe because of the slight rim? idk. it fits snug in my cylinder pretty well. My .32mags are from Black Hills ammo. I also had a little question...would a .32 long do more damage to an attacker with slower moving Lead-nosed .32's or faster moving hollow-point .32 mags? I understand it is winter and more layers of clothing with defeat the speed somewhat of the round.
