What Caliber Do You Carry? And Why? Terminal Ballistics As Viewed In A Morgue!

[rcawdor57]

This is a fantastic article covering many different calibers and bullet types. A must read for anyone serious in self defense and the belief in "One Shot Stops".

http://www.gunthorp.com/Terminal Ballistics as viewed in a morgue.htm

 

[protias]

 

[MilProGuy]

.40 S&W because it is the caliber of choice for many law enforcement agencies.

I figure that if I ever have to use my pistol in self-defense, that no lawyer will be able to effectively accuse me of "over-gunning".

If it's okay for LEO's then it should be okay for civilians.

 

[msteinhilber]

.357sig because when I sheepishly went out to buy my first handgun a couple years or so back, I ended up buying a gently used Springfield XD service pistol chambered in .357sig for half the price of the new pistols. A quick glance through the store told me I'd be spending more on ammo but I went with it anyways and have been quite happy with it.

 

[GlockRDH]

darn...was hoping for morgue pics...lol

 

[Brass Magnet]

What caliber and why?

45 ACP or 357 sig depending on if I feel like my stylish stainless 1911 or my incognito HKUSPc.

 

[HandyHamlet]

.177 led pellets. The pointy kind.


I generally throw four at a time from each hand. I can kill a giant three toed Xinjiang Fire Sloth from 7,000 yards while traveling forwards OR backwards in time.

It takes practice.

 

[el rompe toto]

I use 9mm just because it is cheaper 2 shot, I can buy more 9mm rounds witch means I can practice shoting more often.

 

[msteinhilber]

.177 led pellets. The pointy kind.


I generally throw four at a time from each hand. I can kill a giant three toed Xinjiang Fire Sloth from 7,000 yards while traveling forwards OR backwards in time.

It takes practice.

.177 isn't bad if that's all you have, I prefer the .50cal foamie myself - it's a real mans cartridge of choice as bigger is always better and as seen in the comparison below... the .50cal foamie is hard to beat and has the versatility of being fired from shotguns as well.

These are some of my daily carry pieces as well as my defensive shotgun I keep in my vehicle at all times in case the SHTF.

 

[HandyHamlet]

 

[TaurusToter]

Depends on what/where I'm going. I carry the 9mm XDM 3.8 for concealment/cold weather since I work outdoors. For "dress" conditions, stainless Springfield 1911.

When heading into heavily populated "shady" areas, I pack the big boy:



My trunk looks a lot like this........

 

[Billy D]

When I was in the market for a carry/home defence pistol, I read alot of stuff here, talked to the guys at the gun shops, and generaly did my research. If I had read that article beforehand it would have helped alot, but in the end I still chose right, and got me a .45. I cant help but still laugh at the guy that suggested that a .22 is the best round for carry defence.

 

[HandyHamlet]

I cant help but still laugh at the guy that suggested that a .22 is the best round for carry defence.

Keep laughing. 'Cause the constant yipping of the caliber queens never gets old.


:shocker:

The pellet gun wound that killed 10-year-old Keegan Swinney was so damaging doctors were surprised he lived long enough to walk home and collapse on his porch.

"It went through all the chambers of his heart," Keegan's father, Craig Swinney, said Saturday.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/04/4098205/fatal-gun-pellet-went-through.html#ixzz1frAmYpGe

 

[RetiredOC]

.40 S&W because it is the caliber of choice for many law enforcement agencies.

I figure that if I ever have to use my pistol in self-defense, that no lawyer will be able to effectively accuse me of "over-gunning".

If it's okay for LEO's then it should be okay for civilians.

I prefer the .40 myself, though I'm sure the 9mm would do the trick, I feel the .40 closes the gap between .45 and 9mm. It's more of just a mental thing for me.


Does anyone have any evidence that supports claims of people going down in court for using a "larger" caliber weapon? I see this on internet forums all the time, but so far no one has been able to provide any cite to a case where having a larger caliber made someone go down. IMO deadly force is deadly force, it's either justified or not. Whether you cut someone's head off with an axe, shot them with a .50AE, .22LR, or hit them in the head with a baton < it's deadly force.

 

[HandyHamlet]

Dude. Reality will kill the internet bravado and adult male fantasies.

It could be argued that if you can't defend yourself with a .22 you shouldn't be allowed to carry. Because you aren't good enough and lack training.





The real question is what caliber will stop a fall.

FALLS LEAD TO MOST INJURY-RELATED DEATHS IN WISCONSIN
Tuesday December 06, 2011 by Shamane Mills
(STATEWIDE) The number one cause of injury-related death in Wisconsin from 2007 to 2009 is falls. When it comes to preventable accidents, falls kill more people in Wisconsin than motor vehicle crashes, poisoning or homicide. This data comes from a report by the Injury Research Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

http://www.wpr.org/news/display_headline_story.cfm?storyid=27608

 

[davegran]

I prefer the .40 myself, though I'm sure the 9mm would do the trick, I feel the .40 closes the gap between .45 and 9mm. It's more of just a mental thing for me.


Does anyone have any evidence that supports claims of people going down in court for using a "larger" caliber weapon? I see this on internet forums all the time, but so far no one has been able to provide any cite to a case where having a larger caliber made someone go down. IMO deadly force is deadly force, it's either justified or not. Whether you cut someone's head off with an axe, shot them with a .50AE, .22LR, or hit them in the head with a baton < it's deadly force.

Well, there's deadly force and then there's REALLY, REALLY DEADLY FORCE...

​

 

[BROKENSPROKET]

I gave up trying to read the whole thing. All it appears to be is 'cut & paste' of a forum discussion.

A carry Hornady Critical Defense .45ACP +P.

My BUG will be a .40.

 

[XDFDE45]

Well, there's deadly force and then there's REALLY, REALLY DEADLY FORCE...

​

 

[XDFDE45]

.45 ACP. It served our military well for several decades and still does. 'Nuff said.

 

[rcawdor57]

My Carry Gun Is A Glock 36. .45ACP Stops Em & Drops Em...

I carried a .22LR way back when....about 1980 or so because I couldn't afford more. Then moved up to a Colt Government Model 70 in .45 ACP...too young to know better so got rid of it. When I realized what self defense handgun calibers were all about I started carrying a Rossi model 971 in .357 Magnum. That worked very well for years. Then dropped down to the 9mm...my opinion it was a mistake but I was working on my fears of "Spray and pray" so higher capacity was what I wanted. Finally settled on the .45 ACP as what I carry. Chose the Glock 36 years ago in Florida where minimal clothing is worn most of the year so a small, concealable gun in a large caliber was the ticket....Glock 36. Still carry it today due to my knowledge of it's working order and my proficiency with it. I also think the Glock 30 is an excellent choice as well as the Springfield XD or XDM in .45 ACP.