Best defense caliber of all time... - Page 5

Glockbuster · 03-01-2012, 08:59

This I do know....most of us probably have our own internal caliber wars. Most of us probably own and shoot and appreciate most of those calibers for their virtues and what they are. And, most of us probably switch sometimes from one to another.

So I´m not gonna sit here and write what we all know already, don´t see the need for these "caliber wars", have had enough of my own!!

captcurly · 03-01-2012, 17:17

IMHO the 45ACP, 230gr Speer Gold Dot AKA/The Flying Ashtray.

ADK_40GLKr · 03-02-2012, 07:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by rohanreginald

So in reality the .357 Sig and the .45 GAP have evolved the most. Therefore the .357 Sig and .45 GAP must be the all time best handgun cartridges.
Any thoughts?

Wasn't it Karl Marx that believed that's how civilization improved?

Just sayin'.

tango44 · 03-03-2012, 07:37

The best caliber is the one that you have with you during the gun fight!

Darkangel1846 · 03-03-2012, 08:33

Best defense cal. is the one you carry and practice with.
I have at one time or another carried them all. The big bore handguns seem to have more of an impact on people looking down the business end, but they all work.

Southswede · 03-03-2012, 11:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkangel1846

Best defense cal. is the one you carry and practice with.
I have at one time or another carried them all. The big bore handguns seem to have more of an impact on people looking down the business end, but they all work.

You shouldn't interject logic and reason into such an emotional topic.

I don't think there is a person alive that after having been shot said they were glad to have been shot with "that" round and not "this other" round.

PersonOfInterest · 03-14-2012, 03:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glolt20-91

When heading into town I often carry a Colt 1911 XSE in 45 auto, however, at my place it's a 1911 in 38Super that's seen a lot of use. Last week a coyote advanced toward myself and German Shepherd, brought the Colt 38Super/125gr XTP @1491fps and took the shot. Took out a small chunk of bone and cartilage, but it still ran off into thick mesquite with its wounded shoulder. At 95 yards I would not have taken the shot with a 45auto.

In the last few weeks I've been carrying a Para SSP 1911/38Super to town because I've duplicated Speer's 357Sig/125gr Gold Dot @1371fps. It's a tough bullet design that has less recoil than modern design 230gr JHPs meaning faster split times.

Hey Bob sorry this thread got outta hand - no dis-respect to you or anyone else whose served with the .45 - was just pointing out a few things and doing a little of this

anyway.....
Thats some interesting points on the 38super out to 90 yards ive made similair shots using my 4" GP100 in the past years, id love to get a 38super - oneday

Thatd be a good load in the para - much nicer recoil characteristics than the polymer guns, have to say im much the same with my glock 31 as opposed to the 17.

Paras are popular here with comp shooters, still im used to single stack 1911's so ill see what happens there.

SDGlock23 · 03-14-2012, 09:02

I'd have to say the greatest caliber would be .45, just because I love the .45 Colt cartridge and also enjoy shooting .45 ACP, .45 Super and even my 454 Casull.

TalkToTheGlock · 03-14-2012, 09:55

Shot placement.

iPhone 4

HiVel · 03-14-2012, 15:40

95 yards is a tough shot for any pistol or revolver-for some a very tough shot and even a tough one for a rifle for some---(like old geezers who can't see much anymore like me)

Batesmotel · 03-14-2012, 17:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by rohanreginald

Any thoughts?

Yeah.

Shooters need to quit thinking about esoteric crap like which caliber, how many rounds, which new super lube/cleaner and will suede scratch my carry gun and just learn to put rounds on target.

The best caliber is the one that hits the heart.

Old Cop · 03-21-2012, 17:11

Here's the lesson I learned after 30 years and two instances of using my LEO duty weapon (.38 +P FBI load): Shot placement is king so pick your carry weapon (don't select anything less than what the cops use) and a good self defense round then . . . PRACTICE OFTEN & under as realistic circumstances as possible.

Stay safe & be smart,
Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

porschedog · 03-21-2012, 17:16

50 caliber, as in Barrett 50 or the original badass, the 50 caliber Browning.

wodensworn · 03-21-2012, 17:33

I like the .40

Yeah I know a 9mm can get the job done. And all it takes to get from point A to point B is a moped......but I like the rumble of dual pipes and the feel of the power when I mash the gas or trigger. I admit, it's cool when the 9mm guys go tatatataattat and fire off accurate rapid shot's.....but that .40 goes BANG!....blows a big hole in whatever its pointed at.... and I like that.

A .45? yeah I like a .45, but the ammo cost is rediculously high anymore, and the mag capacity in most pistols suck. I mean, if I only got 7rds, why not have an 8 shot revolver? Aside from that, I dont really think a .45 has alot more power than a .40. I have shot alot of both, and power wise, there pretty damn close IMHO.

So for me it's the .40 s&w.....power and package work for me.

Inebriated · 03-21-2012, 18:10

I don't know the numbers, but I'd guess 230 grain ball .45 ACP or 125 grain .357 Magnum has taken the most lives in the defensive arena.

Just shoot what you have... a lowly .22 will stop someone if you shoot them in the right spots. A 9mm, .38 Special, .357 Magnum/Sig, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, 10mm, etc...... it'll all do about the same if you put it in the right place, and will fail the same if you don't put it in the right place.

bdcremer · 05-06-2012, 08:09

I have owned a pistol in every mainstream defense caliber except .45 GAP. I never felt under-gunned with any of them as I know that shot placement is the key to any caliber.

gator378 · 05-12-2012, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by gator378

Historically Napalm always worked pretty good against tanks.

Captain Fitz had the pictures of what napalm does to tanks when the NVA tried take DaNang in spring 1971. The F-4s and other TAC planes had a field day.

Chuck54 · 05-12-2012, 16:34

I guess the debate over 38-40 vs. 44-40 vs. 45 Colt are over.

They were all known as man stoppers.

Bluestreakfl · 05-12-2012, 16:39

For primary either .40s&w or .357mag and for backup, .22mag or .17hmr.

Sent from my phone booth

VinnieD · 05-12-2012, 16:48

In theory, the heaviest and hottest round is going to do the most damage. A magnum round is going to penetrate better than something with less charge, and a heavier round is going to carry more inertia with it. Otherwise you can argue light/fast vs. Heavy/slow all day. It's what every caliber war comes down to.

If you can pack a magnum pack a magnum, but the most effective caliber is the one you'll be carrying when you need it. Chances are you won't have a .500S&W on you when the crackhead around the corner decides that you look like an easy target when you're going to the store for a gallon of milk. In which case some gun is better than no gun. Your mouse gun or J-Frame may be what you call upon to save your life, unless you really want to dedicate yourself to concealing a full size handgun every day.

I personally put on a shoulder rig every day just like putting on my pants. It's part of my standard wardrobe, and I feel more comfortable knowing I have access to a full size revolver in .357mag. That isn't something everyone can do, and even I know that I may run into a situation where I might not be able to carry it. That isn't something everyone can do though. My skinny best friend carries a Makarov and is struggling to find a concealable .1911. In his case that 9x18 from a gun that will slide into a pocket is going to do him a lot more good if he ever has to defend himself than the .45ACP he doesn't have. Point is the most effective caliber is the one you can carry all the time.

In that case should this debate rather be between .22lr, .25acp, 32.acp, .380acp, .38spl, and 9mm Makarov, since all things considered, those are the rounds that are more likely to actually be employed in a defensive situation?

Warp · 05-12-2012, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by KARTMAN90

Defense caliber? I'll go with a 12 gauge

Sounds about right.

Handgun caliber from a handgun? Any major caliber that you can put rounds on target with quickly and efficiently, loaded with a good round for the job at hand. 9x19+ semi or .38spl+ in revolver, basically.

Batesmotel · 05-13-2012, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkf

Pfft .25acp is where its at.

I saw the aftermath of a shooting with a .25ACP. It was brutal.

A guy shot across a pool table with a .25. The round went through the glass lamp hanging over the table and hit the other guy in the face. He then spit out the bullet and one tooth. He then proceeded to beat the shooter with a pool cue. A maple cue did some massive damage, all due to a .25.

AWGD8 · 05-20-2012, 11:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreis454

You bringing a knife to a gunfight? Really?

This really work. You slit your throat before the enemy lands a bullet on you...

fredj338 · 05-20-2012, 12:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreis454

You bringing a knife to a gunfight? Really?

IF it's all I had to fight with, sure, get close, strike fast & deliberate. Never understimate your opponent, armed or unarmed. A skilled guy with a knife can kill you quite dead inside 10ft before you even finger the trigger.

Warp · 05-20-2012, 13:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredj338

IF it's all I had to fight with, sure, get close, strike fast & deliberate. Never understimate your opponent, armed or unarmed. A skilled guy with a knife can kill you quite dead inside 10ft before you even finger the trigger.

If the gun is holstered to begin...from much further than 10 feet.