Please Vote How small is too small? .380ACP .32ACP 25 ACP 22LR 22 Short

[vcaldeira]

Anything smaller than .38 +P should not be a primary carry gun.

But, your backup gun could be any calibre down to .380 .   

I have no problem with a .380 ... you just must understand that
the right round and shot placement are very important.

Vince

[Hazcat]

.380   Hey, It was good enough for "Bond, James Bond"!.....

[apd148]

A lot of good comments from readers on this topic.  There's a whole passel (that's Southern for a lot) of variables, some of which you can't know beforehand.  For myself, I'd have to go with the 1st rule of a gunfight - have a gun.  That means something that you'll actually carry as close to 100% of your waking hours as possible.  Having said that, I'd still like a caliber that might get someone's attention, so I guess a workable trade-off is the .380.  However, you can now get 9mm's that are just nearly as small and concealable as the smallest .380, and that's a big step up.

Just keep in mind there are no magic bullets, and don't expect one-shot stops.  I enjoyed Clint Smith's comment that he only felt comfortable with the stopping power of a crew served weapon.  A hit is always better than a miss, so take your time quick and get that first hit in, then work on fine-tuning your hits or evacuating the area at a high rate of speed.

jk

[Solid]

More people die from the .22LR does that mean it would be the best carry round?

It just means all guns can do the same things, but it all comes down to placement. If you can't kill a target in self defense that is user error.

Carry what fits the clothing, and nothing larger than what you can handle. I personally carry a .380 in my pocket/back pocket since it can be done in t-shirt and shorts. It is very hot in the south and I don't need extra clothing to hide a gun. If you can't get it done with 7 shots of .380 ACP you'd better invest in good running shoes.

[armkev]

I agree that it is whatever the person can carry comfortably and effectively use. For me the perfect small yet powerful carry gun is the S & W 640 357 Magnum. Theres no hammer to snag on clothing.

I also like the Sig Sauer 239 chambered in 357 Sig. as far as semi autos go.

Yes, Im a 357 fan.

[Sponsor]

[CZShooter]

.380   Hey, It was good enough for "Bond, James Bond"!.....

I remember when he reluctantly gave up his Beretta .25 for the "...much more powerful 7.65 millimeter" (a.k.a. .32 ACP).

[Mojave Desert]

Yes, I believe the quote from Q was, "The Walther PPK 7.65 mm, with stopping power like a brick through a pane glass window."  Maybe we should be carrying Bricks!

[tombogan03884]

In Ian Flemings Books it was a Mauser Hsc in 7.65.  He carried that for the same reason some of you carry Kel Tec's, A mouse gun is better than no gun.

[kmitch200]

The minimum caliber is one that you can shoot effectively AND will carry with you ALL OF THE TIME.

I think Hazcat nailed it in the 4th post in this thread with the above sentence.
If you WILL carry it and can hit with it, it doesn't matter what it is!!!

Gunzines will tell you:
It has to start with a "4" to be a "real" handgun, you need a 338 UltraWideShortMagnum to down a whitetail deer, ad nauseum.....
The 'biggest' truth I've read in a gunzine - "Nobody likes to leak."

[Hazcat]

I think Hazcat nailed it in the 4th post in this thread with the above sentence.
If you WILL carry it and can hit with it, it doesn't matter what it is!!!

Gunzines will tell you:
It has to start with a "4" to be a "real" handgun, you need a 338 UltraWideShortMagnum to down a whitetail deer, ad nauseum.....
The 'biggest' truth I've read in a gunzine - "Nobody likes to leak."

Why, thank you, Sir!