Favorite Self-Defense Cartridge

[Nightcrawler]

Just another curiosity poll. What's your favorite self defense cartridge all-around, and what's your favorite load for it?

 

[DerRottweiler]

You forgot to include .357Sig!!!

 

[Nightcrawler]

...which you apparently didn't vote for anyway.

There aren't enough poll slots to include all popular handgun cartridges. I've left out 9x18 Mak, .380, .38 Super, .44 Special, and others...

 

[Ala Dan]

I voted for the .45 ACP,

in particular Federal's 230 grain JHP "Hydra Shok's".

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[C.R.Sam]

Favorite cartridge, .44
Russian, special or mag.

Favorite gun doesn't handle em tho.
Assorted flavors of Smith Model 19.

Sooo.......carry either or both.

Sam, easy to please.

 

[MikeJ]

40 S&W in Remington 165 grain Golden Saber.

 

[Yakko77]

Depends

I voted for .45 ACP (1911) which is my CCW weapon of choice but my night stand/under the pillow defence pistol is a .357 mag revolver.

 

[New_comer]

9 x 19 mm

I currently load with Fiocchi FMJ-HP 115 gr bullets.

But I just discovered a shop that sells Winchester Ranger Talons, at $2 apiece.

I'll get a magful of those, next payday maybe...

 

[Standing Wolf]

My first line of home defense is a .44 magnum with hot rod factory loads: if I ever need it, I want to know in advance it'll have the knock-down power to get the job done. My usual .44 magnum load is a very light .44 special charge in the slightly longer cartridge. It's very accurate, and not too hard on my wrist.

 

[denfoote]

Gotta be 9mm!! I like the .45. Heck my carry gun is the G36!! It cost to much to feed, though!!! With 9mm going for $10.96 at Wallyworld, I've given a lot of thought to hauling the P99 out of the safe!!!

 

[Scarborough]

.45 ACP in a Gov't model is hard to beat. However since revolvers are my choice, when available the .357 forever and always.

 

[blades67]

Until SIG Arms starts chambering the P220 in 10mm Auto, the .45 ACP will continue to walk point.

 

[Hemicuda]

.40 S&W with po-po Black Talons (no guff... these CAME from an ACTIVE policeman!)

for HOME defense, it's the 12 Ga. shotshell loaded woth 00 or 000 bucksot

 

[Master Blaster]

The Cartridge is very carry gun dependent for me.

G-26 is my most powerful comfortable to carry conceal gun
hence my fav is 9x19. Pocket Carry works. Iwb works.


Model 36 snubby is next so .38spl. Pocket carry works.

SP101 .357 mag in an IWB a little too big for the pocket.

Favorite to shoot at the range is .45 ACP bu the lightest gun I have is an officers ACP, IWB only no pocket carry.


New gun is Keltec p32 pocket carry is easy, and this is my deep cover gun.

I expect that if I have to use a gun for self defense it will be at arms length distance, so .32 acp in the head or eyeball will be effective.


Practice drawing shooting and carrying are more important than the caliber. Element of surprise and accuracy at 5-10 feet is key.

 

[mdlowry]

.41 magnum in a model 58.

There are some nice defense load around like the 175gr SilverTips and Corbon 170gr. Corbon also makes 250 gr load for defense against something larger than 2 legged preditors.

 

[Brian Williams]

Carry .357 in S&E mod 13 3"
home 45colt in taurus Tracker 4"

 

[70-101]

I voted for other,

Meaning the 357sig. because. I shoot, this round more accurately than any other.

 

[Spackler]

I'm partial to the 12 gauge.

 

[Jason Demond]

For HD I use 2 .38's, 1 .357 magnum, and 1 .45. For carry it's either a 40S&W or a 9mm.

The .38's are loaded with 125gr+P Winchester Silvertips.
The .357 is loaded with 158gr Gold Dots.
The .45 is loaded with 185gr+P Triton.

The .40 is loaded with 135gr Triton.
The 9mm Is loaded with 124gr+P Gold Dots.

I shot up almost all my HD Triton ammo, as it was getting old and needed to be replaced.

 

[dairycreek]

Another poll slot for 38+P might have been helpful.

A lot of my cronies carry revolvers chambered for .357 but use 38 +P ammo for day to day carry. FWIW. Good shooting