Rate common SD weapons

G

Garand Illusion

New member
Rate common SD weapon calibers (some call it a caliber war)

Below are my impressions of how common S.D. handguns, from most powerful to least powerful:

  1. .44 mag (edited in 1/25/06)
  2. .45 acp
  3. .45 gap
  4. 10mm
  5. .44 sp (edited in 1/25/06)
  6. .357 mag
  7. .357 sig
  8. .40 (edited from above 357 mag 1/25/06)
  9. 9 x 19 (9mm)
  10. .38 sp
  11. 9 x 18
  12. .380 acp
  13. .32acp
  14. .22 mag
  15. .22 LR
  16. .25 acp

The above is a highly subjective list based on a couple of years of reading forums like this and various ballistics tests, not on specific experimentation I've done. Any thoughts?

I didn't know where to put items like the .32 mag, .17 hmr, etc.

I debated putting 10 mm above the .45's, but that didn't quite feel right. My final thought was that while the 10 mm seems to be a very powerful round, the 10 mm may expand but the .45's will definitely not shrink. So I gave the advantage to the .45.

I also rated the .25 acp below the .22 LR because I've heard many speak of it as less effective/less penetrating than the .22.

Not that I would want to get shot with any of these or consider any to be incapable of SD for a civilian CCW, of course ...
 
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W

WESHOOT2

New member
oooh oooh, I wanna try

1) 357 Magnum

2) 357 SIG

3) 45 ACP

4) 41 Action Express

5) 40 S&W

6) 9x21

7) 9x19

8) who cares? I wear a 22LR :D
 
P

Pointer

New member
10mm
.357 mag
.357 sig
.45 acp
.45 gap
.40
9 x 19 (9mm)
.38 sp
9 x 18
.380 acp
.32acp
.22 mag
.25 acp
.22 LR


I also like a bigger hole so I prefer the .45... ACP or GAP

My rank positioning of the most powerful is as above...

The 10mm and the .357 have too much recoil for quick follow-up shots...

The .40 is a very nice choice, especially if you feel a need for multiple rounds exceeding 8 shots...

Although I carry a .38 Spcl Bodyguard as a pocket gun, the rest of these cartridges are borderline and will ONLY perform well when the shot is well-placed... That's far too limiting to my way of thinking. :)
 
O

OneInTheChamber

New member
.17, .22's are varmint rounds. Unless the squirrels are breaking and entering, you shouldn't respond with one in your hand (unless you have nothing else, its better than a rock).
 
S

ShelbyV8

New member
Betcha if you were in fear for your life and you had the choice between the 22 and the 45 you would grab the 45.
 
P

poppy

New member
Sorry Garand, I won't play. The title sucked me in thinking it was about guns and it is just another caliber war.:barf: poppy
 
K

kymasabe

New member
I can't say for sure...but I've heard that the ballistics of the .32H&R Mag is very close to plain old .38 special. I've shot a few...nice gun, light recoil.
 
B

BusGunner007

New member
...just change the topic title this time...

...to reflect 'caliber wars', and then start another thread about SD Weapons.

We've got lots of time and opinions to share!:)
 
H

Hal

New member
1.) .44 Rem Mag - 240 grain Federal Hydra Shoks @ 1180 fps.
2.) .45acp - 230 gr Federal Hydra Shoks
3.) everything else.
 
G

Garand Illusion

New member
If it's a caliber war, so be it; I changed the title. Nobody has to play/post/read but I haven't seen a thread quite like this that I remember. I didn't really mean it to be, but it can certainly turn out that way. These are just my impressions on how I would rate these commonly carried calibers.

I made a coupla changes since I managed to forget both 44 mag and 44 sp

I'm sure it's probably correct to put 10mm at the top of my original list. For me it was just a size issue.

But I wonder where 10mm would go compared to 44 mag?
 
M

Moloch

New member
IMO

1. 44Mag
2. 10mm Auto
3. 357Mag
4. 40S&W
5. 45ACP / .45 GAP
6. .44Special
7. 357SIG
8. 9mm
9. 22Mag
10. 38special
11. 9x18
12. 22LR
13. 32S&W
14. 25ACP
 
G

Garand Illusion

New member
1. 44Mag
2. 10mm Auto
3. 357Mag
4. 40S&W
5. 45ACP / .45 GAP
6. .44Special
7. 357SIG
8. 9mm
9. 22Mag
10. 38special
11. 9x18
12. 22LR
13. 32S&W
14. 25ACP
Click to expand...

I'm just curious ... why do you have 22 mag above 38 sp. Is this based on experience or ballistic comparisons?

I'm also surprised you put the .40 above the .45's, but I've known others who feel the same way.
 
G

Garand Illusion

New member
1. Stick with poo on it
Click to expand...

so I'm guessing the "blackwater" in "Blackwater ops" is like the blackwater in my RV's "blackwater holding tank"? :D :cool: :D

Your concepts of common SD weapons are interesting. You ought to consider purchasing a firearm, though. There are many of us on this forum that could give you some pointers as to how to get started in this sport.

For a guy with a bunny in his signature, I'm thinking something in a .22 ... :D :D :D
 
F

FirstFreedom

Moderator
1. Stick with poo on it
2. Pointed stick
3. Club
4. Magnum rock
5. Rock w/ sling
6. Rock
7. Knuckle Sandwich
Click to expand...

LMFAO! Agree with Moloch's list, except that 10mm & .357 mag is pretty much a tie, and I'd put .38 spl and 9x18 ahead of .22 mag. .44 Spl is arguably a more effective manstopper than the .45 acp (or .40 s&w), because it's essentially the same weight bullet, about the same diameter, going about the same speed, but can be had in an ultra-wide, partially-jacketed or unjacketed HP format (flying ashtray), for wicked expansion.
 
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