Poll: Minimum Caliber Size?

Joe13 · Mar 3, 2016

Easy Question:

What is the smallest caliber you will trust your and your family/friends life on?

I put this in off topic because there are people who only keeps guns at home so Carry didn't seem to completely fit & this way we can go on tangents if needs be.

***Hot Topic***

Please, don't get hostile about anyone's post - if you can't have a civil debate then take it to a private conversation for everyone else's sake

Having said that, this is just for fun and maybe some good conversation.

I'll start and say .22lr... And yes I am compensating for something

I'd rather have 9mm but it is heavier and I am sometimes just not going to carry it so .22lr works for my piece of mind.

Will I regret that someday? I hope not but having something increases my odds by a lot over not having anything.

At home I prefer a 12ga pump shotgun - old school style stock, wood and metal with 00 buckshot.

Enjoy the show

Possible Poll questions are limited so I tried so stick with the basics plus "other".

Joe Link · Mar 3, 2016

Gonna move this to General, since it's firearm-related

Kruel J · Mar 3, 2016

Joe, really? Another caliber debate? Its a good thing I don't own a gun or I might have to actually participate.

Certaindeaf · Mar 3, 2016

Would or do? If it's do, it's the 9mm.

Darkman1692 · Mar 3, 2016

Personally, the smallest I am willing to carry for self defense is .380 I've had too many dud .22lr rounds to trust it to protect me from a 2 legged attacker. But I know people that carry .22s and more power too them but it's not for me.

rezi · Mar 3, 2016

I could carry a Kahr .380. .32ACP with some hot loaded steel core is nice.

Joe13 · Mar 3, 2016

I figured it would liven the place up

Roop · Mar 3, 2016

.22lr. If it's good enough for the Beastie Boys, it's good enough for me.

Jerry · Mar 3, 2016

Joe13 said:
Easy Question:

What is the smallest caliber you will trust your and your family/friends life on?

I have carried a.22 derringer a number of times when my 357 or 45 would not fit the situation.

i would prefer the 357 or 45, that's for sure. many people have died after being shot with a 22, but usually in the hospital. For "Stop Right There", I would prefer a larger caliber!

That being said, carry what you can.

Don't leave your cave without your club!

I put this in off topic because there are people who only keeps guns at home so Carry didn't seem to completely fit & this way we can go on tangents if needs be.

***Hot Topic***
Please, don't get hostile about anyone's post - if you can't have a civil debate then take it to a private conversation for everyone else's sake

Having said that, this is just for fun and maybe some good conversation.

I'll start and say .22lr... And yes I am compensating for something

I'd rather have 9mm but it is heavier and I am sometimes just not going to carry it so .22lr works for my piece of mind.

Will I regret that someday? I hope not but having something increases my odds by a lot over not having anything.

At home I prefer a 12ga pump shotgun - old school style stock, wood and metal with 00 buckshot.

Enjoy the show

Possible Poll questions are limited so I tried so stick with the basics plus "other".

Member 5605 · Mar 3, 2016

Size is but one aspect.

Weight and velocity make the others.

etrain16 · Mar 3, 2016

I voted 9mm because it's the smallest I'd carry or have as my HD gun. But in a pinch, I'd grab anything, including a .22lr, if it was all that was available. I might be willing to consider a .380 or a .22lr as a BUG.

Larrytpdx · Mar 3, 2016

.22 lr, but strategy and tactics will change with each.

rezi · Mar 3, 2016

if you had to take the family on an 8 hour car and foot tour of St. Louis people would feel comfortable with a rimfire pistol?

Velzey · Mar 3, 2016

I've seen to many farm animals over the years suffer because of poor shot placement. And fmj bullets.

.22 LR is ok if you can make sure you can place your shots in a vital area. .380 and 9mm I've seen not penetrate the skull and skirt around under the skin. .38 plinking rounds are in the same boat.. The .38 needs to be loaded up on the warm side to be really effective!

Member 3687 · Mar 4, 2016

95 present of the time I carry a Glock 19 with a LCP 380 back up the other 5 percent it is just the 380. I do run into times the size of the G19 is not an option but the LCP will fit in a back pocket very well. It may not be the best but it is better than nothing at all.

Andy54Hawken · Mar 4, 2016

These polls and threads are fun.
Any of the calibers will work , some will work better than others.
I have had only my .22lr rifle with me while hunting and have come across some sketchy guys in the woods a few times.
I was glad of the rifle , but I worry about misfires with a rimfire.

I have carried .38 special and .357 magnum in a carry gun I used to own.
I use .45 acp now. Nothing against either .38 / .357 , just times were tough and needed the money so I sold the revolver.

From personal experience .556 and .762x51 will work.

I picked other because my house gun , the one most likely to be used for defense is a .20 gauge.
Andy

P7M13 · Mar 4, 2016

Don't need no stinkin' caliber. I use the force!
Lord Vader uses the dark side

oremike · Mar 4, 2016

I asked myself the same question before getting a small pistol to pocket carry while riding a dual sport motorcycle in the woods. I decided that my perceived threats would be if I've fallen and can't get up so I figured I'd want to fend off either a Cougar or a 'ner-do-well. I went with 40 S&W and so far haven't needed to see if it is "enough".

mjbskwim · Mar 5, 2016

AndyinEverson said:
I was glad of the rifle , but I worry about misfires with a rimfire.

I said 22lr but being as I had to hand eject 3 misfires yesterday shooting my 22s ,I'll have to say 9mm
I believe if the rimfire runs perfect,10 rounds of 22lr in a guys chest or face would ruin his day.And mine can put the shots where you want. But I have to be reminded of the unfortunate misfires with a rimfire
That said the 5.7 wouldn't be bad either.And i carry a 357 with me most of the time

Andy54Hawken · Mar 5, 2016

A .22lr that you can shoot well and has reliable ammo will work.
If I was to rely on my .22 for defense , I am lucky that both CCI Mini-Mags and Stingers shoot well and have not had misfires from any of my .22's. Also am lucky to have a good supply of both of those rounds on hand.

Again it wouldn't be my first choice , but then life often doesn't give you your first choice ...
Andy