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Your preferred handgun round?

E.WilliamsE.Williams Member Posts: 1,101 ✭✭✭✭
edited August 2002 in General Discussion
I know this has probably been done to death but rule #24 on rules for a gun fight got me thinking.Defense wise what is your favorite,preferred handgun round?Mine is sill .357 Magnum and I have to say I am feeling oselete here.I see alot here favor the .45acp does anybody other than me still like .357 Magnum?If not what is your defense handgun round of choice?Just round not platform.

Eric S. Williams
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  • royc38royc38 Member Posts: 2,235 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Well Eric here goes: My preferred for everyday is the .45. Although my other two favorites are the 10mm and the .357 magnum. I had a special Miami Vice Classic holster made for my Coonan .357 auto. I carry others also (380 and 9mm on occasion) but my top three are the .45, 10mm and .357. The only thing I will say bad about the .357 is muzzle flash but thats about the only bad thing I will say about the .357.
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  • E.WilliamsE.Williams Member Posts: 1,101 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Saxon is that .357 a handload or factory?If factory who's is it?and if handload whats your mix?

    Eric S. Williams
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  • William81William81 Member Posts: 25,474 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    .45 for Home Defense
    .44 Mag for Whitetail hunting


    Guns only have two enemies: Rust and Liberals....
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  • agloreaglore Member Posts: 6,012
    edited November -1
    From all of the ones that I own, I have more 41 Mags than any other. Really love that cartridge. Also have it in a Marlin 1894 lever gun.

    AlleninAlaska

    He who dares not offend cannot be honest.
    -- Thomas Paine
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  • Matt45Matt45 Member Posts: 3,185
    edited November -1
    Hmmmmm? What is my favorite handgun round?????Hmmmm, what would Matt45 choose as his favorite handgun round???

    Hmmmmmmm?

    .22Short?



    Reserving my Right to Arm Bears!!!!
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  • 4000fps4000fps Member Posts: 786 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Self defense for humans...357 mag
    self defense for deer....44mag
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  • mudgemudge Member Posts: 4,225 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I carry a Colt Commander Lightweight...
    .45 acp Federal Hydra-Shoks.

    Mrs. Mudge carries a Glock 30...
    .45 acp Federal Hydra-Shoks.

    Mudge the stopper

    I can't come to work today. The voices said, STAY HOME AND CLEAN THE GUNS!
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  • BoomerangBoomerang Member Posts: 4,513
    edited November -1
    .357 mag, .357 SIG

    "Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed."NRA Life Member
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  • tesla85tesla85 Member Posts: 728 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    After doing much research, I have decided on a .40 S&W. It has more ft-lbs. than a .45, which to me, seems like it makes a whole lot more since. Especially considering my Smith and Wesson 4003 has a 10 round magazine + 1 in the chamber. I use it for self defense from humans, and i just took it on a camping trip for self defense from bears/mountain lions. Another cool feature of it is the built in tactical rail which allowes me to add a standard 1" scope ring, so i can put my 1" flashlight in there, so i can see what i'm shooting at night!
    -Casey
    Politicans prefer unarmed peasants!
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  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    This is easy if we're talking about humans, it doesnt make a bit of difference. I'll shoot you in the head with a .22 or .tyranosaurus rex kills all, and you wont know the difference between dead and real dead. This caliber question is old, you are right, and I feel it only applies to hunting, because if I shoot someone its going to kill them, promise, even if its a whimpy caliber. Shot placement IS everything. Also, self defense to me means shooting someone close enough to kill me, not shooting it out with someone at the Cart (OK) Corral in the WalMart parking lot. Every situation is different, and picking one caliber, like picking a gun, is almost impossible to do. That why I have so many guns. Big calibers mean less capacity, small calibers mean more, usually. Under cover, or just in the night stand? Shooting someone in darkness likely? Are they wearing a lot of heavy clothing? It all depends. That why I only shoot larger handguns, minimum of six shots, thats plenty. I have .22s for practice. 2 9x18mm makarovs, .357, 41, and 454. The cap and ball .44 would be devastating too. Which is my favorite? Dont know, cant have a favorite unless you've killed something with every one and know what they are all capable of. I'm sure my favorite would be the quietest one inside a house, the biggest if the guy had a tactical vest on and it was dark so I couldnt see his head well, and the 9mm mak. if there was more than 3 aggressors, double tap rules. So, go figure???

    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
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  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    **IF** I had the time to pick out the weapon / caliber for a confrontation, it would be the classic "it depends." My personal favorite is the .357 Mag wheelgun. Never jams & I shoot better with that than any semi-auto I've ever tried, no matter how much I practice with the latter. I typically use a small Glock or S&W hammerless airweight for concealed carry. I am convinced that choice of ammo / shot placement is far more important than caliber. I am very impressed with the RBCD rounds and use them in all potential self-defense situations. But if I have the time to pick the weapon / caliber for a confrontation, I will put a 12ga up against a handgun any day. I can fire my M97 Winchester as fast as a semi and the GI issue 00 buck does a pretty impressive job on any target. Plus it can be fired accurately enough from the hip if need be.
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  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Head shots are not the preferred tactic in most training regimens. If you are learning to shoot defensively chances are you are being taught how to put your shots in the 9 and 10 ring on a human silhouette, the "boiler room."

    Why? Because it's easiest to hit under stress. Statistically speaking, even trained cops miss with 75% of their shots. The largest mass target which will probably stop a fight in the upper chest.

    This means that the most practical system is going to have you shooting a round of sufficient stopping power into the boiler room, until the fight stops. Not the head, not winging them in the arm or leg. Too much chance of missing. The boiler room is why there is so much concern about penetration and stopping power. Besides, .22s and .25s can bounce off the skull, or a rib bone.

    This is why the stopping power of a particular round is all-important in strategy for stopping humans.

    The .357 has a good record, the .45 has a good record, the 9mm 115 gr. +p+ has a good record, and the .40 hi-vel 135-165 has a good record. A lot of 9mm and .38 special and smaller calibers doesn't have as good a record in real fights.

    I prefer to use nothing smaller than a .40 now, and I usually buy CorBon or Hydra-Shok. My concealed carry gun is a .40, my larger gun is a .45. My utility gun is a .44 special revolver, but even that has CorBon, XTPs, and Glasers as well as snakeshot depending upon its role for the day.

    Of course, someone will say the best round is 12 gauge, and I won't argue -- if we're talking long gun for home defense. I like #1 shot, #8 shot, BRI sabots, and Brennekes for my 12 gauge.

    So, my favorites run .40-.50+, in general. But I do have a couple carbines as well.

    - Life NRA Member
    "If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
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  • lokdok1lokdok1 Member Posts: 383 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Eric, my choices are the same as yours, I guess because of the way this whole shooting thing with me started. Back in the early 70s somebody in our unit @ Little Creek Va. started a pistol team. We practiced 2-3 days a week,sometimes dawn to dusk, we couldn't use up enough ammo .45 and .38. We would shoot bullseye in the morning and freestyle after lunch.Did this till '81. Got really good after shooting TONS of ammo with the 1911 after awhile,(hearing suffers now) so I'm very comfortable with it. One day I went to a Va. Bch. gunshop and bought a Dan Wesson .357,shot that up alot too. Couldn't afford much after that till now.My .45 shots land right where I want them to and quick too,so I guess I'll stick with that and the .357. I'd like to try IDPA once. There's a few chapters here locally
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  • 218Beekeep218Beekeep Member Posts: 3,033
    edited November -1
    I`ve heard talk of a Taurus RAGING BEE!!

    .218

    Saxon,I wish you could see the Colts we took
    on consighnment from an estate.Most of the 97
    handguns are Colts,most are a lovely factory
    high polish for Lou Horton,most of which are in ....38 Super!

    .218
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  • LowriderLowrider Member Posts: 6,587
    edited November -1
    If we're just talking about the round itself and not the associated firearm then I'd probably pick the .357 magnum. If I only got to have one round in my shirt pocket (ala Barney Fife), and the handgun to go with it, I'd rather it was a .357. Hmmmm. Or maybe a .44 magnum.

    Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.
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  • bama55bama55 Member Posts: 6,389 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    First choice---.45 auto (Colt Combat Commander)
    Second
    .357 mag. (S&W L-frame or 19)

    Don't send flowers when I die. Send money now, I can buy more ammo.
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  • E.WilliamsE.Williams Member Posts: 1,101 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Im not talking shotguns or slugs or any of that.What I meen is everybody has that one gun in a peticular chambering they like more than others or shoot more than others.If given time I am getting my 12 gauge as well but the handgun that makes me feel the most comfortable is the .357 MAG.If you have all your handguns sitting there and have time to get only one which caliber handgun would you have faith in putting your life on?You know your guns which are you grabbing?

    Eric S. Williams
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  • LowriderLowrider Member Posts: 6,587
    edited November -1
    If they are all fully loaded in that scenerio then I'm probably grabbing for big capacity in my Glock 17. If all my pistols were sitting side-by-side, and they all had six rounds in them, and I needed to grab one to save my life, I'd grab, without hesitation, my S&W model 66 .357. I'm most comfortable shooting it and also very accurate when shooting it. And the fact that the 125 gr. JHP magnum rounds kick some serious * kinda makes it a winner all around.

    Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.
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  • 22WRF22WRF Member Posts: 3,385
    edited November -1
    About the only thing I don't carry is a 25ACP
    I have a cal for all occasions. Depending on where I'm going what I'm wearing. However I carry nothing I don't practice with.
    I'm a little old guy with small hands so the biggest thing I own is a 38 spl.
    My favorite easy conceal is a American Arms (Erma) 22 with stingers.
    If you can walk away or shoot back after I empty a clip of that then you must have grizzly bear DNA.
    I also may carry a CZ 32 ACP (CorBon)or Llama IIIA 380 (Hydra-shok).
    a 7yrds any of will more than do the job.
    If it wasn't so hard to conceal I might pack some FFF in my 31 Navy Colt. If it didn't do a knock down at least they would have a hard time finding me through the smoke.
    Big is not always better for everyone.



    I Refuse to be a VictimGrumpy old man

    Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of All Those that Threaten it
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  • E.WilliamsE.Williams Member Posts: 1,101 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Even if I was to fire it out of my 4" it would still be moving faster than factory that is one hot .357 I wouldnt mind loading some of these or buying some from you.At my own risk of course.We are the same here in BAMA on A.R.'s.

    Eric S. Williams

    Edited by - E.Williams on 08/20/2002 00:13:53
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  • 96harley96harley Member Posts: 3,992 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The .177 cal Crossman for close work and the 45 ACP for types things that make you go hmmmmm.
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  • pickenuppickenup Member Posts: 22,844 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    For wheelgun 357. For semi auto 9mm. When any company comes up with a reliable semi that is easy to carry and shoots 357, If not the first, I will be one of the first in line to get one. Around the house for protection (after the shotgun) is the wheelgun, for carry outside the house it is the semi.

    If I knew then, what I know now.
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  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'll have to think about this for a while.
    When I get back to you I'll also decide which brand of gun to shoot my chosen round through.

    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
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  • WWllVetWWllVet Member Posts: 1,493 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm with aglore on the .41 Mag. 210 jhp over 19.9 grs of H110 in my Redhawk .41

    Vet
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  • ccasey612ccasey612 Member Posts: 901 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I carry a Glock 17 in 9mm but I now carry a back up inn .45acp.

    If you will blame gun makers for every shooting then blame car maker for every car accident.
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  • kimberkidkimberkid Member Posts: 8,858 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The 185 grain SWC with 5.5 grains of Winchester 231 and a CCI standard primer all rolled up in a .45 ACP case ... It's what I shoot the most, I'm most proficent with, and have very good accuracy in both 4" & 5 1/2" barrels ... so I suppose you could call it my "preferred handgun round" >>>

    ======================================================
    Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!kimberkid@gunbroker.zzn.com
    If you really desire something, you'll find a way ?
    ? otherwise, you'll find an excuse.
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  • NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I will choose the .357sig 125gr Corbon,No Maybe a .40 With a 135gr bullet.Well I dont Know Maybe a .45acp with a 185gr Bullet.Thats it one of the three for handgun use.

    Rugster


    Toujours Pret
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  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Eric --
    Well, hang it, boy, I said "if" we were talkin' long gun I'd say 12 gauge, is all!

    I don't even OWN any .357 -- and the reason why is two-fold. When I first got interested in guns I was more interested in compactness, concealed carry, that sort of thing. I wound up with a big bore .44 sp Charter Pug almost immediately -- it fit my budget and my stopping power expectations. Since the .357 has always been primarily a revolver load, I didn't get into it later because, instead of getting deeper into revolvers, I switched to semi-autos.

    I started with a G17 in 9mm like a lot of us. Then a 19, then a 26. When the 10mm came out it was advertised as the .357 for the semi-auto, and the FBI started buying them. I watched, but did not buy, the 10mm.

    But then the FBI ballistics reports said a light load in the caliber worked better for officers without sacrificing effeciveness. Controversy reigned. Suddenly, we have a beefed up round in 9mm sized guns called the .40 S&W... How can you not like the possibilities of a beefed up round in a 9mm? It takes a little time for reports to start coming in from the field, during which I'm still buying either 9s or 45s, but finally the news of the .40 is -- excellent defensive round. Finally, I get a 23, then trade it for a 27, with extensions for my 23 hi-cap mags.

    So today, if I'm grabbing for my primary weapons system, as you say, it's going to be a hi-cap Glock in .40 caliber with a big wad of extra magazines. In the "10mm light." So that's your one answer.

    But I STILL like the .45 just as well, and the .44 sp just as well as a small utility gun for the trail, special loads, etc.

    - Life NRA Member
    "If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
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  • TED GARTED GAR Member Posts: 389 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have had much success, with the 45acp round out of my 1943 colt 1911a1, on 250-500pound hogs, none run more that 20 yards when hit with the 45acp silvertip hollowpoint. I guess it is because of the enormous hole it leaves, on the entrance side. Most of the time it doesnt, even exit, it just goes in and messes these animals up. I would hate to see what it would do to a human, much lighter and thinner. I use these self defense rounds for hunting, because when you shoot into a pack of pigs, you are no longer hunting, you are the hunted, and you need these self defense rounds, to DEFEND YOURSELF
    45 ACP FOR HUNTING...45ACP SIG220 FOR SELF DEFENSE...
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  • gap1916gap1916 Member Posts: 4,977
    edited November -1
    180gr .40 S&W followd by the 357 SIG
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  • beachmaster73beachmaster73 Member Posts: 3,011 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I was really enjoying this thread until someone actually said 9mm! He must be a police officer with a departmental requirement to arm himself with an inadequate round. Beach


    P.S. Incidently does an M79 constitute a hand gun? Beach
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  • Shootist3006Shootist3006 Member Posts: 4,171
    edited November -1
    I agree with Beach (and all who said .45ACP)

    P.S. Yes

    Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis
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  • Matt45Matt45 Member Posts: 3,185
    edited November -1
    Does this mean I should shelve my .22Short????????????????????

    Reserving my Right to Arm Bears!!!!
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  • maggiethecatmaggiethecat Member Posts: 2,381 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    favorite handgun cal? I like the 357 sig. i carry it a sig 229. powerful, but not so much as i cant get instant target acquisition for a follow shot if needed. plus the gun small enough to fit in my little paws.

    For the first time a nation has full gun registration. Our streets will be safer, our police more effecient, and the world will follow our lead into the future.-A. Hitler

    must have been a democrat
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  • DancesWithSheepDancesWithSheep Member Posts: 12,938 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What is Rule #24?

    Why does man kill? He kills for food. But not only for food; frequently, he must have a beverage.
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  • E.WilliamsE.Williams Member Posts: 1,101 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The thread it was on was "Rules for a gunfight" rule #24 was never go to a gunfight with any caliber handgun that doesnt start with 4 and end in 5.

    Eric S. Williams
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  • DancesWithSheepDancesWithSheep Member Posts: 12,938 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    455 Eley

    Why does man kill? He kills for food. But not only for food; frequently, he must have a beverage.
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  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    E.Williams;


    quote:The thread it was on was "Rules for a gunfight" rule #24 was never go to a gunfight with any caliber handgun that doesnt start with 4 and end in 5.

    What do you get when you add those two little numbers together?
    4 plus 5 = 9MM

    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
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  • BoomerangBoomerang Member Posts: 4,513
    edited November -1
    Que? I get .45LC or .45 ACP from that.

    "Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed."NRA Life Member
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  • E.WilliamsE.Williams Member Posts: 1,101 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Rugerniner thats a good angle I didnt look at it like that.

    Eric S. Williams
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