what is the best defensive pistol caliber?

Answer 1

I agree with dusty bob choosing the .45 ACP. Ballistic wise, two causes of death (non vital body parts) are shock and loss of blood. The bigger the wound, the victim will suffer a tremendous shock and will rapidly loss his blood even if hit in non-vital parts of the body. besides, cal. 45 has the stopping power that we need in order to stop the attack, not necessarily mean to kill the attacker. In law enforcement, the main objection in an adverse situation is to disable (not to kill) the attacker and bring to justice.

Answer 2

The best defensive pistol caliber has a lot to do with what you're using it for. If you're in law enforcement or security work, it's likely that your employer has decided this for you.

If you're a private citizen (and I am assuming so), I would recommend two different sorts of weapons for carry or home defense.

If you're not overly familiar with handguns, then the .38 revolver by either Smith&Wesson, Taurus, or Colt is a good way to go. The guns are simple to load, easy to use, and easily unloaded if they're not needed (think child safety.) The .38 is a good all-around defensive weapon, especially when loaded with the Federal Hydra-Shok round in 158 grain (158 gr on the box).

If you don't like a revolver, or want more capacity, the 9mm semiauto by Beretta, Taurus, Smith&Wesson, Glock or SigSauer is another good choice. Again, you want a good defensive round in the weapon as well, so Hydra-shok in the 119 grain +P (119gr+P on the box) are a good load.

As with any firearm, you need to be familiar with how it operates and be comfortable shooting it. Don't carry or buy a gun that you're not comfortable with or not familiar with. Practice as often as time (and your budget) allow. Many ranges offer reloaded rounds at a reduced cost to shooters. Ask about these, they're great for target practice.

In any case, I will repeat what was said earlier, the best defensive gun is one you are comfortable with carrying.

You might also look at a few publications, I would recommend Guns and Ammo and The National Rifleman. You can also look up the National Rifle Association online and look at gun safety courses and shooting instruction.

I hope this helps you out. :)

Answer 3

Remember this, 90% of all shootings occur within 12 feet of assailant and victim. Basically it comes down to what you feel comfortable carrying. During the winter months when I am wearing lots of clothes I carry a .380 Bersa. It is one of the slimmist guns of its kind and comfortable to carry and conceal. During the summer months I have a Beretta .22 I carry. It is very small and I can where shorts and a t-shirt and nobody even knows I have it. The holster sits under my belt line. People say, what is a little .22 going to do... well with the right ammo (or even not) I have 8 shots and when a .22 starts bounching around inside someone it can do just as much damage as a bigger caliber handgun. The secret to using a gun as defense is not the size but the accuracy of the shooter. Shoot shoot shoot and it won't matter what size pistol you carry. If size isn't an issue nothing is more intimidating the the thunderous .45.

Answer 4

Given a decision, i might take a rifle over a pistol any day. There are not many pistols that'll journey the potential of a .450 marlin. In grizzly united states, i might even evaluate using a twelve gauge and rifled slugs. On 2d concept, which would be my first determination if I have been being charged by a grizzly. that great heavy slug will do a lot of harm at close variety, and a pump shotgun the two a Remington or Mossberg provides you with a rapid 2d shot in case you like it. If I had to decide for handgun, it would certainly be a revolver. in view that black bears are the only bears in Pennsylvania, i could be mushy with a .357 magnum, .40-one magnum, or .40 4 magnum. Black bears are diverse than grizzlies, and wounded black bears do no longer attack. A hunter found out final 12 months that that would not propose you could run up on them as quickly as they pass down although. If I did could desire to shoot one that became charging me although, the .40 4 could be my first determination. In grizzly united states, i could be much greater insistent on a revolver. To my wisdom there is no longer a semi-motor vehicle pistol made which will end a grizzly. A fortunate shot could kill a grizzly, yet combating it and killing it are actually not an identical component. The high quality determination might initiate at .454 Cassull a minimum of. back hence, i might purely carry a handgun, if there became no way i could desire to hold a severe long gun.

Answer 5

Firstly, remember that martial arts and such are a much better method of self defense than a handgun, and that most handgun shootings occur with one's own handgun. That being said, if you still want a handgun:

As the others said, it is mostly a matter of preference. There are usually three to four main choices of ammunition size that are realistic when it comes to personal defense. That said, I'm assuming this is for carrying in a pocket, on a belt or so forth. Following are the main benefits/detrements to each.

*.357 caliber is Not even practical - huge rounds and big kick, also usually comes in only a revolver - bad choice for self defense due to inability to fire rounds in succession while retaining accuracy*

.45 caliber
_Good Points_
Large round size, very few shots needed to kill/incapacitate your opponent.
_Bad Points_
Large round size results in a large handgun - not very practical for concealement. Fairly large kick - requires practice to control.

.40 cal
_Good Points_
Still relatively large caliber - enough to require few shots. Caliber is small enough so as not to require an overly large handgun - fairly good for concealment. Used by police forces quite often.
_Bad Points_
Still fairly large, and still has a decent kick.

9mm
_Good Points_
Very little kick, decent size round. Great for concealment.
_Bad Points_
Small round means less chance of damage per shot - accuracy is a must with a 9mm gun.

.22 cal
_Good Points_
Perfect for concealment, virtually no kick. Easy to buy rounds and can fit many rounds into a small gun.
_Bad Points_
Tiny rounds means you had better either be accurate or hit them a lot. Often used for target shooting - not effective for killing someone, but may incapacitate someone long enough to get away, and also is still intimidating.

Keep in mind any gun will be intimidating for the most part, but if your hand is shaking or you can't bring yourself to shoot the person before they get close enough, you may well become the victim of your own gun. Also always remember to take every safety precaution when owning a gun - talk to a liscenced firearms instructor for any details beyond this.

Answer 6

For defense, you would be in close range with the suspect. so caliber wouldnt be an issue choosing between the .45, 9mm, or .38. the bullet would be the issue, hollow point or fmj.

Answer 7

Well I would say a 9mm . But depends on what you mean by defend . The 9mm is loud and scary you dont have to hit someone with a bullet to defend your self . The sight of a pistol will sometimes work as good as shooting them .

Answer 8

40 caliber

Answer 9

I dont know a lot about guns, but my brother is in the army and my brother in law is in the reserve and they both like the 9mm better that other handguns.

Answer 10

for up close confrontations I would prefer th 45 caliber colt auto, its like shooting wheel weights