Which Caliber Do You Carry?

Published on July 3, 2021
Duration: 8:36

This video from Top Guns in Terre Haute, Indiana, discusses choosing a handgun caliber for self-defense and concealed carry. Instructors Haley and Steve recommend 9mm as the most practical choice due to its balance of reliability, manageable recoil, higher capacity, and ammunition affordability, which encourages more practice. They advise against .22 LR for semi-automatics due to jamming issues and discuss the pros and cons of .380 ACP and .45 ACP.

Quick Summary

For concealed carry and self-defense, 9mm is generally the most practical caliber. It balances manageable recoil, sufficient stopping power, higher ammunition capacity, and affordable ammunition, which encourages essential practice. While .380 ACP is an option, it can be more prone to jamming. .22 LR is not recommended for semi-automatics due to reliability issues.

Chapters

  1. 00:06Introduction: Caliber Choice for Self-Defense
  2. 00:37Why Not .22 LR for Semi-Autos?
  3. 01:54.380 ACP: Pros and Cons
  4. 02:09.380 ACP vs. 9mm Diameter and Velocity
  5. 02:24Personal Experience with Glock 42 (.380 ACP)
  6. 03:18.45 ACP: Stopping Power vs. Practicality
  7. 03:31Stopping Power vs. Round Count Debate
  8. 04:32Stressful Situations and Accuracy
  9. 05:04Advantages of 9mm: Reliability, Capacity, Cost
  10. 05:40Ammunition Cost and Practice
  11. 06:35The Goal: Incapacitation and Stopping the Threat
  12. 07:17Conclusion: 9mm as the Practical Choice
  13. 07:43Viewer Feedback and Corrections

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best caliber for concealed carry and self-defense?

For concealed carry and self-defense, 9mm is generally considered the most practical caliber. It offers a good balance of manageable recoil, sufficient stopping power, higher ammunition capacity, and more affordable ammunition, which encourages essential practice.

Why is .22 LR not recommended for concealed carry semi-automatics?

.22 LR is often a dirty round that can cause semi-automatic firearms to jam by gumming up the action. This unreliability is a significant concern for self-defense, especially for new shooters who may struggle with malfunction clearing.

What's the difference between .380 ACP and 9mm?

Both .380 ACP and 9mm use bullets of the same diameter. However, the 9mm cartridge has a longer case, allowing for more gunpowder, which results in higher velocity and generally better performance compared to .380 ACP.

Should I choose a caliber based on stopping power or round count?

While stopping power is important, the reality of stressful self-defense situations is that accuracy can decrease. Therefore, a balance is key, with 9mm often favored for its higher round count and manageable recoil, which aids in follow-up shots and overall effectiveness.

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