what is the smallest caliber you trust

[JLK]

[sgtbear111]

41 mag S&W model 58, and .45 acp
I load my 41 down a bit. It's all about getting my sights back onto the target quicker and my SiG 220 performs the best for me in getting the subsequent shots in after the first shot..

[Car 4]

I carry a .45 on the street and a .44 loaded up in the woods. If I could carry a 20 MM, I would....but I am too old and crickety to hump that much ammo.

Car 4

[Motorwaycop]

[pgg]

The .22 LR. It's fun to shoot and can still get you food.

[ChesCopPodz]

I love my 357 mags

[deputysykes]

380 is about as low as I will go. Even that might have to empty the mag. No longer carry a .32 at all. Those smaller rounds also depend on the season. Winter clothes/ layers will kick the power out of small rounds fast.

[jcsdscott]

So far I haven't gone below a 9mm, but considering a .380 for easier concealment.

[spcwes]

I prefer 9mm or higher but there are some decent rounds offered for a .38 spl from Corbon now which would make me consider it as an option. Any more based off the autopsies I have been studying on and the folks I have talked with recently a good solid bullet construction in a weapon able to hold a lot of them will be most important in a handgun. Understanding terminal ballistics as I do and based on recent shootings and testing done on law enforcement defensive handgun ammo I am probably going back to a lighter faster load for my carry options. I would probably stay at the 115gr +p+ or 124gr +p loading for a Glock 26 as my min weapon caliber.

[warrants 1]

.380 with glaser rounds. a truly nasty load. google it.

[GunmetalGray]

9mm or .38 special ( loaded to near .357 power in my GP100 )

[MacLean]

.380 with glaser rounds. a truly nasty load. google it.

Research has demonstrated that the Glaser and Magsafe style projectiles do not actually work that well.

What looks "cool" and "devastating" does not actually equate to adequate penetration to reach vitals.

You may want to look into some more Googling, and I would start by adding DocGKR or Doc Gary Roberts to your search string.

[spcwes]

.380 with glaser rounds. a truly nasty load. google it.

About the most effective 380acp round I have ever witnessed was a full metal jacket which would actually penetrate past about 2"-4" in a soft target. The rest are un-reliable at best.

[Bjohnson63]

A quality 147 grain 9mm round for pistols is minimum for me.

[Badge17]

I wouldn't care to go any smaller than 9mm for off duty. But in a pinch I'll take anything that will go boom.

[lewisipso]

As of now it's a 9mm. I did carry a Browning Baby .25 in a pocket holster. I used it for years until it finally gave out and I purchased the 9mm. It was my mother's carry gun. She gave it to me when I badged up. When I have it rebuilt I will carry it again along with the 9mm.

[creolecop]

I'm really thinking about getting a diamond back 9mm. It's very small and still gives you some power in a pistol smaller than the glock 26, 27 and only very slightly bigger than an LCP. I keep looking at it in the gunstore and am close to buying it.

[Bjohnson63]

I recently re thought this question after seeing the penetration from a Kel-tec P11 9mm at a crime scene. from outside a trailer house, several rounds were fired into the trailer from about 10 -20 feet away. The rounds were cheap mil-surplus full metal jacket. most only penetrated a single wall, getting stopped at the second wall, or appliance, etc. Admittedly they are cheap rounds fired from a short barrelled pistol, but still, not impressed at all considering the crappy construction of this trailer. I am in the process of getting rid of both my off duty pistols, a kel-tec PF9 and Springfield XD9 subcompact to replace them with a mid size 1911. I am currently looking at a para ordnance 1911 LTC shown here: Para USA, High-Quality Handguns: Products or a Kimber Pro CDP II shown here Kimber America | Pro CDP II

I will probably get the Para simply because of cost unless I have good reason not to.

[jcsdscott]

Nice to see someone admits to carrying a so-called mouse gun, and I've been considering purchasing one for the times when I'm in a suit and the G27 would print too much to be effectively concealed.

[jcsdscott]

I'm really thinking about getting a diamond back 9mm. It's very small and still gives you some power in a pistol smaller than the glock 26, 27 and only very slightly bigger than an LCP. I keep looking at it in the gunstore and am close to buying it.

I don't know if that is such a great idea. There is a lot floating around on the internet regarding the diamond back's relability. Of course I think many people caused their own problems by not heeding the manufacturer's warnings, but it definitely does not make me feel comfortable enough to carry it.