Smallest caliber you would use for a defensive handgun?

[Bennettjh]

The smallest I carry is .380. If my only option was a .22, I would think it's better than an empty holster.

 

[Redtbird]

.380 Bersa Thunder. Other than my GSG 1911-22, it's the only handgun I have. Hmmm... Maybe I could scare someone with the GSG into thinking it was actually a .45, and they would keel over in fright.

 

[TTravis]

I think I read somewhere that more people are killed with .22 each year than any other caliber.

 

[metaldog]

.22LR, because .25 ACP just won't do!
Seriously though, I would prefer at least a .380 cal.

 

[NyleRN]

50 GI

 

[.458socomhunter]

Friend has some great property out west and a nice stocked pond. Turtle rolled in and killed off most everything in it.

Simply untrue. Turtles do not decimate populations of game fish. Not Eastern Snapping turtles, not softshells, not even Alligator snapping turtles.
They are for the most part scavengers.

22lr will do the job in a pinch. Prefer centerfire >.25

 

[Snapdragon]

I've got .38+P in my LCR.

 

[mom45]

My main guns are .45 acp. I bought a Taurus PT22 mainly for killing critters that end up in my live trap but have found that it is a very handy little gun for carrying. It is very accurate to shoot and now that I have found ammo that it loves, I am comfortable with using it when just running errands locally or working on our property. If I am going to South Bend or Merrillville or an area that is known for higher crime rates, etc., I take a .45.

The 22 doesn't have the same impact but a well placed shot of any caliber can be effective. The 22 is also a lot cheaper to shoot so I practice more with that than the other guns.

 

[Sylvain]

I think I read somewhere that more people are killed with .22 each year than any other caliber.

More people are killed by swimming pool than by guns each year.Doesn't mean you should carry a bucket of water.

 

[Lectric102002]

More people are killed by swimming pool than by guns each year.Doesn't mean you should carry a bucket of water.

That tears it. I'm not allowing any more soccer moms or 5-year old girls in my pool.

 

[CathyInBlue]

.454 Casull.

All of my .45s are just interim carry pieces.

 

[David D]

For me, EDC is a 9, with a .380 BUG (occasionally used as the primary in a deep concealment situation). I do not feel underserved with my .380. I would feel vulnerable with anything else.
If a .22 was all I could carry or shoot properly, that is what I would carry.

 

[darinb]

a .22lr is better than my hands since my kung fu isnt that good

 

[Gluemanz28]

.380 would be the smallest that I would carry. If I'm am going to CC for various reasons I will carry the largest that I can carry.

Now if I'm going to open carry at McDonalds in Vincennes the gun of choice is an AR.

 

[tjh88]

Probably a .380. I feel more under armed with my Colt Mustang due to the 5 round magazine than the caliber. It is easy to drop in a pocket and at least have something with you. Still have the 9mm in the truck and it does go on the hip when possible. Anything is better than a rock though.

 

[loony1]

.22 magnum

 

[res04]

9x19

 

[possum_128]

I will and do carry a Kel-tec P32 as a back-up and as a gun I carry when I just can't carry a gun. So for me, the little JMB round, 32acp.

 

[STEEL CORE]

Anything, five paper clips and a rubber band if thats all I had.

 

[45fan]

As much as I would love to say my .45s are always with me, sometimes ( many times) they are just too big to carry concealed comfortably. As a general rule, the smallest caliber that I carry is 9mm, but when discretion is at a premium, and even the MK9 is just too big, I so go as small as a .380, or a 38 Special +P. I do own micro options in both .22, and 25, but 99.9% of the time those are relegated to the backup to the backup positions. The .380 is just so small that its crazy to go any smaller to stay concealed.