What is the lowest caliber you will carry

[BIGGBAY90]

What is the lowest cal. You would carry and feel safe with

 

[M-Cameron]

i have a feeling there are already a few threads on this......but in any event....

ide have absolutely no problem with .22lr........... .22WMR would be a little more comfortable but if you buy quality reliable ammo, theres no reason why not.

 

[W.E.G.]

Skip the head-scratching.

Go with the Glock 22.

The smaller calibers are for hobby, hunting, and training.

 

[Usmc-1]

obviously anything that fires and kills will be a good choice, personally I wouldnt carry anything smaller than a .38!

 

[16shells]

.357

 

[Badlander]

I carry A.45 acp or A .357 Mag depending on how I dress. Small calibers are for plinking!

 

[DougW]

.380 (Bersa Thunder)

Carry one all the time. Otherwise, 9mm Glock in some form.

 

[towboat_er]

380

 

[jon86]

38 special+p or a 9mm for me. I think the reliability of the platform and the shooter's ability are more important than the caliber.

 

[skoro]

380

 

[Gordon]

Although it is big with it's scope and pretty visable in the Uncle Mike's Bandellero holster, to answer your question exactly the .17 HMR Ruger Hunter . It is the "lowest caliber" I feel safe with - from animals 50 pounds and under.

 

[Dryft]

.45 ACP. If I'm carrying, I'm going to have no doubt as to the efficacy of the round in the chamber.

But has been said numerous times before, if you can't hit what you're aiming at, it don't matter what caliber it is, so comfort and experience with your chosen carry piece is key.

 

[Ringer]

38 special+p or a 9mm for me too.

 

[Geckgo]

Right now, the smallest pistol I have is a .380. Going to be getting a .22 LR for use as a plinker and a snake gun in the woods.

 

[KimberUltra]

9mm

 

[Robert]

9mm is as low as I'd go, though I carry a 45.

 

[9mm+]

.380 Auto. With the right load, it will do the job. The biggest advantage is the smaller pistol frame to be carried in your pocket.

 

[LibShooter]

.22LR.

Of course I often don't carry a gun at all and feel safe.

 

[Jonah71]

.38 spec. or a .380acp as a bug.

 

[Robert]

Of course I often don't carry a gun at all and feel safe.

I feel perfectly safe with or with out it. It is nothing more than another tool in the box. I have been on vacation for the last two weeks and did not bring my pistol with me. At no time did I feel unsafe. If one is relaying on their carry pistol for safety then one has utterly failed.

 

[CTPhil]

I have no problem with carrying a 22LR or a .25.

 

[HankB]

One of the best ways to stay safe is not to go looking for trouble . . . but if trouble finds me despite my best efforts, odds are I'll have either a .45, a 9mm, or a .357 on me. (The last is my "always" gun, an S&W 340Sc.) Choice depends on wardrobe.

If I HAD to, I'd make do with something like a Kel Tec P32 or a .380, figuring what amounts to a long icepick is better than nothing at all.

I would not willingly choose a .22 rimfire for defense because I've noticed a decline in reliability of .22 rimfire ammo over the last couple of decades.

 

[captain awesome]

700 Nitro Express.

 

[BIGGBAY90]

700 ne---yea right

 

[Loosedhorse]

Tell me the environment.

I've carried .22 WMR and I've carried .458 Lott. Both felt right, where I was at those times.

For defense against human attackers (and the more likely canine attackers) in the safe areas I usually find myself, my comfort floor is .38 Special. (Unless 9mm is "lower"--then that's my floor.)