Smallest carry caliber

[Callahan]

What's the smallest caliber you feel safe carrying for self-defense and why?

[MLB]

I carry a .380 most often and believe that with reasonable shot placement, it would allow me to survive the encounter. Of course, with excellent shot placement, you could say the same of a .22. Just your personal estimation of where you intend to aim I guess. It's not my plan to scare someone off by shooting them in the foot with a 44 magnum...

I think you'll get a bit of heat from those .45acp fans out there Callahan ;D

[TMan]

It kind of depends on what I'm wearing and where I'm going. There are some places that I'm not comfortable without the little Kimber .45. Othertimes, I carry the .32 ACP Keltec or the Seecamp. I use the Silvertip Winchesters in both. I can get the second shot back on target faster with the .32 than I can with the .45. Also, I'm not too comfortable shooting the .45 with one hand.

[tptplayer]

I voted for the .32 ACP even though I carry a Kahr PM9 (9mm) ninety eight % of the time. I don't own a .380 or a .32 ACP but at certain times I believe that either is a defendible choice.

[Callahan]

MLB said:

I carry a .380 most often and believe that with reasonable shot placement, it would allow me to survive the encounter. Of course, with excellent shot placement, you could say the same of a .22. Just your personal estimation of where you intend to aim I guess. It's not my plan to scare someone off by shooting them in the foot with a 44 magnum...

I think you'll get a bit of heat from those .45acp fans out there Callahan ;D

MLB: I assumed anyone with a .45 or 10mm, 50 cal, would feel safe!

["DoubleAction"]

Safe is a very big word in the world we live in today;
I honestly believe that anyone who carries any kind of handgun on their person should be prepared for the worse scenario to happen, and worser without one. No holds are barred once the moment a handgun is deployed for use in a defensive situation.
I wish I could feel confident with a smaller caliber, and there was a time that I did. I honestly have to carry something capable of knocking the breath out of an assailant with the first shot or inflicting a fatal wound. Having two or three young hoods testify against one in a court of law, and found guilty, would be worse than hell on earth.
Although all my carry pistols are fitted with Tritium night sights, I expect that I might not have the option of aligning my sight picture on my target during an unexpected encounter.
I hope I never have a reason to deploy a gun in self defense,however, if the occaission arises, I would want all the fire power available. Although I carry the Sig 239 in .40 S&W, I might move up a notch with the 229 or go back with the 1911 for preferred carry.
This past year our county's crime rate rose by 35%, and it's getting worse from transient and transplanted criminal elements. On New Years Eve, there was so much small arms fire in my immediate neighborhood, it sounded like a combat zone.
I feel Safe only when my dogs are not barking; Three remains at bedside when I sleep. If we all lived as neighbors, we would think much alike regarding this.

[Callahan]

Better vote, DA, we are tied between .380 and .32!

[klmhq]

I picked the .38 Special. It's kind of a wierd reason, but I've had two Colt .380s. A Mustang and a Govt Model in .380. I hated them. I couldn't hit anything with them. They jammed constantly and one broke during firing.

For minimum carry, I'll stick with a .38 revolver. It's just as small, all but guaranteed not to jam, and there are some new rounds with a fast burn powder to get the most out of a 2" barrel.

On a side note, my dad carries a Makarov 9x18 and is perfectly happy with it.

[Callahan]

All sound reasons, klmhq. I checked .380 because I have had better luck with it than you and feel 7+1 will suffice at self-defense distances with the "9mm Kurz."

I grant ya, I'd feel safer with a 38 Special. Speer GoldDot has a round out especilly for 38 Special snubbies. Superb expansion and weight retention.

Edited for typos...