Most Popular Calibers for Concealed Carry
.45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol)
Developed by John Browning in 1904, the .45 ACP is renowned for its stopping power and has been a favorite of military, law enforcement, and gun enthusiasts for decades. The 1911 model of pistol chambered in .45 ACP was standard issue for the U.S. Armed Forces from 1911 to 1985, and some special forces units still use it today. Many old timers like to say, “Two World Wars” as their simple justification for the cartridge that proved highly effective in stopping Nazis, Imperial Japanese, Communists and other enemies of the Republic. Today, the .45 ACP is widely available in lighter, easier to handle polymer striker–fired pistols with magazines that hold 13 rounds or more. Glock, Hi–Point, and other companies have offerings for all budgets.
Pros:
- Lethality: High lethality due to larger bullet size and weight that delivers significant energy on impact.
- Reliability: The 1911 style pistol design has been around for over 100 years and is known for its reliability. Modern striker–fired pistols are considered highly reliable.
- Ergonomics: The 45–degree grip angle of the 1911 design is considered by many to be perfectly suited for facilitating a quick and accurate sight picture from the draw. And that trigger…the 1911 style trigger is considered one of the best straight out of the box, making for a crisp break and encouraging a straight pull that minimizes pulling left or right.
Cons:
- Recoil: The .45 ACP has a fair amount of felt recoil making it tougher to control for some, especially shooters with a smaller stature, requiring more time for follow up shots.
- Capacity: Many .45 ACP pistols are in the 1911 configuration and hold 7–9 rounds in a single stack magazine, many fewer than modern polymer Wonder Nines that tend to dominate the CCW market. On the other hand, the commonly available Glock G21 has a standard capacity of 13 rounds.
- Size and Weight: Although 1911 pattern pistols are big and heavy, even the Commander sized version with a concealable 4–inch barrel tips the scale at around two pounds, lighter polymer pistol options are widely available.
.40 S&W (Smith & Wesson)
The .40 S&W is relatively new to the handgun world having been developed and introduced in the early 1990s, and was designed as a compromise resulting from the aftermath of the infamous 1986 FBI Miami shootout, in which two FBI special agents were killed and five wounded. Most of the agents carried9MM pistols, and initial reports blamed the cartridge’s lack of “stopping power” for the difficulty in subduing the suspects. The sad fact of the years of investigations related to this shooting was that shot placement was to blame, not the round, but nevertheless the FBI moved to adopt the powerful 10MMcartridge. Full power 10MM rounds, however, generated significant recoil requiring more time between follow-up shots and making it harder for smaller stature agents to handle effectively. The .40 S&W uses the same 10MM bullet, but has a smaller cartridge case that holds less gunpowder, which produces less recoil. Think of it as a de-tuned 10MM. By the late 1990s, several law enforcement agencies adopted .40S&W handguns as standard issue/carry by agents. The .40 S&W became quite popular in the late 90sand early 2000s, however, it seems to have lost some of its luster over the last 10-15 years with the introduction of better performing 9MM defensive ammunition.
Pros:
- Lethality: Large size and weight = significant terminal energy.
- Capacity: Most models hold more rounds than pistols chambered in .45 ACP.
- Balance: Good balance between power, size and capacity.
Cons:
- Recoil: More recoil than 9MM but less than .45 ACP.
- Weight: Even with a polymer frame, a compact .40 S&W is heavier than most concealable 9MM pistols.
9MM (also known as 9x19mm Parabellum, 9mm PARA, 9mm Luger and 9mm NATO)
- Capacity: Many models have higher magazine capacities than larger caliber handguns. The relatively small size of the 9MM cartridge gun manufacturers tremendous design flexibility, facilitating a wide variety of pistols in different sizes and weights.
- Recoil: 9MM has manageable recoil making it easier to shoot and manage.
- Availability: Ammunition is highly available, relatively inexpensive, and comes in many different types. Recent improvements in defensive ammunition have dramatically improved the 9MM’s suitability as a CCW option.
Cons:
- Stopping Power: You can’t cheat physics. A smaller, lighter bullet is almost always going to have less stopping power than a larger, heavier one. As a result, the 9MM has less “stopping power” than the .45 ACP, certainly at closer ranges.
For years, the 9MM was considered under powered, which is why several law enforcement agencies switched to .45 ACP or .40 S&W. However, in the late 90s and into the 2000s and even continuing today, advances in 9MM ammunition have all but neutered this argument. On a side note, the Glock 19 pistol in 9MM has become the official sidearm of numerous special operations forces. Army Special Forces, Delta Force, Rangers, and even the CIA and FBI use it. The Navy SEALs call it the Mk27, the British call it the L131A1, the Marine Corps calls it the M007, but most everyone else calls it the Glock 19.
.380 ACP
Like the .45 ACP, the .380 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) was developed by John Browning and introducedin 1908 with Colt’s Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless pistol. Designed for “pocket pistols,” it remains popular for self-defense and concealed carry due to its compact size and its use in highly concealable pistols.
Pros:
- Size: Most .380 ACP handguns are compact or subcompact.
- Weight: Given the small size, most .380s are lightweight and easy to carry on your person or in apurse.
- Recoil: Generally, the .380 ACP is low recoil, making it a good cartridge for smaller stature shooters or those having less strength to rack a pistol slide.
Cons:
- Lethality: The .380 ACP lacks the stopping power of the .45 ACP, .40 S&W, 9mm.
- Capacity: .380s handguns are usually designed to be small and compact using a single stack magazine, which limits capacity.
.38 Special
Introduced in 1898 as a military cartridge, the .38 Special became a standard for many police departments and federal agencies into the 1990s. It was also used by the US military, notably by Navy and Marine Corps aircrews in WWII. Today, small, lightweight revolvers chambered in .38 Special are popular for concealed carry due to their simplicity and relatively forgiving recoil impulse.
Pros:
- Accuracy: The .38 Special is known for accuracy, reliability and consistent performance.
- Recoil: Generally, the .38 Special has manageable recoil.
Cons:
- Capacity: Vast majority of .38s are revolvers with 5-7 round cylinders.
- Reload time: Revolvers are slower to reload compared to semi-auto handguns.
.22 Long Rifle
The .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR) cartridge was introduced in 1887 by the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company. It’s name stems from the .22 BB Cap and .22 Short. The .22 LR combines the case of the .22 Long with the 40-grain bullet of the .22 Extra Long, creating a highly versatile and widely popular rimfire cartridge. It is one of the most used and widely manufactured ammunition types in the world. Because of its wide civilian popularity, some argue that more people are shot with the .22 LR than any other caliber.
Pros:
- Recoil: Very minimal recoil making it easy to handle.
- Cost: .22 LR ammunition is very inexpensive and easy to find.
- Capacity: Semi-auto .22 LR handguns often have 10+ round capacity magazines.
Cons:
- Lethality: Minimal stopping power.
Given its perceived and real stopping power limitation, the .22 LR remains a relatively popular concealed carry caliber, because of widely available ammunition coupled with available pocket pistol options. Older shooters will find a .22 LR pistol easy to shoot and carry.
Other Considerations
While there are other caliber options beyond those discussed here, the ones we covered are the most popular for concealed carry. If you are hunting or fishing in bear country, then you will want a large, heavy pistol chambered in 10mm, a revolver in .44 Magnum, or some other big bore caliber having harsh recoil, making them not the first choice for defending against two–legged animals. It’s important to remember that various factors can influence what works best for each individual. Finding the right balance between lethality, capacity, size, weight, and other considerations is critical in selecting the optimal handgun caliber for concealed carry. Each person’s needs and preferences will vary, so it’s essential to thoroughly evaluate these aspects to make an informed decision.
Why You Need CCW Insurance
Whether you carry a .45 ACP or a .22 LR for concealed carry, there is a significant amount of responsibility carrying a firearm. There are also potential legal ramifications if a self-defense incident takes place such as criminal charges and/or a civil lawsuit. Second Call Defense provides a range of services for Members that include immediate access to an attorney, coverage for legal expenses and even psychological support. This comprehensive approach ensures that Members are not only financially protected but also have immediate and expert legal representation to navigate the complexities of self-defense laws.
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Conclusion
Selecting the right handgun cartridge for concealed carry involves considering your personal needs, anticipated threats, and comfort with handling the firearm. Whether you choose a .45 ACP, .40 S&W,9mm, .380 ACP, .38 Special, .32 ACP, or .22 LR, understanding the trade-offs between capacity, lethality, and handgun size is crucial for an informed decision that enhances self-defense readiness. Additionally, consider CCW insurance, like that offered by Second Call Defense, for critical benefits after a self-defense incident.
One major advantage of the 9mm is the cost of practice ammo. Practice with the ammo one intends to use when seconds count is one of the best defenses one can have. As my self defense instructors always cautioned, “You cannot miss fast enough to win in a gunfight.” Well, it also holds true that, as you noted regarding the 9mm issue, ammo on target is critically important during a self-defense moment. With today’s 9mm critical defense ammo, there is a lot to be said for carrying a 9 mm handgun, or even a .380. Certainly, some of the newer 13 round sub-compact makes sense when there really is no other option conveniently available.
I just carry .357 Sig.