danbrennan12

I'm researching a gun for concealed carry........ and I previously posted a thread about a Snub nose, that being said not just revolvers so including semi autos what would be the smallest effective round for self defense? since i am looking for a small gun like pocket pistol/snub nose size what would be the best round with the least amount of recoil?

Neon Horse

Least recoil? Perhaps a .22lr in a full steel bodied frame? Like the High Standard! I carry a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380acp. I used to carry a Ruger LCP, but traded it in for the S&W. Either is great. For small, concealable, and usable, I go .380, then 9mm (think LC9! A great firearm!) I also like carrying the 38 special/.357mag. I personally carry a SP101. The LCR is also a great firearm that is light! Get out and test different arms. There are sooooo many different calibers in different setups that could work for you! Good luck!

Nick0410

Id say the smallest I'd be comfortable with is .380/9mm/.38spl but I head .32 isnt terrible

Waveform

.38 spec +P would be the smallest caliber I would want to use since there are good choices to be had for a compact CCW in that caliber. If there any real benefits to a smaller caliber I don't see it. I've been carrying an LCR 38+P for a few weeks now in a pocket holster and have found it a very small, lightweight and easy to conceal while still having the potency of .38 spec. +P. The point being, there may be smaller alternatives but why? I can carry this in the front pocket of my shorts or anything else I decide to wear and there is no printing and it's easy to draw except when sitting down (this may be important to consider.) Once you have a gun in your pocket there's nothing else that belongs in there so smaller would be of no real benefit that I can see.

computerdynamics

LCP with SD rounds for up close and personal? I'll get the sub-caliber rant now but I still like it for light and easy carry.
Tony

bwinters

My mother had severe arm problems and she needed a home defense gun. I purchased a smith k frame 4 inch 22 lr . Anything heavier recoiling than that was too much for her hand strength.

Neon Horse

+1 and that may be the answer! We don't know what the tolerance threshold is... it may be 22lr or 44mag. Either is better than nothing for the person possessing the firearm

Johnny Numbers

The smallest caliber I carry is .32 ... but it's the .327 Federal. It isn't a pip squeak. LOL!

As far as small guns, the smallest I carry is a Smith 442 .38spl... and a Shield 9mm.

Mark IL NM

Check this out-but be sure to read all the way down; plenty to argue about:

http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/handgun-stopping-power

Everything often works, but I can find enough here to stay w/my 357-for situations where someone doesn't just quit when hit ... (failure to incapacitate numbers/2nd to last graph). Which is to say the largest caliber you can handle well. And no more.

m1aman

I would say 38 special. Not bad on the recoil but enough power to get the job done.

Mayor Al

Dan,

Posted with a bit of tongue-in-cheek!

To give you a 'baseline' to compare recoil levels in the various pistols and revolvers you are checking out... Let me show you a fine little compact pistol.

Here is my Charter Arms Back-Up semi auto in .45 acp.(top) and .380 (bottom) A couple of rounds fired from the .45 ACP will make anything else you test seem like shooting blank 22's !! I have massive, if elderly hands and this little guy feels like a Hornet with an 8 lb hammer in it's tail when it goes off !! Yes, This was said in jest, but with enough truth to encourage you to check carefully what you finally decide on.



My choice would be a .380 or 38 Special in a compact size that feels right to you.

WheelyGuy

It's a never ending debate. Ask 10 different folks and you'll likely get 12 opinions.

In over 95% of cases where a gun is used in self defense no shots are fired. The BG sees the gun and breaks off. So in reality any gun you have with you is the best to carry. In such a case even a wimpy caliber like a 380 is acceptable.

Carry the largest caliber you can carry and shoot decently is the short answer, because you just might run into one thug who needs more than just visual aids to get the message.

Bigdog

The FBI recommends the largest, not fastest, round you can carry. I suggest whatever you choose; practice, practice, practice. Shooting first, accurately and rapidly will win the day.

ZommyGun

If I could have one of everything one the things would be a 9mm snub revolver...they are not common but can be had...

More than a 38+P... which is also a good choice for me and what I have in my S&W .357...but also no where near a 357 in recoil...or penetration...

I would say already if you are concerned you should rule out 357 rounds even if you buy a 357 snub...but if you had a 357 it would not take you long to figure that out...and I would rather have a 357 and the option of 38 or 38+p

The problem with rim-fire ammo imo is it is inherently less reliable...especially in autos...a well placed shot with a 22 is just as lethal as anything else...in a battle...there are very few well place shots...don't believe me...ask Wyatt Earp...combine less reliability with far less effective ballistics and I rule out 22 as a contender...something is better than nothing...

I don't think highly of 380 for ballistics and they don't cycle the same as 9mm...I see no practical advantage given the recoil and size just go 9mmm

9mm is the all around best of all worlds trading off enough of this for that etc...it is just as highly effective and low cost as can be...IMO...odds are it will be more than enough of everything...and just as likely not to be too much of anything...

A subcompact auto 9mm will be jumpy but manageable...not punishing like a 357 snub...not something you want to go and make a day of at the range...but I have fired 400 rounds at one session thru my wife's Kahr 9mm and it was getting very old at the end but still...who does that...I did it for initial reliability testing...too much for wife to deal with...That Kahr carries like a dream...you will forget it is there...

Glock 9mm is an engineering marvel when it comes to a battle gun...you cannot beat them...ultra-reliable and battle ready...bulky...but easy to carry and easy to use...

TNWNGR

Small handguns with anything above a 32 S&W L or a 32 ACP have increased recoil that may be beyond the abilities of some shooters to handle. The 22 Magnum can also fall into this category as well. For a primary carry SDG I hesitate to go below a 9mm P but will sometimes carry my LCP and an extra magazine. I would be very comfortable with an LCR or lightweight S&W J frame in 38 Special with the right ammunition and a reload. Living in the SE US means dealing with heat and humidity so off duty carry is either in a pocket or under a t-shirt.