The largest caliber that can be readily concealed and comfortably carried all the time is the way to go. If that is a .32 ACP, then that is good enough.
Well said WAM and h-f-s. A gun in the pocket is worth two in the truck in the mall parking lot. And when a scum bag suddenly finds holes in his chest, regardless of caliber, his priorities suddenly shift from criminal intent to self preservation and a hasty exit from the encounter.
My S&W 637 Airweight .38 Special +P makes a much better firearm and dosen't weigh anymore. It is easy to conceal and can even be carried in a pocket holster and is guarenteed to make a crud have a bad day with the 125 grain Winchester Silvertip Hollow Points.
Other shooters may disagree, of course, but the smallest autoloader I'd recommend is a .380ACP because better ammunition and bullet designs are now available for it, and I lean toward the SIG or the Walther PPK/PPKS.
The smallest revolver cartridge I'd recommend for personal defense is the .32 Magnum, though I think more highly of the versatile .38 Special.
My wife and other shooters I've worked with handle these cartridges well, and I'd want the shooter to handle the firearm confidently. If a shooter is recoil-shy, they will hesitate. I consider these cartridges "adequate", though not 100% decisive, and candidly admit that my opinion has changed over the years. When these cartridges were produced with jacketed RN bullets, I recommended against them. As better ammunition became available and I objectively test fired them again, I developed a better appreciation of the the .380 ACP and the .32 H&R Magnum or .327, because (as has been noted) it has be concealable, adequate, and available. The SIG P238 takes no room in my pocket than my wallet, doesn't bulge like my Kimber .45, and I can pass it to my wife with the foreknowledge she can handle it. She doesn't like the .45 or 9mm. As has been mentioned, the .32 Auto is better than an empty excuse. Whatever you carry or whatever you ultimately choose, I hope you never have to reach for it.
The largest caliber that can be readily concealed and comfortably carried all the time is the way to go. If that is a .32 ACP, then that is good enough.
Well said WAM and h-f-s. A gun in the pocket is worth two in the truck in the mall parking lot. And when a scum bag suddenly finds holes in his chest, regardless of caliber, his priorities suddenly shift from criminal intent to self preservation and a hasty exit from the encounter.
My S&W 637 Airweight .38 Special +P makes a much better firearm and dosen't weigh anymore. It is easy to conceal and can even be carried in a pocket holster and is guarenteed to make a crud have a bad day with the 125 grain Winchester Silvertip Hollow Points.
Other shooters may disagree, of course, but the smallest autoloader I'd recommend is a .380ACP because better ammunition and bullet designs are now available for it, and I lean toward the SIG or the Walther PPK/PPKS.
The smallest revolver cartridge I'd recommend for personal defense is the .32 Magnum, though I think more highly of the versatile .38 Special.
My wife and other shooters I've worked with handle these cartridges well, and I'd want the shooter to handle the firearm confidently. If a shooter is recoil-shy, they will hesitate. I consider these cartridges "adequate", though not 100% decisive, and candidly admit that my opinion has changed over the years. When these cartridges were produced with jacketed RN bullets, I recommended against them. As better ammunition became available and I objectively test fired them again, I developed a better appreciation of the the .380 ACP and the .32 H&R Magnum or .327, because (as has been noted) it has be concealable, adequate, and available. The SIG P238 takes no room in my pocket than my wallet, doesn't bulge like my Kimber .45, and I can pass it to my wife with the foreknowledge she can handle it. She doesn't like the .45 or 9mm. As has been mentioned, the .32 Auto is better than an empty excuse. Whatever you carry or whatever you ultimately choose, I hope you never have to reach for it.
Answers (18)
it would be better than nothing but i would go with something with a lot more punch. i only carry .40 or larger, but that's not for everyone.
The largest caliber that can be readily concealed and comfortably carried all the time is the way to go. If that is a .32 ACP, then that is good enough.
Awful small, but a .32 or .380 in the pocket beats a .45 left at home.
h-f-s
My point exactly! +1
Well said WAM and h-f-s. A gun in the pocket is worth two in the truck in the mall parking lot. And when a scum bag suddenly finds holes in his chest, regardless of caliber, his priorities suddenly shift from criminal intent to self preservation and a hasty exit from the encounter.
Thanks for the replies fellas, I tend to agree with what you are saying. Will probably look for a larger caliber eventually.
Put another way, the best gun you can have when you suddenly need a gun is the gun you have.
I agree with you guys if you are carrying semi -auto's. I like a 38 revolver myself. Small and easy to conceal yet more knock down power than 32.
My sainted Grand Mother Would say, It is better to have a gun and not need it then to need a gun and not have it!
I would say a 38spc revolver small framed hand gun no jams and plenty of power
I have a sister-in-law who carries a .22 Magnum snubby revolver in her purse. She doesn't have much faith in a scream for help.
I like my Glock 27. .40 cal, and packs a lot more punch than a .32. I would go with something at least a little more powerful for concealed carry.
My S&W 637 Airweight .38 Special +P makes a much better firearm and dosen't weigh anymore. It is easy to conceal and can even be carried in a pocket holster and is guarenteed to make a crud have a bad day with the 125 grain Winchester Silvertip Hollow Points.
A .32 is plenty enough at halitosis range, as I have said before.
If you have to shoot a bad guy, he isn't gonna laugh at the size of your caliber when you put a well placed shot center mass.
I prefer .45 ACP, but I would not feel outgunned if I had a small, compact .32 and the range was upclose and personal.
That's why God invented the double tap!
I had a Walther PP om .32, when it became unreliable after about 30 yrs and 5,000 rounds I got a new PPK in 380, a bit more stamina and Smaller.
BUT if I am going somewhere really Dangerous I take wither my 1911A1 or 686+ with hollowpoints.
My normal carry gun is a 38 derringer
Other shooters may disagree, of course, but the smallest autoloader I'd recommend is a .380ACP because better ammunition and bullet designs are now available for it, and I lean toward the SIG or the Walther PPK/PPKS.
The smallest revolver cartridge I'd recommend for personal defense is the .32 Magnum, though I think more highly of the versatile .38 Special.
My wife and other shooters I've worked with handle these cartridges well, and I'd want the shooter to handle the firearm confidently. If a shooter is recoil-shy, they will hesitate. I consider these cartridges "adequate", though not 100% decisive, and candidly admit that my opinion has changed over the years. When these cartridges were produced with jacketed RN bullets, I recommended against them. As better ammunition became available and I objectively test fired them again, I developed a better appreciation of the the .380 ACP and the .32 H&R Magnum or .327, because (as has been noted) it has be concealable, adequate, and available. The SIG P238 takes no room in my pocket than my wallet, doesn't bulge like my Kimber .45, and I can pass it to my wife with the foreknowledge she can handle it. She doesn't like the .45 or 9mm. As has been mentioned, the .32 Auto is better than an empty excuse. Whatever you carry or whatever you ultimately choose, I hope you never have to reach for it.
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The largest caliber that can be readily concealed and comfortably carried all the time is the way to go. If that is a .32 ACP, then that is good enough.
Awful small, but a .32 or .380 in the pocket beats a .45 left at home.
Well said WAM and h-f-s. A gun in the pocket is worth two in the truck in the mall parking lot. And when a scum bag suddenly finds holes in his chest, regardless of caliber, his priorities suddenly shift from criminal intent to self preservation and a hasty exit from the encounter.
My sainted Grand Mother Would say, It is better to have a gun and not need it then to need a gun and not have it!
h-f-s
My point exactly! +1
Put another way, the best gun you can have when you suddenly need a gun is the gun you have.
I agree with you guys if you are carrying semi -auto's. I like a 38 revolver myself. Small and easy to conceal yet more knock down power than 32.
it would be better than nothing but i would go with something with a lot more punch. i only carry .40 or larger, but that's not for everyone.
Thanks for the replies fellas, I tend to agree with what you are saying. Will probably look for a larger caliber eventually.
I would say a 38spc revolver small framed hand gun no jams and plenty of power
I have a sister-in-law who carries a .22 Magnum snubby revolver in her purse. She doesn't have much faith in a scream for help.
I like my Glock 27. .40 cal, and packs a lot more punch than a .32. I would go with something at least a little more powerful for concealed carry.
My S&W 637 Airweight .38 Special +P makes a much better firearm and dosen't weigh anymore. It is easy to conceal and can even be carried in a pocket holster and is guarenteed to make a crud have a bad day with the 125 grain Winchester Silvertip Hollow Points.
A .32 is plenty enough at halitosis range, as I have said before.
If you have to shoot a bad guy, he isn't gonna laugh at the size of your caliber when you put a well placed shot center mass.
I prefer .45 ACP, but I would not feel outgunned if I had a small, compact .32 and the range was upclose and personal.
That's why God invented the double tap!
I had a Walther PP om .32, when it became unreliable after about 30 yrs and 5,000 rounds I got a new PPK in 380, a bit more stamina and Smaller.
BUT if I am going somewhere really Dangerous I take wither my 1911A1 or 686+ with hollowpoints.
My normal carry gun is a 38 derringer
Other shooters may disagree, of course, but the smallest autoloader I'd recommend is a .380ACP because better ammunition and bullet designs are now available for it, and I lean toward the SIG or the Walther PPK/PPKS.
The smallest revolver cartridge I'd recommend for personal defense is the .32 Magnum, though I think more highly of the versatile .38 Special.
My wife and other shooters I've worked with handle these cartridges well, and I'd want the shooter to handle the firearm confidently. If a shooter is recoil-shy, they will hesitate. I consider these cartridges "adequate", though not 100% decisive, and candidly admit that my opinion has changed over the years. When these cartridges were produced with jacketed RN bullets, I recommended against them. As better ammunition became available and I objectively test fired them again, I developed a better appreciation of the the .380 ACP and the .32 H&R Magnum or .327, because (as has been noted) it has be concealable, adequate, and available. The SIG P238 takes no room in my pocket than my wallet, doesn't bulge like my Kimber .45, and I can pass it to my wife with the foreknowledge she can handle it. She doesn't like the .45 or 9mm. As has been mentioned, the .32 Auto is better than an empty excuse. Whatever you carry or whatever you ultimately choose, I hope you never have to reach for it.
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