If you are going for concealed carry, get a pistol that is small enough that you WILL carry it around and have it when you need it. A big, sophisticated tactical pistol or service sidearm that becomes too bulky or heavy to be convenient will be left behind and won't serve the need. I like the Kahr PM9, which is very small and carries well in a belly band, ankle holster, or pocket holster, and gives you 6+1 shots and a fast reload of 9mm. I also like the S&W model 442 J-frame .38 Special, which works about as well and packs into a waistband even better.

I probably would go with a beretta px4 in 9mm for concealed carry (illinois resident -- cannot carry) 9mm feeds more reliably than say a .45 due to the increased shell taper. 9mm has just as much *stopping power* as a .40 or .45. This is not my opinion but based on several military reports. Most 9mm semi-autos are double stacked so you can load more shells and 9mm can be had alot cheaper than the .40 or .45.

For at home I have a beretta 90-two.

The choice of manufacturer is a personel one. As far as caliber goes I would choose a compact or subcompact .45 ACP. Plenty of stopping power for self defense.

Mr Coope, please check a lot of online reports. I think Sig makes some of the best guns there are and the five-seven is a heck of a round, but seriously? a self defense weapon? The Handgun has several examples of firing out of battery on more than one blog and from different people. I think the P90 maybwe, but not the pistol. Why don't go with the reliable .45 ACP? Unless it as a .4 leading the way other than .357 anything smaller is a back up gun.

All great answers... but if it was for home defense I would prefer something big and scary like a 44mag Red-Hawk or Smith revolver. And in very close quarters or I believe that American derringers in 45- .410, or other such combinations have a place.

Clay,

You posted, "I'm thinking of the "FN Five-Seven USG" 5.7x28mm!"

Are you serious?

WMH

Always wanted an HK Mk.23. Anything they make would serve you well. Of course I also want a 1911, preferable an A1, not so into the double stack. I think 8 or so rounds of .45 ACP should be enough.

Try several different handguns in all the popular calibers. Choose the one that you can shoot the best taking into account fit, pointability (is that a word?), and recoil. The .380 auto is making a small comeback since Remington produced the 102 grain Golden Saber and Buffalo Bore Bullets with its 100 grain lead bullet. Recoil is stiff for a .380, but much less than larger calibers. A dude on the Ruger forums did some exhaustive penetration tests with the .380 and most of the currently available popular ammo and the results with the two above bullets were impressive. Not trying to sell the .380, just mentioning that with the newer ammo, it can be a serious self defense weapon. Again, if you are able try as many as you can and go with what you shoot the best.

Kimber Cust. II ,.45apc Till they make something bigger for C.C

I'm a slim guy. With a 28-inch waist, there ain't much room to hide things. I have a friend who's big enough to hide a .45 under each armpit, but I use either a stainless .38 5-shot, or a Walther PP/K.

My Glock 22 .40 and whichever 12 ga. shotgun comes to hand first are my home defense weapons, but I'm with libertyfirst in carrying an old .38. Mine is a Colt Cobra and, thankfully, I've never yet had to pull it on a human, but it's lightweight and I'm used to it (and can hit with it).

i carry a kahr cw9, s&w j frame 38+p 5shot wheel gun,and a kal-tec 9mm as a back up to one of the two listed i am carrying.i have other pistols from model 28,357mag to 45cal colt 1911,but to heavy to carry all day and conceal.

For a personal defence pistol, I'd have to go with the judge. Its great for close up with the .410 and the .45 will do the further shots that may come up.

I use a S&W 4566 TSW that I carried on duty. When I retired they gave me the pistol. The .45 is a great stopper.

Your favorite shooter is often not your favorite to carry. When trouble comes your way a belly pusher in your pocket is worth two big bore tack drivers back in the truck. I carried my S&W 6906 for ten years but 13 rounds of 147 grain gets pretty heavy after about 10 hours. Now that one lives in the truck and my usual around town carry gun is my Colt Cobra with silver tips. When I hit the woods I drop a couple of notches on the food chain so then I upgrade to my Ruger .44 mag.

Well boys, looks like some anti-handgun, anti-carry kook slimed us all with negatives. Maybe they missed that part of the 2nd Amendment about .... and BEAR Arms shall not be infringed.

If you haven't tried the Fobus paddle holster you need to, it is very comfortable.

Springfield XD 40 (40 cal)
1911A1 .45
Ruger Balckhawk 357 or 45
Ruger Vaquero 45

how nice are you because theirs always the .500 s&w. just kidding get a 1911 in .45

I'm thinking of the "FN Five-Seven USG" 5.7x28mm!