How Low Would You Go?

[Theron D. Patron]

When it comes to a back up gun, I carry a G26, Tarsus model 85 38spl, or Kahr CW380 My carry loads are Federal 115gr +P+, 135gr Speer GD Short barrel, Precision 1 Hornady 90gr XTP.

About 2 years ago I started carrying two guns because I saw two squibb loads in two weeks. You can become very proficient at reloading and fixing malfunctions however, if you have a squibb load then I guess you will be pistol boxing.

I have known guys who carry at work where it is a no,no and the lowest they go is the .32acp in a pocket holster. I guess go hits to the face, balls, and neck would make someone think twice?

[armoredman]

For me, carrying a BUG, .380 is pushing it, I would prefer a 9mm, like the EC9S. In the past I carried a .32, but not any more, personal preference.

[JMag1]

.32 ACP is my low limit with Underwood fodder.


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[Auto5]

I have been told that there is no limit to how low I would go, but that was a completely unrelated discussion. . In the past, I've carried NAA .22lr or .22wmr minis, .25 baby browning clone, etc., but my current BUG is an LCP.

[kymasabe]

I pocket carry a kel-tec p32 in a sticky sm-2 holster. I load with hornady custom xtp hollow points. I'm not sure they'll expand properly from such a short barrel, and if they expand at all I'm sure will limit penetration, but is what finds its way into my pocket everyday. .32acp is as low as i'll go.

[5whiskey]

A BUG is already a layer of redundancy that many choose not to utilize. If you carry a major caliber as a primary, absolutely see nothing wrong with a 32 as a backup. A decent argument could be made for .22, as you would still be more prepared than most.

Preparation is a good thing. If you're comfortable with a larger pistol and caliber as a BUG, and you are committed to carrying it, that would be better. However a BUG on hand is worth 5 in the car. If its so big that you will forego carrying it then that extra k/e of a major caliber is useless. All that being said, the LCP is plenty small enough for a comfortable BUG and it gives you .380.

[Lohman446]

I have known guys who carry at work where it is a no,no and the lowest they go is the .32acp in a pocket holster. I guess go hits to the face, balls, and neck would make someone think twice?

I have yet to find anyone willing to stand and be shot by 5 rounds from an NAA mini center of mass to prove how inadequate the weapon is. Come to think of it I have not found anyone willing to do so with 1. There is this unrealistic idea that some people have that a hit with a major caliber is going to instantly stop the fight and they do not need to be prepared should it continue such as the aggressor still managing to close to contact distance.

Once I watched an instructor explain a drill. He was using the electronic target retriever to simulate an aggressor advancing or retreating. The instructions were to draw, give verbal commands to stop, and only engage once the distance "required" it. Through a series of stop and go, forward and retreat the instructor was throwing off the students. One student fired three times with "good" hits - two center of mass and one in the head and set his gun down. The instructor continued to advance the target and noted the problem. The student argued that with his gun and the load he was using the threat was done. There are enough cases on record of individuals soaking up many rounds from service caliber pistols and continuing that it cannot be discounted.

My point? Something is better than nothing and no concealable carry gun is going to guarantee stoppage. The .32 and even the lowly .22 should not be discounted if they are the options that are available to you. It is better than trying to stab someone with a "tactical" pen.

[bassJAM1]

I don't have a problem carrying my NAA .22lr with the 1-1/8" barrel around the house and the few times I really can't carry something larger.

[tallball]

380 is as low as I go. An LCP or P3AT is tiny and very easy to carry/conceal.

[franco45]

I've got an NAA Sidewinder in 22 mag in my pocket as I type this but I've got a 9mm Sig P290rs within arm's reach. I often carry the Sidewinder as a bug when when I go out.

[johnwilliamson062]

Two squibs in a week? That is pretty abnormal. If you are carrying factory ammo a squib is unlikely. Most squibs seem to be from light loads people are trying out.
My main gun is going to be a 9mm. If I carried a BUG a 22 or 25 would be plenty.
Only way I would go larger is if I went with a compatible mag combo, but since my carry guns are compacts or sub-compacts that isn't an option.

[Don P]

About 2 years ago I started carrying two guns because I saw two squibb loads in two weeks. You can become very proficient at reloading and fixing malfunctions however, if you have a squibb load then I guess you will be pistol boxing

That is why you DO NOT us re-loads in you CCW guns.

[Northof50]

I read through the thread [quickly], but couldn't determine if these were handloads, or if the OP had the squibs in his own pistol.

I've been reloading for 30 years...which is why I would NEVER carry anything but factory ammo.

Before I thought about an additional gun to experience the same problem, I'd fix the problem at hand - POOR QUALITY AMMO. You're asking for ways to attack the symptom and not addressing the problem.

[chaim]

The smallest I'd go in an auto is .380 (I have an LCP, but dislike it). I prefer 9mm or larger.

In a revolver I'm definitely interested in getting a .327mag one of these days, and I may consider a .32H&R Mag. Due to the larger capacity and still decent ballistics, I'd even consider a .22mag in a lightweight snub (but more as a backup gun than as a primary).

[peacefulgary]

I don't think I would carry anything below a 32.

[Siggy-06]

I've carried a Beretta 950 in .22 short before. Now .380 in my Pico is my edc.

[Cosmodragoon]

Carrying a concealed weapon for self defense is a bit like having a fire extinguisher in the home. You are preparing for a hopefully rare but very serious event. Carrying doesn't guarantee your safety or survival should that event occur but it can radically tip the odds in your favor if it does. Carrying also involves a definite and constant cost of accommodating the equipment on your person. Most of us here accept that cost as reasonable versus the odds. Carrying a second gun essentially doubles that cost in preparation for a much rarer combination of events. Unless local, personal, or professional circumstances put you at unusually high risk, I'd settle for accommodating a single firearm.

That same cost is a big determinant of what kind of firearm we carry. In that respect, I think of things like wardrobe, weather, and social environment as the budget. If you are limited to pocket carry, there are plenty of options. If you can find a small 9mm that fits well and you can reasonably control it, then why not? If you can comfortably carry a pocket revolver like the LCR, I'd call that a solid choice. Heck, six shots of .327 Federal is an excellent way to spend a pocket.

The reason I'd shy away from .32 acp or even .380 is that the above options exist in the modern market and they work well for me. Sure, guns can get a little smaller with these smaller calibers but not by enough to matter to me. If you need to go down to .32 or .380, then just do it. Either one still has a lot to offer when it comes to tipping the scales of probability. Any gun is better than no gun but carry the best that you reasonably can.

[KyJim]

Many years ago, I sometimes carried a .25 ACP Beretta 950. Today, the lowest I carry is a .380.

[Big Shrek]

.32acp conceals nicely in Beach Attire.
Same can't be said for larger calibers...invisibility is KEY in Florida.
They only recently backed off charging folks for Printing while CC'ing...
If caught printing nowadays by an Anti-gunner, the screaming can be heard from space...
far better just to avoid the annoyance factors by going small when at the beach.

SOP for 7.65 Browning is to shove it in the bad guy's mouth and empty the mag, anyway

[Lohman446]

I’m afraid to ask. How does anything conceal well in beach attire?

[Geezerbiker]

I can't imagine defending myself with anything less than a .380 but I'd rather have a Micro9 Kimber...

While one could stop a bad guy with a .32, I would think you would have to fire a mag full to be sure...

Tony

[Carl the Floor Walker]

IMO the ballistics of the 380 has come a long way in defense ammo. I believe it can be a proficient and deadly round. I started shooting the LCP when they first came out and shot them heavily. Why? because I carried it every day and it is a gun that requires diligent shooting to become proficient at shooting. Burned through 4 of them. Later moved to the Pico and never looked back.
However, this said, I do feel the 9mm to be the best choice. The goal was to find one that could be Carried every day, all day. I started shooting the LCR9mm about two years ago.
Con-Small barrel snubbies require a skill set which require a lot of training to be totally proficient. I will pat myself on the back on this one. After much taining week and week, I am proud in the fact that I have to that level. And the gun is fun to shoot. It carries well.

I also have owned the Ruger LC9 since they first came out. (later given to Brother) And now the LC9S since it first came out. A very fine slim 9mm. Lovely shooter but IMO Too Dangerous to carry. the trigger is just too light. It has bugged me for a long time. (And mine has a safety of which I am trained for)

The LCR and the Pico have been good choices. However I still wanted a single stack 9mm. So yesterday after much research, I ordered a Beretta Nano. It has every thing I am have been looking for in a CCW.

So IMO 380 is ok, 9mm better. Nothing less would suffice unless of course that is all I had. The Pico was a great choice for me. Top quality, slim, and ultra Reliable. Mild shooter with a great CCW trigger. If the Nano proves to be half as good, then I will be totally satisfied. JMO


Yes, the 380 is the farthest down I would go given a choice. However I also have a LCR22 which I use to train with. A fast 8 rounds of 22.cal to the face of someone would not be something that would be called pleasant to get hit with. And that is one reliable 22.

[CDW4ME]

When I go to work, store, errands, ....
I have a 1911 IWB with at least one spare mag and a Glock 43 in my weak hand front pocket.
I don't want to bet my life on anything less than 9mm, so the 2nd option gun in pocket is 9mm, if I needed a bit smaller package my Kahr PM9 would be it.
Perspective: I've been carrying concealed about 25 years.

I work where casual attire is okay, so I have options for carry.
If I worked in a "non-permissive" environment and had to tuck in my shirt and wear dress pants (been there before, it sucks) pocket PM9 would be my first choice, if that would not work, them I would pocket carry a LCP 380 but not be content with its ASAP stopping potential, could also wear a Smartcarry with something in a decent caliber.
Some people carry 380 (or smaller) when they could carry something bigger, I aint one of them.

Like the OP, I see merit in a 2nd option gun.
-Can put my hand on it without revealing I'm carrying, comforting if approached by someone "shady" in parking lot, for example.
-If something happened to dominant hand (use your imagination) I can draw pistol with weak hand.
-I had an extractor edge break on Glock during practice causing demonic jam, not quick to clear and gun had broke part (revolver could break part, firing pin for ex).
-I had a squib "premium" factory SD load lodge in barrel (could happen with revolver) gun was disabled until I could pound bullet from barrel.

[rkammer]

As long as I can carry my S&W Bodyguard .380 in the front pocket of either shorts or bluejeans, which I do, that's the lowest caliber I will carry. Modern SD ammo make it a viable round for defense.

[moosemike]

380 is as low as I'll go anymore. I have a .25 and used to carry it in summer attire. No more though. I wouldn't even consider a .32 unless it was a BUG.