I sold out of all my .45acp and wife's .380 to go straight 9mm. Now let's not assume all 9mm is the same; 115, 124, 145. I don't shoot the same rounds in a small frame as I do in a large frame. I still love a 38/357 though.

I've heard this argument before, and I tend to agree with it. My wife recently started carrying, and I insisted on 9mm. Anyone that can handle a 380 can handle a 9mm, and you can get a 9mm just about as small as any 380 out there.

9mm here. Have some 40’s and 45’s but am consolidating to 9.

The new 9’s like the Sig P365 and Springfield Hellcat are amazing little guns. Very small and great capacity. I bought a Sig P365 yesterday. It holds 12+1 and is nearly identical in size to my Glock 43 which holds 6+1.

I have larger pistols that are my primary carry guns but the little Sig is plenty capable and is ideal when I don’t want anyone to know I am carrying.

Which is why I just run like heck. How big a boy are ya?

9mm. Bought a SIG 239 back in 96 or 97 and I still carry it. Not too big and not to small, fits my hand well and I seem to shoot it well. Lost count years ago on the number of rattlers, jack Rabbits it's taken. I've taken 4 Coyotes with it, 2 deer (Hung up in a fence), one hog a little over 100 lbs and one Javalina. It seems to be plenty. The holster I've carried it in since I bought it is a Leather Ross thumb break, it straddles the belt loops and rides tight. They also make it in a 40 and a 357 SIG. I've never liked the 40 cal and I'm surprised I don't have one in 357 SIG. It benched my Browning Hi-Powers and I love Browning Hi-Powers!

9mm on duty and off duty. I carry a Glock 45 on duty and a Sig P365 XL off duty. Every now and then I'll carry a Glock 30S .45 off duty.

Man this is a good thread , lots of variety

I've

As someone once said: My carry gun is the starter pistol for the Fat-Man's 100 yard dash.

Carried my Kimber Ultra Carry in .45 for a while. Switched it up and carry a Glock 27 now.

40 cal at work because that's what we're issued. Off duty I carry a S&W Shield 9mm or Glock 19 depending on where I'm going.

Anyone have any experience with the Ruger Max 9? It seems to be getting good reviews

I remember when i got into shooting in the mid 2000's and all i kept hearing was how the 40 was the greatest thing since sliced bread and how VASTLY superior it was to 9mm for ccw. I totally understood then and now that the standard 9mm with an fmj would have over-penetration issue. Fine the 40 was a better choice when comparing standard target loads. The 45 was always, truly a vastly superior option ballistic with the only drawback size/round count. Fair enough.
Also remember hearing other state the 357 sig was also superior. That made much less sense because how could the same bullet with a faster velocity be "better" if the primary complaint was over-penetration. My conclusion, people weren't updating their views on the 9mm based on all the new bullets that were hitting the market.

Some of ya'll touched on it already but I like 9mm because modern bullet options closes the gap between it and the 40 in terms of terminal ballistics performance but you get up to a couple more rounds. I don't carry too often anymore but in the winter time I like carryin gmy full sized 1911 just for the heck of it.

This little guy in 9mm. Best carry gun ever.

These discussions are interesting to me. Something that does not get much play in these conversations is what one mans perfect carry caliber is, may be completely different for another. By profession I am a forester. I live in rural texas. My days are spent in solitude out in the boonies. Over penetration is not a consideration for me. Neither is a high round count. 357 magnums are my favorites. The combination of shootable horsepower and versatility is what makes it my favorite for where I carry, and the most fun to shoot. I usually load 158’s but in comparison to your 9’s, full house 357
H 110 loads push a 125 over 1950fps in the 357 magnum.
Horses for courses.

9mm

Beretta Storm compact…double stack…16 rounds…9mm…single action/double action…conceals well and is accurate

I don't know if his is sprung different, different extractor/ejector, ammo is less intense etc., but his spent brass comes straight out of the ejection port at a 90 degree angle for 15-20 feet.

My Co-Worker worked for Wichita County SO for about 10 years, and worked his way up to Patrol Sergeant. One night he backed up DPS on a traffic stop, one of the troopers had to use his P226 .357Sig for its intended purpose, and it was like the bad guy was struck with a bolt of lightning. My Co-Worker was off the next day, drove to GT Distributors in Dallas, bought a P226 .357 Sig, Holster, Mag Pouches, and carries it to this day. Good Gun.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

Yes it is.

It is also refreshing to see a big chunk of the THF community not only carrying handguns, but shooting them on a regular basis and refusing to be victims.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

.357 Sig in a 229

If I have a jacket on, Dan Wesson .45 CCO, otherwise I usually pocket carry a Glock 43 9mm. Earl

NAA Black Widow .22 Mag with a rosewood boot grip in a custom pocket holster. Front right pocket and it feels like it's not even there. Surprisingly accurate and has good sights.

S&W Bodyguard in 380. Tote it in the left pocket in one of those sticky holsters. Just recently had the improved trigger and tritium sights put on it, and it shoots real good. The Santiago trigger is a real good upgrade. Carry with Hornady ammo, but practice with white box 380. I’d maybe consider going to 9mm, but like the little pistol’s size.

If I was forced to stand and shoot to defend the family, I’d prefer the 686 and the hot 125’s. Or maybe the Beretta PX4, with oodles more ammo.

In Town:


Outta Town.


Or
Xdm 10mm.

.40 or .45 or 9mm in a Beretta Cougar -- predecessor to the Beretta PX4 with no plastic parts.

Beretta PX 4 .40 cal. I sometimes carry a Bersa Thunder 45 too.