For Conceald Carry; A .22 Mag, .32 ACP or a .38 Special? - Page 2 - The Firearms Forum

user · 11-27-2011, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill DeShivs

"Likely to make your attacker angrier" is a very irresponsible statement! Smaller calibers are deadly, too....

"Irresponsible"? Well, I suppose a .22 will work if you can get the bullet to go precisely where you want it to and you're close enough to the target. So technically inaccurate. A feeble attempt at humor as a way of characterizing my opinion; hyperbole, perhaps. But "irresponsible"?

rustyfugger · 11-27-2011, 09:24 PM

.38 spl w/ +P Hollow Pts.

Old John · 11-29-2011, 09:40 AM

A .38 special would be my choice, of the three. However I carry a .357 magnum, most days. For the days I need to tuck in my shirt and carry a pocket gun, I have a Ruger .38 special LCR, in an Uncle Mike's pocket holster.
At this moment I have the .357 magnum Ruger LCR in a Strong side Pancake holster on my belt.
Make your own choice, whatever you are comfortable with. We live or die by our choices, sometimes.

ms6852 · 12-01-2011, 01:18 AM

All calibers mentioned are lethal, but the question remains...WHEN? Most gunfights are over with no more than 2 or 3 shots fired. With the smaller pocket pistols you have to be very very close to be accurate. For me it is too close for comfort. I was amazed that I missed a paper plate at 5 yards with my 642 38 special when I can get 3 inch groups with my 1911. So if you need to stop some one quick and they are very close to you the 38 gets my vote.

al45lc · 12-01-2011, 09:34 AM

MY opinion only. I see no point to a .22 or .32 for self defense unless your VERY good and train a lot.
I have trained many people in defensive shooting over the years, if your NOT going to invest the time, the larger caliber is better, IMHO.
That's MY opinion, take it for what it's worth. As far as I'm concerned, .22 is for huntin' squirrels and such, and the .32 is SO close to a .380 acp in physical size, why bother?
Incapacitation is the issue, and I don't believe that the .22 or .32 is all that good without precise placement.
As a last ditch backup maybe, but not for your primary piece.
As an aside, I had a customer shoot himself in the shoulder on the range with a .22 mag from a NAA mini-revolver, he was calm and walked out to the ambulance with no vislble ill effect. Near total penetration, chipped the collar bone too. And yes, it was an H.P. bullet. And no, he admitted he's no tough guy. No .22's for me for self defense.

al45lc · 12-01-2011, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ms6852

All calibers mentioned are lethal, but the question remains...WHEN? Most gunfights are over with no more than 2 or 3 shots fired. With the smaller pocket pistols you have to be very very close to be accurate. For me it is too close for comfort. I was amazed that I missed a paper plate at 5 yards with my 642 38 special when I can get 3 inch groups with my 1911. So if you need to stop some one quick and they are very close to you the 38 gets my vote.

Agreed, except that my Wife's .38 Taurus snub can put 5 shots in a 4" group at 25 feet. Could be the ammo in your case, some are finicky.

Dutchboy · 12-01-2011, 06:18 PM

.22 magnum is loud, surprisingly loud. And out of a short pistol barrel, it's ballistics are about like that of a .22 LR shot from a rifle. So shot from a pistol, the .22 magnum is a loud, little bullet. You better be a very, very good marksman under pressure to be effective.

I'd stick with the .38 Special for concealed carry if I were you.

franco45 · 12-05-2011, 08:46 PM

I carry a 642 in the winter. But I also throw my 22 mag. NAA Pug in my jacket pocket as backup. I just purchased a Ruger SP101 in 357 mag. which will be my everyday winter carry when I find a good holster.
I used to carry a Kel-Tec p32. One night I had a close call and found myself wishing I had a little more firepower available.

gun runner · 12-05-2011, 08:54 PM

get a desert eagle and keep it in your drawers jk . I would go with whats most comfortable within your preferences. Any one of those calibers will work okay against a individual that is trying to harm you are trying to harm a family member or friend. I would go with the lightest but highest caliber you can get. Really I would go with the .38

Caneman · 12-05-2011, 10:41 PM

you don't want to piss off the BG you want to eliminate the threat... out of those three it would be the .38 hands down...

EVERETT · 12-06-2011, 07:35 PM

a 38 is nice but lets look at the facts why was a 45acp made ? to stop people , what does it do ,,, it stops people , thats why the military used them for how long again ?? go 45acp u cant go wrong with it

gun runner · 12-06-2011, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EVERETT

a 38 is nice but lets look at the facts why was a 45acp made ? to stop people , what does it do ,,, it stops people , thats why the military used them for how long again ?? go 45acp u cant go wrong with it

It depends where you shoot the individual at but yes that caliber has alot of stopping power.

Boris · 12-07-2011, 06:19 AM

Stopping power is a feel good buzz phrase. There is no such a thing. Americans get tunnel vision sometimes. 9x19mm has been in service longer than 45 and has been used in more war by more army's than any other pistol caliber world wide. If it were a failure no one would use it. So would that mean it has more stopping power than 45ACP?

carver · 12-07-2011, 09:18 AM

The OP limited us to three choices, .22mag, 32APC, and .38spcl. I voted for the .38. I like large bullets! I carry the .45ACP, or a .44spcl. But that's not what the OP was asking for. I would also like to recommend that if you do carry the smaller guns like the .38spcl, or others that have limited fire power, that you carry two of them! New York reload! Drop the empty gun, and grab the loaded one! With only 5 - 7 rounds of ammo that is not considered to be the best man stoppers, you might want a little insurance. Though I carry a large caliber weapon, I still always carry a BUG!

11-27-2011, 09:24 PM	#27
rustyfugger Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Ocala, FL. Posts: 47	Re: For Conceald Carry; A .22 Mag, .32 ACP or a .38 Special? .38 spl w/ +P Hollow Pts.

11-29-2011, 09:40 AM	#28
Old John Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 49	Re: For Conceald Carry; A .22 Mag, .32 ACP or a .38 Special? A .38 special would be my choice, of the three. However I carry a .357 magnum, most days. For the days I need to tuck in my shirt and carry a pocket gun, I have a Ruger .38 special LCR, in an Uncle Mike's pocket holster. At this moment I have the .357 magnum Ruger LCR in a Strong side Pancake holster on my belt. Make your own choice, whatever you are comfortable with. We live or die by our choices, sometimes. __________________ 'Til later.... Hang in there,and Hang on! Life is a Journey... Not a Destination! Old John

12-01-2011, 01:18 AM	#29
ms6852 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 157	Re: For Conceald Carry; A .22 Mag, .32 ACP or a .38 Special? All calibers mentioned are lethal, but the question remains...WHEN? Most gunfights are over with no more than 2 or 3 shots fired. With the smaller pocket pistols you have to be very very close to be accurate. For me it is too close for comfort. I was amazed that I missed a paper plate at 5 yards with my 642 38 special when I can get 3 inch groups with my 1911. So if you need to stop some one quick and they are very close to you the 38 gets my vote. __________________ ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR LIVES FOR YOU. ONE IS JESUS CHRIST, FOR YOUR SOUL, AND THE OTHER IS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER, FOR YOUR FREEDOM.

12-01-2011, 09:34 AM	#30
al45lc Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: colorful colorado Posts: 1,016	Re: For Conceald Carry; A .22 Mag, .32 ACP or a .38 Special? MY opinion only. I see no point to a .22 or .32 for self defense unless your VERY good and train a lot. I have trained many people in defensive shooting over the years, if your NOT going to invest the time, the larger caliber is better, IMHO. That's MY opinion, take it for what it's worth. As far as I'm concerned, .22 is for huntin' squirrels and such, and the .32 is SO close to a .380 acp in physical size, why bother? Incapacitation is the issue, and I don't believe that the .22 or .32 is all that good without precise placement. As a last ditch backup maybe, but not for your primary piece. As an aside, I had a customer shoot himself in the shoulder on the range with a .22 mag from a NAA mini-revolver, he was calm and walked out to the ambulance with no vislble ill effect. Near total penetration, chipped the collar bone too. And yes, it was an H.P. bullet. And no, he admitted he's no tough guy. No .22's for me for self defense. __________________ You are what you do, when it counts.

12-01-2011, 06:18 PM	#32
Dutchboy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 132	Re: For Conceald Carry; A .22 Mag, .32 ACP or a .38 Special? .22 magnum is loud, surprisingly loud. And out of a short pistol barrel, it's ballistics are about like that of a .22 LR shot from a rifle. So shot from a pistol, the .22 magnum is a loud, little bullet. You better be a very, very good marksman under pressure to be effective. I'd stick with the .38 Special for concealed carry if I were you.

12-05-2011, 08:46 PM	#33
franco45 Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 8	Re: For Conceald Carry; A .22 Mag, .32 ACP or a .38 Special? I carry a 642 in the winter. But I also throw my 22 mag. NAA Pug in my jacket pocket as backup. I just purchased a Ruger SP101 in 357 mag. which will be my everyday winter carry when I find a good holster. I used to carry a Kel-Tec p32. One night I had a close call and found myself wishing I had a little more firepower available.

12-05-2011, 08:54 PM	#34
gun runner Former Guest Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: South Texas Contributor Posts: 1,871	Re: For Conceald Carry; A .22 Mag, .32 ACP or a .38 Special? get a desert eagle and keep it in your drawers jk . I would go with whats most comfortable within your preferences. Any one of those calibers will work okay against a individual that is trying to harm you are trying to harm a family member or friend. I would go with the lightest but highest caliber you can get. Really I would go with the .38

12-05-2011, 10:41 PM	#35
Caneman Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,258	Re: For Conceald Carry; A .22 Mag, .32 ACP or a .38 Special? you don't want to piss off the BG you want to eliminate the threat... out of those three it would be the .38 hands down...

12-06-2011, 07:35 PM	#36
EVERETT V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: WEST ALLIS WISCONSIN Posts: 98	Re: For Conceald Carry; A .22 Mag, .32 ACP or a .38 Special? a 38 is nice but lets look at the facts why was a 45acp made ? to stop people , what does it do ,,, it stops people , thats why the military used them for how long again ?? go 45acp u cant go wrong with it __________________ my idea of gun control is hitting what your aiming at ever notice how every once in a while you come across somebody u just shouldnt have messed with ? yeah im him (clint eastwood gran torino edited )

12-07-2011, 06:19 AM	#38
Boris Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 607	Re: For Conceald Carry; A .22 Mag, .32 ACP or a .38 Special? Stopping power is a feel good buzz phrase. There is no such a thing. Americans get tunnel vision sometimes. 9x19mm has been in service longer than 45 and has been used in more war by more army's than any other pistol caliber world wide. If it were a failure no one would use it. So would that mean it has more stopping power than 45ACP?

12-07-2011, 09:18 AM	#39
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,254	Re: For Conceald Carry; A .22 Mag, .32 ACP or a .38 Special? The OP limited us to three choices, .22mag, 32APC, and .38spcl. I voted for the .38. I like large bullets! I carry the .45ACP, or a .44spcl. But that's not what the OP was asking for. I would also like to recommend that if you do carry the smaller guns like the .38spcl, or others that have limited fire power, that you carry two of them! New York reload! Drop the empty gun, and grab the loaded one! With only 5 - 7 rounds of ammo that is not considered to be the best man stoppers, you might want a little insurance. Though I carry a large caliber weapon, I still always carry a BUG! __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.