Top 5 Calibers For Concealed Carry

Choosing a Caliber That is Right For You

• Choosing a caliber for concealed carry can be tedious

• Options are endless

• Everyone has their preference

• Biases aside lets take a look at the top 5 options that people usually use for concealed carry.

.380 ACP

• Designed by John Browning

• Designed over 100 years ago in 1908

• Has made a large jump• Due to the increase in states that are issuing ccw permits

• The smallest caliber listed

.380 ACP

• Handguns that fire the .380 ACP are usually smaller

• They don’t hold a large amount of rounds

• The main upside is the size of the gun

• The downside is the lethality of the round

• Remember the firearm you are willing to use is better than the one you refuse to use.

9mm• The 9mm cartridge is usually loved or hated

• It was created by Georg Luger in 1901.

• It is the typical Law Enforcement round for many years.

• Some law enforcement agencies are switching over to the S&W .40

9mm

• 9mm is a good price

• It is readily available

• Not a ton of stopping power but not much recoil either

• Used in pretty much every major military conflict

• Concealed carry handgun choices are endless

.40 S&W

• The .40 S&W was developed in 1990

• Developed by S&W and Winchester

• Developed due to the 1986 FBI Miami Shootout• FBI was outgunned and decided from this point on to switch from revolvers to semi-auto.

• The California Highway Patrol has adopted the .40 S&W (over 11,000 employees)

.40 S&W

• Many people consider the .40 S&W to be a 10mm short

• Another thought is that it is a child of the 9mm and the .45 ACP

• More stopping power than the 9mm but a little more recoil

.38 Special

• Developed by S&W in 1898

• Was the standard police round for over 60 years at one point

• Usually used for revolvers

• Used by many people today for• Target Shooting

• Self Defense

.38 Special

• Same diameter as the .357

• Shorter length than the .357

• Revolvers chambered for .357 magnum can usually shoot .38 special*

• This doesn’t apply for the inverse.

The .38 Special is almost exclusively used in revolvers. For more information on concealed carry and revolvers visit concealed carry revolvers.*Take the fact that you can shoot .38 special out of a revolver chambered in .357 with a grain of salt and read you firearm’s owners manual before trying it. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

.45 ACP• Developed by John Browning in 1904

• One of the most popular cartridges in the world

• More stopping power than the previously listed calibers

• More recoil

• Less ammunition capacity

If you carry .45 ACP or are interested in carrying .45 ACP check out full size pistols for concealed carry.

Overview• While choosing your handgun cartridge keep these in mind

• Stopping Power

• Recoil

• Round Count

• Pistol Size

• At the end of the day you need to pick what fits your preferences the best.

• Pick your preferred round and then practice often.

• Your round choice doesn’t matter if it misses.

• For more information on concealed carry matters visit Alien Gear.