Glad you mentioned 40 cal. It was all the rage when I turned 21 so my first gun was a m&p40c. Then not too long after that the fbi went back to 9mm and 40 has been getting roasted ever since, but it doesn't change the fact that cops were consistently dropping people FAST with it for years.
I feel like the huge disconnect made with its public consensus is due to a severe lack of knowledge on the cartridge design and application. It's a phenomenal and proven round, when matched with the proper tool. The vast majority of people aren't carrying around a full size / barrel length pistol. Instead they want to throw the 40 through tiny little 3"-4" barrels which severely handicap the cartridge design. It's crazy how just half an inch or full inch will take a below par end result and place itself among one of the most devastating and consistent designs to date.
I carry .40 S & W It was the second pistol I bought. I got a deal on it I couldn't pass up. I've been carrying it and shooting with it for 3 years now. Works fine for me.
The best carry gun is the one you have on you. Accuracy is obviously important as well. But if your real accurate with your say 1911 but it’s home in the safe it doesn’t do you any good.
The one you carry. I would say the 350 ft/lb in small carry weapons is optimum and more of the 9mm fit in that range. Train all you want, but my range I trust is 21 feet or less. A man's got to know his limitations. I am 71, but even at 38 years old, I'd stick with that range, which requires no practice; FOR ME.
In my opinion the best option is what you practice with the most and can occasionally use your defensive rounds with so you can have confidence that they cycle properly and that you will have experience with how much recoil they produce compared to your practice rounds.
I watched ballistic videos for years. Barrel length. I put so much thought and time into it. Now I carry #1 HST 124 standard pressure. #2 Gold dot 124 standard pressure. #3 124 grain punch. I carry and use the punch the most as it is cost effective.
There are advantages and disadvantages to every round depending on the gun you are using, but for availability and reliability I like 9mm. But a 38 special is a really nice round for pocket revolvers. Shoot what you know and what you are comfortable is good advice. I recently picked up a Girsan Regard Gen 4 and it shoots great.
I carry .40sw, and I also shoot a lot of .40 ammo. As stated previously in the comments, just use what you can shoot with proficiency. Practice is key here.
I worked in a morgue for years. 357 magnum 125gr SJHP was the undisputed King of 1 shot stops by far. I saw 22 shorts do the job also sometimes. I carry a Glock 22 because I am good with it and have thousands of rounds put aside. Be good with what you carry.
That's a very specific and more fringe cartridge design, especially with being able to narrow the caliber down to an exacting weight and design.... The local gangs have a 357 sponsor or something? Also, while we're on the subject, I've always wanted to ask a mortician but never had the opportunity about rifle round ballistic trauma, specifically the 5.56 cartridge. Have you seen enough examples to formulate your own opinion and if so, did a specific bullet design stand out? I know a lot of law enforcement like to use Speers bonded softpoint but I've also seen a few reports showing that simple 55g M193 to be as brutal, if not more so..... What about green tip 62g?
Imma take a guess and say those were police shootings, a lot of departments used to carry 357 magnum revolvers before the change over to semi automatics.
I love the 357 sig for its flat shooting and penetration quality’s. I’ve used it on raccoons , rabid dogs and injured deer and rarely had to use more than one shot. With a quick barrel change I can use the more common less expensive 40 s&w. Reloading for a 357 sig can be difficult though if you roll your own ammunition. I carry a fnx 45 in the winter when winter clothing makes concealing a full size 45 easier.
Long time follower here, this topic has been beaten into dust here on this channel. The answer given, carry what you can afford and shoot well, answers the question. Eric i hope this finalize the subject and van be laid to rest. God bless and thank you for all you have done for our community.
Totally agree with you Eric. Carry what you can Shoot proficiently so you will Shoot more to get better shot placement. Use good self defense ammo. Simple
I agree 100% that you should go with what you’re comfortable with and that you can shoot accurately. My carry gun is a 380 acp. Is it the most powerful? No, but I can consistently hit what I’m aiming at and that’s what truly matters.
I bought a m&p 40 some time ago, then bought a 9mm barrel because shooting 9 is cheaper. Then a 357sig barrel because it's got more bang. I used 9mm for plinking and 357 and 40 for defence and hunting. After all that I bought a reloading kit for 357sig and never looked back, I can go down and load cheap soft subsonic rounds for plinking or go way up and load really hot hunting rounds. My self defence are factory loads for legal reasons, and those are 357sig 125gr Remington Golden Saber bonded.
Take advantage of range rentals to fire different calibers and platforms. Log your performance with each caliber in a range journal. Which ever you are able to handle comfortably, and fire accurately, is going to be the best caliber for you. Then take advantage of resources to research ballistic data and performance on defensive rounds. Once you acquire that defensive round you find appealing, make sure to cycle xxx rounds, at least 200 minimum, with no malfunctions, before you commit to carry it Great video IV8888
I carry whatever cartridge matches my attire and situation on any given day 😉 Love my 9mm BRG, but I more than trust my .22lr ever since I saw a .22 ricochet off of a rock when I was a kid (20yd or so, back yard distance) and still have enough power to do a full pass through on the meaty part of my cousins calf 😳👍 practice with what you have, and carry what you practice with and trust 🤙
Get a ruger lcr in 357 mag. Can still carry 38SP if you want but you’d be surprised how easy light-mid load 357 can be. I also have a kimber k6s 3in for appendix carry. Love them equally honestly and I carry both when the wardrobe permits. I struggle to pocket carry without printing if the material is too thin.
my carry round is the 9mm liberty civil defense round, out of my Springfield hellcat. now for my 2 cents, very similar to Eric's. the best carry round is the largest caliber you can put on target in a rapid manner. with caveats for price and availability. the liberty civil defense round is pricey and can be hard to find. but since I have the internet it's always available to me. also, i dont mind the cost, can't put a price tag on my family's life.
When a .22 enters the body, the round acts like the ball in a pin ball machine, it goes anywhere and everywhere...thats why its deadly, and I would also believe your mistaken on the .40 Smith, the .45 acp had put down many more in its time...its hard for a 9mm to put down first round somebody chewing khat but a .45 general will..
Hey Lee! How do you know about qat?? I got a good chuckle from your post!! I lived in Yemen for a good while in another life.. actually participated in a few khat chews... "Chatted out" was a common phrase in our daily lives.
I've switched to regular old Winchester white box hollow points as my carry round. It's cheap enough that I can train with them too. It's not as sexy as the boutique ammo's but it gets the job done and I have the advantage of being able to train with it.
I love .45 ACP simply because my Glock 21 is one of the few pistols that feels good in my large hands. But if I'm trying to be discreet I grab my Shield Plus. Almost always have the LCP II on me. You should have multiple favorite rounds imo.
I have always been a revolver user my Ruger 357 snubby shoot 158 grain semi jacketed hollow points well and even 38 Special wad cutters and semi-wadcutters for having fun at the range. Practice for accuracy and safety. My Sweetie Pie carries a 38 Special and enjoys the smaller sized revolver with a snub-nosed barrel.
Pi is my favorite carry round. (PS...It's funny how the .357 SIG and 5.7x28 get little mention for carry rounds from their fan base. I also find it ironic how price per round is a major factor to some people but they'll buy coffee all week long at a Starbucks and never complain about the price, or buy a tricked-out Gucci gun with a $2000 optic on it but say 9mm or .22LR is the best because of ammo price. Carry what you want, do as you see fit, but let's not overlook this fact... we wouldn't be having this discussion without Pi.)
Considering all of the excellent choices in micro/sub compact 9mm firearms these days... I've gotta go with some form of 9mm hollow point (+p whatever you please.)
9mm will never outperform .45acp or .40sw. Period. Saying it’s “better” means nothing. You might think it’s better, but it’s not. Never has been, never will be. Keep drinking the 9mm kool-aid.
John Browning made 9.8mm and 9.65mm for a reason. If he would have finished the Browning High Power it would be closer to 40s&w. 165 HP will always work. Take that 9mm boys.
GREAT answer Houdini, I mean Eric. Everyone was expecting you to pick a caliber, gun brand, bullet make and grain and powder weight..... But you escaped the drama of the debate and gave the best answer! For me, 9mm or a 38 super would be my smallest Caliber of choice, though I don't own a 38 Super. I also prefer 45 ACP, and 10 mm as an excellent choice for me, but its not for everyone! I am not recoil sensitive, so 44 magnum and down in a handgun is fine as well as hot 45 long colt! If it was a Zombie apocalypse then I'm carrying 454 Casull!!! Make sure they are double dead!
That’s a tough question to throw at someone. I think 9mm is the Standard, but others will work and others are even better if you can handle them. I vote carry something/what you like as long as it’s not rim fire, and practice with that gun often (I shoot weekly, but least go put 250-500 rounds thru it every other month and practice and shoot fair amt of your carry ammo and know where your gun hits with the round you carry for defense. I carry HK USP compact 9mm and CR920 daily. And when it’s hot I’m drop the HK down to truck gun and carry two cr920’s one with red dot and one with out. I like to have a backup/mainly carry a second gun just to carry new toys or other favorites and put in rotation, but I make sure that the HK and the CR920 are my main pews for defense. 100% reliable and I know where and how the shoot and are tack drivers for me.
I’ve been saying this for years. Who cares what anyone else is shooting, what can you afford to shoot and practice with and what are you comfortable with shooting accurately. Carry that.
I'm best with 38 Special, but lately have been going out of my way to get more comfortable with 9mm. I've always been more comfortable with revolvers, but am trying to change that now.
As long as you carry every day you are ahead of the game. In the summer I may put my Ruger LCP Max in my pocket, in the winter I may have my Smith 686 with 357 under my coat owb, and most of the time it’s my SIG 365 appendix. Get it , don’t make excuses because of the situation, carry based on the situation.
I would love to see some edc set up's. What you are around the farm, city carry, pocket carry. Both you and Chad, what works for you could help lots of new people on the edc journey
Carry the same gun all the time in a good kydex holster on your belt. Train from the same holster and the same gun all the time from concealment. You should shoot your carry gun way more than your other guns.
I fully agree with you. One should carry the round one trust, in the platform one shoots the most and therefore the best. My EDC is a Glock 23, and the best carry round for me is the .40"S&W Rem180gr GoldenSaber JHP. Now It's certainly not the latest, or the coolest .40"S&W out there, but it's been a great performer in law enforcement over the years and it's plenty available in my little corner of Paradise; AND it also prints pretty close to where my relatively inexpensive Rem180gr FMC prints out to 50m, and that FMC round is not only a great round for training/IPSC/IDPA/plinking but it also does great for the 4 legged variety of predators out in the boonies around here (no big brown bears in my area...). So yeah, and that's why I chose it as my best carry round with it's sidekick. Great info.
Here's my personal thoughts. When it comes to handgun calibers, there are tons of options. There's .22 LR, .25 ACP, .32 ACP, .380, 9mm, .38 Special, .357 Sig, .40 S&W, 10mm Auto, .44 magnum, .50 AE, and .500 S&W magnum. However when it comes to calibers, there are really only four of these calibers that I feel are going to be readily available for self-defense in any given situation. Those calibers are .380, 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. I'm gonna focus on those calibers because those are the most common. Let's look at the pros and cons of each. I'll start with .380. The .380 shines when it is having the ability to put it into micro pistols and is super controllable. It however lacks in capacity and hit force. The 9mm shines when it comes to capacity, ease of control, and gun options. It however lacks in hit force when compared to other calibers. The .40 S&W shines when it comes to hit force. It however lacks when it comes to ease of control. The .45 ACP is great when it comes to gun options and hit force. However it is lacking in capacity. This is a hard choice, but I can already eliminate two of the calibers from the list and that would be .380 and .45 ACP. To me not having proper capacity and hit force when I shoot at my target is important. That being said, it's a close race between 9mm and .40 S&W. The gun options, ease of control, and capacity for 9mm is just incredible. However, I do want my target to go down when I shoot it, and 9mm is definitely not the most powerful even with proper shot placement. The .40 S&W is awesome when it comes to hit force. It however is definitely not nearly controllable as a 9mm. It's a hard decision, but at the end of the day, I choose .40 S&W. It may not have the capacity or ease of control that the 9mm has, but it does have enough control and it's hit force capability is excellent. What are your thoughts?
I like the idea too. I wish they would have taken advantage of the advantage they gave themselves. All they did was chamber a 9mm frame in 30sc. Make a gun as thin as possible.
My choice for urban carry .35 inch/9mm caliber 1500 fps strong brass case jacketed hollowpoint For revolvers, it is the 4-inch barrelled .357 Magnum For semiautos, it is the 5-inch barrelled 9x23mm
I will say a 9-round .22 lr snubbie as a back-up gun with the new Federal Punch (or even some of the hot CCI rounds that have been around forever) isn't really that bad of an idea. I wouldn't use it as a primary, but if I'm going to my BUG, I'm likely engaging at close range, and the Federal Punch .22 will penetrate just fine at point blank and the added capacity over the .38 Spl is maybe worth the tradeoff.
Your “backup gun” should be a rifle. If you need two handguns, you’ve been killed by the first one or you aren’t simply throwing an extra mag in your pocket
@@JAT_4321 you ever been in a fight? Ever wrestled something away from someone? Could be your primary has gone over the side of a bridge and your spare mag is worthless. Not saying it’s likely (as using a gun in self defense is itself rare), but I could definitely envision scenarios in which a BUG could be handy.
10mm. Specifically, Liberty Civil Defense 60gr. Specs: 2400fps @780fpe with massive fragmentation and 38% reduced recoil. Light, powerful, doesn't over-penetrate. Need I say more?
@@jasonlopez4855 I have Liberty Civil Defense in my 9mm Beretta right now, and I love it. But it's not 3000fps, It flies at 2100fps; let's not exaggerate. Still impressive though, at 540fpe. This brand makes the best self defense ammo for both 9mm and 10mm, hands down.
For a compact light everyday carry, I really like my S&W Model 340PD with .38 +Ps. Yes, it does shoot .357s too, but your hand will be totally numb after two shots! If compactness and weight were not issues, I would go with anything .40. Just my 2¢.
True carry whatever you want. Question I don't get how people own multiple pistols but only carry one EDC it's very strange to me. I alternate between 7 pistols in 3 different calibers four 9 mm, two 45 acps & a 10 mm. I mean what's the point of owning multiple firearms when you don't use them. It's the same way with not carrying a backup or a knife. Does anyone else feel like this.
I carry FS 1911. 3 mags with HP and 2 mags fmj. All in 230 grain. Carry HP in gun and one spare magazine HP and 1 fmj mag in mag pouch. On the bottom of mag of HP have a piece of tape. HP great for not barrier but when have to shoot through car door, window fmj. Not easy to transfer from HP to fmj in stress. But have always trained for it. Best way, is go to a firearm range that rents firearms and see which one is best for yourself.
I love the 10mm! Currently carrying S&W M&P 10mm and defense ammo in town is $2.00 a round across the board for all calibers. I'll admit the 9mm is like 20-30 cents cheaper but not for HST's they're too poud. Ball ammo for the 10mm at my LGS is roughly 35 cents a round So I carry 10mm because it's not that much different in price anymore.
Carry 38 spec( 357) , 9x18 mak and 32 acp. Occasionally carry 9mm but since my 9mm pistols are all big in handle or long barrel not able to conceal easily
Thank you for the answer sir... I am going to be getting a gun and trying to get all the info I can beforehand.. I'm choosing 22 and 9mm since I'm not that large 😅 and the recoil of bigger calibers would probably hurt and mess up follow up shots.
In handguns, Lehigh Defense Extreme Defense loaded by Underwod Ammo. After that any name brand hollowpoint. Then flat point ammo. And, finally ball ammo. Eric and Tim(MAC)have done vids on Extreme Defense and Extreme Penetrators together and separately.
Thanks Eric, you might be the only guy on UA-cam who sticks up for guys like us and puts the (group think) to rest. I really like 9 mm and was thinking of buying a 45 cal but now I hear about 145 gr 9mm so I'm wondering could it compete with 45? or at least compete with 40sw? I'm sure I could look it up but I want to know what you think bcuz you'll tell it to me straight. Have a good one
Check out Paul harrell’s channel. Videos like 9mm Vs .40 and etc. I only have pistols in 9mm but even I’ll say .40 is superior to 9mm and 45 in my opinion. Way more power than 9mm and slightly less rounds in a magazine. Slightly (if at all) less power than 45 but more capacity. With that said they’ll all put someone down. The only way I could see there being a huge difference is if the attacker is wearing multiple (like 4) heavy jackets and is a bigger person. My 2 cents
It's called 147 grain and the only advantage of these is that they push the slide harder against your palm and have less climb. There's 115, 124, 135, 147... And now there's 90 and 68 grain. Which is for frangible and anti armor/anti metal purposes. And that's only 9mm bullet weights. Higher bullet weights do make the gun more quiet btw
Research every round you are tempted to use in my carry I have one clip with Liberty Civil Defense and in the second clip I use Remington Golden Saber 124 grain JHP. From my Research these were the 2 I liked best and that cycles without any issues.
Ok two things it's not a clip it's a freaking magazine. Second .40 and .45 are not more effective than 9mm with modern bullets and primers. If you want a more powerful cartridge than 9mm than 10mm is the only choice outside of revolvers. But it has substantialy more recoil
Don’t care if you carry a rock. Whatever you need to feel safe, and comfortable with. It is all about making it back home regardless of what you used to accomplish that goal.
I replaced all of my Black Talon ammo years ago after reading a Gun Tests report on stopping power. It was well written and based in science. At that time CorBon ammunition took top honors and that's what I bought. I'm not sure if any newer ammo can stack up to CorBon for self defense.
@Muslims against Degeneration In the videogame series Fallout the 10mm pistol is modeled after the Desert Eagle. It was a joke. That is why I put a more serious answer after.
I have carried 9mm, 40 S&W, and .357 Mag. The .40 S&W is a good compromise of capacity and knock down power. The .357 Mag is a great defense round and you can practice with .38 Special ammo.
The answer is Federal HST 9mm 124gr+P, with the corresponding Speer Gold Dot in close second, other weights of those two in third, some Hornady loads in fourth, and Winchester and Remington options off the table.
I'm over 50, and I've owned/shot them all. I love the 9mm and the .45 ACP. The 9mm is what I carry and shoot the most, but I'll always love the .45 ACP. It's like my spirit animal. The .40 S&W is OK and relatively cheap/available, but I like the .357 Sig more. Too bad it's so expensive to shoot. 10mm fits in the same box as .357 Sig.
The best gun/carry round is the one that you are most proficient with and can shoot well. I know people that carry 22Mag to 44Mag. But I would stay with the most common rounds. Like 380, 9mm, 40 S&W. 30 Super Carry, 45 ACP and 10mm are good also but pricey if you shoot a lot. Wheel guns 38 specials +P and 357 Mag are good also.
Nothing wrong with tried and proven hollow points, but the Underwood Extreme Defender is my go to and very underrated in my opinion. Hollow point like wound channels with better barrier blindness
Idk why testers say the underwood cavity is larger than gold dot or hst but won't show the results.. and when they do the cavity diameter looks the exact same to me
38 special +p. Anemic with low Ft/lbs of energy? They might just stop someone from going through with the visible threat, without blowing their head “clean off”
I recently switched from a .380 to a .38 snub nose cause I felt more comfortable with a revolver than with an automatic. I think it’s whatever you’re good an comfortable with. Great video
This reminds me of a long while back you talked on your channel about a guy who did a 20 or so year study on ballistics of cartridges and their stopping power. Can't remember for the life of me what that book was though or the guy who wrote it. Any info on this book?
A clip with at least 8 slugs of 32ACP full metal jacketed wadcutter hollow point is the best self defence hunting round for your fully semi automatic pump action duty concealed carry AK15 style rifled lever action smooth bore glock revolver. Unless you prefer a +P Smith n Weston, then go for something like a Magnum 22LR (Long Range).
Between Hornady constantly making PRC and creedmoor cartridges for rifles, and pistol ammo being priced so crazy it's fair to say most people aren't trying to adopt new guns if they can buy ammo in store why should they buy something less common and possibly more expensive with less performance it's a big reason I won't carry 380 it's not worth the price to get less performance
@@matortiz2322 I get your point for sure... but the whole community moans and groans about the companies not innovating, but when they do they always say exactly the same old things. People just love their AR and Glock clones lol
Glad you mentioned 40 cal. It was all the rage when I turned 21 so my first gun was a m&p40c. Then not too long after that the fbi went back to 9mm and 40 has been getting roasted ever since, but it doesn't change the fact that cops were consistently dropping people FAST with it for years.
I feel like the huge disconnect made with its public consensus is due to a severe lack of knowledge on the cartridge design and application. It's a phenomenal and proven round, when matched with the proper tool. The vast majority of people aren't carrying around a full size / barrel length pistol. Instead they want to throw the 40 through tiny little 3"-4" barrels which severely handicap the cartridge design. It's crazy how just half an inch or full inch will take a below par end result and place itself among one of the most devastating and consistent designs to date.
I actually really like .40 simply for the fact you can get used .40 cal pistols cheap
@@quickET1968 - That's because so many police departments stopped issuing that caliber pistol.
I carry .40 S & W
It was the second pistol I bought. I got a deal on it I couldn't pass up. I've been carrying it and shooting with it for 3 years now. Works fine for me.
Good round but the prices went up quite a bit on those.
@@williamrunner6718 my local shop has dirt cheap reloads, but I have noticed the prices of factory ammo going up.
@the dude you ain’t killing anything with a keltec 😭😂
Do you know why you got a deal on it? Haha.
I carry 40. +p extreme penetrator for the woods and about 30 hallow point options for every day. Also I was able to find it during the pandemic.
9mm for the hoods
10mm for the woods
357 for woods by good rhyme
This comment sounds familiar, I think I heard it from an other video.
Whatever you carry consistency is key.
AGREED
I carry.....380acp and up to 10mm
Absolutely I own two of the same carry gun
I've always said the "best" gun/ammo is the one you can always hit the target with.
The best carry gun is the one you have on you. Accuracy is obviously important as well. But if your real accurate with your say 1911 but it’s home in the safe it doesn’t do you any good.
The round where you can put the most rounds, accurately on target, with the best consistency. Training is more important than what you carry.
Well it seems as if .22lr is the ideal round for me 🤣
The one you carry. I would say the 350 ft/lb in small carry weapons is optimum and more of the 9mm fit in that range. Train all you want, but my range I trust is 21 feet or less. A man's got to know his limitations. I am 71, but even at 38 years old, I'd stick with that range, which requires no practice; FOR ME.
A .44 mag or .357 have the fewest rounds needed per self-defense. I carry .357 and three speedloaders.
@@celticviking577 You laugh, but take a look at the Demonstrated Concepts LLC channel and his use of what he calls the "cheek pistol".
@@celticviking577 hit someone in the forehead with it
In my opinion the best option is what you practice with the most and can occasionally use your defensive rounds with so you can have confidence that they cycle properly and that you will have experience with how much recoil they produce compared to your practice rounds.
Proficiency is paramount, IMO. Hits with a .22 are better than misses with a .45!
^^^^ he's right ya know
.45 is the easiest handgun caliber to fire. Change my mind.
that is called shot placement, I love the 45 but your right, you have to be able to make the head shot.
@Ordinary American firing, and accurately hitting the target, are 2 roads of the same highway.
I can fire a .44, doesn't mean I'm accurate with it
@@OrdinaryAmerican Too heavy for me. I prefer 9mm. Lighter gun and recoil.
I watched ballistic videos for years. Barrel length. I put so much thought and time into it. Now I carry #1 HST 124 standard pressure. #2 Gold dot 124 standard pressure. #3 124 grain punch. I carry and use the punch the most as it is cost effective.
Gold Dot, excellent. Have you taken a look at the new Winchester America Ready line? The expansion is fierce. Right up there with Speer.
I have not.
I remember that series
My same choices, all solid
It's the same thing with cameras, what's the best camera. The best camera is the one you have with you. You gave great advice in this video.
There are advantages and disadvantages to every round depending on the gun you are using, but for availability and reliability I like 9mm. But a 38 special is a really nice round for pocket revolvers. Shoot what you know and what you are comfortable is good advice.
I recently picked up a Girsan Regard Gen 4 and it shoots great.
40 S&W is what's in my handgun and reload, I've been carrying it for almost 30 years
Ditto, glock27
I carry .40sw, and I also shoot a lot of .40 ammo. As stated previously in the comments, just use what you can shoot with proficiency. Practice is key here.
I worked in a morgue for years. 357 magnum 125gr SJHP was the undisputed King of 1 shot stops by far. I saw 22 shorts do the job also sometimes. I carry a Glock 22 because I am good with it and have thousands of rounds put aside. Be good with what you carry.
That's a very specific and more fringe cartridge design, especially with being able to narrow the caliber down to an exacting weight and design.... The local gangs have a 357 sponsor or something?
Also, while we're on the subject, I've always wanted to ask a mortician but never had the opportunity about rifle round ballistic trauma, specifically the 5.56 cartridge. Have you seen enough examples to formulate your own opinion and if so, did a specific bullet design stand out? I know a lot of law enforcement like to use Speers bonded softpoint but I've also seen a few reports showing that simple 55g M193 to be as brutal, if not more so..... What about green tip 62g?
Imma take a guess and say those were police shootings, a lot of departments used to carry 357 magnum revolvers before the change over to semi automatics.
@@agonzgonzalez7748 You know what, that actually makes perfect sense, I didn't even think of that!
Whatever you shoot the best, and feel most comfortable and confident with.
I'm a big fan of the 180 grain, Speer Gold Dot myself. I carry a Kahr Arms CW 40. Thanks for the share!!
I love the 357 sig for its flat shooting and penetration quality’s. I’ve used it on raccoons , rabid dogs and injured deer and rarely had to use more than one shot. With a quick barrel change I can use the more common less expensive 40 s&w. Reloading for a 357 sig can be difficult though if you roll your own ammunition. I carry a fnx 45 in the winter when winter clothing makes concealing a full size 45 easier.
Long time follower here, this topic has been beaten into dust here on this channel. The answer given, carry what you can afford and shoot well, answers the question. Eric i hope this finalize the subject and van be laid to rest.
God bless and thank you for all you have done for our community.
No, because new shooters come in the fold. It has to repeat.
@@5jjt IV8888 has an enormous catalog and if the newbie wants they can do a search.
Thanks. My first thought was, the defensive round that shoots best in my weapon. God Bless and stay safe.
Totally agree with you Eric. Carry what you can Shoot proficiently so you will Shoot more to get better shot placement. Use good self defense ammo. Simple
I agree 100% that you should go with what you’re comfortable with and that you can shoot accurately. My carry gun is a 380 acp. Is it the most powerful? No, but I can consistently hit what I’m aiming at and that’s what truly matters.
Agree 100%. If you cannot hit your target, what ever you are using is mute.
The best round to carry is the one that works best for you. Great video and excellent advice!
I bought a m&p 40 some time ago, then bought a 9mm barrel because shooting 9 is cheaper.
Then a 357sig barrel because it's got more bang.
I used 9mm for plinking and 357 and 40 for defence and hunting.
After all that I bought a reloading kit for 357sig and never looked back, I can go down and load cheap soft subsonic rounds for plinking or go way up and load really hot hunting rounds.
My self defence are factory loads for legal reasons, and those are 357sig 125gr Remington Golden Saber bonded.
The bravery of this man to make this video leaves me astonished lol
Take advantage of range rentals to fire different calibers and platforms. Log your performance with each caliber in a range journal. Which ever you are able to handle comfortably, and fire accurately, is going to be the best caliber for you.
Then take advantage of resources to research ballistic data and performance on defensive rounds. Once you acquire that defensive round you find appealing, make sure to cycle xxx rounds, at least 200 minimum, with no malfunctions, before you commit to carry it
Great video IV8888
I carry whatever cartridge matches my attire and situation on any given day 😉 Love my 9mm BRG, but I more than trust my .22lr ever since I saw a .22 ricochet off of a rock when I was a kid (20yd or so, back yard distance) and still have enough power to do a full pass through on the meaty part of my cousins calf 😳👍 practice with what you have, and carry what you practice with and trust 🤙
A 9mm kills the body,
but a 45ACP kills the soul
I heard that a 9mm blows the lung 🫁 out of the body! 😂
I'm gonna say 9mm, hands down. Period. 1 - Common caliber. 2 - Capacity. 3 - Advances in ammo tech.
9mm that expands well and is reliable in your pistol.
Yes sir!
9mm fanboy. Might as well just carry 22lr.
@@frawdulent hahaha! You mean a bb gun! haha
Yeah, hard pass, 9mm doesn’t seat well in my .40S&W.
@@officialdirtmcgurt I actually also have a Glock 27, a 40 but with a replacement 9mm barrel.
This is why I am looking at a .38 for Concealed Carry. The key word is Concealed. I am not rebuilding my wardrobe around trying to conceal a firearm.
Get a ruger lcr in 357 mag. Can still carry 38SP if you want but you’d be surprised how easy light-mid load 357 can be. I also have a kimber k6s 3in for appendix carry. Love them equally honestly and I carry both when the wardrobe permits. I struggle to pocket carry without printing if the material is too thin.
@@tysonfromm5397 I’ll check it out. I am new to firearms so any advice is appreciated.
my carry round is the 9mm liberty civil defense round, out of my Springfield hellcat.
now for my 2 cents, very similar to Eric's. the best carry round is the largest caliber you can put on target in a rapid manner. with caveats for price and availability. the liberty civil defense round is pricey and can be hard to find. but since I have the internet it's always available to me. also, i dont mind the cost, can't put a price tag on my family's life.
Perhaps the Speer gold dot HP Luger +P 9mm 124gr is the best.
Ah, I like it. The NYPD load. Over 400 ft lbs of energy and expands very well. Feeds reliably as well.
My go to is a basic Glock 32. I just can't shake my love for the .357 Sig.
*Asking the real questions, about time you addressed it.*
Edit: also That Swollen Pickle Hat is awesome
When a .22 enters the body, the round acts like the ball in a pin ball machine, it goes anywhere and everywhere...thats why its deadly, and I would also believe your mistaken on the .40 Smith, the .45 acp had put down many more in its time...its hard for a 9mm to put down first round somebody chewing khat but a .45 general will..
Hey Lee! How do you know about qat?? I got a good chuckle from your post!! I lived in Yemen for a good while in another life.. actually participated in a few khat chews... "Chatted out" was a common phrase in our daily lives.
And that was supposed to be "khatted out, not chatted out.
@@stephenedwards5038 23 years in the USMC and I got familiar with it and what would put somebody on it down..
I've switched to regular old Winchester white box hollow points as my carry round. It's cheap enough that I can train with them too. It's not as sexy as the boutique ammo's but it gets the job done and I have the advantage of being able to train with it.
I love .45 ACP simply because my Glock 21 is one of the few pistols that feels good in my large hands. But if I'm trying to be discreet I grab my Shield Plus. Almost always have the LCP II on me. You should have multiple favorite rounds imo.
I have always been a revolver user my Ruger 357 snubby shoot 158 grain semi jacketed hollow points well and even 38 Special wad cutters and semi-wadcutters for having fun at the range. Practice for accuracy and safety. My Sweetie Pie carries a 38 Special and enjoys the smaller sized revolver with a snub-nosed barrel.
Pi is my favorite carry round.
(PS...It's funny how the .357 SIG and 5.7x28 get little mention for carry rounds from their fan base. I also find it ironic how price per round is a major factor to some people but they'll buy coffee all week long at a Starbucks and never complain about the price, or buy a tricked-out Gucci gun with a $2000 optic on it but say 9mm or .22LR is the best because of ammo price. Carry what you want, do as you see fit, but let's not overlook this fact... we wouldn't be having this discussion without Pi.)
Considering all of the excellent choices in micro/sub compact 9mm firearms these days...
I've gotta go with some form of 9mm hollow point (+p whatever you please.)
In terms of 9mm vs .45acp, garand thumb answered that question. 9mm +p 147 grain is better than the .45 equivalent from the same brand.
9mm will never outperform .45acp or .40sw. Period. Saying it’s “better” means nothing. You might think it’s better, but it’s not. Never has been, never will be. Keep drinking the 9mm kool-aid.
John Browning made 9.8mm and 9.65mm for a reason. If he would have finished the Browning High Power it would be closer to 40s&w. 165 HP will always work. Take that 9mm boys.
GREAT answer Houdini, I mean Eric. Everyone was expecting you to pick a caliber, gun brand, bullet make and grain and powder weight..... But you escaped the drama of the debate and gave the best answer! For me, 9mm or a 38 super would be my smallest Caliber of choice, though I don't own a 38 Super. I also prefer 45 ACP, and 10 mm as an excellent choice for me, but its not for everyone! I am not recoil sensitive, so 44 magnum and down in a handgun is fine as well as hot 45 long colt! If it was a Zombie apocalypse then I'm carrying 454 Casull!!! Make sure they are double dead!
Well said, Sir. The best rd. to carry is the one you know the be most about.
That’s a tough question to throw at someone.
I think 9mm is the Standard, but others will work and others are even better if you can handle them. I vote carry something/what you like as long as it’s not rim fire, and practice with that gun often (I shoot weekly, but least go put 250-500 rounds thru it every other month and practice and shoot fair amt of your carry ammo and know where your gun hits with the round you carry for defense.
I carry HK USP compact 9mm and CR920 daily. And when it’s hot I’m drop the HK down to truck gun and carry two cr920’s one with red dot and one with out. I like to have a backup/mainly carry a second gun just to carry new toys or other favorites and put in rotation, but I make sure that the HK and the CR920 are my main pews for defense. 100% reliable and I know where and how the shoot and are tack drivers for me.
Whatever works consistently in your carry gun
I’ve been saying this for years. Who cares what anyone else is shooting, what can you afford to shoot and practice with and what are you comfortable with shooting accurately. Carry that.
I'm best with 38 Special, but lately have been going out of my way to get more comfortable with 9mm. I've always been more comfortable with revolvers, but am trying to change that now.
As long as you carry every day you are ahead of the game. In the summer I may put my Ruger LCP Max in my pocket, in the winter I may have my Smith 686 with 357 under my coat owb, and most of the time it’s my SIG 365 appendix. Get it , don’t make excuses because of the situation, carry based on the situation.
You waited long enough to say it, but "the round that is in the gun in your holster" is EXACTLY the right answer to this age old question.
I would love to see some edc set up's. What you are around the farm, city carry, pocket carry. Both you and Chad, what works for you could help lots of new people on the edc journey
Carry the same gun all the time in a good kydex holster on your belt. Train from the same holster and the same gun all the time from concealment. You should shoot your carry gun way more than your other guns.
I fully agree with you. One should carry the round one trust, in the platform one shoots the most and therefore the best. My EDC is a Glock 23, and the best carry round for me is the .40"S&W Rem180gr GoldenSaber JHP. Now It's certainly not the latest, or the coolest .40"S&W out there, but it's been a great performer in law enforcement over the years and it's plenty available in my little corner of Paradise; AND it also prints pretty close to where my relatively inexpensive Rem180gr FMC prints out to 50m, and that FMC round is not only a great round for training/IPSC/IDPA/plinking but it also does great for the 4 legged variety of predators out in the boonies around here (no big brown bears in my area...). So yeah, and that's why I chose it as my best carry round with it's sidekick. Great info.
Here's my personal thoughts. When it comes to handgun calibers, there are tons of options. There's .22 LR, .25 ACP, .32 ACP, .380, 9mm, .38 Special, .357 Sig, .40 S&W, 10mm Auto, .44 magnum, .50 AE, and .500 S&W magnum. However when it comes to calibers, there are really only four of these calibers that I feel are going to be readily available for self-defense in any given situation. Those calibers are .380, 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. I'm gonna focus on those calibers because those are the most common. Let's look at the pros and cons of each. I'll start with .380. The .380 shines when it is having the ability to put it into micro pistols and is super controllable. It however lacks in capacity and hit force. The 9mm shines when it comes to capacity, ease of control, and gun options. It however lacks in hit force when compared to other calibers. The .40 S&W shines when it comes to hit force. It however lacks when it comes to ease of control. The .45 ACP is great when it comes to gun options and hit force. However it is lacking in capacity. This is a hard choice, but I can already eliminate two of the calibers from the list and that would be .380 and .45 ACP. To me not having proper capacity and hit force when I shoot at my target is important. That being said, it's a close race between 9mm and .40 S&W. The gun options, ease of control, and capacity for 9mm is just incredible. However, I do want my target to go down when I shoot it, and 9mm is definitely not the most powerful even with proper shot placement. The .40 S&W is awesome when it comes to hit force. It however is definitely not nearly controllable as a 9mm. It's a hard decision, but at the end of the day, I choose .40 S&W. It may not have the capacity or ease of control that the 9mm has, but it does have enough control and it's hit force capability is excellent. What are your thoughts?
For me I shoot my g17 gen3 9mm best so it's what I use. Sometimes in summer I'll switch to the g42 380
The 30 super carry has my attention a bit... Not enough to buy a new gun, but do like the idea.
.38 +P
I like the idea too. I wish they would have taken advantage of the advantage they gave themselves. All they did was chamber a 9mm frame in 30sc. Make a gun as thin as possible.
Federal Shorty 12-ga buckshot, for the Shockwave under your coat. Winter is coming!
.460 Rowland in a FNX 45. 15+1 of nearly 44 mag power. Go for maximum deviation.
My favorites are Hornady Underwood for my go-to round Federal HST
Great content and advice, back to common sense solutions dismissing the "one size fits all" line of thought.
My choice for urban carry
.35 inch/9mm caliber
1500 fps
strong brass case
jacketed hollowpoint
For revolvers, it is the 4-inch barrelled .357 Magnum
For semiautos, it is the 5-inch barrelled 9x23mm
I will say a 9-round .22 lr snubbie as a back-up gun with the new Federal Punch (or even some of the hot CCI rounds that have been around forever) isn't really that bad of an idea. I wouldn't use it as a primary, but if I'm going to my BUG, I'm likely engaging at close range, and the Federal Punch .22 will penetrate just fine at point blank and the added capacity over the .38 Spl is maybe worth the tradeoff.
Your “backup gun” should be a rifle. If you need two handguns, you’ve been killed by the first one or you aren’t simply throwing an extra mag in your pocket
@@JAT_4321 you ever been in a fight? Ever wrestled something away from someone? Could be your primary has gone over the side of a bridge and your spare mag is worthless. Not saying it’s likely (as using a gun in self defense is itself rare), but I could definitely envision scenarios in which a BUG could be handy.
I love my Glock 43X with Shied Arms magazines loaded with 90 grain Underwood produced LeHigh Xtreme Defenders.
40 S&w is not the best at anything but it’s very good at everything. That why it’s my preferred caliber
10mm. Specifically, Liberty Civil Defense 60gr. Specs: 2400fps @780fpe with massive fragmentation and 38% reduced recoil. Light, powerful, doesn't over-penetrate. Need I say more?
Adolf Hitler- " 10mm is Zhe best millimeter!"
Liberty ammo in 9,mm with 50gr.
3,000 fps smoking fast I got boxes still
From 5 years ago. I would like a 10mm some day.
@@jasonlopez4855 I have Liberty Civil Defense in my 9mm Beretta right now, and I love it. But it's not 3000fps, It flies at 2100fps; let's not exaggerate. Still impressive though, at 540fpe. This brand makes the best self defense ammo for both 9mm and 10mm, hands down.
For a compact light everyday carry, I really like my S&W Model 340PD with .38 +Ps. Yes, it does shoot .357s too, but your hand will be totally numb after two shots! If compactness and weight were not issues, I would go with anything .40. Just my 2¢.
Have a 605 poly with +P HP and .357
True carry whatever you want. Question I don't get how people own multiple pistols but only carry one EDC it's very strange to me. I alternate between 7 pistols in 3 different calibers four 9 mm, two 45 acps & a 10 mm. I mean what's the point of owning multiple firearms when you don't use them. It's the same way with not carrying a backup or a knife. Does anyone else feel like this.
Either a 9mm or 45acp I would rock when I get my first mag fed, I own a .22 revolver though
.380 : Hornady 90gr critical defense
9mm : Federal 147gr HST
.40 : Speer 180gr Gold Dot
.45acp: 230gr Winchester Ranger T
.357 Sig: ANY hollowpoint
10mm : ANY hollowpoint
I carry FS 1911. 3 mags with HP and 2 mags fmj. All in 230 grain. Carry HP in gun and one spare magazine HP and 1 fmj mag in mag pouch.
On the bottom of mag of HP have a piece of tape. HP great for not barrier but when have to shoot through car door, window fmj.
Not easy to transfer from HP to fmj in stress. But have always trained for it.
Best way, is go to a firearm range that rents firearms and see which one is best for yourself.
I love the 10mm! Currently carrying S&W M&P 10mm and defense ammo in town is $2.00 a round across the board for all calibers. I'll admit the 9mm is like 20-30 cents cheaper but not for HST's they're too poud. Ball ammo for the 10mm at my LGS is roughly 35 cents a round So I carry 10mm because it's not that much different in price anymore.
Get some Underwood 10 mm Xtreme Defenders. Run at least 100 and if no problems carry. Used them in 3 10mm for six years.
Love 40 cal and 9mm. That’s why I have 40 cal Glock with 9mm conversion barrels for SHTF 9mm stock pile. I still stock pile 40cal but I have more 9mm😉
Carry 38 spec( 357) , 9x18 mak and 32 acp. Occasionally carry 9mm but since my 9mm pistols are all big in handle or long barrel not able to conceal easily
7.62x39. Heavy, sure but it gets the job done.
54r, got that obrez mosin in my trenchcoat
The best carry round is a hollow point.
There, solved that debate.
If you dont feel like watching the entire video its .40 cal
Thank you for the answer sir... I am going to be getting a gun and trying to get all the info I can beforehand.. I'm choosing 22 and 9mm since I'm not that large 😅 and the recoil of bigger calibers would probably hurt and mess up follow up shots.
I think it’s pretty obvious that 9mm is the best for concealed carry. It’s also available on diverse selectuon of firearms
The one you have on you when you need it. I carry a G32 in 357Sig with Speer Gold Dot in it.
In handguns, Lehigh Defense Extreme Defense loaded by Underwod Ammo. After that any name brand hollowpoint. Then flat point ammo. And, finally ball ammo. Eric and Tim(MAC)have done vids on Extreme Defense and Extreme Penetrators together and separately.
I run the extreme defense in my 92c fired around a dozen boxes without an issue over the past few years. The MAC video sold me on them
Thanks Eric, you might be the only guy on UA-cam who sticks up for guys like us and puts the (group think) to rest. I really like 9 mm and was thinking of buying a 45 cal but now I hear about 145 gr 9mm so I'm wondering could it compete with 45? or at least compete with 40sw? I'm sure I could look it up but I want to know what you think bcuz you'll tell it to me straight. Have a good one
Check out Paul harrell’s channel. Videos like 9mm Vs .40 and etc. I only have pistols in 9mm but even I’ll say .40 is superior to 9mm and 45 in my opinion. Way more power than 9mm and slightly less rounds in a magazine. Slightly (if at all) less power than 45 but more capacity. With that said they’ll all put someone down. The only way I could see there being a huge difference is if the attacker is wearing multiple (like 4) heavy jackets and is a bigger person. My 2 cents
It's called 147 grain and the only advantage of these is that they push the slide harder against your palm and have less climb. There's 115, 124, 135, 147... And now there's 90 and 68 grain. Which is for frangible and anti armor/anti metal purposes.
And that's only 9mm bullet weights.
Higher bullet weights do make the gun more quiet btw
Research every round you are tempted to use in my carry I have one clip with Liberty Civil Defense and in the second clip I use Remington Golden Saber 124 grain JHP. From my Research these were the 2 I liked best and that cycles without any issues.
Ok two things it's not a clip it's a freaking magazine. Second .40 and .45 are not more effective than 9mm with modern bullets and primers. If you want a more powerful cartridge than 9mm than 10mm is the only choice outside of revolvers. But it has substantialy more recoil
9mm comes in all kinds of good and strong rounds.
Don’t care if you carry a rock. Whatever you need to feel safe, and comfortable with. It is all about making it back home regardless of what you used to accomplish that goal.
agreed sir...good answer..a sharp stick is fine if it does the job...
I replaced all of my Black Talon ammo years ago after reading a Gun Tests report on stopping power. It was well written and based in science. At that time CorBon ammunition took top honors and that's what I bought. I'm not sure if any newer ammo can stack up to CorBon for self defense.
"and nobody want to agree to stand in front of a .22".... I like your logic !!
i prefer 45-70 as my edc round. seems to have the “it factor” when it comes to knockdown power.
I was a long time 45 acp guy then I started to shoot competitions and I ended up migrating towards 9 mm. I carry a Glock 19 and Sig 365 XL
10mm+P+ in a desert Eagle because I'm a fallout fan. In reality 9mm+P in a glock 17,19,or 26. My grandpa carried a browning 25Acp in his back pocket.
@Muslims against Degeneration what about the baby deagle? lool. idek if that is made by magnum research though
@Muslims against Degeneration In the videogame series Fallout the 10mm pistol is modeled after the Desert Eagle. It was a joke. That is why I put a more serious answer after.
A pistol that is comfortable in your hands with a trigger you like. Something you can connect with the target and goes bang every time when asked.
I have carried 9mm, 40 S&W, and .357 Mag. The .40 S&W is a good compromise of capacity and knock down power. The .357 Mag is a great defense round and you can practice with .38 Special ammo.
The answer is Federal HST 9mm 124gr+P, with the corresponding Speer Gold Dot in close second, other weights of those two in third, some Hornady loads in fourth, and Winchester and Remington options off the table.
I like your first answer !
My 2 1911's both use Speer gold dot 185 grain +p. I can shoot them well and they have stopping power.
I'm over 50, and I've owned/shot them all. I love the 9mm and the .45 ACP. The 9mm is what I carry and shoot the most, but I'll always love the .45 ACP. It's like my spirit animal. The .40 S&W is OK and relatively cheap/available, but I like the .357 Sig more. Too bad it's so expensive to shoot. 10mm fits in the same box as .357 Sig.
The one that fits the gun that you carry, duh! 😂
The best gun/carry round is the one that you are most proficient with and can shoot well. I know people that carry 22Mag to 44Mag. But I would stay with the most common rounds. Like 380, 9mm, 40 S&W. 30 Super Carry, 45 ACP and 10mm are good also but pricey if you shoot a lot. Wheel guns 38 specials +P and 357 Mag are good also.
Nothing wrong with tried and proven hollow points, but the Underwood Extreme Defender is my go to and very underrated in my opinion. Hollow point like wound channels with better barrier blindness
Idk why testers say the underwood cavity is larger than gold dot or hst but won't show the results.. and when they do the cavity diameter looks the exact same to me
@@jason200912 Even with same diameter - the wound channel is deeper
@@DW133_ Except I carry a .380 and the Underwood makes a difference...
@@jeffreyhowll1392 you mean more penetration?
@@jason200912 Yep,
38 special +p. Anemic with low Ft/lbs of energy? They might just stop someone from going through with the visible threat, without blowing their head “clean off”
I recently switched from a .380 to a .38 snub nose cause I felt more comfortable with a revolver than with an automatic. I think it’s whatever you’re good an comfortable with. Great video
This reminds me of a long while back you talked on your channel about a guy who did a 20 or so year study on ballistics of cartridges and their stopping power. Can't remember for the life of me what that book was though or the guy who wrote it. Any info on this book?
A clip with at least 8 slugs of 32ACP full metal jacketed wadcutter hollow point is the best self defence hunting round for your fully semi automatic pump action duty concealed carry AK15 style rifled lever action smooth bore glock revolver. Unless you prefer a +P Smith n Weston, then go for something like a Magnum 22LR (Long Range).
😂 I concur completely.
I wish more people knew about 30 super carry. It’s pretty interesting
Between Hornady constantly making PRC and creedmoor cartridges for rifles, and pistol ammo being priced so crazy it's fair to say most people aren't trying to adopt new guns if they can buy ammo in store why should they buy something less common and possibly more expensive with less performance it's a big reason I won't carry 380 it's not worth the price to get less performance
@@matortiz2322 I get your point for sure... but the whole community moans and groans about the companies not innovating, but when they do they always say exactly the same old things. People just love their AR and Glock clones lol
I have a question? How does this new restrictions on braces work with hunting. Will my .300 black out pistol now be illegal to hunt with?