Cavalryman
Campaign Veteran
We're all familiar with the “usual” rounds for self-defense – 9x19mm, .45 ACP, .40 S&W, etc., but there are some other not-so-usual rounds out there which can be pretty reasonable choices for self-defense. I have listed a few (in no particular order) and I'd be interested in ideas others may have.
.38 Super – First designed as a “hotter” round for use in the M1911 platform and still mostly found that way. Modern loadings are similar to the 9mm +P and can approach the performance of the .357 magnum in handloads. In standard loadings, recoil is very mild; the hotter loads yield recoil similar to .45 ACP. This cartridge is still very popular in some countries where “military” calibers are not allowed.
.44 Special – The predecessor of the .44 magnum. Ballistically similar to the .45 ACP but in a revolver. Although not used a lot anymore, there are some good factory self-defense rounds still available. This cartridge is mostly fired from revolvers chambered for .44 magnum but there is at least one compact five-shot handgun specifically for the .44 special cartridge. This would be a good choice for someone who sometimes carries for self-defense and at other times “up-loads” to the magnum cartridge for hunting or bear protection.
.45 Colt – Also known as “.45 Long Colt” (to differentiate it from the now-defunct .45 Schofield which was a shorter cartridge). This was the most popular cartridge of the Old West, chambered in the famous Colt Peacemaker, among others. Ballistically very similar to the .45 ACP, this cartridge has a well-established capability to put a miscreant down quickly. Due to the recent resurgence of cowboy action shooting, this cartridge can be had in loadings from “fun to shoot” all the way up to “holy cow!” Smith and Wesson sporadically turns out a batch of double-action revolvers chambered in .45 Colt in the 25 and 625 series. There are several good self-defense loads available in this caliber. Very strong revolvers like some of the Ruger single-actions can be loaded with “the big stuff” which equals or exceeds the performance of most .44 magnum cartridges.
.41 magnum – Originally envisioned as a cartridge for law enforcement, this one never really caught on. Nevertheless in its 210 grain loading, it edges out the .357 magnum for power while remaining more manageable than the .44 magnum. There are also heavier hunting loads available. I consider this a good “all-purpose” round in rural areas where you may encounter either black bears or two-legged predators. Recoil is brisk but manageable by almost anyone with good technique and practice. My S&W Model 57 in .41 magnum is one of my most accurate handguns, so the cartridge is clearly capable of accuracy. Smith and Wesson made the original double-action revolvers and they can still be found but they are usually pricey. Currently, Taurus makes a revolver in this caliber and there may be others.
9x18mm Makarov – Developed by the Soviets during the Cold War in an effort to produce the most powerful cartridge that could be chambered in a compact direct-blowback action pistol. A little more powerful than the .380 ACP, this is really down at the very low end of what I would consider suitable for self-defense, but it's better than a sharp stick. This cartridge has enjoyed some popularity recently due to the import of military-surplus pistols from the former Soviet Bloc. Makarov pistols from Russia, Bulgaria, and Poland and CZ82 pistols from Czechoslovakia can be had fairly inexpensively. As they were designed as military holster pistols, these are not especially small, but they are ruggedly built.
.327 Federal Magnum – Unlike the above cartridges, this is a “new kid on the block.” Also unlike the above, I don't have a handgun in this caliber and I haven't even shot it, but based upon my reading, it deserves some consideration. It lies in between the .38 special +P and the .357 magnum in power. Its primary advantage seems to be that it can be chambered in a small-medium revolver providing one more round than the .38 special or .357 magnum. For example, in the Ruger SP101, you can get 5 round capacity in .38/357 or 6 rounds of .327 magnum. The .38 special +P has a good track record as a self-defense round, so getting one more round without sacrificing performance seems like a good idea.
This might be helpful to someone thinking about getting a handgun for self-defense. These are just some observations intended to stimulate discussion. I don't have any emotional investment in any of this information, so I won't even bother to don my flame-retardant suit.
.38 Super – First designed as a “hotter” round for use in the M1911 platform and still mostly found that way. Modern loadings are similar to the 9mm +P and can approach the performance of the .357 magnum in handloads. In standard loadings, recoil is very mild; the hotter loads yield recoil similar to .45 ACP. This cartridge is still very popular in some countries where “military” calibers are not allowed.
.44 Special – The predecessor of the .44 magnum. Ballistically similar to the .45 ACP but in a revolver. Although not used a lot anymore, there are some good factory self-defense rounds still available. This cartridge is mostly fired from revolvers chambered for .44 magnum but there is at least one compact five-shot handgun specifically for the .44 special cartridge. This would be a good choice for someone who sometimes carries for self-defense and at other times “up-loads” to the magnum cartridge for hunting or bear protection.
.45 Colt – Also known as “.45 Long Colt” (to differentiate it from the now-defunct .45 Schofield which was a shorter cartridge). This was the most popular cartridge of the Old West, chambered in the famous Colt Peacemaker, among others. Ballistically very similar to the .45 ACP, this cartridge has a well-established capability to put a miscreant down quickly. Due to the recent resurgence of cowboy action shooting, this cartridge can be had in loadings from “fun to shoot” all the way up to “holy cow!” Smith and Wesson sporadically turns out a batch of double-action revolvers chambered in .45 Colt in the 25 and 625 series. There are several good self-defense loads available in this caliber. Very strong revolvers like some of the Ruger single-actions can be loaded with “the big stuff” which equals or exceeds the performance of most .44 magnum cartridges.
.41 magnum – Originally envisioned as a cartridge for law enforcement, this one never really caught on. Nevertheless in its 210 grain loading, it edges out the .357 magnum for power while remaining more manageable than the .44 magnum. There are also heavier hunting loads available. I consider this a good “all-purpose” round in rural areas where you may encounter either black bears or two-legged predators. Recoil is brisk but manageable by almost anyone with good technique and practice. My S&W Model 57 in .41 magnum is one of my most accurate handguns, so the cartridge is clearly capable of accuracy. Smith and Wesson made the original double-action revolvers and they can still be found but they are usually pricey. Currently, Taurus makes a revolver in this caliber and there may be others.
9x18mm Makarov – Developed by the Soviets during the Cold War in an effort to produce the most powerful cartridge that could be chambered in a compact direct-blowback action pistol. A little more powerful than the .380 ACP, this is really down at the very low end of what I would consider suitable for self-defense, but it's better than a sharp stick. This cartridge has enjoyed some popularity recently due to the import of military-surplus pistols from the former Soviet Bloc. Makarov pistols from Russia, Bulgaria, and Poland and CZ82 pistols from Czechoslovakia can be had fairly inexpensively. As they were designed as military holster pistols, these are not especially small, but they are ruggedly built.
.327 Federal Magnum – Unlike the above cartridges, this is a “new kid on the block.” Also unlike the above, I don't have a handgun in this caliber and I haven't even shot it, but based upon my reading, it deserves some consideration. It lies in between the .38 special +P and the .357 magnum in power. Its primary advantage seems to be that it can be chambered in a small-medium revolver providing one more round than the .38 special or .357 magnum. For example, in the Ruger SP101, you can get 5 round capacity in .38/357 or 6 rounds of .327 magnum. The .38 special +P has a good track record as a self-defense round, so getting one more round without sacrificing performance seems like a good idea.
This might be helpful to someone thinking about getting a handgun for self-defense. These are just some observations intended to stimulate discussion. I don't have any emotional investment in any of this information, so I won't even bother to don my flame-retardant suit.
Last edited: