Largest practical caliber?

B

Bob W

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Dec 31, 2000
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Similar to two other current topic, I'm considering a handgun purchase over the next few months and possibly a CCW permit (although it's not needed here for vehicle carry). I have quite a bit of firearms experience, but shotguns and rifles only - very little handgun use beyond a .22.

One aspect of the CCW process here is the shooting proficiency test. If you are certified Proficient in a certain caliber, you are automatically certified for any smaller caliber also. So for example, if you pass the test with a .32, you can carry a .32 or anything smaller than a .32.

So what is the largest ~practical~ caliber for handgun use? I want to have the most options for future choice, without being ridiculous and without having too much trouble during the proficiency exam.

Any insight is appreciated,
-Bob
 
I all depends upon what caliber you can accurately shoot in a specific handgun.

For example:
I can fire .357 magnums all day long in a heavy all steel 4" barrel revolver. But I HATE and dread firing a whole box of .357 magnums rounds in an ultra-light-weight alloy snubbie.
It's not fun at all.

In a fullsize auto I have no problems with accurately and comfortably shooting 9mm, .40S&W, .357SIG, .45ACP, .45GAP.

I'm not really into fullsize revolvers.

Good luck,
Allen
 
I feel that .45 caliber is the largest practical bore handgun. There is the .50 AE Desert Eagle, but unless you're the size of Arnold in 1980, it really isn't practical. If they go by bore diameter, a .45 Colt chambered revolver like my S&W 25-5 will get you qualified to carry anything short of the .50 AE. I love that Smith, and I can put 6 rounds into a man sized target at 200 yards offhand with it.
 
I feel that .45 caliber is the largest practical bore handgun.
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That's kind of what I was thinking. And even if I bought a .45, I'd probably buy something smaller to carry, on the rare occations that I did.

Thanks, all of your comments are helpful.

-Bob
 
I carry a .45 ACP but will say that I can live with a .40 any day of the week.
Glock makes some real nice .40 caliber handguns.
 
Is the restriction by caliber only? If so, try and qualify with a .45acp and you'll be able to use anything you want in the future. There aren't really any practical chamberings for carry above .45 caliber.
If they consider muzzle energy, then you'd have to qualify with 10mm to really have your pick of ALL the carry rounds as it beats .45ACP by quite a bit, as does .40 S&W in some hot loadings.

In my limited experience .45ACP is an easy shooter out of a full sized pistol, and would be on par with qualifying with 9mm. These 2 would be the most common chamberings for carry by far.
 
For CCW, I would say .45 ACP is the largest practical caliber. I don't think there's much out there that's bigger for realistic carry. Only a weirdo is going to carry a .50 AE or a .500 S&W concealed. And he wouldn't carry it for long before he gave up on it- too big and heavy. If you qualify with a .45, you should be good to go.

Although, if you really want to impress the other guys at the range, make yourself a .50BMG derringer and qualify with that! BOO-YAH!!! (Bonus points if you can manage this without breaking any bones)
 
For an autoloader, rent or borrow a descent 1911 in 45ACP.

In a revolver, rent or borrow a 45ACP or 45 Colt (LC).

If you are required to quality with a specific firearm, do it with both a wheelgun and an autoloader.
 
check with them and see what is the test and the limitations.

that said, a decent quality .45 gov/t is one of the easiest shooting bigger caliber guns out there. My daughter at 14 had no trouble with 185 wadcutters or match ball 230 gr. Also the platform in the more target oriented versions is one of the easiest to get proficient with of all types, Nice consistent trigger, good sights and for most a comfy handle to wrap your hand around.
 
I vote .45 ACP too. While in your shopping for a hand gun get what feels good in YOUR hands, maby you want a Desert Eagle 50 AE (and in an anklel holster no less) or maby a Walter PPK. Make sure you at lest check out the XDs from Springfield, I got a XD in .45 ACP and love it to no end.
 
If you wanted to max out your options, you could try to scrounge up something in .50 GI. It's a 50 caliber built on a 1911 platform. Pretty rare and pricey, though.

Other than that, .45 ACP is the way to go. A real pleasure to shoot. I'd shy away from the sub-compact 1911s. When you try to micro size an existing design, there's a lot less room for error, and problems can crop up more readily.
 
I came across an old movie the other day and saw for the first time in a movie , a Remington rolling block pistol ,the original version which was .50 cal !!! ...You'll never find any difference in performance between the 45acp and 40 S&W ,I've used both on various animals for many years.Lots of guns to choose from.But with that weird rule I would suggest 45acp. Pick a gun that fits you ,points well for you .If you can fire a few of them.
 
Bob W said:
One aspect of the CCW process here is the shooting proficiency test. If you are certified Proficient in a certain caliber, you are automatically certified for any smaller caliber also.
Click to expand...

What is involved in this test?

My bother is thinking of moving down there. :(
 
the 1911 is, by design, very easy to shoot and much lesspunishing than other big bore pistols. One of the neat features of he gun is that is you are holding it too loosely, the you may not activate the grip safety. So if you hold it tight enough to disengae the safety, you will not bebeaten up by the recoil, which is, in my experience. actually milder than an equally powerful 5 inch Ruger single action in .45 Long Colt. The 1991 is heavy and the cartridge is relatively low pressure. As a result, the pistol doesn't cycle as quickly or violently as a 10mm, 40 or hot loaded 9mm. IPSC style compensators do not really work well on .45's because the round doesn't generate enough gas pressure. That is why a lot the older "race guns" were chambered for overloaded .38 Super.
 
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