If you are considering a handgun for concealed-carry purposes, you need to take your time, do some research, and make an informed decision. While the final choice should be a personal decision, there are a few cartridges that are extremely reliable for personal protection and concealed-carry. When you know which cartridge you want to load, you can then make a choice on which handgun you want to carry.
Popular Cartridges for Concealed-Carry Firearms
9mm Luger
Although price should not be a top factor when considering personal-protection ammunition, the 9mm Luger is one of the most affordable cartridges in the country, largely due to its availability, which is due to its popularity, which in turn is due to its effectiveness. While certainly not the most powerful cartridge, it has plenty of stopping power and maintains a manageable recoil, making it ideal for many concealed-carry owners.
.380 ACP
This cartridge is a slightly shorter version of the 9mm Luger round, and many concealed-carry handguns are made for this cartridge, giving you plenty of options. It is manageable yet will certainly stop a threat, and less magazine space is required to hold a sufficient load of rounds.
.38 Special
Although this cartridge is more than 100 years old (it was released in 1898), it has remained on of the most popular and effective cartridges for self defense. However, with this cartridge you are limited to revolver only, as the rim of cartridge prohibits use in magazines. Despite its limits, the .38 Special maintains a strong following and is especially popular in snub-nosed revolvers.
.40 S&W
After a violent encounter that saw the FBI outgunned, the .40 Smith & Wesson was developed. Since the 1980’s, it has been used by both law enforcement and private gun owners. This cartridge is one of the most powerful handgun options available, but because of it’s size, carrying capacity can be reduced.
Try Multiple Calibers Before Making a Decision
These are just a few of the most popular cartridges that are used by concealed-carry gun owners. If you’re not sure which one is right for you, you should try many different cartridges and various styles of handguns to find which one suits your skill level, strength, and comfort.
