What is The Smallest Caliber You Trust to Protect Yourself?

Rude, crude, and socially unacceptable, but ladies, this is why you don't date men named "Shane."

Zero

.223

In lieu of having a gun, you can also travel with a fat, slower running companion!

I keep a pick-a-nick basket with me at all times for bear-distracting purposes.

I have ran into bears while fishing in Alaska. No matter what caliber you have, it just doesn't seem big enough.

Against two-legged threats? While anything is better than nothing, I wouldn't depend on anything smaller than 9mm.

In bear country? Toss-up. Either my .45-70 with some of Elwoods Rosie-buster loads in it, or a .500 S&W Magnum hand howitzer with some 700 grain solids in it.

What can you buy (hand-gun wise) that fires 45-70?

Oh, and to answer the question, .357 Magnum in a handgun or any caliber but .22LR in a long gun.

Ever since I read about the guy who shot himself in the temple with a .25 auto, didn't notice any discomfort, and went to a party afterwards, I figure I would NOT trust a .25 auto for defense.

(The guy eventually died hours later when the bullet shifted in his brain).

I kinda feel the same way about .380s. And since 9mm compacts have gotten as small as .380s these days, I figure they're redundant now.

All kidding and joking aside, any reliable gun that you can shoot well is better than no gun. A .22LR in your pocket is better than a .45ACP in your safe.

I've owned and carried a S&W 637 for nearly 20 years. Sure, I prefer my 1911, but during the summer when I'm just wearing a t-shirt and shorts, I'll grab the Chief. I've never felt under gunned. So, don't knock the smaller calibers.

Now that I'm gainfully employed again, I must consider what is next on my acquisitions list... A full size .45, a Ruger Mk.II/III, or an M-1A....

If you don't have a plinker like a Ruger Mk I-III, I'd highly recommend getting one. They're just fun to shoot and the ammo is obviously dirt cheap. I thought about getting a .22LR Upper for one of my older 1911 just for those two reasons. But, for the price of a good one I can get a Ruger Mk III-45 and I think the kids can control that one a lot better when they're old enough to get started.

Yeah, I've got a 10/22 I use for plinking and varminting... Stainless with synthetic stock, scope mounts, etc., but I need a plinking pistol. Right now pistol-wise I have the Sig P227 and my Taurus .45 compact. I have my Bushmaster AR-15, but need a .308 weapon to round things out.

Have you thought about .30-06? The CMP still has thousands of great shooting Garands at cheap, cheap prices. That's where mine came from. I traced the receiver serial number to Springfield Armory in, IIRC, May of 1942. It's old enough to draw Social Security and it still shoots past my skill.

I would have zero problem taking my Garand into a life-or-death situation.

With regards to life or death situations, the M-14/M-1A was there when I needed it, so I have the trust from that. Might add a 30-06 later, but for now, I'm sticking with what served when needed.

I can understand and respect that. I sold my SOCOM. I'd really like to have a National Match Springfield M1A. But, at the same time, I'd leaning towards a JLD PTR-91. Cost of mags, and all.

I love mine. If you get one, just make sure nobody's standing to your right while you're shooting.

Would any pistol, even a Dirty Harry Magnum be able to stop a fully grown bear charging at you unless you shot it in the brain??

Black Bear, there are many pistols that can do the job. Black bears are only in the 250-300 lb range. The challenge is the grizzly and Kodiak bears....
There's only a couple of pistols such as the S&W Model 500 that can do the job.

For .308 what are people thinking about the Kel-Tec RFB? Not a Kel-Tec fan, but I've been reading really good things for years now.

Don't know if it's any good--haven't shot one or talked to anyone who has--but, damn, I *really* like the package. If it's reliable, durable, and accurate, I think it would be one of the better combat-type rifles out there.

An HB #2 usually does the trick for me.

I get bullpups. I really do. Shorter overall length without sacrificing barrel length. It makes perfect sense. I just have an irrational thing about a round going off right beside my head.

Grow a pair, Pussy...

Whatever I have to use at the moment I need it.

Can't help it. Just bugs me. Expecially a .308.

I met a truck driver who had a very small two round 22 revolver he wore on a necklace for self defense. I said it looked kind of small for that and he said

"trust me, if you've ever had a gun pointed at your face, it looks huge no matter the caliber...."