Thoughts on best caliber for carrying

[boardsurfer]

+p indicates the round is loaded with a hotter charge. +P+ I can only assume is hotter.

HP = Hollowpoint.

Here is a very interesting writeup about 9mm ammo. Notice the ones that are +p have higher feet per second and higher FT/lbs.
Pistol Cartridges (9x19mm Luger)

[jcabin]

Originally Posted by boardsurfer

+p indicates the round is loaded with a hotter charge. +P+ I can only assume is hotter.

HP = Hollowpoint.

Here is a very interesting writeup about 9mm ammo. Notice the ones that are +p have higher feet per second and higher FT/lbs.
Pistol Cartridges (9x19mm Luger)

so what youre saying to me is +p means the charge in the rear of the round is of higher explosive power (hotter charge?) and makes it move faster?

[boardsurfer]

I think you're referring to the primer.

I just mean that the powder is either more powerful, or there is more of it. I imagine the primer is the same. I am not 100% sure how they accomplish what they do.

Maybe someone can back me up before I sound like a moron.

[ForTehNguyen]

whatever you can shoot accurately with first, then whatever you can afford to practice with

[cut_cutta]

Originally Posted by jcabin

I'm pretty set on picking up a Bi-Tone XD .45 compact for carrying.

Hate to burst your bubble, but I dont believe they make a black / stainless bi-tone in the .45 compact gun. That's the reason why I bought the service instead, because I wanted the bi-tone. Strangely, I do see a dark earth bi-tone compact listed on the springfield site, but no black / stainless???

[jcabin]

Originally Posted by cut_cutta

Hate to burst your bubble, but I dont believe they make a black / stainless bi-tone in the .45 compact gun. That's the reason why I bought the service instead, because I wanted the bi-tone. Strangely, I do see a dark earth bi-tone compact listed on the springfield site, but no black / stainless???

they do make the black/stainless bi-tone compact .45 actually. if you've noticed they dont really upkeep the springfield website the way they should, also some of the flash actions dont even work (scrolling side bars on weapon displays etc) this has happened on every computer ive ever viewed the website on. i actually have been to several dealers that offered the black/stinless bi-tone compact. i need to go put a reserve on mine this week actually because they are hard to come by, since everyone eats them up.

[Krackels]

I'm sure others have mentioned this but 'the best caliber' is largely a personal thing. It'll come down to many different factors: Can you shoot it accurately? Can you afford to shoot it regularly? Can you afford/find a gun in that caliber that you can shoot accurately and reliably?

For some that 'best caliber' is .45 or 10mm, others it might be 9mm, .40s&w, .357 sig, or even .380acp or something else entirely.

I'd suggest getting a gun in a caliber that's relatively inexpensive to shoot since you're a college student or at least work out a budget to see how much it would cost to regularly train with that caliber, so that you can afford to shoot often and not put yourself into debt to be proficient.

You'll have to make that determination if it's .40, .45, 9mm or something else entirely.

Oh and on a side note, .40 s&w is a very under rated caliber it's performance is nearly as good as .45 yet it allows for a slightly higher magazine capacity and slightly less cost in the long run.

For purely ballistic comparison I'd suggest you look at: WebArchive-- Recommended Duty Loads-- Tactical Forums

Lastly, it's always better to have a 'lesser' caliber that you can shoot accurately than the magic one-shot-stopper that you either can't afford to shoot regularly or can't shoot/control accurately.