what round you want for your semi auto?

why?....
round count?....

balistics?....

ammo price or availability?....

Do I need a semi-auto???

Of the list, for CC, I would say the 40S&W as you get more thump than the 9 without sacrificing much capacity to it. I still love the 45ACP in a 1911, but for CC a smaller package is easier to hide. I like the 38 Super and 10mm over any on the list.

i don't know....do i?

....lol!

never had a semi centerfire pistol. i've always wanted one. used to dream of a tricked 1911. nowadays i think i'd just buy a glock long slide....IF i could afford one, which i definately can't right now.
i'm not much into self defense stuff, or concealed carry.....but i'd like one for target shooting....n pop an intruder if i HAD to.

the world get's crazier n dopier every day

The GLOCK is a good choice-Main thing, get what you want.
For a pistol that is primarily a plinker the 9 is a good way to go.

My CC gun is an old Charter Arms "undercover"in .38sp. Small & utterly dependable. Only holds 5 rds, but that's OK. I'll let Jack Bauer save the world, I just want to make it out of the convience store alive.
That said, I've had a lot of autos over the yraes, from .25 to .45 & 10mm. I saw a .40 S&W compact the other day (Chiefs Special??) that I would love to have. BUT, the .38 snubby is paid for so that's what I'll probably stick with.
At home it's a short shotgun or a 5" S&W mod 10.

For plinking I'll stick with revolvers or the Ruger .22 auto.

Well KYODE, my comment was about what you just explained. I have never given the auto's a look, was never really interested. I even have a KP 89 in the safe I took in trade 4-5 years ago, and it has not seen the light of day since. But like you stated the world is getting crazier and my physical condition is not what it use to be. At 136 pounds a mean woman could knock me silly. So lately I have been thinking a nice CCW is in order, but where to start. There are so many out there in a huge varity of flavors.

Pick us a good gun Kyle.

Ummm, why must you mention the "N" word? Of course you need it, like the way you need another XP, or 'Tender, or revolver!

Kyode, I've always preferred the .40 and .45 to the 9 - more UMPH. The 9mm supporters always claim round capacity, cost of ammo, etc but if I need any more than 15-17 rounds, I'm grabbing another mag or another gun. Cost of ammo probably won't apply to you or be as pertinent as I guess you'll roll your own. Recoil between the 9 and the 40 is not terribly different in similar guns (Beretta FS92 and 96) and I have full frame 45's that recoil less than some of my 40 cals.

All in all, they're fun to shoot - regardless of the caliber. And all offer a lot of firepower in a smaller package.

If CC is the issue then a 1911 compact and if plinking a 1911 full size. I cary a full size 1911 every day and for the way I cary it works just fine. They are a much thinner profile than the double stack guns and anymore there are so many conversions out there that a guy can have just about any caliuber that works or just buy them all because he "NEEDS" them.

IF i were just wanting a semi for a house gun that would be for "just in case"....or something to plink n go bang....the roughly $300 sw sigma might be a fair option.
i really already have that dept covered with a nickle rossi(cheapie?) 38 special revolver that was my dads.

if i were to "need" a semi for target....i think i want a long slide glock(model 24 discontinued, mod 34(9mm?), or mod 35(40sw)) in what seems to be a quality gun by reputation.
$550-$650 here though....yikes.

i don't think i want to reload for a semi at the moment(single stage press etc). is it possible to get reasonable accuracy with the factory stuff? you know....$17 n go shoot 50 rounds n make holes in paper, bust cans n water filled milk jugs, or ring some steel once in a while.

who knows....just thinkin. i may win the lottery....ya never know. i have some interest, but there have always been higher priority "needs"....lol.

9mm is a fine sub-machine round, handgun round, not so much.
You couldn't give me a Glock for free.
I stick with my H & K's and Walthers, you know the Germans always make good stuff, (that's what the Sham-Wow guy says).
40 cal for concealed, 45 cal to fight my way to the 12ga w/ #4buck if the boogyman comes threw the door.

.45 ACP because I truly believe it to be the standard by which all other bad guy - stoppers are measured for a darn good reason.

No less than 6.

185 grain Federal Hydra-shok hollow point. Somewhat easier to control in smaller frame short slides (Lighter recoil/much reduced muzzle flash). High enough velocity from shorter barrels to still expand violently, yet heavy enough to penetrate light obstacles and break bone.

Federal Premium self defense cartridges are pricey. Running $22 per box of 20 around here. Availability still seems good for both the 185 as well as the 230 Hydra-Shoks. Probably because pricing has slowed sales.

Renster

45ACP!!!

I carry a S&W P99-40 Compact
Same Gun as the Walther p99-40
That my Daughter carries.
And I have a Walther P22 to PLAY with
that is the same Gun(Cheap FUN)

Make mine a 40 GLOCK!

When Glock first came out, I thought get that "plastic" junk away from me. A good friend had a G19 (only the G17 and G19 were available). He convinced me to try it. I did, it shot fantastic, carried easy, and I traded a 4" S&W 629 it and extras. I carried it in Detroit for 3 years, and overseas and have never looked back. I've changed to the 40 S&W in a G27 and G22 for duty guns, department decision on the 40; however, feel that these Glocks have never let me down. I realize newer guns and systems have come on the scene; but, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!", works for me. Oh yeah, the guys at the SO gave me the name "Doc with a Glock" and you don't want to disappoint the guys you life depends on! For summer carry, S&W 38, and 638s have the nod. Daughter loves her Kahr PM9 and is "lethal" with that pistol. She has outshot her male counterparts at Gunsite, and Front Sight frequently with the Kahr.

Doc

I like the Firestar M-45,holds 6,if 1380grs of ammo don't get me out of a jam nothing else would have either.S&W mod 64 in a revolver is nice,works for the wife.

40 or 45...

[quote=cottonstalk]I like the Firestar M-45quote]
That reminds me of my mostest favorite autoloader I ever caried as a CC gun. Star PD in 45acp. About the size of a Colt Cammander, but an alloy frame. Accurate, light, compact, powerful, dependable. What more could a guy want?

I have a 45acp 1911 and a beretta 40s&w. I find myself picking up That colt far more often.
But I agree with a simple short barrel 12ga with 9 rounds of 00 buck for home defense!

How you fit that in a short barrel?

Depends on your idea of a short barrel. I did think about that after I hit submit, but 20" with a 8 round 2 3/4 mag. At least I think that's what it is! Have not messed with it in a while now... Hmmmmm Now I'm gonna havta pull that thing out....

The only contrary argument to that reasoning is facing more than one attacker...

My every day cary gun is a Glock 22 40s&w, used to be my duty gun until the department switched to the Glock 37 45GAP. I like the 45GAP better than the 40s&w, less recoil and i shoot it more accurately, the frame fits my hand better. Plus the bennifit of a heavier bullet. I would really like to get my hands on a 357sig though, thats a real screamer.

1. With the "right" ammo, the 9/40/45 will all work.
2. The 1911 .45 has nothing more to prove, but is heavier than a
polymer-frame gun.
3. A high-cap gun in any caliber is thicker (less-concealable).
4. With a jacket on, many guns can be concealed, but in a
t-shirt and jeans it's a different story.

I couldn't decide so I have all three! I carry a Walther 9mm and a Beretta 92FS and a XD-40 and I have numerous 45's but when I carry one it is my Kimber Custom Combat. I have one of teh first hand-built m=by Chip McCormick. I like to practice with the 9mm because of price and carry the Walther because of size and weight. I do not feel threatened when I carry my Kimber and 9 rds of saucer-sized hollow points! Honestly, I practice a lot with my 22lr conversions on eh Beretta and Kimber alot. Same gun, same trigger, less expensive.

For me it is the 9mm w/ 124 JHP over a good charge of tite-group. You can pick up brass at most ranges with a shovel for the 9mm and my G-17 holds 17+1 so you may need all that brass. Recoil is also mild and it will get the job done as long as you do your part.

Some numbers, from Chuck Hawks, if you like such things.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/handgun_power_chart.htm

I like the EAA 38Super. 17 rounds and uses half the powder of my 45s. Flatter shooting and less recoil than a 45 also.

Handguns are like potato chips, you can't have just one!

For CCW get something light enough to carry. Airweight Smith & Wesson revolver in 38+P should do the trick. Mine is a 638 Bodyguard. It is light enough you will not mind carrying it all day.

I really like my 1911 Colt 45acp. It shoots really well. It points very well. That has always been the Go To handgun when you are serious.

I also have a Springfield XDm in 40 S&W. I have no complaints with it either. It is equipped with Fiber Optic Sights with Tritium power for night use. Lots of ammo without a reload. Not quite as much sudds as a 45acp, but it has a pretty fair track record for Police. It also has real rifling so it shoots lead just fine. This is the #1 cartridge for Range Brass where I live. At our range you will probably find 10X as many 40 S&W as you will 9mm.

I also like reloading 40 and 45 much better than 9mm.

Factory ammo availability. 9mm, 40 S&W, and 45acp seem to all be in stock about the same amount of the time here. They all come and go, you just keep checking back.

With 40 S&W, range brass, and a supplier of lead bullets, or a Lee 6 Cavity Mould you can keep a 40 S&W running without worrying about ammo being in stock.

I have never been a 9mm fan. I have owned a Hi Power years ago and an SP101. That has been it for 9mm.

I like several others on here like revolvers. Probably an old guy thing. A 357 Magnum is a little loud but with 97% one shot stops it has a track record of working.
I have a 610 10mm. With handloads it is an excellent handgun with plenty of sudds for anyone. Not quite a 41 Magnum buy non the less a great round when reloaded.

44 Special / Magnum I have had a bunch of 29's and 629's over the years. A light dose of Unique and a 240 lead makes a great carry around gun for shooting what ever.

The 45acp or/ 45 Colt revolvers are hard to beat also. I have had several 25's and 625's also, and really like them.

Get a high quality firearm that you like the feel of, in about any cartridge listed above, and you should be in good shape.