Choosing a caliber that you want to carry is an important topic. Here are some of the facts about each of the top 5 concealed carry rounds to hopefully help you make a better informed decision.

1. Top 5 Calibers For
Concealed Carry

2. Choosing a CaliberThat is Right ForYou
• Choosing a caliber for concealed carry can be tedious
• Options are endless
• Everyone has their preference
• Biases aside lets take a look at the top 5 options that people usually use for
concealed carry.

3. .380 ACP
• Designed by John Browning
• Designed over 100 years ago in 1908
• Has made a large jump
• Due to the increase in states that are issuing ccw permits
• The smallest caliber listed

4. .380 ACP
• Handguns that fire the .380ACP are usually smaller
• They don’t hold a large amount of rounds
• The main upside is the size of the gun
• The downside is the lethality of the round
• Remember the firearm you are willing to use is better than the one you refuse to use.

5. 9mm
• The 9mm cartridge is usually loved or hated
• It was created by Georg Luger in 1901.
• It is the typical Law Enforcement round for many years.
• Some law enforcement agencies are switching over to the S&W .40

6. 9mm
• 9mm is a good price
• It is readily available
• Not a ton of stopping power but not much recoil either
• Used in pretty much every major military conflict
• Concealed carry handgun choices are endless

7. .40 S&W
• The .40 S&W was developed in 1990
• Developed by S&W andWinchester
• Developed due to the 1986 FBI Miami Shootout
• FBI was outgunned and decided from this point on to switch from revolvers to semi-auto.
• The California Highway Patrol has adopted the .40 S&W (over 11,000 employees)

8. .40 S&W
• Many people consider the .40 S&W to be a 10mm short
• Another thought is that it is a child of the 9mm and the .45 ACP
• More stopping power than the 9mm but a little more recoil

9. .38 Special
• Developed by S&W in 1898
• Was the standard police round for over 60 years at one point
• Usually used for revolvers
• Used by many people today for
• Target Shooting
• Self Defense

10. .38 Special
• Same diameter as the .357
• Shorter length than the .357
• Revolvers chambered for .357 magnum can usually shoot .38 special*
• This doesn’t apply for the inverse.
The .38 Special is almost exclusively used in revolvers. For more information on concealed carry and revolvers
visit concealed carry revolvers.
*Take the fact that you can shoot .38 special out of a revolver chambered in .357 with a grain of salt and read you firearm’s owners manual before trying it. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

11. .45 ACP
• Developed by John Browning in 1904
• One of the most popular cartridges in the world
• More stopping power than the previously listed calibers
• More recoil
• Less ammunition capacity
If you carry .45 ACP or are interested in carrying .45 ACP check out full size pistols for
concealed carry.

12. Overview
• While choosing your handgun cartridge keep these in mind
• Stopping Power
• Recoil
• Round Count
• Pistol Size
• At the end of the day you need to pick what fits your preferences the best.
• Pick your preferred round and then practice often.
• Your round choice doesn’t matter if it misses.
• For more information on concealed carry matters visit Alien Gear.