What caliber handgun are considered adequate personal defense arms?

Answer 1

This is NOT a cop-out! It depends on the situation, the person you are and the person or thing from whom you are defending yourself. In the hands of a cool, collected pistoleer, a .22 cal , 2" barreled semi-auto pistol, or revolver can be a deadly protector. In the hands of an excited, inexperienced amateur, a .50 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver would be inadequate.

That said, from the standpoint of a generally effective weapon, in the hands of a reasonably well trained person, anything from a .32 H &R Magnum revolver up through a .357 revolver, or semi-automatic pistol, will provide reasonable protection, for one's life, or virtue. I have carried a .45 Colt, or LLama pistol through two wars and a career in law enforcement and security. It will stop anything on this continent, man or beast; however, it is a large and heavy pistol. It is concealable, but not very and it certainly will make your jacket or pants sag on one side or the other. My back-up pistol is a thirty year old Harrington and Richardson .32 cal revolver. It is the smallest caliber I would use to defend myself from a determined aggressor.

I truly hope that helps you...