A poll for all handgun owners

When choosing a handgun for self-defense, which better explains your defense strategy?

Firepower and capacity is the key to my self-defense strategy.

Having a powerful round that is more likely to drop a perpetrator where he stands with one shot is more important to me, and I will take this at the expense of having a higher capacity weapon.

I really prefer both, as long as I can carry, hold and shoot the weapon. I'm concerned about the size or weight.

You can kill someone with any bullet, but which of these lower powered handgun rounds would you feel most comfortable (or least uncomfortable) with?

Which of these rounds is getting to the point of being "too powerful" for realistic self-defense? To clarify, what is the most powerful round you would feel comfortable and in control of in a true self-defense situation where you had little time to react and you might likely have to fire several shots?

Would you feel more comfortable with which of the following?

8 rounds of .45 ACP

11 rounds of 9mm Luger

I can't answer this question

In a revolver, I would be more likely to carry as my defense load:

.38 Special

.357 Magnum

Either/or

In my handgun, for self-defense, I am more likely to use bullets which are:

Heavy for caliber

Light for caliber

Somewhere in the middle of what is offered

In-waistband holsters or out-of-waistband holsters? You don't have to answer this question.

In

Out

Usually in, sometimes out

Usually out, sometimes in

I don't use a holster, I keep it bare in my pocket or in my waistline.

I don't like to use a holster but sometimes I do when needed

Open carry or concealed carry?

Open, always!

Concealed, always!

Mostly concealed, but if it shows I don't sweat it too much.

I prefer open carry, but will conceal to avoid attracting attention at times.

.38 Special or .380 ACP?

.38 Special

.380 ACP

I don't care

.45 ACP or .40S&W?

.45 ACP

.40 S&W

Can't answer that, sorry

9mm Luger or .40S&W?

9mm Luger

.40 S&W

Can't answer that, sorry

9mm Luger or .45 ACP?

9mm

.45

Can't answer that, sorry

Better man-stopper?

.357 Magnum

.45 ACP

Can't answer that, sorry

On a semi-auto which action do you prefer?

Single

Double

DA/SA

Would you buy a double action revolver with the hammer internalized?

Yes

No

I wouldn't buy a revolver

For home-defense, do you prefer a handgun, shotgun or rifle?

Handgun

Shotgun

Rifle

Whatever I can get my hands on first

Are you comfortable using FMJ ammunition for defense?

Yes

No

I would have no problem using it but I prefer hollow-points

Would you use a laser sight on a handgun?

Yes, almost all the time

No, never

Sometimes

Do you, or have you ever seriously hunted using a handgun which is really intended for self-defense?

Yes

No

At the range, would you prefer to practice at 25 yards or 7 yards?

25

7

Is it important to you to be able to use the same ammo you use in your handgun in a carbine or rifle?

5 Very important

4 A real plus

3 A nice perk, but not that neccessary

2 Interesting idea, but I'm not at all likely to try it

1 One of the dumbest ideas ever

Is it important to you to use a caliber that is used by police or military?

Yes, definately

Doesn't matter

It's a plus, but not neccessary

Do you think a new middle-of-the-road caliber should be invented to address some of the shortcomings of the more popular calibers?

Yes, it hasn't been done properly in the past

It's already been done

It hasn't been done and it doesn't need to be done either.

On a scale of 1 - 5, with 1 being least important and 5 being most important, how important is caliber in choosing a gun for self-defense?

5 Very important

4 Somewhat important

3 Caliber and shot-placement are of nearly equal importance. For example, a caliber with a one-shot-stop statistic of 70% is fine if you're a good shot.

2 Small "weak" calibers like .32 ACP and .22LR are fine. If you're a pretty good shot you shouldn't care

1 Shot placement is absolutely everything. Caliber is totally irrelevant.

What do you think of the "FBI standard" for pentration?

The FBI standard should not be consdered when choosing a caliber. There are much better ways to judge.

It's a good standard and people should give it alot of weight when choosing a caliber for defense.

In a handgun, what muzzle energy level in ft/lb's is a good manageable level for you? (to the nearest 100)