Best Handgun Caliber
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The Best Handgun Caliber for Self-Defense Gets Reviewed From a Practical Perspective

Greg Ellifritz has released the results of a study that determined the best self-defense caliber once and for all.

Shooters love to fight with each other about the best handgun caliber for self-defense. Should you use a 9mm or a .45 ACP? What about a .22 Long Rifle or a .44 Magnum? While handgun ballistics tests are great, nothing can really compare to data from real-world incidents.

Well, Greg Ellifritz conducted a study where he analyzed nearly 1,800 shootings involving a number of different handgun calibers to see what he could find out regarding the effectiveness of each one for self-defense.

Watch the video to see what he learned.

So here are the summarized results:

  • Stay away from the small "mouse gun" calibers like .22 Long Rifle, .25 ACP, and .32 ACP.
  • Shot placement is the single most important factor in stopping an assailant.
  • Shotguns and rifles are much more effective than any handgun for self-defense.
  • If it's not practical to carry a shotgun or a rifle, there isn't a big difference in the performance of the major handgun calibers (.380 ACP, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP or .44 Magnum).

Basically, we would all be better off if we spent more time at the range practicing than trying to find the best caliber for self-defense. As the results of Ellifritz's study show, there isn't a big difference between most handgun calibers.

So, you'll be setting yourself up for success if you just pick a caliber, use high-quality self-defense ammo (not FMJ!), find a reliable handgun and learn how to shoot it well. At the end of the day, it honestly doesn't matter much if you're using a .380 ACP, a 9mm Luger, a 10mm Auto or a .44 Magnum, as long as you place your shots properly.

For more information, you can read the results of Greg Ellifritz's study on his website.

For shooting accessories, visit walmart.com.

Like what you see here? You can read more great articles by John McAdams on The Big Game Hunting Blog. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, & Instagram.

NEXT: TOP 6 SELF-DEFENSE HANDGUNS FOR WOMEN