Best carry self-defense caliber for you?

I agree on the .40. Recently picked up a small frame .357 mag too.

My wife and I committed to 100 training rounds a month each when we decided to get our concealed weapons permit. 20 rounds fam fire and 80 rounds tactical shooting. It's not enough, but until I start reloading our own cartridges it will have to do.

I carry a .45 because I am a macho man. 30 years ago I would have argued you were wrong that a 9mm is as good as a .45. With modern ballistics they are so close that either is a great round for self defense.

SFC Gates, you have to shoot 8 times if you miss 3-4 of them. It is such a rare event for a threat to continue after 1-4 shots hitting almost anywhere let alone center mass. Officers today are a little to panicky if you ask me. Here in California some of these officers are emptying 15 round magazines twice per officer, with 2-6 officers shooting. That is completely unnecessary. Just my opinion.

I agree that regardless of the caliber, proficiency with your choice of weapon is the most critical factor.

SPC(P) Jay Heenan - Now I do not have anything against the 9MM, but often those test are conducted against the pretty old school versions of the 45 ACP ammo. If you look at Hornady's Critical Duty ammo, the 185 gr 45 ACP had more energy at 50M than the 9MM has at the barrel even with the longer barrel. Bigger wound cavity and more energy translates to more lethality.
As someone has already pointed out, placement is as important as how big the wound cavity it creates, so shooting something you are comfortable with is probably more important than what caliber you shoot. A hell of a lot of people have died getting shoot with a 22 caliber.
I am a huge fan of the 45 ACP, but my EDC piece is an LCP in .380. It's small enough and light enough that you can carry it and not have it noticed in just about any attire.

For the instigator anyway ... :)

I use ..380 as a back up. To my .S&W .40. I also have a Ruger 9mm. My Son carries one, I'll carry the other. But we both have. .380 as a back up. We try to shoot every weekend if not every other weekend. We also shoot what we use for defence which are Hydroshocks.

SPC Steven MorningStar Hydrashocks are my personal choice as well.

LTC Paul Labrador - I use the Hornady Critical Defense Ammo in the LCP. It has surprisingly good ballistics for a pocket gun. I haven't tried the Glock, they were late in entering the Sub Compact Pistol competition, but the LCP is reliable and reasonably accurate at ranges I would anticipate having to use it. It is not fun to shoot, but I doubt that the Glock is either. The Gen II LCP fixed most of the things that I thought needed improved, a better trigger and a last shot hold open being the biggest. Some improved ergonomics, but not enough for me to switch just because of it, and a bit more distinct sights, or as much as you can get on a 3" slide.