Everyone knows that 9mm is the best round for self defense, and we all also know that 40 S&W is good, 357 Magnum is good, etc. But what are rounds that are good, but we maybe don’t acknowledge? Here are the five most underrated self defense rounds.
5. 10mm
I know what you’re saying, how is 10mm one of the five most underrated self defense rounds? 10mm is awesome! You’re right, 10mm is awesome, but it’s sort of under appreciated. The existence of 40 S&W has relegated 10mm to a specialty cartridge for people worried about dangerous animals, but it still excels at its original purpose – stopping bad people from doing bad things.
4. 22 Magnum
The best thing about 22 Magnum is that it’s awesome. In all seriousness, the little 22 Magnum revolvers like the 351PD or more common 351C are fantastic, because they hold 7 rounds. That’s…more than you get in a 38 Special j-frame, and more rounds is always good. The only drawback to 22 Magnum is that it’s a rimfire round, so the triggers are a little heavy and the round is technically less reliable than a centerfire round.
3. 38 Special 148 grain Wadcutter
This is a specific round, and it doesn’t apply to all 38 Special. Just 148 grain wadcutters, because they’re easy to shoot, have low recoil, almost always hit to the sights, and will absolutely meet the FBI’s penetration standards. There’s a reason they’re on the five most underrated self defense rounds, and that’s because in the era of hi-cap 9mm pistols, we have forgotten some of the old ways. Back in the day, squared away dudes were loading these into their little wheelguns for serious work.
2. 32 ACP
If we accept that the FBI is correct and penetration is the most important handgun wounding criteria, then suddenly the 32 ACP makes a lot of sense. In fact, it makes more sense than 380 ACP, especially in similar sized packages. The 32 ACP holds more rounds, is easier to shoot out of tiny mouseguns, and again – it meets that penetration standard.
1. 32 Magnum
This is a bit of a wheelgun specific choice, but man is the 32 Magnum one of the five most underrated self defense rounds. It does everything you can do with a 38 Special in a little gun, but gives shooters that critical 6th shot, and in some newer guns even a 7th round. More capacity is always a good thing, and squeezing those extra rounds into very small self defense guns is a great idea.
So how many of our rounds do you have? Do you think I missed one?
