i need your opinion on a gun/caliber for self-defense

Question
hello, thanks for takin the time to read this. I am lhaving trouble deciding a caliber for self-defense. Ive read about the ups and downs of em all. 9mm is too weak but you have more rounds, 40s&w great all around caliber, used by LE all over the country, .357 sig, not the biggest bullet, but travels over 1500 fps!, 45, big stopper, but slow, 890 fps,
so here are my two questions for you, if you were to want to carry concealed, would you take a pistol with 13 rounds of 9mm, 13 rounds of 40, 13 rounds of 357sig, or 13 rounds of 45acp.

Question two-> Would you carry 15 rounds of 9mm, 13 rounds of 40, 13 ronuds of 357 sig, or 10 rounds of 45. Ill base my decision on your choices of the two, and any other opinion you may have along with them,
once again thank you very much for your time!
William

Answer
William,

In the days when the only ammuntion available was full metal jacket ball, the diameter of the bullet was a much bigger issue.  Today with reliably expanding ammuntion, the data indicates that differences between the calibers are negligible.

That being said, the .40 S&W is at the top of a very close list for incapacitation, and it is what I prefer to carry.

I'm not a big fan of the .45 ACP, as it is either less reliable in feeding, OR the chamber has to be undercut to ensure reliable feeding, thereby increasing the possibility of catastrophic case rupture.  Also the projectile travels so slowly that even with good bullet design, reliable expanstion is, in my experience, a 50-50% proposition.

I am also not a big fan of the .357 SIG.  The problem police agencies have had with the 9mm is over-penetration due to small diameter and fast speed.  To drive that diameter projectile FASTER (as the .357 SIG does) makes sense only in certain applications (e.g. having to shoot through auto-body parts, etc.).

All handguns are poor stoppers, and if you have to use one to defend yourself, you should train to shoot until the threat stops, and not rely on caliber or a "magic bullet" design.

Bottom line:  I usually carry a .40, though there are times I'm required to have a 9mm and I don't feel in the slightest undergunned when I do so.  The two extra rounds won't really make any difference, unless your job is clearing crack houses.

I would recommend that you shoot a sample of the guns you are considering.  For anatomical reasons I haven't been able to figure out, I can shoot a .40 faster and more accurately than I can a 9mm, but if I shot significantly better with the 9mm that's what I would carry.

Shot placement is more important than caliber.  It's also more important than what cartridge you choose (but no matter which caliber you choose you can't go far wrong with Federal HydraShocks).

I hope this is helpful to you.