My duty sidearm is the Glock 19. The ammo is Federal 124 grain HCI JHP +P 9mm Luger. My backup is a Smith & Wesson Model 49 Bodyguard .38 Special. I carry the Hornady Critical Defense .38 Spl +P in it. I like the calibers. I shoot them well. If I really need something more potent when I'm working I'm reaching for my Remington 870 12 gauge - which is loaded with slugs and 00 busckshot. Other officers on my patrol team have various AR-15 style rifles and carbines and one of the officers is a sniper on our SWAT team so he also has a Remington 700 rifle in .308 which he carries in his patrol car. As a team we should be able to deal with most problems that we might encounter - to include a North Hollywood style bank robbery.

Most of the officers carry the 45ACP Glock 21. I'm one of the freaks who opted for the alternative choice of the G19 (department mandated. G21 or the G19) because I have small hands and I want to be able to have a good grip on my pistol when everything has gone south.

I collect .38 Special double action revolvers (Colt, Smith & Wesson) and I have a couple .357 magnum revolvers and a couple S&W 45 autos. But for real world applications I like the .38 Special and 9mm for the above mentioned reasons. At least I know I'm fairly accurate with those calibers and have a better chance of hitting my target under stress. I've seen folks who are very good shots with 45ACP, 44 Magnum, .357 Magnum and so on. Good for them. I don't engage in the caliber wars. If it works for you then carry it. I don't measure my masculinety by the size of the bullet caliber that I carry.