[seeker_two]

With all the discussion we seem to have on THR about the 9mm, I realized that I haven't owned a 9mm auto for two years (I do have a .357 Blackhawk convertible, but I don't use it much). I also realized that I haven't had a need for one since I traded my Glock 17 for a SIG 220 (& that for a 1911). And, after thinking of all the reasons to own one, I found that I'd made alternate choices...

CHEAP AMMO: I reload .45ACP & .38SPL, so it's not much of a difference. And I shoot a lot of .22lr.

EASIER TO SHOOT: The .45 & .38 have never been too hard for me to shoot. And I use my Buckmark as an understudy for my 1911 when I want to shoot a lot.

EFFECTIVE STOPPER: Both the .45 & .38 aren't slouches in this department.

EASIER TO CONCEAL: In full-size autos, there's a slight advantage. But I'm more enamored of the PP-sized guns (Makarov, PA-63, Bersa) for this. All the concealable 9mm's I've seen appear chunky.

GENERAL UTILITY: I find a good .38 more versatile in factory & handloaded rounds than any other caliber.

So, while I have nothing against the 9mm, I just haven't found a reason lately to own one. In fact, I'm considering sending the 9mm cylinder off to be rebored into either a .356 GNR (.41MAG necked down to .357) or a .357/.44 B&D (.44MAG necked down).

Is anyone else in the same boat?

Thanks in advance...

[cslinger]

I currently have two 9mms. I like them for two reasons.

First and foremost I do not reload and 9mm has gotten to the point that it is so cheap to shoot I can almost always shoot at least a 100 rounds without to much thought about it.

Second I love the SIG P225. It just feels so right in my hands and being a SIG guy I had to have one.

Interestingly enough I am a .45 guy at heart. I shoot .45 much better then 9mm and I like the round better from a real world performance factor. Not that 9mm is useless, much the contrary 9mm is actually better in some regards. So no 9 vs .45 fights here.

My goto gun is most often a SIG 220ST filled to brim with big ole' 230 grain flying ashtrays.

I think everybody should have a 9mm or six though. For that matter I think everybody should have at least one of each caliber and action. Heck I want at least one of all of them. ;)

Once again I THINK A GOOD QUALITY 9MM IS JUST FINE FOR SELF DEFENSE AND EVEN THOUGH I AM A .45 GUY AT HEART I WOULD NOT FEEL AT ALL ILL ARMED WITH A GOOD 9MM.

Sorry just trying to avoid the normal 9mm vs .45 discussion.

Chris

[Delmar]

Have a snubby 38 and 3 1911's. The 9 seemed like a duplicate of current capability. If I get another pistol, it will be a 22LR and a 44 Mag or similar.

[ruger357]

Traded in my last one (G-26) a month ago.

[iamkris]

I have owned a 9mm in the past (BHP). The only reason I see to have a 9mm at this point is to get a small, concealable package. Illinois doesn't allow CCW (and probably won't) so I don't have a need. Nothing I see that a need for the caliber...it doesn't do anything that the 22 LR, 45 ACP, 10mm, 40 S&W or 45 Colt don't (and they do it better).

Now I would buy a 9mm to get a certain gun. Another BHP for instance. Just that the caliber isn't the deciding factor for one of those.

[Frankly 45]

I didn't vote because the options dont't fit me. Like you, I have 45's, 38/357, and 22's, that meet all my needs.

I want at least one 9mm. My problem is that there are so many fine firearms in so many sizes I've been having a difficult time deciding.

I like and have shot Berettas, HK, Kahr, Ruger, S&W, Sig,BHP,and CZ; about the only one that doesn't fit my hand right is Glock - but now that D*#$!
XD9 feels great and is priced right.

So many guns so little $.

[P12]

for I will be adding a 9mm soon.

Kel-Tec P11

[BevrFevr]

it's always prudent to keep a firearm in a military caliber as that virtually ensures avaliability of ammo.

We may find ourselves in a really nasty situation with terrorism, war, and other such unpredictable events that may make it difficult to come by weirdo ammo.

so it's wise to keep a 9mm, 5.56, and a .308 handy even if your taste tends to be toward the exotic. At least the brass would be easier to come by.

food for thought -bevr

[Coot]

I have two: a Beretta 92 w/2 standard (15 round) mags, and my sometimes carry pistol, a Kahr PM9 (when I need something smaller, I reach for the KT P32).

[DeltaElite]

Well its not my favorite caliber, it's 1mm too small. ;)
I have carried a Glock 17 for 12 years as my duty gun.

[MoNsTeR]

I think there's half a dozen in my house.

[COHIBA]

do .380's count?

[foghornl]

I've got 2 .45ACP's, a snubby .38 Spl and a .357 Mag Vaquero, so I just can't see a 9mm right now.

Could always change my mind, though............

[Edward429451]

I've only ever owned one 9mm in my lifetime. A 3946? IIRC. It was an 8+1 DAO Smith & Traitor. Got it for a song, kept it for a wek or so and sold it for a song & dance to a friend who had none.

I got nothing against 9mm, the 45 just fills the bill and has not left me wanting for anything else. When I need less, the .22, when I need more, the .44!

Cheers.:cool:

[dev_null]

I have a .45 ACP that's my main carry gun, a beautiful little SIG .380 that's for when I want something smaller and lighter, and a mess of .45 Colts if I want a BBQ gun or four. When (not if, way I'm thinking now) I buy a CZ, I'll have to decide between 9mm and .40, but right now I'm leaning towards .40. 9mm doesn't seem to me to be much of an improvement over a well-placed .380 at short range, and the Kimber is good out to two or three times the distance.

-0-

[10-Ring]

I've currently have 5 9mm's. I'll add more 9's to the mix if I ever run into a deal on a P7M13, P9S, 9mm Elite or Expert :D

[JohnBT]

I made it to age 49 without a 9mm autoloader. Then I bought a CZ 75B Military. because of the reputation and the price. Liked it so much I bought a new BHP.

John

[John Forsyth]

Sold the one I had, and will probably get one in the future. Several .45's though and a couple of 10mm's. ;)

[dude]

it's way too hard to have P7 without a 9mm

[Handy]

Most of my favorite pistols were built in 9mm. I have mostly 9mms. The 1911 is the only popular pistol I can think of isn't at its best in 9mm.

Some extra points in the 9mm's favor:

One of the most feed reliable cartridges, ever. The ogive shape, tapered casing and recoil all make it easy to put fresh rounds in the pipe. I would always trust the 9mm version of _____ brand to be the most reliable.

9mm does not beat up guns as much as other auto cartridges. Compared to .45s and especially .40s, 9mm pistols are grossly overbuilt. I think this is of key importance if you practice much with a weapon you also choose for defense. Apparently, Glock has a 17 with 1 million rounds through it. I doubt they will ever have a 22 that boasts the same.

[lee n. field]

.380 Long?

I own a Makarov, but I suspect that's not what you're talking about.

The last handgun I bought comes in 9mm and .40. I opted for the .40. Do not own anything in 9x19.

[BevrFevr]

Good points!

Wow 1 million huh! sheez it almost makes me want to get one. that is amazing. I wonder what it looks like after a mil.

I once heard of an AK47 doing 1 mil of full auto. From what I hear it was mostly duct tape near the end.

amazing! -bevr

[Schuey2002]

My 9mm's are starting to form a picket line around the top of my safe..;)

[jem375]

the only 9MM I have is an Aimpoint carbine, since I use 45's and 357's for self defense, have no use for a 9MM except for blasting away at the range.........

[longeyes]

I started with a .357 revolver (Colt Lawman), then entered the world of semi-autos with a 9mm (Glock 26). Since that time most of my handguns have been .45acp, and if I were to do it over (I don't believe in selling off guns) I'd probably just go .45 for the autos. Nothing against 9mm but a small .38 covers defense and a .45 offense about as well as I need.

[care-less]

Don't own a 9 right now ( 9mm Kurz I do) Sold them all since we are not allowed to buy the good stuff (except corbon). The 357 sig is a 9mm, and is hotter than +p+ 9mm, you can buy it without being a cop, so I figured the standard 9 was now irrelevant. Wait a minute, since I own two 357 sigs, I guess I do own 9mm's afterall!!! iamkris, In Illinois, the law says it must be carried in a suitable firearms container, shipping box, -or other suitable container; or disassembled, and rendered inoperable. Get a Glock, or Steyr, remove the slide -barrel assembly, stick it in your pocket with the loaded mag, stick the frame in your other pocket, Presto! disassembled, and inoperable condition. With either of these two pistols, 3-4 seconds, and you are shooting. Not as good as being armed, but better than nothing. Some in Illinois are using the fanny packs made to carry a pistol. (A container specifically made to carry a firearm) Unload the pistol, put in fanny pack with loaded mag, Presto again! You have complied with the law. Check out concealcarry.org out of Chicago! Daly is really pissed about this, along with a lot of other Illinois buttheads----er!---I mean politicians, also a lot of cops. Illinois State Police don't know what to do, so are doing nothing for now. (Mayor Daly :banghead: Blagojevich :banghead: ) Damn, isn't life grand ha, ha.:)

[Dobe]

I've owned two, and currently own one. I didn't lilke the BHP. At that time, I couldn't do anything with the trigger pull.

The ammo is so cheap now, and since it is a NATO round there will be a cheap abundance for years. That alone is worth having a 9.

I would like to give the BHP another chance, and pick up a P7, if I will stop buying Kimbers. I just picked up a Kimber Compact today.

[gbelleh]

My first gun was a 9mm Glock 26. I later sold it and was without a 9mm for about a year, and it really bothered me. I finally couldn't take it anymore and bought a CZ-75B. Now I have six 9mm autos.

I really like 9mm and will probably always have several.

[michiganfan]

got a glock 17 and a kel tec p11, but my heart belongs to the 45

[modifiedbrowning]

The only handguns I have are 9mm, currently six, will be seven when I buy my friend's Kel-Tec P11. What can I say, I was a kid in the Eighties, I love WunderNines(esp. the P88).:D

[Hkmp5sd]

But I can't be accused of being prejudiced as I also have assorted autoloaders in .22Short, .22 LR, .25, .380, .40S&W and .45 ACP.

[Freightman]

I voted that I didn't need one , that doesn't mean that I will not have one soon as I trade a lot. I have a 45, 38, 38super,7.62x25 a 9mm would only be cheaper to shoot as all but my wifes 38 will do so much more than a 9MM.
I will get one soon though as I am trying to trade for one as we speak.

[Neal Bloom]

Have a few nines, even one in a revolver. Been shooting nines for almost twenty years and will keep them. Favorite calibers are the 9mm and the .357.

[PlayTheAces]

Believe it or not after 29 years of owning various handguns, the only 9mm I ever bought was a 547 revolver. While I think the 9mm is a good round, I just never warmed up to it. With autos, I prefer the .22 for plinking and the .45 for putting bigger holes in things. My personal favorite is the .38/.357 in a wheelgun.

Now that I think about it, after 25 years as a LEO I don't think my brother has carried the 9mm much as a duty weapon either. I'm pretty sure he usually carries a .45 when given the option. I'll have to ask him about it.

Now if I ever ran into a really good deal on a Luger, I think I could change my buying habits fairly fast.......................

[Ian11]

My Sig P226 in 9mm is kind of a back-up. In case my primary defense gun, a Glock 23 goes kB! on me ;) :neener: And as soon as I can get more Winchester Ranger SXT 147's I may start rotating between these two.

First, I didn't get it out of fear of some post-apocalyptic SHTF scenario. Compared to .40, .357, .10mm, or .45 its more accurate and quicker for multiple shots. And quite simply because I think the P226 is an awesome defense handgun.

[AR-10]

Never had one, don't really want one.

No particular reason, other than the fact that I have 1.5 oodles of calibers already.

[Blackhawk]

it's always prudent to keep a firearm in a military caliber as that virtually ensures avaliability of ammo.
Good point, Bevfevr. In fact, that's the main reason why I bought my first 9mm. :D

[Standing Wolf]

I've rented a few Glocks at ranges, and shot an assortment of friends' and acquaintances' nine-millimeter pistols, but nothing has stepped right up and demanded to be taken home. I suppose if I could find a High Power in top condition at a great price, I'd probably buy it, but I'm perfectly content with the .357 and .44 magnum cartridges.

[firestar]

I doubt this poll is going to be very accurate. You asked a question that invited people who don't own a 9mm to respond to. I think you are going to get a falsely high number of no votes.

If the question was asked like this "Do you own a 9mm?", I think the results would be different.

[seeker_two]

I doubt this poll is going to be very accurate....I think you are going to get a falsely high number of no votes.


I wasn't expecting scientific accuracy (after all, these kind of polls are far from any statistical method.) After all the 9mm discussions we've had, I was curious to see just how many people didn't own one for one reason or another. I'm in that boat, too (and it appears to be a larger boat than I thought..:what: ).

Thanks to everyone who participated. Glad to see that I'm not the only one who has a "major caliber deficiency" :D :D :D

[RandyC]

I don't have one but I'm about to fix that problem. I have an XD-9 on order. I'm a .45 guy but it's hard to beat the price of 9mm ammo, plus it'll be a good shooter for my wife. See, I'm only thinking of her and her needs.:D

[arizona]

Don't currently own a 9mm...first 9 was a Kahr K9, traded it off...then a G19, traded it off...then a P7M8, traded it...however, I now have a SIG P225 on order and I believe it will be a keeper.:D

[Minute_Of_Torso]

I only have on 9mm, a Beretta 92FS. I would really love to have a 9mm snubbie revolver but I just spent my fun money on a Ruger MK512 (Yea!)

[Litlman]

Got to have a nine. CZ-75 bd. Want to get a CZ_85 Combat, HK-P7 M8 and a BHP...

[akanotken]

Hi cap's are really high caps! I know this gets to the 9mm vs 40/45/10mm/357 debates, but it is still a reason.

So, if you aren't artificially limited to 10 rnds (govt) or practically limited by size (carry) I like the idea of "more soldiers is better". My HP and P99 carry plenty! I can shoot like the movie stars and never run out.

Argument does loose some steam if you own a Para doublestack, Glock 22, or the like.

[TooTech]

This is my primary caliber. Good ammo is available cheap, and provides enough pop to keep things fun.

At last count I've got seven 9s, everything from a Kahr PM9 to a SIG P226.

[makdaddy03]

I dont own a 9mm anymore 40S&W took its place.:)

[coonan357]

don't need one ,I have a .357 automatic and its not a sig. and I own .45 's and I reload so no money savings needed .

[KPersimmon]

I no longer own a 9mm and don't ever, ever want another one!

I experienced a ricochet with a 9mm some years ago (115-grain ball-type ammo) in which the bullet bounced back from something that it hit on the bank that I had my target affixed to, and it hit my wife directly on the shin! (I found the bullet undamaged on the ground in front of her.) Fortunately, she was only bruised as the bullet failed to penetrate or break the bone, but I swore from that day--never again!

[Bronson7]

Had a Glock 17L for about 10 years. Could never warm up to it. Sold it and bought a G30 and never looked back. 45ACP is my favorite. Also have a SA 1911 mil spec.
Bronson7

[Serpico]

I'm pretty sure Mrs. Bernstein in 206 doesn't have one, but I could be wrong....