Anyone Not Have a 9mm?

[Air,Land&Sea]

I'm thinking of just hanging with .45 ACP and .357 Mag. to get closer to the "beware the man with one gun" theory.

[scubie02]

well, there IS something to be said for muscle memory and such. I have slowly paired back where I don't have too many platforms these days, but I don't really think caliber has much to do with it. If you usually use a 1911 in 45, you should be fine using one in 9 mm if you want to have a 9 in the collection.

[Big_R]

I gave up 9mm's one year for Lent and never went back. Funny thing is, I'm not Catholic.

Ryan

[enfield]

I've never owned a 9. But then, I've never owned a .357. Yet.

[CAS700850]

I got my 9mm's when the prices were right, not because of the caliber. Now that shooting 9mm is so cheap, I'll keep them as a middle ground between .22 and the expensive rounds.

[clone]

i dont currently own one, but i plan to get one in the next year for cheap range plinking.

[armoredman]

I didn't have one for a long time, until I started buying CZs. Now that's all I have.

[fastbolt]

After they took away my favored .357 Magnum revolver ( ;) ), one of the pistols I've been issued by my agency for the last 15 years has been either a full size or a compact 9mm.

I became confident enough in 9mm as a defensive caliber that I presently personally own 4 9mm pistols ... all of which are either compact or subcompact, since they're primary purpose is for defensive use as off-duty weapons.

I own several .45 ACP's and 3 .40 S&W's, though, ranging from full size to compact & subcompact ... and I'm buying more full size .45 ACP's.

[41 Redhawk]

Never owned one and see no reason to

[grimjaw]

. . . yet. I have been looking into one. I'm still trying to find a good fit before I settle down on one caliber for training and carry. I don't intend to get any .40 caliber or higher autoloaders.

jmm

[Lennyjoe]

Had the 2 most common ones. A BHP and a G19. One of them went bye-bye. Guess which one.

[Double Maduro]

If you count 9x18, I have one. My Bulgarian Mak.

I have fired many 9mm in the course of 53+years of shooting, I am 58. I think that if they work for you then by all means carry one.

I carry .45. once in a while I will carry a 2" .357 and sometimes, when I am cruising the woods for trout or grouse, I will carry .22.

But I much prefer .45 for ccw.

DM

[Double Maduro]

grimjaw,

While you are searching for a good fit, you might want to try a .45 or two. I am not saying that you should carry a .45 or that 9mm is not a good choice, but if you haven't fired a .45 it may surprise you.

I, and I stress "I" find the 9mm to be a snappier round and it takes me longer to get back on target than with a .45 which I find the recoil to be more of a push.

Everyone has a gun/caliber combination they shoot better than all others, don't count out the .45 without giving one a try.

Have fun finding your new pistol and let us know what you get, why and how you like it.

DM

[Krag]

I have pistols in (almost?) every caliber from .22 to .45 including a number in 9mm. In the past two years I have found myself using 9mm pistols for just about everything (CCW, home defense, competition) and enjoy shooting them more than any of the others. I think it's the most adaptable, practical and enjoyable pistol cartridge on the market today and believe it will outlive all the others by a considerable margin. :eek:

[Too Many Choices!?]

As you can see from the above statement, I don't own or really want a 9mm. I shot my Glock 23 in .40 for concealed carry and out to 25 yards I can hold ~5-6 inch pattern. I also like the ," snappy" recoil of .40, which rises and falls back on target just as easily as my .45 Taurus.

[shield20]

No 9mm here - traded mine in on a .45.
Bought my Pop one though, because I could not talk him into a .40.

[MrTuffPaws]

9s are fine for anything, and better than .45 for just range shooting. Get one, and you won't regret it.

[Hacker15E]

Don't go to a gun fight without a firearm that starts with a 4

Awww, c'mon...a .357 has to qualify to get into the gun fight, too.

[thebucket]

I don't know of many firearms that start with a four. 1911 doesn't, Charter Arms' Bulldog doesn't, S&W Model 29 doesn't, HK's USP doesn't, Taurus' 24/7 doesn't, oh wait! S&W 460XVR does! Yay!

[pauli]

i don't own a 9... yet. but i'm going to, as soon as possible, in order to distract me from my 357. can't afford to be addicted to that till i start reloading ;)

[Bandit01]

My first pistol was a 9mm (Walther P99). After a short while, I eagerly sold it. I'll tell you what, I can't undrestand why anyone would want to own a 9mm. It's such a feminine round :neener: Heck, if it ain't 10mm; .357 or 44, I don't want it. Well, sometimes, I'll break down and shoot .45

[lee n. field]

I don't have a 9x19, never have. I do have Makarovs in both 9x18 and 9mm Kurtz (aka .380). I may someday, but so far I have found other cartridges more attractive.

No reason not to stick with .45 and/or .357.

It's such a feminine round

The "9mm is for wimmin and pansies" thing? :p

[Vern Humphrey]

In my humble opinion, there are only four useful handgun cartridges:

1. The .22 Long Rifle. Everyone needs a .22 pistol (they should probably be issued at birth.)

2. The .357 Magnum (and the .38 Special as a subset.) Good for small game with light .38 special loadings, good for a "pocket pistol" in .38 or .357, good for serious self-defense, good for game up to whitetail deer, and good for all around shooting.

3. The .45 ACP. Unbeatable as a self-defense round, especially in it's flagship platform, the M1911.

4. The .45 Colt -- like the .357/.38 a highly flexible round for one who handloads, and suitable for any game on this continent.

[Rich K]

I havea couple of 22's for practice and plinking,but the rest of my handguns are all 45's-acp and long colt,and 1 44 magnum.Just never saw a need for a 9mm.

[SLCDave]

I had a 9mm once, but I sold it to a family member that wanted it more than I did.

[grimjaw]

Double Maduro, thanks for the suggestions. I have in fact shot a .45, 1911 Springfield. I was surprised by the lack of perceived recoil, enough so that I considered trading for that gun briefly. 9x19 wins for lower ammunition costs. I have fired handguns for 9x19 Luger where recoil was manageable for me (Ruger P89, Springfield XD9), but I'm still shopping.

I also have Makarovs (2 9x18, 1 .380), and .38 and .357 cal revolvers, which I'm hoping to adapt for CCW. The 9x19 I pick will probably be a high cap, throw it around, house/truck/fun gun.

jmm

[DirtyBrad]

AL&S,

I'm close to the one-gun man. I've just got a pistol and a shotgun, which is at least only one gun per category. I'm looking into getting a rifle, but that's a ways off.

I'd love to have a cabinet full of guns, but I just can't justify it financially. Still trying to pay off these credit cards and car. Extra gun-money has/will go to ammunition, safe storage, and classes to become more proficient with what I've got.

I have a USP .45 and an 870.

I'd shot the .45 and 9mm a good bit before buying. I liked both, but probably got swayed by the macho/classic factor of the .45 as well as its "stopping power".

Having shot it for a year I think the stopping power argument between the two is pretty pointless. The 9mm is cheaper by about $40/1,000 rounds where I get them. Even if I didn't love shooting the .45, I can't switch over to those little bitty 9mm rounds now. Even my girlfriend laughed at them her first trip to the range.

Recoil is something, though. I'm sure the best recoil is the one you're used to managing the most, but every time I shoot the 9mm it feels like literally no recoil at all.

[Air,Land&Sea]

My first step might be selling off my CZ PCR and HK USP45C and buying a Nighthawk Talon III, maybe (maybe not).

[redneck2]

the thought of being a "one gun man" gives me the shakes...

I have a couple of 10mm's. I suppose I might be able to load them down to 9mm range, but that's kinda like buying a Hemi and pulling off 4 of the plug wires 'cause you're afraid of the speed.

Dude, if you want to keep shooting costs down, get a Dillon 550 and make your own. I can make 10mm's, 45LC, or 45acp for what you pay for a box of off-brand 9's. In 20-30 minutes I can make more that you probably want to shoot in one session.

I can crank my 10mm to over 1,300 fps or make my Ruger Bisley shoot loads that exceed a .44 mag, or load them down nice and gentle and have a ton of fun shooting

all for about $5 a box

instead of getting a 9mm, just get an Airsoft and be done with it

:neener:

[Chuck R.]

I used to own a BHP, but that was a long time ago. It was the only 9mm I ever owned. I inherited a P08 Luger, but I’ve never bothered to shoot it. Now I’m down to:

.45ACP x 3
.45 Colt x 3
.357
.380
.22

I think the big advantage to the 9mm is the price of ammo. Since I reload, it’s a moot point.

Chuck

[Krag]

Someplace I read a thread that said .45aholics were insecure about their "manhood." Hmmmmm........? :cool:

"It's not the size of the tool that counts, it's how skillful you are at using it." :evil:

[dev_null]

I don't have one. Never have. I won't say I never will, because I've been lusting in my heart for a Luger and a P-38 for a long time. Other than that, I've got enough calibers.

[Ben Shepherd]

I have one(sort of). It's the "other" cylinder in my 3 screw convertible blackhawk. :neener:

Would I buy one specific? Nope, no use for one. Too anemic for my tastes.

[Brian Williams]

I am kind of partial to the 9mmx32R, other than that I have a G19 that is at my daughters and I am having a 642 converted to a 942 with the fitting of a 940 cylinder.

[LightningJoe]

The first handgun I ever shot (circa 1985) was my friend's 1911 in 9mm. I went right out and got my own 1911 in .45 ACP. As we were driving away from the gun store, I opened up the box of ammo and pulled out one of the cartridges. "Ooh. These are bigger..." I said. My friend winced perceptibly and groaned, "I should've bought a 45!"

Never sacrifice caliber for anything other than carryability. Never sacrifice caliber for more carryability than you actually need. But never let caliber keep you from carrying a gun.

[gulogulo1970]

I'm a recent convert.

I never owned one til about a year and half ago. I never "believed" in them (I read a few too many Mel Tappan books). If it wasn't a 45 or at least a 357, I didn't want it. Then I bought a Glock 17C and darn if I couldn't shoot better and faster with it.

Now I own three 9x19's. A Glock 17C, Glock 19 and a S&W 940.

[10-Ring]

I really thought I only had a couple of 9's, turns out I have a few! I've got a BHP, P7M8, 92 fs inox, 92 Centurion, USP & USPc in 9mm, & a Glock 19. To go w/ the "few" 45 I own too ;)
Honestly, I feel perfectly secure w/ 9mm in an urban setting. :cool:

[41 Redhawk]

i don't own a 9... yet. but i'm going to, as soon as possible, in order to distract me from my 357. can't afford to be addicted to that till i start reloading
Get you some 38s to shoot in that 357. Thay can be gotten as cheap as 9mm

[Moondoggie]

Don't own one, never have, don't plan on getting one.

Carried one in the Marines. Liked shooting the M9 for qualification..much more accurate than our used & abused 1911's. I could shoot 360+/400 with ease. Thought at the time that switching to the 9mm was a good decision for the military as the average shooter could easily score more hits.

Then I bought a 4506 and soon realized that it wasn't the size of the round, it was the quality (or lack thereof) of the pistol. Same goes for my P-16. If I put a round outside of the black, I know it's because I did it, not the gun.

If the military would have spent a little time/money accurizing the 1911's that they had, the M9 would have been superflous. Sometimes the decisions that emanate from the Puzzle Palace on the Potomac defy understanding. Now I hear that DOD is considering going back to .45.

I've got enough calibers and can reload cheap enough that I see no need for a 9mm in my safe.

[Vic303]

Sold my P226 to buy a 1911 & haven't looked back. If SIG ever works out the bugs on the GSR's I might have to shell out for one.

[Polishrifleman]

I guess I would if the right piece came along but right now I shoot .45acp (Kimber Stainless II, and S&W 4506) and .38 spl (S&W 642, and S&W 60). I guess that I like to keep my shooting calibers the same for bulk ammo purchases (I don't reload personnaly). If I ever got into collecting or safe queens I would probably own a couple.

[Oldnamvet]

If I can't do it with my .45 LC, .44 mag, .38 spl, or .22 then a 9mm isn't going to help.

[Igloodude]

All mine are .22LR (rifle, pistol) or .45ACP (pistol, revolver, carbine) and one little .380. Reloading for the .45ACP makes me think I don't need to think about getting a 9mm. Actually right now my "next caliber" is a tossup between 10mm and .45 Super. :cool:

[Shear_stress]

I don't not have a 9mm.

Actually, I am one of these freaks who gravitated from 45ACP only to 9mm. There are lots of accurate, high-quality guns in both calibers, but the 9mm allows ridiculously cheap practice. Besides, the paper doesn't care what you shot it with. As for the defensive adequacy of each round, I'll leave that discussion to someone else . . .

[Vitamin G]

I can't say I've been moving toward one caliber or one gun format...

But i HAVE been moving towards one platform...

Kimber TLE II
.22 kit for above gun
Delta Elite
Norinco 1911
BHP
Soon to save for a 9mm 1911...


Beware the man with one gun? I'd sooner beware of the man who has one style of gun, and practices with each in accordance with his monthly finances ;)

[Vern Humphrey]

Get you some 38s to shoot in that 357. Thay can be gotten as cheap as 9mm

Every time I go to a range, I check under the benches, in the corners, in the trash barrels -- it's no trick to accumulate a few thousand .38 Specials. Buy a Lee 6-cavity mould, make friends with your local tire dealer and have him supply you with wheel weights. A 148-grain wadcutter lubed with liquid Alox and driven by 2.7 grains of Bullseye will shoot gilt edge accuracy, kill small game like the hammer of Thor -- and costs only a fraction of a cent more than the primer.

[Geno]

My little girl (11 years old) pestered, begged, hounded and agonized me into buying her a new revolver for her birthday. She never realized that the decision was made to say "Sure, dear" at the first request. That aside, her persuasive argument was cute: "You know Dad, I can use the .38 and .357 Mag cylinder for hunting deer and boar, and the 9MM cylinder for practice, because the ammo is so cheap. Besides, you shoot a 9MM too". So, she took her new 9MM to the range today and I took my Glock 17 and various .45s. We had a GREAT time. So, my answer, yes, even my little girl has a 9MM. They are awesome for beginning shooters and all the way up to advanced.

Dco2005

[Okiecruffler]

heck, I even carried one for quite awhile. But I could just never warm up to the cartridge. So for now I'll just stick with my 45 and 357.
FWIW, I used to be a one gun man. I think I was 9 at the time. :neener:

[DT Guy]

Well, if you want to experience the 'purest' version of the Browning High Power and CZ-75 designs, you HAVE to shoot a 9mm.


Awful, I know, but I'm suffering through it as best I can. :cool:


Larry

[Vern Humphrey]

Then I bought a 4506 and soon realized that it wasn't the size of the round, it was the quality (or lack thereof) of the pistol.

Most people's prejudice against the M1911 was formed of two parts. The first was the atrocious condition we let out old "arms room clunkers" fall into, and the other was their movie-and-TV conditioned ideas about pistol shooting. People who had never shot a pistol found out it's not as easy as it looks -- and blamed the pistol, the only one they'd ever shot.

[Boats]

I had an XD9 and have a CZ-85B. Sold the XD off and the CZ-85 is with my father due to his hands not being up to recoil like they used to be.

I don't mind the 9mm, but I have no passion for it like I have for the .357 Magnum and the .45ACP.

[pezo]

Never owned a 9mm. only fired one once. brother in law has a glock chambered in one. I do have 3 .357 magnum revolvers though.

[BluesBear]

I started shooting 9mm around 1965 before it became the "in" caliber.

Although I have owned several and even carried one a couple of times I haven't owned one for over ten years now and I see no reason to acquire one in the near future.

[TimboKhan]

I swore, from the day that the 9mm bullet passed completely through me up until a month ago that I would never shoot that "Worthless, (*^&#$, piece of )(*)(#$@####." cartridge. That attitude persisted for almost 15 years, right up until I realized that from a financial perspective I could shoot a ton more of them than I could my beloved .45 and my equally beloved .357mag. Thus, I went from owning zero 9mm pistols to owning two 9mm pistols within a two week period. damn it.

Timbo

[Candiru]

I love 9mm. It has high impulse and velocity for a non-magnum round, which makes it great in hollowpoint and lousy for ball ammo. The attraction for me is the variety of rounds available and the fact that it's the least expensive centerfire round. Like TimboKahn noted, that means lots of practice. That's more important to me than a bigger bullet. There's also the fact that the guns chambered for 9mm are smaller or have higher capacity. 9mm is an eminently practical round.

[armoredman]

TimboKhan, I think there must be a very interesting story there....

[FSBS3]

Have 7 x 1911 and 1x 1917 and carry issued 40 but still like the P-7 even if a wimpy 9 its just fun to shoot.

[trickyasafox]

9mm's are great fun to shoot. reloads or not i love the things. i recomend them to anyone who is looking for a good all around caliber

[loandr.]

no 9's for I.
Loandr./BBG

[Mark8252]

Had a 9mm Ruger P95DC.
I liked it and sold it to my brother who could not get enough of that firearm.
He loves it. Good home defense and still cheap enough ammo to practise and plink. Perfect for him as a one gun owner.
Handgun calibers I do have are 45ACP, 400 Cor-bon, 10mm, 44 Magnum, 44 Special, 41 Magnum, 357 Magnum, 38 Special, 380 (9mm Short), 25 Auto, and 22 Long Rifle.
I do not have a 9mm at this time.
Any suggestions on a 9?
Saw a Tanfoglio "Witness" in 9mm I liked. Anyone have anything to say about this gun? My "Witness" 45acp is an awesome pistol. I like it just as much as my far more expensive Colt "Combat Elite".

[Big Gay Al]

I currently own 2 9x19s and a Para-Ord P13.45. I like them all, but due to serious financial problems (wife lost her job due to illness, and Unemployment won't pay up) I'm seriously thinking of selling the P13.45. The main reason, I can get more for it.

In general though, I like both rounds for different reasons. The .45 scares the crap out of BGs if you have to point it at them. And I just like the feel of my two Taurus pistols.

In my opinion, a good 9mm pistol is a lot of fun to shoot.

[brickeyee]

The only 9mm I have is a switch top 1911. .45 and .38 super comp, both ramped barrels. Purchased as a SA .45 abot 8 years ago. Works very well.

[albanian]

I have owned and shot many of the larger cals like .40S&W, .44mag and .45ACP. I now own one .45acp, zero .40S&Ws, and about ten 9mms. Gues what I think of the 9mm? :)

I know it is a woman's caliber and all real men have .45s but I still like it. I can buy 2-3 boxes of 9mm for the cost of one box of .45acp so I shoot 2-3 times as much. I am probably 2-3 times better with the 9mm than I would have been if I had only shot .45acp. Now that 9mm has helped me be a better shot, I can shoot .45acp better as well.

IMHO, the three best and most useful handgun calibers to have are 9mm, .22lr and .357/.38spl. With these three cals I can do anything I need doing with a pistol. I don't hunt bear so I don't need a .500 Magnum and I am not so afraid of what people think of me to need to prove something by owning a caliber that is larger than I need.

There really is something to this bigger is better thing. When I see full grown men braggin about how big their truck is or how big there gun is, it makes me shake my head. :scrutiny: I feel sorry for them, it is really sad. If you like your big truck because it is comfortable or you like your .45 because it is accurate and you shoot it well, that is fine but I know there are many guys out there that have no idea why they do the things they do. They do it out of low self esteem and not out of choice. It is the same reason some guys will order a beer at a bar even though they don't like the taste of beer and at home when nobody is looking, they drink wine coolers. :neener:

My point is, knock off all the macho stuff because you look like fools. Do what you want and don't worry what people think about. If you shoot a 9mm better than .45, you better carry a 9mm. If you like wine coolers better than beer, order one at the bar, what is the worst that is going to happen? Sure people are going to make fun of you but chicks dig guys that don't act like the typical macho jerk.

[Air,Land&Sea]

OK, I once had passing feelings for a man. :what:

[Dr.Rob]

Come on man... everyone needs a Luger.

[115grfmj]

S&W 910 for a S&W 686+ in .357. 9mm's a good caliber, just didn't do
anything for me.

[iamhistory]

I've never owned anything in 9mm and just can't justify it. I have a number of friends and two brothers who own 9mm's, but they mostly all got away from shooting/carrying them much and have gone to .40's

I have always been a big fan of the 1911 platform and have received most of my pistol training using that weapon. I also love Glocks and for the last few years, regularly train with a G23 as well. My next purchase will probably be a G30 and then another 1911.

So, as far as spending money on a 9mm, what's the point? Especially with the .40 cal around.........that takes care of the whole firepower vs. knock down power argument in my opinion. The happy medium is the .40 and I dare say that we will never be rid of the tried and true .45 acp. I carry one daily and if it's not that, it's a .40. The only thing 9mm has on those two rounds combined is ammo prices. They are cheap, but they still aren't worth it to me.

Just my .02 I know a lot of guys will disagree, but that's why we have so many choices available to begin with. I don't dislike the 9mm, I just believe we have better options out there when all things are taken into consideration.

Stay safe.....iamhistory

[albanian]

"So, as far as spending money on a 9mm, what's the point? Especially with the .40 cal around.........that takes care of the whole firepower vs. knock down power argument in my opinion. The happy medium is the .40 and I dare say that we will never be rid of the tried and true .45 acp. I carry one daily and if it's not that, it's a .40. The only thing 9mm has on those two rounds combined is ammo prices. They are cheap, but they still aren't worth it to me."

The 9mm also have more velocity than either the .40 or the .45. For those that believe in faster, lighter bullets, the 9mm makes sense. The .223 out of the AR-15 has some pretty impressive one shot stops IIRC, something like 100%. That is just a 50 gr bullet going really fast. I am not saying the 9mm is better than the .40 or the .45 because all scientific evidence shows us that there is not enough difference in "stopping power" or killing power between the three to make a call. The best 9mms are just as good as the best .40s and .45s by all facts and figuires I have seen. I know it makes the big bore guys mad but there just isn't any evidence that the .45 is more effective than the 9mm.

Many people "feel" that the .45 is better and that is fine but just because you feel something doesn't make it true. Fact is, your opinion is just that. I may feel that a V-8 gets better gas milage because it doesn't have to rev as high as a four banger but when tested, we can look at the evidence and see that this is wrong. Why can't we do the same for guns?

[Ala Dan]

Two 9m/m's here, a West German 1990 model SIG-SAUER P228,
and a Smith N' Wesson model 6906 with round trigger guard~ :D

Then, there is four .45 ACP's in this household; with three of 'em being
1911's. :uhoh: :cool:

[BluesBear]

I may feel that a V-8 gets better gas milage because it doesn't have to rev as high as a four banger but when tested, we can look at the evidence and see that this is wrong. Not always. It will depend on the size, weight, aerodynamics and the conditions driven that will determine which is best for, each individual application.

For some situations the 9mm will be better.
For some other situations the .45 will be better.
In some the .40 will be better but yet in others it will be the worst of the lot.

Your defense weaponry, just like your motor vehicle should be based on the conditions you THINK you will encounter. Which is why the choices are not, and never will be, the same for everyone.


Another example is clothing. What you wear to work in December may be vastly different than what you choose to wear around your backyard in July.
What they will be wearing in Florida next January will be somewhat different than what we will be weaing up here in Seattle next January.

Thankfully, most of us here, live in a country when you can choose a 4, 6 or 8 cylinder, gas or diesel engine.
As well as a .35", .40" or .45" diameter bore in a semi-auto or revolver.

And best of all, the option to own one (some) from each catagory.

Viva la difference.

[buddyRoland]

I have nothing but 9mm's. Sold my .40s and .45s. It's cheaper to shoot the 9mm's and I and can afford other items.

[Shootcraps]

I didn't have one until two months ago. I had 45ACPs and 10MMs. Started looking for an S&W 39xx for cheap 9mm shooting. Couldn't find one. Found a lnib Glock 19 for a great price and love it.

[AirForceShooter]

nope never owned one.
Used a few if I was assigned to a NATO outfit.
But, NO, Never owned one.

AFS

[albanian]

"Your defense weaponry, just like your motor vehicle should be based on the conditions you THINK you will encounter. Which is why the choices are not, and never will be, the same for everyone."

That is a good point. You would also have to tailor your ammo choice based on these factors as well. A FMJ 9mm with out penetrate any .40 or .45 if that is what you are looking for. A JHP .45acp probably won't exit a human torso so that could be safer for bystander.

The problem is, nobody knows what conditions they are going to face so have to just guess based on our worst fears. For some reason, I have a fear of my bullets not getting enough penetration so I choose not to carry a .45acp since my tests have shown that it tends to penetrate less than 9mm. I carry a 9mm with JHPs because I feel that it still gives me enough penetration but it will expand if it hits bone or other hard object.

I would not want to be hit with a hot 9mm FJM because I know it can do some serious damage. A FMJ .45acp is probably not going to feel very good either but based on stats, it IS less likely to kill you.

I don't know, carry whatever you feel is best. I just get mad that 9mm fans seem to have to take a lot of crap for their choice in cal but .45acp fans are never questioned even though the .45acp can not be shown to be any better than 9mm.

[TonyB]

I have yet to find a "real man" that will go down range and catch a few of the little 9mm's from my Glock17......anyone......anyone...Bueller..anyone.... :neener:

[Old John]

Nope Never felt the need for one.

I have .22's, .357's, .45acp's & .45 Colts.
I still don't feel the need for one.
DSW owns 2, a BHP & a S&W.

Have a good-un, now,

Old John
"And, Look for the Humor in Life"

[Oldnamvet]

I prefer revolvers and never felt the need for a 9mm. A nice 10MM revolver - that is another thing entirely. Amazing the difference one little mm makes.

[teombe]

I too, found out that I can get a heck of a lot more practice with 9mm than with any other "defensive" calibers. I started out with .40 caliber guns exclusively, which are both expensive and not fun to shoot.

Now, my collection is almost exclusively 9mm, save for a Colt 1911 I just bought and a .32 NAA Guardian.

[Krag]

I have had pistols in just about every caliber (I think :confused: ), even a .400 Cor-Bon and .50 AE. Of them all my hands down favorite for plinking, defensive purposes and competition is the 9mm Parabellum.

And before I am accused of bias, I must relate that my second favorite is the .45 ACP (although I will admit I am becoming more and more impressed by the .45 GAP :eek: ).

[ojh]

I have two .22s, a .38 and a .357, but no 9mm. Been shooting them several times, and often tempted to get one. If I ever will, most probably it'll be a CZ 75 or a Glock 17.

[scout26]

Not me, just a .45. M1911A1

[browningguy]

I think I'm down to three 9mm's. An EAA Witness PS-Polymer frame and ported, Browning High Power Competition and an Inglis High Power. My regular carry gun(s) are a pair of Mk III .40 S&W High Powers though.

I shoot the 9's more than anything else, ammo is just so cheap.

[22-rimfire]

I have no need for a 9mm hole punch. I have plenty of things that punch larger holes and a gazillion 22's.

[Seven High]

I presently own five 9mms. I will probably own six before the month is over. I really like the cheap shooting they provide.

[8200rpm]

The best 9mms are just as good as the best .40s and .45s by all facts and figuires I have seen.

Albanian dude, you should quit reading "statistics" or "one shot stops" and such hokey.

There is only one true fact... John Moses Browning intended the 1911 to fire a .45 caliber bullet. JUST KIDDING... just couldn't resist. :evil:

But really, here is the ONE TRUE FACT (ask any physician, not a bullet salesman)...

The only way to guarantee immediate incapacitation of an aggressive adversary is to dismantle his central nervous system. That means that the bullet, REGARDLESS of the caliber, MUST sever the spinal cord or damage a portion of the brain controlling voluntary motor skills.

It's really senseless to argue about how .05" of bullet radius is better or worse. And, I really think your personal crusade against machismo is sort of futile. Just laugh; you know the real truth.

[Shear_stress]

John Moses Browning intended the 1911 to fire a .45 caliber bullet.

True, but only because the 1906-1907 Army Selection Board made this caliber a requirement for entry into the pistol competition. The pistol that the 1911 decended from, the Model 1905, was actually .38 Auto. So, we can thank John Browning for the design, but it was the Army who (right or wrong) demanded the .45.

It's a minor point, but it does indicate where Browning's priorities were when it came to calibers.

[BluesBear]

The pistol that the 1911 decended from, the Model 1905, was actually .38 Auto. No it wasn't.
Perhaps a breif history lesson is needed.

There was the 1900 which was chgambered in .38 ACP
http://www.coltautos.com/images/1900.gif

Then you had the 1902 Sporting Model in .38 ACP
http://www.coltautos.com/images/1902s1.gif

and the 1902 Military also in .38 ACP
http://www.coltautos.com/images/1902m.gif

Notice that Browning & Colt had gotten over the front cocking serrations idea by 1903.

Then you had the 1903 Pocket Hammer in .38 ACP
http://www.coltautos.com/images/1903hm2.gif

All of these used the original twin link design.

Then came the model 1905 in .45 ACP (200gr FMJ)
http://www.coltautos.com/images/1905_2.gif

And the 1907 Militrary contract in .45 ACP (first grip safety)
http://www.coltautos.com/images/1907.gif

Then came the first single link design, the 1909 Model .45 ACP
http://www.coltautos.com/images/1909.gif

And the 1910 Model .45 ACP gets us closer to the final model
http://www.coltautos.com/images/1910.gif

[OEF_VET]

I don't own any 9's. I have in the past (Ruger P89 and Heritage Stealth). However, I'd rather stick with .45 for CCW. Right now, I own 8 handguns (4x.45 ACP, 1x.357/.38, 2x.22lr, and 1x.22lr/.22mag convertible) My wife owns two (1x.32, and 1x.38). I just don't see a need for another caliber right now. If I can't afford to shoot .45 ACP, I shoot .22 that week.

Of course, I am in the process of building a new AR and will be registering it as an SBR, so I will probably register it in 9mm as well as 5.56 (also .22, .45, 7.62x39, and 6.8). So, I'll most likely end up with a 9mm upper for it one of these days. I can't say it'll cause me to run out and buy a 9mm pistol though.

Frank

[Shear_stress]

Hi Bluesbear,

Thanks for the correction and the beautiful pictures. My intention had been to say the model 1902, but my memory got a little flaky.

My point is still the same, though. The .45 chambering of the model 1905 was in response to the Army's request, not Browning's preference for the larger round. If the Luger had won the Army contract, would we be praising Georg Luger and Hugo Borchardt for bestowing the 45 Auto on us?

Edited to spell "Bluesbear" correctly. Sorry about that!

[BluesBear]

Well I figure it was only a matter of time until someone developed an automatic cartridge that would duplicate the ever popular .45 Colt.

I think the British were already working on their own self loading version of the .455 revolver cartridge.

The .38 Super and to a smaller extent the .38 ACP, were already fairly popular in this country until the 1960s. It was the influx of affordable 9mm surplus pistols and dirt cheap 9mm surplus ammo that gave the 9mm Luger cartridge such a jump start. I cam remember when the ONLY American made 9mm pistols were the Colt Commander and the S&W 39. And in the late 1950s the .38 Super Colts were outselling both of them.

Also at that time the ONLY semi automatic ammo being produced anywhere was loaded with Full Metal Patch bullets so there wasn't a whole heck of a lot of difference in the terminal ballistics of 9mm and .38 Super when fired into badguys. And I recall that there was a lot more .38 ACP ammo on dealers shelves at that time than there was of the more expensive .38 Super ammo. (The Colt Commanders digested the standard stuff just fine.) So if you compare the effectiveness of 9mm versus the .38 ACP, you have an almost dead heat.

Modern day bullet technology has narrowed the gap considerably.

[Bobkat45lc]

At present my horde does not contain a 9mm but hope next year to add a BHP. Did have a Sig 9mm (factory recondtioned) which shot everything fed it--no FTF or FTE. Traded it.

[hairtrigger]

only 22lr and 10mm here except a Marlin Camp 9

http://photos.ohioglockers.com/Long-guns-and-pistols

[Kamicosmos]

I own many calibers. no 9mm though. well, unless you count the Luger. But I don't shoot it, so I don't.

I have been tempted by a Hi-Power and a CZ75 a few times though. I just like my calibers to start with a .4 or to be suffixed with Magnum. :cool:

[Dave Dembinski]

Not yet, but once I get my hands on a CZ 75B SA . . .

I don't (yet) use my guns for anything but paper punching, so caliber choice usually boils down to what I feel like shooting, and how much it costs. I have a .38 spl snub, a 6" bbl .357 for when I want some nice crack-o'-doom effects, and a .22 pistol for relaxing practice. A 9mm auto will fill a gap for me, and use ammo I can afford to buy more of than almost anything else.

Of course, every now and then I get a hankering to shoot a .45, or a .44 Mag, but that's what they make rentals for. :cool:

[farscott]

I went for a time (about three years) without a 9x19 handgun, but I decided I needed an autoloader in a caliber between .22 LR and .45 ACP. The cheapest round available in the platform I like to shoot (1911) was the 9x19. So I bought an STI Trojan 5.0. I also have a 9x23 Winchester built on a Colt Government Model and an S&W M952-2. I also picked up an S&W M3913 for my wife.

[Krag]

I find it interesting that the pistol JMB carried for personal defense was an FN Mle. 1900 in .32 ACP. Hmmmmmm..... :confused:

[Eightball]

No 9mm. All I have is a BP .36, and a .22LR :o

[ducktapehero]

I have never owned a 9MM. I've shot several but I just didn't like them. Then again I have shot very few auto's that I like.

[Eskimo Jim]

I don't have a 9mm. Won't be able to make this claim tomorrow though. My wife liked the 9mm she tried a couple of weeks ago so now we're going to get one of those new fangled 'wondernines'.

-Jim

[147 Grain]

Beware of the man without a 9mm! :D

[420Stainless]

I don't have one. Always wanted a BHP, but not as bad as other things. I am drawn to the new polymer types like the PM9 and XD9. But I had to fill a .45 colt craving first.

[clone]

just bought mine today and put 200 rounds through it at the range. ;)

[TCW]

None.

I found the 9mm to be too snappy.

I like shooting the .40 better (and .357). I live in Kali, so it's 10 rds of 9mm or 10 rds of .40...went with the .40 (Sig P226) and I'm quite happy!

[1911 guy]

It's really not a terrible cartridge, despite my favoritism of the .45ACP, but I don't own one and have no desire or need to. I carry a 1911 and hunt with a .357. My wife may step up to a 9mm. at some point, she's using a Sig .380 right now.

[fedlaw]

I carried a SIG P226 9mm for a number of years. It was 100% reliable, the accuracy was combat acceptable and it was reasonably concealable except during the hottest summer days. I liked it's flawless ability to reliably shoot a wide variety of ammo and I liked the affordable availabilty of 9mm ammo. Then I got to thinking that .45 is better than 9, so I "upgraded" to a SIG P220. The P220 was more accurate than the P226, but was not as reliable. Liking .45 cal. and being an experienced revolver shooter, I traded the P220 in on a S & W 625. Nice gun, but not the easiest to conceal. Then my friend, ChuckB, loaned me his Springfield Loaded so that I could requalify with a pistol. WOW! Even though I had very little 1911 experience prior to that, I shot a perfect qualification round: 100/100. So I sold my P226 and got a Kimber Stainless Target II last Christmas. I am very satisfied with this gun. After 7,000 rds. and 8 months of carrying, I have found it to be just as reliable as the P226, far more accurate than either of my full-sized SIGs, and easy to conceal in an Alessi Talon even on the hottest days, (meaning the least clothing.)
This is a long way of saying that currently I do not have a 9mm. Will I ever get another one? Probably; one never knows when the gun fairy will wave her magic wand in that direction.
Steve

[Pietro Beretta]

LOL TCW

It seems like the consensus on this board is that .40 recoil is far more snappy then 9. Also people seem to say that you can get 9mm ammo superior (or similar to)loads than the .40. Also the fact that you can have a hi-cap mag hold more rounds than a .40 (which doesn’t matter to me either, im a Cali resident too)

However if you live in California and have the XD .40, with 10 round magazine. Buy and install a 9mm Conversion barrel, and load your magazine with 9mm rounds. (the magazine for the 9 and 40 are universal). Walla... now how many rounds of 9mm went into that .40 magazine?... :what:

Warning the above is only a statement, do not violate your local/state/federal laws.

Anyway on with my response to the thread.

The only reason I have a 9mm (high point) is because it was purchased for me (basically) for my 21st birthday.

Otherwise I would just have my XD .40. (not converted to 9mm)

[dogngun]

I like the 9mm, don't own one right now, but I'm shopping in a few weeks. In my hands it's more accurate than the .45ACP, and is cheaper to shoot. There are some very interesting newer designs in the 9mm, and the HP ammo developed over the last 10 years or so makes it more acceptable for defence use.

Mark

[TCW]

Pietro,

Yea, I've observed the same thing..Before deciding on the two, one day I rented two CZ75's in both 9mm and .40. The muzzle flip on the 9mm was more noticable and distracting for me. The .40 recoil felt stronger, but wasn't as "flippy"...and it just felt more satisfying to shoot. I guess I'm an oddball!

The 9mm is an excellent caliber and I can see the attraction (low recoil, ammo cost). In fact, I was thinking of getting one for the wife ;)

TCW

[Ky Larry]

I carry a Kimber Custom Defender II in .45 ACP. However I own guns in .22, .38, .357, .380, 9mm, .40, and .44 mag. They are all fun to shoot. I own 3 9X19's because they are accurate, effective, and cheap to feed.

[PCGS65]

I didn't read anything about a S&W .500 magnum? My brother has one and yes it's a cannon! Clint Eastwood would be proud!

[TwoGun]

My daughter shoots a 9X21, does that count? I can load it up with 147 grain JHP at 1250 fps with no signs of high pressure. Its approaching .357 territory (with a short barrel). I'm pretty sure I could get 124 grain bullets steaming right along at about 1400 fps. Not bad I guess. Oddly enough the extracter will hold the 9X19 rounds in place quite nicely and it shoots them just fine. It's too bad that all 9's don't headspace on the rim because it would be easy to do the .38/.357 type thing with them if they did. That would be quite handy and it would make the 9MM far more versital.

[Boss Spearman]

I got rid of all my 9mms, and my .45s for that matter.
Now I only have one .357 and two .38 specials.