9mm vs .45: Ballistic gelatine tests vs real life

[Nom de Forum]

Thank you, please do.



Is there some reason that you believe that mike28w is more credible than Skribs?

Thats funny!!! Nearly spit coffee when I saw it. Thanks for the laugh 45_auto. You know it would be even funnier if you could edit it to show me using my MacBook on the throne. Not that I actually do reply from the toilet. That's too much for me. I can't wait for my wife to see this, see will think it is hilarious and partially accurate. I don't think I need to correct everyone who's wrong on the Internet, only the people I care enough about to find interesting and worth the effort. It is a good reality check for me because sometimes I also find myself wrong when I do this. A very productive way to confirm what you know.

 

[Nom de Forum]

Exactly why I made that statement. It was to point out to nom de forum that his "references" are no more than unsubstantiated statements by unverified internet posters who happen to agree with his views.

Come on 45_auto, any search of my posts to THR will find many references posted that are from respected individuals who are widely published in print and online.

Kind of like basing what you believe a person’s views on handgun caliber wars are based on their screen name:

I’ve regularly posted my thoughts on the handgun caliber wars, first one I found using using the search function was this one, post #31:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=655227&page=2&highlight=handgun+wimpy

45_auto, you really need to add to that list of concepts you should embrace. In addition to abstract thinking, sarcasm, add nuance. I don’t think anyone really believes you don’t have those understood, just that you rarely demonstrate them. Although your little cartoon was an excellent example. You can’t convince me you think I believe your views on the handgun caliber wars are really based on your screen name. Glad to see from the link you posted further confirmation of some understanding of pistol bullet terminal ballistics.

Just as a sidenote, if anyone except nom de forum cares, the THR handle I use is the one Hershel Davis (google him if you don’t know who he is) stuck me with almost 20 years ago in the infancy of the internet. I’ve used it ever since and see no reason to change.

I do care. You provide me and all of us on THR to much information and entertainment for me not to care. I’m impressed and congratulations.

It’s the internet – feel free to correct me if you think I'm wrong!

Wait! You mean I am not being paid for this? We need to re-negotiate this agreement.

 

[Sarge]

Hmm, guess I'll jump into this mess!
Everyone should carry that with which he is comfortable AND proficient!
Personaly I'll take my Browning Hi-Power 9mm over anything else available.
I've carried an HP since my days in Viet Nam. It has seved me well. As far as caliber and hitting power goes, I don't worry about it! I always intend to shoot the SOB twice (2X) regardless of what weapon I'm carrying.
Sarge

 

[sappyg]

As far as caliber and hitting power goes, I don't worry about it! I always intend to shoot the SOB twice (2X) regardless of what weapon I'm carrying.
Sarge

Ha... Well said...

If something is worth shooting it's worth shooting twice.

 

[PedalBiker]

I prefer the ballistic gelatin tests where they throw some bones into the gel.
I would say that the biggest benefit of the gelatin testing is the improvement in technology, far more so than any ability to predict a particular outcome in "real life".

 

[strambo]

With the best modern HP's, handgun size and type become more important than caliber so long as we're talking .38/.357, 9mm, .40, .45, .357 SIG.

I have no problem EDC-ing a full size handgun. Why do I carry a P226 in 9mm vs a 1911 .45 ACP? Because I was issued a P226 overseas as a contractor and really liked it. Advantage, 15+1 capacity, low recoil. Disadvantage, each round creates a slightly smaller permanent wound cavity than a same-quality .45 ACP HP.

Another poster had it right, it is "underpowered" vs. "underpowered" when talking about any handgun round. I'd carry around my 10.5" AR15 SBR if it was in any way practical!

 

[LiveLife]

I can't speak for real life performance of 9mm vs 45ACP bullets but prefer to anticipate shooting through thick clothing, bones and poor shot placement as they exist in real life.

Considering these issues, in my "limited to 10 rounds" real life, going from 10 rounds of 9mm Glock 26 to 10 rounds of 40S&W Glock 27 (with +1 Pearce grip mag extension) made me feel more comfortable. When the argument for lower cost 9mm for practice/trigger time comes up, I simply drop in a 40-9 conversion barrel and smile.

 

[LiveLife]

I work in an operating room.... I honestly can't tell any difference between these two calibers.

I did too, as a 91D in the Army. But you only operate on the patients with survivable injuries. How about those that died at the scene of the shooting or died during transport from more extensive injuries?

I think better information may come from coroner's reports, police reports and ER logs as to which caliber caused more deaths at the scene or arrival to ER.

 

[HammsBeer]

I MUST show my wife that cartoon. That is almost every night.
"Just gotta do one more reply on the forum."
"Put down the crack and come to bed."

But as far as the neverending debate, it's personal choice. I choose 9mm.

Why? I want a caliber I can shoot well, cheap to practice, lots of really good handgun options, and holds lots o' bullets.

 

[Cump]

Unfortunately, I think the perceived/professed advantages may lead the wayward to commit to platforms that are not the best fit.

I read up and decided on 9mm for the extra capacity, only to find I couldn't properly reach the trigger with most double-stack grips (crooked trigger finger).

1911s fit -- and I've found some others, just didn't match my original conviction.

It probably goes the other way too.