9mm..."back" on top?

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DFW1911

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Have you noticed that since the sun-setting of the AWB, manufacturers have been introducing - and we've been buying - many new hi-cap 9mm models? Sure, the lines (XD, M&P,others) have other calibers, but there seems to be something of a movement toward 9mm (Ruger SR9 is one example).

It reminds me of the high-capacity craziness that was occurring right before the ban. We went to them in droves, and at least cursory information would suggest the 9mm became the choice as a personal sidearm.

I don't know, maybe it's just me and nothing is really happening, but is sure seems manufacturers of both pistols and mags (Mec Gar) are trying to jam as many 9mm rounds as possible into the handgun. The XD(m) comes to mind, as do 15 shot mags for the BHP.

So the question: are you moving to a high-cap 9mm to replace your current CCW/HD/SD/LEO sidearm, or are you sticking with a .357 Sig / .40 / .45 with reasonable but still lower capacity?

Final note, I think the advancements in the designs of 9mm HD rounds have helped reduce the "9mm is useless for SD applications" sort of arguments.

Your thoughts?

DFW1911
 
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I don't pretend to really keep track of such things, but I will certainly say that the ban had a lot to do with 1911 style pistols getting a resurgence in popularity. Those who were worried about capacity suddenly had no (less) choice anyway.

I don't know if the ban really made that much difference to manufacturers. Remember, even if sales of hi-caps to civilians were limited, they still wanted to design the weapon for full-cap for police use. I can only think of Kahr for pistols that came out in that timeframe that were designed with lower capacity. Pretty much everything else was sold with a big follower in the mag.
 
I think that the introduction of very small 9mm CCW type handguns has had a lot to do with more 9mm popularity as well.

Myself, I'm waiting until Ruger comes out with an SR40.

Taurus has the 24/7 in all three major calibers and Springfield has the XD chambered in them as well.
 
I just won an xDM 9mm in a drawing. I'll use it in gun games, but I have no intention of ever carrying it. The 1911 still does what I need for social work and is slim and pleasant for carrying, and the 629 is great for woods/hiking.

There do not seem to be any situations that could qualify as even remotely likely where I would need 58 rds (three mags + 1 in the chamber) of 9mm to defend myself out in my part of the world. Situations where I might need 1-5 rds of .45 ACP are a bit more common. I carry 25 of those and consider the quantity need more than met.

(If I didn't have a .45, I'd feel plenty well defended with a 9mm, though.)

-Sam
 
Don't know about every one else but in my part of the country the availability/cost of the ammo was one of the two reasons I got one. The second reason is that, in my simple little mind at least, the 9mm is affordable for regular practice sessions and to have as home defense. My 92FS is definitely the smoothest and most fun and accurate (for me). I'm very glad I bought it. That being said, beside my bed is a .45.
 
So the question: are you moving to a high-cap 9mm to replace your current CCW/HD/SD/LEO sidearm, or are you sticking with a .357 Sig / .40 / .45 with reasonable but still lower capacity?
I still carry a Kimber Classic in .45, with Chip McCormic Shooting Star 8-round magazines.
 
On a related side note. Walmart must have negotiated a very good contract with Federal Ammo. The 9mm red box I bought the other day was only $8 and change. Less than $9 for a box of 50. ;)

I'm still waiting to eyeball and handle a Taurus PT1911 in 9mm, whenever they get off their butts and let it out.

That reminds me, I need to go and shoot some of that ammo I picked up the other day. :D
 
"you only need 3 rounds or your dead"


You know, for a nation of people the very nearly went into economic meltdown last winter, I would think we would think more to the future being more than just random crime perpetrated by single attackers.

I fully expect group / gang activity to be on the increase if unemployement stays high.

And if 4 guys come at me with baseball bats, I would like to have more than 3 rounds :) in fact, 3 each sounds good.

People seem to think, how it is now is how it always will be.

Well your chance of needing your gun now is about the same as being hit by lightning. It wont always be that way.

/ominous voice off :)
 
I knew people in California whose only reason for buying a .40 was that they figured, if they can only have ten, might as well have more powerful rounds.

I'm not surprised that the expiration of the Clinton ban has led to a resurgence in the popularity of [strike]spray and pray[/strike] the 9mm round.:D

Also, the boom in CC has undoubtedly led to a change in the guns on buyers' consideration list. Had you told someone in the 1980s that .38 Specials would be selling like hotcakes in 2009, and that Americans would be buying a healthy number of .380 autos, they wouldn't have believed you.:)
 
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hi cap is for law enforcement and mall ninjas

Exactly. Clearly all shooting situations by LE are always entirely different than anything a "civilian" would ever face, because armed bad guys take more .40 cal bullets to put down when facing police than they would from my gun. Makes perfect sense; especially when my limited training (by comparison) makes me a better shot.

Dude--
 
Absolutely. ^^

If you know you won't need more than three, I suppose that's all you carry, right?

I was in a shop a while ago in SLC, and a guy was looking at a new Remington AR-10, and a hunter-type was observing and said, "You shouldn't need more than one shot." I said; "Absolutely. Don't buy any magazines."

If you want to be REALLY technical, no one NEEDS anything more than a single-shot muzzle-loading pistol. All advancements since then have been.....superfluous. :)
 
I was in a shop a while ago in SLC, and a guy was looking at a new Remington AR-10, and a hunter-type was observing and said, "You shouldn't need more than one shot." I said; "Absolutely. Don't buy any magazines."

I occasssionaly hunt deer with a single shot, but if I miss, I am not concerned with bambi shooting back, or climbing 10 feet up a ladder into my stand.

My CCW is a G27 in the strong side pocket, and two loaded mags in the weak side pocket. Don't likely need 28 rnds, but I don't likely need a gun either. Just like the gun itself, the additional rounds simply answer the "what if" factor. They also balance my pants.
 
I was in a shop a while ago in SLC, and a guy was looking at a new Remington AR-10, and a hunter-type was observing and said, "You shouldn't need more than one shot." I said; "Absolutely. Don't buy any magazines."

Magazines never wear out over time?
 
I've been debating between getting a new 9mm or a .45 myself. I ultimately decided on the 9, because the rounds are cheaper, which enables me to practice more, and the fact that 9mm is so much easier to find. A good, high pressure 9mm can be more than effective in a self-defense situation...it's all about placement.
 
Don't know about every one else but in my part of the country the availability/cost of the ammo was one of the two reasons I got one...

That was a big factor in my choice of said round as well. The more popular the caliber, the more manufactured and the lower the cost.

My follow up shoots are much faster w/ 9mm over .40 as well.
 
Something that doesn't get discussed much is the need for a scond magazine, no matter what auto pistol you are carrying. Some choose the hi-cap auto to alleviate the need to have a backup magazine. Sure, a 13-17 round auto has lots of rounds, UNLESS you accidentally eject your mag at the wrong time, or it malfunctions according to Murphy's Law. Two very good reasons for a backup mag, which also puts the 6-10 round guns back on the worthy list as strong competitors to the hi-cap guns. What's it take, 2 seconds max to reload? Most gunfights will give you 2 seconds, especially if the use of cover has been opportunized. Is the 9mm experiencing a resurgence in popularity? I think it is, but it might be the result of many new gun owners getting a gun they feel they can handle (not every newbie jumps on the .40/.45 bandwagon at first). A 9mm is now the "standard" that the .38 Special used to be, and ammo is more widely available than .40's and .45's. At a time we are experiencing an ammo crunch, it means buying a gun you can get ammo more easily FOR. On another note, I have NEVER worn out a magazine, yet.
 
without opening up the caliber-war can-o-worms, I have noticed in the last couple years that a lot more people on this site believe the 9 will get it done. More and more the consensus seems to be to pick the one you like the best.
 
without opening up the caliber-war can-o-worms....

I too am trying NOT to open that can either. But here is some food for thought:

calibers.jpg

I am in the shot placement is of more importance than choice of caliber camp. My groupings and follow ups are faster FOR ME (YMMV) when using 9 over a 45.

Or maybe we should all toss our handguns and get a Katana instead: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNiX_l-HEGM
:D
 
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When it comes to practice costs, the .22 is the cheapest route to go. Best of both worlds is to put a .22 upper on your 9mm carry weapon (if possible) and go from there.

IT IS shot placement that's key. I have 9's and 45's, I'm basically the same level of accurate between either. The variable is the accuracy of the particular weapon.
 
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