.45 ACP or 9 mill

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indoorsoccerfrea

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which is better for self defence?
accuracy/stopping power?
i would think that stopping power would be more important, as any aggressor i am likely to encounter will be close enough to hit with a brick fired out of a flowerpot, much less a bullet from a gun...
 
im certainly not an expert in handguns, but i have fired both calibers
i have not fired a .40 however... is it similar to a .38 special?
should i just sample all types and sorts?
 
i have not fired a .40 however... is it similar to a .38 special?
should i just sample all types and sorts?
Click to expand...

Yes, you try all types to find the best that fits, even though the two you've mentioned are the most popular.

In my opinion, the .40S&W is a unique round....I'd say a bit more powerful than a .38 special.

Go try out different ones, because every shooter's taste is different. Check out a class that rents different types in your local area. You won't regret it.
 
.45 ACP has a steeper learning curve as far as getting hits with it in a timely manner. 9MM is generally easier for a new shooter to deal with.

Out of the typical carry gun, though, either one gets fairly barky and obnoxious.

Since hydrostatic shock is a null program with any handgun round, "stopping," an attacker with either round is basically just poking holes and waiting for the body's hydraulic system to develop enough leaks that it can no longer do its job. Whether you prefer to poke a few big holes, or a lot of little ones is a matter of taste.

My personal bet would be a lot of big holes would be the best answer. Even under that logic, though, I still don't carry what would seem to be the ideal gun, I.E. a double stack .45. Blasted things are too big.

~~~Mat
 
45 ACP has a steeper learning curve as far as getting hits with it in a timely manner. 9MM is generally easier for a new shooter to deal with.

Out of the typical carry gun, though, either one gets fairly barky and obnoxious.
Click to expand...

What empirical evidence do you have to back up any of your claims?

Have you even fired a M1911? Why do you think it has it's own Division in IDPA competition? Certainly not because it is difficult to "getting hits in a timely manner" :rolleyes:

indoorsoccerfrea, there is no correct answer to your question just like there is no correct answer to "what is the best car?" type questions. The only thing you can do is to try both calibers (and others too), try different brand guns (no "best" here either) and then buy the pistol/caliber combination that you can hold & shoot the best yourself. Then you need to regularly practice with it -the "self defense" effectiveness comes from how well-trained you are. This is a martial art and you need to do the training. Just like any other athlete, it is not the equipment that leads to victory, but the training, determination and mindset that wins.
 
Have you even fired a M1911? Why do you think it has it's own Division in IDPA competition? Certainly not because it is difficult to "getting hits in a timely manner"
Click to expand...

Starting in the early 70's I shot bullseye pistol in the Navy (Little Creek) with a 1911, so I have a little experience with them. A .45 is certainly not as easy to learn on as a 9mm, and the reason they have their own classification in IDPA is that they cannot compete with the 9mm guns! Do you even shoot in IDPA, you would think a competitor would know this?

Guys shooting 1911's in .45 were getting trounced and everyone was switching to 9's, they made up a new class just so they could compete against each other. It's because they cannot make as many hits as fast as the 9's. My splits go down more than 15% (that's using an actual timer to check) when shooting my 9 instead of the .40 or .45, and so does everyone elses that I shoot with.

Now that everyone is way off track, a 9mm is a fine defensive round, and my suggestion would be to shoot each pistol and decide what works best for you. I carry .40's and 9's now, but would not be against a hicap .45 or a 1911 if you shoot it well.
 
Get a 9mm. It will satisfy your self/home defense needs. It is less expensive to shoot and easier to control, (less recoil).
 
LA swat .45, Navy seal .45, Navy special boat teams .45, Marine Corps Force Recon .45. Our troops in Iraq and Afganistan are begging for .45s. I carried one in Korea in the 50's and Vietnam in the 60's. I wouldn't carry anything else. You choose.

MSgt USMC
 
I would say it depends on your target... if its some doped up druggy that can't feel pain that has you worried, then go with the .45. If its gang of hooligans or what not, a 9mm is more than enough to make the cry for their mothers. Both have plenty of stopping power, just one is more effective for those who can't feel it:evil:

I plan on carrying a 9mm, simply because it will be lighter and I am more comfortable shooting it and I tend to be more accurate with it. Plus when I get free time, have it on hand with cheap ammo means I can just stop in at the range and waste some time:)
 
Terms like "effective" & "better" can be subjective. Metrics remove subjectivity. Testing how well you can carrry, draw & accuratly fire remove subjectivity. As has been said before, training is the key. Use what works best for you & practice handling skills, awareness & mindset & you will be effective. Misses in any caliber don't count.
 
45 acp

GLOCK 21 in 45acp. I have always been a firm believer in the 45 acp as the best in personal defense round. I like the 230 gr silvertip bullet. I guess the 45 acp goes back to my military days. It is a a man stopper.
 
I REALLY love them both... BUT.. If i had to choose only one it would be .45. The 9mm is a great round. Some argue thats its not as potent but it should be about shot placment anyway. 9mm is cheaper and has less recoil as well. The .45 just feels REALLY good to me. I dont notice hardly anymore recoil than the 9. Its a little more expense though. But i just also like the fact that when ive got it in my hand i know its packin a seriouis punch. Just my 2cents.
 
Funny...I have three 9mm X 19s and two .45 ACP 1911s in my little arsenal and I don't find either one that hard to learn or shoot. And as far as accuracy is concerned. The .45 ACP 1911s are my most accurate...Or at least I shoot them much better...

Pick the one that feels better for you. Like it was stated...There is no correct anwser for you. My opinion? I carry a Kimber UCC II in .45 ACP (retired my M43 after 19 years of carry).
 
Unless you plan to reload, .45ACP has gotten ridiculous.

Nice, big round, though.

If you have nightmares about combat with 6 armed men, and you only have your pistol, like some people here seem to, the 9 gives you high-cap options, though.
 
Arming yourself with a handgun of any caliber you mentioned will be more effective than arming yourself with a flowerpot...
 
haha i would hope that guns would be more effective then a flowerpot. thanks for the input all
as for reloading myself, how expensive are the presses/dies/etc? how much would it cost to get a complete set, dies included?
 
"...brick fired from a flowerpot..." HA ha ha!!!!

Now, a large flowerpot filled with bricks, dropped from the upper balcony.....Never mind HOW I know...I just know

I prefer the .45ACP, launched from my 5" Springfield Armory GI-45..but that's just me. Use what you are comfortable, fast and ACCURATE in using.
 
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