.45 vs 9mm...but this IS NOT A CALIBER DEBATE

[FMF Doc]

I did a quick search and did not find anything already that covers my question specifically. To make a long story short, I currently have a DB380 as my only handgun. I was just days from moving to NY and had sold all my guns when the job I was supposed to be going to suddenly "evaporated" and I was foced to stay here in NC. Now I am unemployed and on a TIGHT budget while going to school. I know that any gun is usually better than no gun, but I also realize that I can, and want, to do much better than a micro-compact .380ACP. My problem is where to go from here?

I am trying to decide first off between a 1911 .45ACP or a high capacity 9mm. I am fully aware that either will suffice with quality JHP if I do my part, and that everything is comprimise, but for what it is worth, I have decided to place myself into one camp of the other. I have full confidence in both 8 rounds of 230gr.45ACP and 16 rounds of 124gr+P 9mm, I just don't know which way I want to go? Then, if I go 9mm, I'll have a whole nother set of questions as to Glcok, Sig, CZ, etc...???

I am familiar and confortable with the 1911 battery of arms and have a great appreciating for the power and accuracy that is offered by quaility pieces. I have never carried one concealed, but I think I would quickly become comfortable with it as I trust myself, and the safety measures incorporated in the modern 1911 pistols.

At the same time, most of my experiance has been with other platforms. I have carried concealed a Glock19, Beretta M9A1, Sig232, Ruger SP101, Ruger LCR and my Dimondback DB380. So I have experiance with just about all other platforms except 1911, but I am very familiar and comfortable with its battery.

I currently live in a suburban setting and might be moving west to the other side of the state, but that is a bridge I'll cross if I come to it. My concerns for having a concealed handgun for the more common cases of home invasion/mugging/assult etc... I also keep in mind the possibility of an "active shooter" scenario such as what just happened in NV or CA. While these type of attcks are less likely than the previously mentioned types, I want to make sure that I CAN put the amount of lead necessary, 9 or 45, on target.

So, that is the long, and not much short, of it all. I am not looking for someone to tell me which way to lean on this, I am just looking for some advice on things I may be overlooking. And please, don't go down the .40SW road, I am not interested in that.

 

[DukeNukem]

I guess it really depends on how much you plan to practice. If you're going to be shooting a lot, 9mm ammo makes more sense on a tight budget.

 

[hardluk1]

None of the standard carry cartidges are garrantied to be 1 shot stoppers. Shoot what you can afford to shot alot and then if ever needed place your shots well. I have carried for 28 years and its been ether a 38sp for 20 years and a 9mm since. Ammo is 124gr +P

 

[easyg]

You mentioned a tight budget while you're attending school....

9mm ammo is generally cheaper than .45 ammo.
This means more practice ammo for the buck.



Good luck,
Easy

 

[NG VI]

Just get something you are familiar with and proficient with already and is available at the right price. Check out what CDNN has, they've often got awesome deals on one-offs and lightly used guns.

 

[FMF Doc]

I didn't originally get into the cost factor in my OP for sake of time. But since it was brought up I'll elaborate. I only have so much, and unfortunatly limited, time and money for practice. There is not that much of a difference in price, at the 4 boxes or so a month that I'll be shooting to make a huge difference. It isn't that I don't believe in practice, I am just being realistic about how much I will. On a side note, courtesy of Uncle Same, I have around 14K rounds of 9mm down a Sig P226, another 5K down an M9A1, and about 2K down my old G19. I have also about 1500 45 down the barrel of a Kimber Warrior (MEUSOC). I realize that shooting is a perishable skill, but I have had some good saturation training over the last few years, so I am less concerned about how much (and the cost associated with) live fire practice I will get for whatever I choose. Everything else but accuracy of followup shots can be practice with snap caps of dryfire for free! That is why I didn't mention in th OP. Thank you for you insights and please keep them comming.

Doc

 

[481]

I did a quick search and did not find anything already that covers my question specifically. To make a long story short, I currently have a DB380 as my only handgun. I was just days from moving to NY and had sold all my guns when the job I was supposed to be going to suddenly "evaporated" and I was foced to stay here in NC. Now I am unemployed and on a TIGHT budget while going to school. I know that any gun is usually better than no gun, but I also realize that I can, and want, to do much better than a micro-compact .380ACP. My problem is where to go from here?

I am trying to decide first off between a 1911 .45ACP or a high capacity 9mm. I am fully aware that either will suffice with quality JHP if I do my part, and that everything is comprimise, but for what it is worth, I have decided to place myself into one camp of the other. I have full confidence in both 8 rounds of 230gr.45ACP and 16 rounds of 124gr+P 9mm, I just don't know which way I want to go? Then, if I go 9mm, I'll have a whole nother set of questions as to Glcok, Sig, CZ, etc...???

I am familiar and confortable with the 1911 battery of arms and have a great appreciating for the power and accuracy that is offered by quaility pieces. I have never carried one concealed, but I think I would quickly become comfortable with it as I trust myself, and the safety measures incorporated in the modern 1911 pistols.

At the same time, most of my experiance has been with other platforms. I have carried concealed a Glock19, Beretta M9A1, Sig232, Ruger SP101, Ruger LCR and my Dimondback DB380. So I have experiance with just about all other platforms except 1911, but I am very familiar and comfortable with its battery.

I currently live in a suburban setting and might be moving west to the other side of the state, but that is a bridge I'll cross if I come to it. My concerns for having a concealed handgun for the more common cases of home invasion/mugging/assult etc... I also keep in mind the possibility of an "active shooter" scenario such as what just happened in NV or CA. While these type of attcks are less likely than the previously mentioned types, I want to make sure that I CAN put the amount of lead necessary, 9 or 45, on target.

So, that is the long, and not much short, of it all. I am not looking for someone to tell me which way to lean on this, I am just looking for some advice on things I may be overlooking. And please, don't go down the .40SW road, I am not interested in that.

If you are comfortable with either cartridge, why not simply go with the 9mm since it will give you more capacity with equal confidence?

The G19 is a very size efficient pistol if you've already got experience with it and it fits your hands.

If the relatively lower cost of ammo over the .45 makes life a little more easy to negotiate in the meantime, why not?

Good luck.

 

[Loosedhorse]

9mm ammo is generally cheaper than .45 ammo.

+1, easyg. (Practice ammo, that is; SD ammo seems pretty expensive across calibers.)

I know you didn't ask, but if money was so short I couldn't run 100-200 rounds of my chosen, high-price SD ammo through a semi-auto pistol to check function, then I'd use a revolver. Seriously.

 

[Hunterdad]

Just a question....where in NY was this job?

 

[Derek Zeanah]

How about ergonomics?

I much prefer the 1911 series because of feel -- a consistent single-action trigger pull, the narrow grip, etc. What's your preference?

Will this possibly become a carry pistol? If so, with the way you dress and are built, is it easier to conceal something like a Commander or a Glock 26?

 

[Zerodefect]

What you posted is exactly where I once was.

Don't sweat it, and pick one. I'd recommend a Dan Wesson 1911 or a Glock 19 or 23. You're going to have to have both eventually anyways.

Most of the time my DW V is superior to my Glock 23. But my G23 get plenty of holster time. They have different strengths. You really just need to get both to complete your quiver.

 

[Mr.Blue]

I love the .45acp and consider it my favorite pistol round. I shot it a lot and became proficient with it. Currently, I am changing careers and my cash flow is uncertain. I started to dread dropping $25/box on .45acp.

I used to have no respect for the 9mm, but was forced to start shooting it almost exclusively. In time I started to appreciate the 9mm. The comparatively mild recoil allows for super fast accurate follow up shots. I starting participating in Action Pistol competitions with my CZ SP01
in 9mm. I now own 3 - 9mm guns and plan to keep using the to compete. I've grown to love the cartridge.

While I still would prefer one round of .45acp to one round of 9mm if the situation only allowed one shot, I trust the 9mm as a self defense round. With God Dot 124+P's loaded in your gun, you are very well armed.

Go with the 9mm. Cheaper round = more practice = more proficient shooter.

I'd go with a CZ 75B. You can get one for $450, it's steel, built like a tank, durable, eats everything you feed it, and it is one of the most accurate out of the box guns that I have ever shot. You say you like the 1911 ergonomics? The CZ 75 B points just like a 1911 due to the grip angles. 1911 people tend to shoot CZs well. Get the factory rubber grips from czcustom.com for $24. The grips are sublime.

 

[wanderinwalker]

From what you describe, I'd have to suggest getting a(nother?) Glock 19 and calling it good. To me it makes the most sense because:

1) You've used one before, know the manual of arms.
2) 9mm is less money than .45, even if it doesn't make a big difference, it's still there
3) With a proven reliable Gen 2 or 3 Glock in 9mm, I wouldn't (and don't) stress about trying 200 rounds of premium JHP to test function. A box will do nicely.
4) Size. It's big enough to be a decent holster gun, small enough to conceal.
5) Price. Find a clean used G-19, use savings on holster, magazines and ammo as needed.
7) I've had good experience with Glock CS in dealing with my E-series "non-recall". Frame-rail broke around 7500-rds or so (E-series G-17), and the people I dealt with were pleasant, professional and handled the matter with a minimum fuss. One replacement frame and a couple thousand more rounds later, still happy I tried the Kool-Aid.

If I had to start from nothing, I'd go to the G-19 and be happy. Right now I have a 17 and a 26, so I don't have an overwhelming urge to trade.

 

[stinger 327]

I love the .45acp and consider it my favorite pistol round. I shot it a lot and became proficient with it. Currently, I am changing careers and my cash flow is uncertain. I started to dread dropping $25/box on .45acp.

I used to have no respect for the 9mm, but was forced to start shooting it almost exclusively. In time I started to appreciate the 9mm. The comparatively mild recoil allows for super fast accurate follow up shots. I starting participating in Action Pistol competitions with my CZ SP01
in 9mm. I now own 3 - 9mm guns and plan to keep using the to compete. I've grown to love the cartridge.

While I still would prefer one round of .45acp to one round of 9mm if the situation only allowed one shot, I trust the 9mm as a self defense round. With God Dot 124+P's loaded in your gun, you are very well armed.

Go with the 9mm. Cheaper round = more practice = more proficient shooter.

I'd go with a CZ 75B. You can get one for $450, it's steel, built like a tank, durable, eats everything you feed it, and it is one of the most accurate out of the box guns that I have ever shot. You say you like the 1911 ergonomics? The CZ 75 B points just like a 1911 due to the grip angles. 1911 people tend to shoot CZs well. Get the factory rubber grips from czcustom.com for $24. The grips are sublime.

Well between my G-21 and G-17 both fixed sights the G-21 is alot more accurate.

 

[Fishslayer]

9mm are cheaper to buy & cheaper to feed. Since you're in a Free State you can get full benefit of guns designed for a 13rd or more magazine.

If it was me I'd look for a used Ruger P98 & a few extra mags & call it good.

 

[chris in va]

I'm biased, my CZ 75BD has been outstanding. Doesn't matter how many times I rent or borrow someone else's gun, I always come back to it. As a matter of fact, I like it so much I bought a 97b today!

If you plan to carry though, might want to consider a PCR or P01. Smaller, lighter...same great ergonomics.

 

[Sport45]

Now I am unemployed and on a TIGHT budget while going to school.

I'd be looking at used revolvers in .38 or .357.

 

[stinger 327]

i'd be looking at used revolvers in .38 or .357.

get the .357 if possible then you can shoot both .38's and .357's.

 

[OARNGESI]

Why not a 9mm 1911

 

[stinger 327]

Why not a 9mm 1911

Didn't the Germans create the 9mm Luger to wound the enemy so it would tie up the enemy troops trying to rescue and care for the wounded.

 

[Alberforth]

None of these things necessarily matter for your situation, but FWIW:

1911 for carry/defense requires perfect control of the safety. If you have spent much time shooting--and especially drawing and shooting--with anything else it may take a while to get a stress-dependable draw.

You can get higher capacity without much loss in terms of thickness going to 9mm--a Baby Glock grip is only about 1/20" wider than a Colt New Agent with its thin grips. Yes that's not the whole story.

Carry-ready 1911s tend to be pricey, so after a shooting you might really hate dropping it on the ground if the cops show up before you're ready, and you won't like giving it up during the investigation. If you have something more utilitarian you're less likely to care.

 

[ku4hx]

I'm pretty much of similar mindset as you. But I solved my dilemma by not solving my dilemma. The passing of the years has its advantages.

I own three in .45 ACP: 1911, Glock 30 and Ruger KP-90
I own five in 9mm: Browning Hi-Power, Glock models 19 (2), 26 and 17

Each caliber has its specific advantages and disadvantages and the same can be said for each gun. The thing is, I shoot (or carry) what either suits my fancy or my need, or both maybe, as the case may be.

It all comes down to personal preference and what you decide you want to do. Fact is, you won't go wrong with either chambering. Both have their supporters and detractors so you'll likely never get any kind of consensus opinion or recommendation.

I'm a Vietnam vet so thanks for your signature comment.

 

[ATLDave]

Didn't the Germans create the 9mm Luger to wound the enemy so it would tie up the enemy troops trying to rescue and care for the wounded.

Source for this? The 9mm parabellum was designed well before WWI. If you compare it to many of the handgun cartridges available at the time, it was quite high-powered. It is a safe bet, due to vast use, that it has killed more men than any other handgun round.

 

[Mike1234567]

I'd opt for more rounds.

 

[stinger 327]

Source for this? The 9mm parabellum was designed well before WWI. If you compare it to many of the handgun cartridges available at the time, it was quite high-powered. It is a safe bet, due to vast use, that it has killed more men than any other handgun round.

Then the other thing is all if not most of the police forces have switched over from 9mm to .40 S&W cal. Was it that the 9mm didn't stop the person soon enough?
Everytime I hear of an incident shooting there appears to be more survivors who were shot by the 9MM.