9mm for carry

[Brutz]

Hey all, I have been doing a lot of research for a new carry weapon. I learned quite a few things.

one, the fabled stopping power is but a mere myth (supposedly), two shot placement is everything, and third according to internet nothing works except the revered 45. My question is how many out there carry a 9mm?

I like the fact that the 9 carries more ammo and that it is cheaper. With .40 it's a little bigger and just a little more expensive. .45 is huge, slow, and has the supposed stopping power. .45 is a little big for me, just because I have tiny hands, .40 and 9mm both feel fantastic. So in order to try and narrow down the choice a little further, how many of you carry a 9mm and why? Thanks for any info that y'all can provide me. keep in mind that I do not wish to start a caliber war. thanks guys.

 

[Avenger29]

I carry a 9mm, because the superiority of one caliber over another is a myth when it comes to the major calibers (above .380). They all end up doing the same thing- stopping power, and especially with a handgun, really is a myth.

9mm is a common round. It is affordable. Low recoil. And it cannot be denied that being able to put over a dozen rounds into an attacker without reloading is a beautiful thing.

 

[gatorjames85]

I carry a pf 9 in my pocket. Lots of firepower for the size and weight.

 

[Shytheed Dumas]

IMO, 9mm is the perfect carry round because of its overall suitability in small, lightweight, conveniently concealed guns, as well as being well proven in bad situations. I shoot plenty of cheap WWB at the range, but spend a little more for Speer Gold Dot +P's in my PM9 and never feel undergunned or that it's any effort to comfortably drop it into my pocket or IWB.

.40 and .45 are both fine self defense rounds, and anyone who says anything else is blowing smoke, but between recoil in small .40's and the overall larger size of .45's I don't see quite as much value of either in a carry piece.

 

[mljdeckard]

I'll avert the war by just saying that while I think all handgun rounds are fundamentally weak for ending a fight, you need to give yourself all the advantages you can. And yes, while we argue endlessly about tiny levels of advantage between different calibers and kinds of bullets, I do think that there is a significant difference from one end of the scale to the other, say, 230 gr hst and 115 gr 9mm fmj.

Knockdown power is a myth, but cm3 of tissue damage isn't. My .45 HSTs expand to thew size of a quarter. If I get three good hits, COM, that's a LOT of tissue damage, no matter what camp you fall under.

BUT, if I have friends who decide they want to carry 9mm I don't scoff at them. (I WOULD if they carried a .22 or .25.)

Something you might want to think about, is the versatility of the 1911 setup. There are two different sizes of backstrap, and many different trigger options. When it was first issued, the average height (and hand size) of the American male was significantly less than it is now. People with small hands usually handle it just fine. (I know many females who shoot best with a 1911.)

I carried a 9mm because it was the first gun I happened into. Over time, I realized that I can shoot a .45 at least as well as I shoot a 9mm, so there really wasn't a reason for me to not carry one.

I look at guns like the Hawg 9, and the idea makes me drool, but I haven't met anyone who owned one and liked it.

 

[distra]

I mainly carry .45ACP, but I'm also of the mind set that "9 is fine" and never feel under gunned when I carry one of my many 9mm pistols. Shot placement is more important that caliber. .22lr will cause the same result as a 9mm, .40 or .45 if placed correctly. Carry a 9mm with confidence it will do the trick should you ever need it (and we hope we NEVER do).

 

[Avenger29]

I look at guns like the Hawg 9, and the idea makes me drool, but I haven't met anyone who owned one and liked it.

That's more of Para's poor QC than anything else.

There's a lot more that could be done for the 1911 if somebody stepped up to it rather than just offering the three lengths in .45 with various bells and whistles...

Quality, reliable, single and double stack 9s and .45s, good sights, parts of consistent dimensions and quality, decent price...

 

[Mags]

I carry a M&P9c, I have 3 45s but they are more uncomfortable to conceal. It is better to have a gun you would carry than 3 you wouldn't. I also carry my Glock 19 on occasion it is slightly larger than the M&P but it is more comfortable than my 45s.

 

[Borch]

S&W 3913 is the only 9mm I carry regularly. It's slim, comfortable, accurate and damn reliable. What more could you want?

 

[armoredman]

I carry two nine millimeter pistols, a CZ P01 primary and CZ PCR BUG. I can hit what I aim at with both, both go BANG every time I pull the trigger, and both are loaded with good quality SD ammo.



Sometimes I even back them up with another much maligned caliber, a 38 snub!

 

[gc70]

how many of you carry a 9mm and why?

9mm for me, because (tongue in cheek) a .40 HK P7M10 is more than three times as expensive as a 9mm HK P7.

 

[BushyGuy]

i carry a Ruger SR9 it feels comfortable in a IWB holster, its slim and has a 17+1 capacity thats pretty good for a slim 9mm.

 

[481]

I would encourage you to obtain and read, "Bullet Penetration: Modeling the Dynamics and Incapacitation Resulting from Wound Trauma" by Duncan MacPherson. It is hard to find, but well worth the effort to locate and will provide the insight necessary for making an informed decision on which ammunition to chose and to carry. MacPherson performed all of his own research, analyzed and interpreted the results and came up with authoritative mathematical models that re-define how bullet performance should be considered. His math is "solid", to be sure.

It is a bit "heavy" on math (the Calculus) for those not so inclined, but it is also written so that you can "read through" those sections that are more than what you wanna deal with in the way of math and still get a good grasp of what MacPherson has to say on the matter.

In response to the question in the OP, I carry a Glock 17 loaded with Hornady 147 gr. TAP "CQ" XTP JHPs simply because it matches the recommendation given by Duncan MacPherson that the most desirable ammunition for the purpose of self defense is a JHP in the heaviest practical bullet weight for the caliber (in my case, the 9mm) with a muzzle velocity of not less than 800 fps and not more than 1,000 fps that provides an average penetration of 14 inches.

 

[earlthegoat2]

My primary is a 38 snub.....

But my close second is the HK P7. I dont own any 40s or 45s. I would consider a 45 before a 40 though.

I will carry a BHP or a Beretta 92 on occasion though too.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

you'll be well protected with either 9, 40, or 45.

for 9mm i prefer +P+ law enforcement ammo, standard pressure 45acp, and of course standard pressure 40-as there is no +P in this caliber.

just get whateve you shoot the best with, which is for most people 9mm, then 45acp, and then 40cal (last because the snappy recoil bothers some folks).

 

[ByAnyMeans]

I carry a 9mm, Glock 26. I load it with 147 gr HST and really like the looks of Ranger 127+p+. Really all quality manufacturers self defense ammo is good.
I chose 9mm because I shoot it the best and with it's price can practice the most. With hollowpoints I figure the difference in effectiveness of the rounds is slim. If we were talking ball only I would want a .45 but make it a higher capacity than a 1911.

 

[Jim PHL]

I mostly pocket carry a j-frame .38. When I belt carry it used to be a .45 but I've been shooting my 9mm's more and more lately and enjoying them and getting better with them. Makes sense to me to carry them.

I think if you can shoot them well, any reliable gun in .38/.357, 9mm, .40 or .45 will hold up its end of the equation. Even a .380 or 9x18 will work for some, not for me personally.

 

[Iam2taz]

I carry a Walther P99 AS. (9mill) Lots of rounds. Yes, it is full size. I shot a Glock, didn't care for it. They are great guns for a lot of folks. It conceals well and is not too heavy.
My next hand gun will be a Colt or Kimber .45 though. I would not suggest you pick up and shoot a 1911 or you will simply buy it. I have small hands and wish I could have afforded the 1911 at the time.

 

[sidheshooter]

the recommendation given by Duncan MacPherson that the most desirable ammunition for the purpose of self defense is a JHP in the heaviest practical bullet weight for the caliber (in my case, the 9mm) with a muzzle velocity of not less than 800 fps and not more than 1,000 fps that provides an average penetration of 14 inches.

Hmmm. The man was obviously never shot with the original Federal or Remington 125 gr. SJHP .357 magnums...




(sorry, someone had to say it)



But back to reality (mine, that is): I have a couple of favorites, all old-school; a series 80 MK IV commander (.45), a 2nd gen 469 S&W (9mm), and even a couple of revolvers (12-3 and 36-1; both light of weight, and both in .38). I also load (currently) gold dot in the autos and "FBI" in the wheelies. I trust them all. I'm tending towards the 9mm at this point, but that's mostly because I've been taking some more classes lately and it's the cheapest to shoot 250-500 rounds at a pop through.

 

[9MMare]

I chose 9mm because ....with it's price can practice the most. With hollowpoints I figure the difference in effectiveness of the rounds is slim.

~+1~

 

[razorback2003]

Glock 19

I usually carry a snub nosed 38 S&W model 642 in a pocket holster for everyday carry. When I do carry a 9mm, I carry a Glock 19. It is mainly my nightstand, hiking, outdoors, and shooting gun (when not shooting my 22 pistol for fun). I keep it loaded with Speer 124 grain +P loads.

 

[NG VI]

Generally either a Glock 23 or 27 with 180 HST or a CZ PCR (9mm) with 147+P HST or an FNP-9M with 147+P HST.

I think I like the FNP the best, with the PCR right behind, and the 27 neck and neck with both. I like the 23 just fine too, but mostly carry it because I like the way my holsters fit it and the 27 and I have no trouble carrying the larger of the two, plus it has night sights.

 

[Airburst]

My main carry weapons are a Glock 23C in 40 S&W and a S&W Sigma in 9mm. I carry those two 90% of the time. I also will carry a S&W 1076 and recently purchased a S&W 4586, DAO in 45ACP.

 

[7.62x54mmR]

main carry is a Glock 17 but sometimes ill carry the Glock 19 or a S&W model 669

 

[bestseller92]

You coolness, judgement and marksmanship under pressure will matter a whole lot more if the S ever HTF than any slight difference in stopping power between the 9mm, .357 SIG, .40 or .45.