I am almost set to buy my next CCW piece, a Sig P228. I have never carried a 9mm for concealed carry though. What are the general opinions on 9mm as a carry defense round? I know that there are many new "hot" loads out now. Is the .40 or .45 that much more powerful than some of the newer "hot" loads available in 9mm? Anyone have any recommendations on a good 9mm round with not too much recoil? I am strongly considering the P228 due to its low ammo cost and the fact that I do not enjoy shooting guns with a lot of recoil, but maybe I should consider something in a .40 or .45. Thanks for the input.
9mm okay for defensive round - in P228??
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natedog
Member
Warning: Potential caliber war incoming.
9mm is a fine defensive round. Lots of effective, easy to control rounds in a decent sized package. Use a good JHP that expands reliably and penetrates a minimum of 12", and you'll be fine. Most important is to practice with what you have. If you can perform, it will perform.
9mm is a fine defensive round. Lots of effective, easy to control rounds in a decent sized package. Use a good JHP that expands reliably and penetrates a minimum of 12", and you'll be fine. Most important is to practice with what you have. If you can perform, it will perform.
I have all of my magazines for defensive use loaded with Federal 124 gr +p Expanding Full Metal Jacket rounds. I did a little experimenting with them a while back. I fired about 300 rounds from 6 different pistols to check reliability and performance. Overall, I was impressed. One of the reported advantages of the EFMJ round is that the tip can't get "clogged" by clothing, etc. as can sometimes happen with JHP.
I posted the results of my experiment on my website, here: http://users.adelphia.net/~navy87guy/ballistics.html
I use my Walther for CCW, but I plan on getting an IWB for my P228 as well.
Hope this helps...YMMV.
Jim
I posted the results of my experiment on my website, here: http://users.adelphia.net/~navy87guy/ballistics.html
I use my Walther for CCW, but I plan on getting an IWB for my P228 as well.
Hope this helps...YMMV.
Jim
Tom Servo
Member
There is nothing wrong with the 9mm for self-defense. If you're using premium loads (good JHPs), there's little difference in "stopping power" between the 9mm, .40 and .45. Sure, the .45 makes a larger entry-wound and there's something psychologically satisfying about the size of the bore and cartridge, but I doubt someone who won't stop for a 124gr Gold Dot is going to stop for a 230gr bullet.
Most of the bias against the 9mm comes from comparing FMJ rounds between it and the .45, and there's a HUGE difference there. With hollowpoints, though, you really can't go wrong with the Parabellum. (There are some other peripheral never-happen-in-real-life differences between the various calibers, but we're talking simple self-defense and not SWAT team hypotheticals) Tons of LEOs still carry the round (most by choice), and Secret Service...oh, why am I even getting into this? You'll be just fine, and the 228 is a fine gun with a marvelous trigger. Of all my carry guns, my P225 (the single-stack antecedent to the 228) is usually the default.
Most of the bias against the 9mm comes from comparing FMJ rounds between it and the .45, and there's a HUGE difference there. With hollowpoints, though, you really can't go wrong with the Parabellum. (There are some other peripheral never-happen-in-real-life differences between the various calibers, but we're talking simple self-defense and not SWAT team hypotheticals) Tons of LEOs still carry the round (most by choice), and Secret Service...oh, why am I even getting into this? You'll be just fine, and the 228 is a fine gun with a marvelous trigger. Of all my carry guns, my P225 (the single-stack antecedent to the 228) is usually the default.
GreenFurniture
Member
If you stick with Gold Dot or Golden Saber rounds, JHP variety, you'll be fine.
Mulliga
Member
I often hear this repeated, and I wonder if it is really true. Both these rounds will penetrate quite a bit, which means both will be able to go through a skull or a rib to damage vital organs.
If both rounds hit the CNS, it seems like both rounds will stop nearly instantly. And if both rounds miss the CNS, it seems like you will need to continue to shoot until you do get a CNS hit. So in that respect, they are equal. I suppose a .45 bullet has a larger diameter allowing slightly more forgiving shot placement for achieving a CNS hit, but a 9mm gun is faster to shoot, so to me, they cancel each other out.
XD40Assassin
Member
Its gonna hurt really bad either way so why not? If the perp has a vest youre sorta screwed anyway regardless of what caliber handgun your using unless its a five seven or something in an AP caliber. Id go for a 9mm for capacity and lower recoil if I had to duke it out for a while with no vests but I like to kick up the masculinity up a notch and stick with a .40.
C. H. Luke
Member
"Anyone have any recommendations on a good 9mm round with not too much recoil?"
The .40 may be greaat for Cops & Troopers that have to shoot thru auto glass, sheet metal and all but for self-defense the 9 can do it all. Still have to have the ability to put a "Quick
Aimed Pair" into COM consistantly.
Ranger T-Series 127 +P+ have the juice and the bullet to do this.
Have run a bunch of them thru my lowly {and light!} Glock 26 & 17 with no complaints about the recoil, accuracy or the time it takes to put two on paper. SIGS are known for shooting "soft" so it's sure to be even better than thru a Glock!
The .40 may be greaat for Cops & Troopers that have to shoot thru auto glass, sheet metal and all but for self-defense the 9 can do it all. Still have to have the ability to put a "Quick
Aimed Pair" into COM consistantly.
Ranger T-Series 127 +P+ have the juice and the bullet to do this.
Have run a bunch of them thru my lowly {and light!} Glock 26 & 17 with no complaints about the recoil, accuracy or the time it takes to put two on paper. SIGS are known for shooting "soft" so it's sure to be even better than thru a Glock!
faustulus
Member
I am pretty much exclusivly a 9mm man. I love the platforms and I love the round. And while we can go round and round beating a horse that if not dead is in mortal danger of expring, the fact of the matter is it will do the job.
The real question, and one that none of us can answer, is DO "YOU" feel comfortable with it?
The 228 is a great little gun. You can ask more of the platform.
The real question, and one that none of us can answer, is DO "YOU" feel comfortable with it?
The 228 is a great little gun. You can ask more of the platform.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
I concur with what my friend natedog posted. 
wolf
Member
the speer gold dot 124 is my 9mm choice..it works fine and feels good...the .45 choice is the gold dot 230..works & feels fine also...i would feel ok with either in any situation
wolf
wolf
Krag
Member
Cor-Bon's 115 gr.+P DPX is what I stoke my Kahr PM9 with.
BTW, according to Marshall and Sanow, the 9mm and .45 FMJ rounds have similar "one stop" ratings.
BTW, according to Marshall and Sanow, the 9mm and .45 FMJ rounds have similar "one stop" ratings.
While a 9mm and a .45 JHP may expand, the .45 certainly won't get smaller. That said, I certainly have no qualms carrying the former caliber for defense. Especially from the Sig platform, the 9mm should fill your needs of being light on the recoil. Go with a good JHP; I've noticed from my Sig 229 that Golden Saber +p JHP rounds are by no means unmanageable.
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