9mm: Underrated underdog or merely underpowered reject?

[Grunt]

"I know that it can penetrate 12 inches or more of deer."

Just curious, but in what state is it now legal to hunt deer with a 9mm pistol?

Actually, North Dakota is one (and we do have fairly large deer as well) though I think that's mainly a loop-hole in the law. The proclimation reads that a handgun firing a centerfire cartridge also used in rifles (you can read that as .44 mag, .357 mag, 9mm, .45 ACP, .40 S&W, .38 Special, etc.) is legal to use for the harvesting of deer. Of course, I don't know of anybody that would go out hunting deer with only a 9mm pistol! Then again, ND is pretty lax about a lot of gun and hunting laws. There is no magazine limit (want to hunt deer with a belt fed semi-auto Browning 1919 or an AK with a 75 round drum? It's legal. ) Want to snipe deer at several hundred yards with a BTHP bullet (actually, that's what I prefer to do)? As long as it's not a FMJ projectile, that's legal too. Really, it's pretty simple, for rifles, any centerfire round over .22 caliber (they just passed a revision a couple years back saying you can't use .50 BMG anymore ), not full auto and not a FMJ or exploding round and in handguns, a cartridge that is also used in rifles and carbines are legal. Class III state, SBR's are no problem and a "shall issue" state as well.

Now as for my take on 9mm. In it's FMJ loads for defense, it's a POS fit for nothing more than punching paper or shooting varmints. With modern, well designed hollow points like the Cor-Bon ammo, it's a bit better. I prefer my .45 ACPs and .40 S&W handguns for carry but as long as good HP ammo is used, I don't have any problems with 9mm for defensive uses.

 

[Alan Fud]

 

[JRLaws]

There is a very helpful thread (for people like me) over at http://www.tacticalforums.com/cgi-bin/tacticalubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=78;t=000581;p=1

Check out these 2 photos from that thread:

Please do read the thread as it will explain the pictures much better than I can.

JRLaws

 

[Pietro Beretta]

I hear this all the time. I am only 21 years of age, and have the firearms listed in my signature and I have heard/read at least a 100 of these conversations.

Honestly I dont know what to think.


I think all is a perfect choice, if you can shoot the caliber quick and accuratly

Choose what caliber you can shoot the best, then practice practice practice, and more practice, and even more practice. Between 357 9 40 and 45 They are all good self defence rounds. Dont feel outgunned by a 45 vs a 9mm., its all in you head fellas.


That is just my opinion though.

 

[ChCx2744]

If a BG was standing behind light cover and I was intent on dispatching him...I'm pretty sure the penetrating power and high capacity will do more than stop him. 9mm will get the job done; if it doesn't on the first try, it will on the 2nd, 3rd - > 18th

 

[jocko]

u forgot

to post the 50 cal for size comparison also. Bigger hole is always better, but that being said I love my 9mm.s. I pocket carry 24/7 and my Kahr pM9 just fits oh so nice in my front pocket and doesnt attract any young girls either

 

[jocko]

chcx2744. In reverse that bigger more powerful round you might be talking about in a crowded area might be a deterant to a passer-by who might be on the receiving end of a total pass thru from the BG. All kinds of scenarios,both pro and con for bigger is better or maybe not so much bigger is better...

 

[jocko]

Pietro: capeech my friend. You said it all but if we all adheared to what you said there would be no need for any gun forums.

but coming from a komifornia person, I also undersatnd. U guys arelucky to be able to even own a BB gun let alone a real gun..

have two brothers liveing there and I just feel so sorry for them!!!!

U see us ol Indiana boys , we get 4 seasons in one day, we can go in an buy damn near any gun we want and walk out with it and drive 10 miles and shoot it like we stole it.

Life is good.

smoke um if u got um...

 

[ericyp]

Well, the +p loads from doubletap send a 124 grain gold dot at over 1300 fps, which is close to some .357 mag hydra shok sold over the counter.

 

[woodybrighton]

Britsh army use the 9mm as do most European army's polices forces.
though they tend to use the hotter loads designed for open bolt smgs it kills people .

 

[ChCx2744]

ericyp said:

Well, the +p loads from doubletap send a 124 grain gold dot at over 1300 fps, which is close to some .357 mag hydra shok sold over the counter.

+1

Ditto