9mm vs 45 comparison

[Jeremiah10:23]

I am aware of the knock down power difference and capacity difference arguments but I have not seen a cost comparison for ammo. How much difference is there and what is your prefered brand.

I am considering a glock and would like to see how expensive they each are to shoot.

(I currently own an old Taurus 92afs so I have a basic idea for 9mm).

Thanks,
Jeremiah 10:23

 

[fallout mike]

On average I would say at least 50% more for .45.

 

[mgmorden]

75% to 100% (aka twice as much) for .45 ACP vs 9mm IF you're shooting factory loads. If shooting reloads the difference is much smaller - more on the order of 20-30% more for .45ACP vs 9mm.

As to preferred brand - I mostly shoot reloads so there's no real "brand" there, but when I DO shoot factory ammo I usually just shoot what I can find on sale. Exception is the steel cased Russian stuff. Being a reloader I general avoid it just because I can't reuse the brass, but just in a moment of cheapness I bought two boxes of the Tula 9mm just to blast away. Out of that 100 rounds I had two primers that failed to go off on the first strike. That gun has over 2500 rounds through it and those two Tulas were the ONLY ammo I'd ever had a light strike with.

 

[almherdfan]

In cheap (tula) ammo 45 =$13.50/50. 9mm is $8.50/50. That's a significant difference is you are going to shoot a lot. Maybe not so much if your shooting is limited.

 

[JTQ]

In FMJ a representative sampling from MidwayUSA

American Eagle 9MM 50 rounds $14.49
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/15...m-luger-115-grain-full-metal-jacket-box-of-50

American Eagle .45ACP 50 rounds $23.49
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/15...-45-acp-230-grain-full-metal-jacket-box-of-50

Hollow point ammo

Speer Gold Dot 9MM 20 rounds $22.49
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/88...r-p-124-grain-jacketed-hollow-point-box-of-20

Speer Gold Dot .45ACP 20 rounds $27.99 now on sale for $25.63
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/69...acp-230-grain-jacketed-hollow-point-box-of-20

 

[guyfromohio]

I can get CCI Blazer 9mm for $8.99/50. The same in 45 is usually $15 or $16.

 

[NG VI]

There's no real difference in stopping power between them either. Any difference is pretty much insignificant, a good bullet design in 9mm will beat a mediocre one in .45, and vice versa.

I'd choose based on the platform itself, which gun feels best for you, and if you can try it ahead of time, which one shoots best for you.

 

[Ole Coot]

On new or just acquired pistols I use carry ammo for the first few hundred rounds. Tried the cheapo in a new pistol, had 3 FTF, 2FTE in the first 25rds and had to run 500rds of "good stuff" just to convince myself it was good to carry. After several hundred I use cheapo or reloads and don't worry about it if I happen to have a problem.

 

[Jeremiah10:23]

Which 9mm is better 115gr or 124gr?

 

[Jeremiah10:23]

Ole Coot,

What part of WV?

Huntington area for me.

 

[Pyro]

Which 9mm is better 115gr or 124gr?

124

 

[Jeremiah10:23]

Thanks for all the help. It made the decision easier.

 

[flyskater]

I like 147gr for 9mm. (less dependent on velocity to penetrate) and lesser recoil than 124gr.

 

[Redd Orion]

FWIW, here's what it costs me to load lots of 100 rounds with good namebrand copper jacketed bullets and Federal primers.

9mm: $19.16
.40S&W: $25.71
10mm Auto: $27.17
45 Auto: $26.54

Obviously, plated bullets are more cost effective, but I like keeping around 800-1,000 rounds of each made up as zombie loads. Just personal preference.

The knockdown power versus capacity is an issue who's answer will change with any given circumstance. If I'm hiking where I know there are black bears and mountain lions, I carry 45 auto or 10mm. If snakes (or two-legged snakes) are the primary concern, 9mm is acceptable.

Hope this helps.

 

[NG VI]

124 for sure. I like (for protection) newer designed 147 grain bullets the best, but the 124/124+P loads have always been solid performers.

115 grain bullets tend to be either shallow penetrators or mediocre at best expanders.

For range time whatever's cheapest, bullet weight's pretty irrelevant, unless your pistol shows a distinct preference.

 

[FMF Doc]

I find that it really changes based on your individual location. for example, where I live, all the police use .357Sig. That is usually a very expensive round, but because the LEAs use it, and there are alot of LEO trade-ins, it is considerably cheaper than in most other places. In genereal, though, .45 will probably run you 50% or more than 9mm. Now, that only becomes a factor with a high round count. If you only shoot a couple hundred rounds a month, probably not too big a burden, shoot what you like. If, however, your monthly round count rivals that of some LEAs, you might want to consider the cheapest alternatives.

 

[pazz]

I just sold my .45 last month as I didn't want the extra ammo costs. I love the round, hate the cost.

Now I have went back to shooting mostly 9mm and .22lr

 

[pazz]

Tula ammo is pretty cheap too.

 

[Schoffleine]

124

I like 147gr for 9mm. (less dependent on velocity to penetrate) and lesser recoil than 124gr.

147 has less recoil than a 124 bullet?

Also how does 124 +P compare to 147, and what determines whether your gun can shoot it?

 

[PabloJ]

I prefer heaver slug at lower velocity and avg. gas pressure. I like .45ACP enough to add S&W 645 to my Model 457s. Buying spare eight round magazines for the 457 proved a wise choice.

 

[LawofThirds]

If you've got fixed sights on your gun, it's probably either sighted in for a specific load.

My newer CZ 9mm's are dead on with 124's, while my earlier S&W's are clearly sighted in on 147's.

My vote is for standard pressure 147's or +p 124's. 124's seem to be much more common in my neck of the woods.

 

[Mauser lover]

9mm is cheaper if you buy factory loads, however if you handload, the two cartridges become much closer in cost.

As far as capacity is concerned, I only get 10 rounds anyway, so I might as well use bullets that make bigger entry wounds

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

There is no such thing as knock down power in a handgun round.

That being said, in my area, 50rds of budget 9mm is about $9. 59rds of .45ACP is about $15.

 

[briansmithwins]

My personal opinion is that all reasonable handgun cartridges have a low ability to stop a human with one round.

Since I don't believe that there is a significant difference between good JHPs out of a 9mmP or a .45 APC I went with the 9. It's cheaper and I can carry more of them.

BSW

 

[Redneck with a 40]

If you like to shoot alot, I'd get the 9mm. With today's bullets, there's very little difference in stopping power. A 230 grain JHP will probably penetrate 13" and end up at .75 caliber. A 124 grain 9mm will penetrate 12" and end up at .65 caliber. Not enough difference to matter.

Also, the recoil on the 9mm is much lighter and you get twice as many rounds, 17-19 vs 8-9.