9mm vs. .45

[derekadavis]

Im sure its been asked a hundered times, but do you prefer 9mm or .45 Or other? And why?

Im a 9mm guy simply because of prices and how often i shoot!!!

 

[308sc]

ohh no not this again

Personally I have researched this so many times....and really all I have found is it is personal preference. Which ever round you shoot the best with is better.

I also found when using a premium hollow point round....the difference between the two starts to vanish.

 

[Billy Shears]

I've always preferred the .45ACP, and still do. But truthfully, with today's best JHPs, there probably is very little difference in actual stopping power.

 

[23Glock]

Instead of "Other", you need an option that says "I am the weapon, the caliber is just one of my tools." A .22 is as deadly as a .50 BMG in the right hands...

 

[Treo]

If you're sure it's been asked a hundred times why not use the search feature ?

BTW , .40S&W & IBTL

 

[Juna]

Depends on what I'm using it for.... Caliber is a tool, like anything else. I view it sort of like saying, "Do you prefer metric or SAE tools?" or, "Do you prefer slotted or phillips head screwdrivers?" It depends what you need it for.

I have more 9 mm handguns b/c cost was a significant factor for me when I started shooting (and still is). I've kept them b/c the cost allows cheaper practice, I like my 9 mm platforms, capacity is higher, and availability is top notch.

I also love .45 ACP. I shoot it very accurately, I like the added power, and with the XD 45, I can get 13+1, which rivals a lot of 9 mms out there.

If it came down to it in a SHTF scenario in my home with both in the safe, I'd grab the .45 ACP for the added power. That said, I carry a 9 mm a lot. I now use .22 LR for most practice when I can b/c it's a LOT cheaper and still fun.

If I could have an unlimited supply of handgun ammo for life in one caliber only, I would pick 10 mm full house loads.

 

[Eightball]

.357 Mag--when you absolutely, positively, must throw a monkey wrench into these recurring calibre wars.

 

[Kryzen]

For My 45.

I Cant Compare A 22 With A 50 BMG Its Imposible.Some Bullets Are Make For Diferent Purposes.

 

[ByAnyMeans]

9mm for me unless i'm bound to full-metal jacket only and even then it can have advantages so it still would'nt be a total loss.

 

[possum]

it dosen't matter all handguns suck.
http://www.lawofficer.com/news-and-...ssionid=10BDC02F0CF4D0B083E43EA06A47B949pital

 

[Boats]

Though I like both for various reasons, I choose .45ACP push comes to shove.

If I ever had to rely primarily on the practice FMJ laying about for self defense, I want the 230gr hardball and not the 115gr stun pellets.

Many who say "all things being equal" rely upon a fantasy. Things are never equal. When the bullet can't expand, 45ACP has no equal.

Most 9mm owners I know, including myself, don't keep hundreds, let alone thousands of rounds of JHPs on hand, even when reloading. In a long term situation they'll be loading up on those inadequate 115 grainers.

I'll leave the 9mms in the safe if all I can feed them for carry is FMJ.

 

[357wheelgunner]

Most 9mm owners I know, including myself, don't keep hundreds, let alone thousands of rounds of JHPs on hand, even when reloading. In a long term situation they'll be loading up on those inadequate 115 grainers.

Maybe they should stock up on JHP. You can buy 9mm Remington Goldensabers for $11 a box at Natchezss.com, decent .45 JHP costs $25 or so for a box of 20.

Why not stock up on 9mm JHP? I'll take a quality 124gr JHP at 1200 FPS over a target load 230gr at 700 fps, especially if the quality 9mm JHP is similar in price to the .45 FMJ.

I'll leave the 9mms in the safe if all I can feed them for carry is FMJ.

Why would you carry FMJ?

 

[CrankyOldGuy]

"but do you prefer 9mm or .45 Or other? And why?"

I will have to answer your question with a question:

For what?

Self defense CCW?
Home Defense?
Carbine?
Pistol?
SMG?

For each of the above I have a preference and one caliber doesn't answer all the scenarios.

For some I use both calibers, for some I choose neither.

 

[walker944]

I voted for OTHER; but...

In reality my vote would have been for BOTH!!!

I have quite a few 9mm weapons because I really like a LOT of the variations made and really enjoy shooting them. I have thousands of rounds of JHP that I bought when they were cheaper. So, cost of ownership and firing them is realitively inexpensive...which is always a good thing.

I also have several .45 acp weapons that I shoot often with reloads. I don't reload myself, but found an excellent contact in the general area I live in that reloads and sells 100 rounds at $19. I have litterally purchased thousands of rounds from this guy. So, again, the cost of ownership and firing is relatively low.

Therefore my vote for both.

When it comes to self defense and concealed carry I carry a Kel-Tek P11 (9mm). However, I believe the .45 acp is a more effective 1-shot shopper than the 9mm. I fully understand the contradiction, but carry is all about what works for you on a DAILY basis...and everyone has their own opinion and preference.

 

[CrankyOldGuy]

Walker,

Well said.
For a CCW I carry a Glock36 or a Glock26.
Both fit the same holsters and handle identically.

I have to decide between a 6+1 45ACP or a 12+1 9mm (I use a +2 mag extension on the G26 for a better grip with my extra large hands.)

My decision is based on many factors, I will often chose the 36 with FMJ 230gr .45ACP in the winter, for penetration of heavy clothing. Other times I carry the same pistol with GoldDot +P 230gr Short Barrel.

The slightly smaller and lighter 26 is a better carry in the summer or in "business casual dress" meetings. It can be "short loaded" with the same 6+1 as the 36 for an significant weight savings if needed. This pistol is usually carried with 124gr +P GoldDot Short Barrel ammunition.

To further increase flexibility, the .45 has factory Glock tritium night sights, and the 9 is equipped with the standard squared white rear "U" with white front dot.

I acquire the U + dot slightly quicker in good light, obviously the tritium sights are faster in poor light.

I practice quite a lot with both.

As you said, "Carry is all about what works for you."

 

[hags]

Instead of "Other", you need an option that says "I am the weapon, the caliber is just one of my tools." A .22 is as deadly as a .50 BMG in the right hands...

Dad?

 

[hags]

I Cant Compare A 22 With A 50 BMG Its Imposible.Some Bullets Are Make For Diferent Purposes.

Would you let someone shoot you with either?


Hey you can shoot me in the foot with a .50BMG and I'll wear a prosthesis, if you shoot me in the head with a .22LR I'll be wearing something I didn't pick out.

The point is they are both deadly and command respect.

 

[Claude Clay]

the intervention was......use the 40S&W.

 

[Glocker]

I like both, but 9mm is cheaper than .45acp. The way I look at it, I would rather hit the BG with two 124gr. (248gr.) than with one 230gr. .45acp, also, I like the high capacity you get with 9mmers.

 

[magnumcarry]

With todays ammo, I believe the 9MM will do what is needed to be done. P.S. Glocker, call me.

 

[okespe04]

I want both,

I bought the glock 21sf .45 first because it just seems right to a buy known "man stopper" for my first auto. I also like the fact that cheap ball ammo has been dropping people for almost 100 years. Learn to shoot the gun well, buy 1000 rounds of UMC, and I'm shtf ready as far as a side arm goes.

Next I want a 9mm: cheap ammo, fun to shoot, accurate, viable stopping power with the right ammo, and 16 +1 capacity would be nice. Also stocking up on ammo would be cheap and even inadequate UMC would hurt pretty bad. Pray and spray.

 

[hags]

the intervention was......use the 40S&W.

Nothing personal, but I just don't see a need for this round. You're pretty well armed for most situtations with a 9mm and a carbine, preferably AR style. I'm not sure what the .40 offers that is so much better than the 9mm or .45 ACP.

 

[gits]

Although it is rather all shot placement that makes the difference, I still like the fact that bigger bullet holes = faster bleeding out. If I was on a money crunch I could easily say 9mm.

 

[1911shooter]

The 45 is the one i use i like big and slow not little and fast, maybe thats why i drive an F350 instead of a Porche. theres nothing wrong with the 9mm just like the big and slow better.

 

[R.W.Dale]