A Different Way to Look at the Caliber Question

Which Caliber Do You Choose?

  • 380acp

    Votes: 2 2.2%

  • 9mm

    Votes: 18 19.4%

  • 357 magnum

    Votes: 8 8.6%

  • 40 caliber

    Votes: 4 4.3%

  • 10mm

    Votes: 8 8.6%

  • 45acp

    Votes: 53 57.0%
  • Total voters
    93
Given your specific options, the .45 1911.

However, having carried a 1911 for many years, if there were lesser caliber guns in different sizes, my opinion would change.

Depending on the weather, activity etc. a full size 1911 is kind of a pain to tote around 24-7.
 
Probably .45, in that one-week scenario. I'm adaptable. At home (with more time and opportunity) I favor the .22LR and .38 Special for recreational shooting.

I like revolvers, but probably wouldn't want to pack an eight-round .357 wheelgun. Throw a 3" SP-101 or something similar, and I'd probably got for that with .38 Special, even more likely would if .357 ammunition was included in the choices. But, as said, I could tolerate, and even enjoy, pretty much anything for a week. ;)
 
My EDC is a S&W Shield 9X19mm (8+1) capacity. I don't do the carry rotation. I use to carry different firearms on occasion but for the last several years the Shield has been my EDC. As a backup on occasion utilize a S&W M640-38Spl original issue marked (Tested For +P+). Nothing Space Age and or Fancy.
 
10mm it’s what 45ACP always wanted to be!

I’ll bring some Barnes 155gr VOR-TX
 
Last edited:
10mm vs 45acp?

I'd rather have .45 Super. It's super unfortunate that .45acp isn't faster.
 
"Caliber wars type of topics come up a lot".

I'm confused!
380 ACP is a cartridge!
9mm is a caliber. 9mm Parabellum is a cartridge.
357 Magnum is a cartridge.
40 is a caliber. 40mS&W is a cartridge.
10mm is a caliber.
45 ACP is a cartridge.

Smiles
 
out of o.p.’s stated 1911 style semiauto pistol choices: 380acp. i’m most familiar with 380acp so i can consistently hit with it. 2-3 380acp rounds to center mass is good enough for 200lb biped, and dog-sized, predators.

if i were showing up to an already armed forest camp with my own pick of a personal sidearm: 5.5” ruger single six 22wmr/lr. no better outdoors choice when paired with a centerfire rifle or shotgun.

if i were told to bring a centerfire handgun to same camp: 4.5” ruger blackhawk convertible 357/38/9.
 
The area is "iffy" at times. There are the occasional two-legged miscreants, but no large dangerous animals.

Your friend is a big 1911 fan. He has 1911 type pistols in 22, 32, 380, 38 special, 9mm, 357 magnum, 40 caliber, 10mm, and 45acp. They're all reliable and accurate and have similar triggers and sights. Due to their different sizes and specific magazines, they all hold the same number of rounds (8?).

Your friend offers to lend you one of his 1911's to carry around his property and keep by your bed at night. Which one do you choose?


I like my cartridges like I like my women, Short, Fat and take their time! 45 ACP for me please.

Yeah, no matter how you read that, it doesn't sound good...

I almost voted for 38 Spl because I've never seen an 8 shot 1911 in 38 Special.

I'd buy that for a dollar!
 
JCooperfan1911 said:
In terms of sheer affectiveness, .45 ACP is and always will be superior to all others on that list.

There is no replacement for displacement, and the huge .45 caliber and heavyweight bullet is devastating on target.

10mm uses a much smaller projectile and is limited in bullet weights. Gelatin testing shows lackluster results compared to ACP.
Click to expand...

I'm going to submit the idea that gel does not paint the whole picture and I'll use gel results to illustrate my point.
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/revolver-ballistics-test/
These two bullets perform basically the same in gel, same penetration & expansion.
4'' 38 Special 158 LSWCHP+P 13.4'' / .56 - 921 fps - 298# KE
4'' 357 Mag 125 SJHP 13.6'' / .54 - 1,473 fps - 602# KE
I'm going to guess that most people would say the 357 Mag has better ASAP potential despite the similar gel result.

Using the 357 Mag load above in another comparison with a close enough gel result.
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/
380 Hornady FTX Critical Defense 90 gr. 13.2'' / .52 - 910 fps - 166# KE
4'' 357 Mag 125 SJHP 13.6'' / .54 - 1,473 fps - 602# KE
Looking at the gel result that 380 performs almost as well as a full house 357 Mag; somehow I don't think gel result is reflective of the whole picture.
If gel result vs whole picture is suspect in these examples, generalize that to 10mm vs 45.
 
Tallball said:
The area is "iffy" at times. There are the occasional two-legged miscreants, but no large dangerous animals.
Click to expand...
In that case any of the major service calibers would be fine with me.
I don't want a full size 1911 in 380 though, a lightweight 9mm commander or better yet 38 Super would be sweet. If it really has to be a full size steel 1911 might as well be 40, 10mm or 45.
 
I picked 9mm, mostly because most of them have higher capacity. But I would been equally comfortable with a 40 or 45.
 
CDW4ME said:
I'm going to submit the idea that gel does not paint the whole picture and I'll use gel results to illustrate my point.
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/revolver-ballistics-test/
These two bullets perform basically the same in gel, same penetration & expansion.
4'' 38 Special 158 LSWCHP+P 13.4'' / .56 - 921 fps - 298# KE
4'' 357 Mag 125 SJHP 13.6'' / .54 - 1,473 fps - 602# KE
I'm going to guess that most people would say the 357 Mag has better ASAP potential despite the similar gel result.

Using the 357 Mag load above in another comparison with a close enough gel result.
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/
380 Hornady FTX Critical Defense 90 gr. 13.2'' / .52 - 910 fps - 166# KE
4'' 357 Mag 125 SJHP 13.6'' / .54 - 1,473 fps - 602# KE
Looking at the gel result that 380 performs almost as well as a full house 357 Mag; somehow I don't think gel result is reflective of the whole picture.
If gel result vs whole picture is suspect in these examples, generalize that to 10mm vs 45.
Click to expand...

It's wonderful when someone can so easily illustrate that the "penetration and expansion only" argument leaves a lot to be desired. And do so simply by challenge those who believe such nonsense to pick a .380acp over a .357 magnum, because they're "equally effective".
 
WrongHanded said:
It's wonderful when someone can so easily illustrate that the "penetration and expansion only" argument leaves a lot to be desired. And do so simply by challenge those who believe such nonsense to pick a .380acp over a .357 magnum, because they're "equally effective".
Click to expand...

Agreed, if both have equal penetration and expansion and one has more KE, that energy has to go somewhere; physics demands it.

The above is why the 357 had such a reputation as a man stopper.

I carry 9mm because the ballistics allow for good penetration and bullet technology has got to the point of reliable expansion to make 9mm a good round for self defense. The benefits of controllability, size of firearm and capacity of magazines add to the benefits.

But I'm in no illusion that a 147gr 9mm expanding bullet at 950-1,000fps is the same level of a 180gr 40S&W heading 1,000-1,050; when both penetrate similarly with an advantage of the 40 expanding to a slightly larger diameter. The additonal 19% mass and 5% velocity dumping into the target has to do some amount of "work" or "damage."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Tallball
Shooting 9mm Handguns - Which was the Most Accurate
2 3 4
Replies
97
Views
6K
desmobob
desmobob
Tallball
  • Locked
New to Me RIA 45acp and 9mm
Replies
3
Views
352
Tallball
Tallball
Tallball
  • Locked
What's Your Favorite 9mm Pistol to Shoot?
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Replies
185
Views
12K
aarondhgraham
A
Tallball
  • Locked
Three for $750... what do you think?
Replies
15
Views
1K
Walkalong
Walkalong
Tallball
  • Locked
Caliber War Thread
2 3 4 5
Replies
109
Views
4K
JR24
JR24
Back
Top