Change of mind from .45 to 9mm

[Hitman13]

new member

I'm new to this and doing a little research. Judging from the responses, the 9mm is damn effective in the right hands. A couple of thoughts come to mind: why have a lot of Law enforcement agencies switched to higher calibers? and is that relevant to us from a self-defence POV?
Also wouldn't a 9mm be better for a smaller ccw as opposed to a bulkier 45 with more recoil?

 

[40jjb]

45 acp or 9mm

I have Xd45, p32, P 3ats and 3 kel tec P11, I find that with good ammo selection the 9 mm is a great for self defence use something like Cor bon 115 grn or speer Gold dot even my favorite the federals EFMJ and you have up youre self defence capabilities. I find my self carring my P 3at with cor bons foer close encounter witch are great Its just like a 9 mm with a short barrel, and for bad naberhood I carry my P11 9mm, I also carry these 2, My wife likes the P32 she has great shot placement with it.

 

[DirksterG30]

I went from .45ACP to 9mm for a couple reasons:

1. I shoot my CZ P-01 better than I did my 1911 (crazy, I know; may have to do with #2)
2. I can get twice as much shooting in with my 9mm as I did with my .45ACP
3. My research indicated that with good expanding hollowpoints, the 9mm will do the job just as well as .45ACP will.
4. I wanted to consolidate calibers as much as possible - I went from 4 handgun calibers to 2.

 

[40jjb]

9 mm or 45

By the way, yes in a 9mm, ammo selection is important, Now ask the same question about 15 yrs ago when we did not have the wide ammo selection for the 9mm and the answear would have been diferant. Also practice ammo for the 9mm is very cheap. If you have any queation of efectiveness, Now this will sound not to good, Look at the News of the shooting in VERGINIA yesterday, the suspect was using a 9mm and a 22 cal. I think the number of victims killed was 36. unfortunately Guns in the rong hand. But to the point 9mm is a great round!

 

[ripcurlksm]

I think the 9mm is harder to control due to the muzzle velocity. I have a .45 and I am considering getting a S&W M&P .40 - which I have shot a few times and it is the first polymer body I have shot and LOVED. IMO, If I go to a smaller caliber it will be .40, never 9mm.

 

[High Planes Drifter]

Im fond of the .45. I am of the oppinion that the .45 will cause more damage to a vital organ. But of course training and competence in your own firearm is far more important than selection of caliber; selection of caliber is far down on the list therefore I wont say anything bad about the 9mm. I am competent with my 1911, and confident I can put a round or 2 where it needs to go, snoth locker or oil pump.

 

[boomstik45]

What makes me laugh is those who act like all .45s are limited to either 7/8 rounds or really heavy weapons if capacity is greater than that. The only thing that is true (but subjective) is that most hi-cap .45s are fairly big. For instance, there's the XD .45, the HK USP .45, the Glock 21, and now the Smith and Wesson M&P .45. All of which aren't any heavier (maybe lighter) than many steel framed 9s. However, I see 9mm as an effective round with the right ammo. Get a good hollow point that is reliable in your weapon. If you must have a capacity of 10 or greater, you can get one of the aforementioned .45s or several others that are available. I seriously understand the idea of engaging multiple assailants. For that, I tend to want 10 rounds or better from ANY caliber before reloading. But when you're talking 13+1 .45 in a Springfield XD, is a Glock 17 with 18 rounds of 9mm that much better? Difference is indeed 4 rounds. But again shot placement is the key. If you place your .45 rounds well, then no problem. Same with the 9mm.

However, when encountering certain mediums such as heavy clothing, glass, etc., the heavier .45 will probably perform better from shot to shot. This is, of course, situational. I intend to have a weapon in both calibers.

 

[.45&TKD]

9 mm? Nice caliber Alice!

 

[boomstik45]

Uh.....