Don't the 9mm's deserve some discussion time?

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21H40

21H40

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I've been enjoying lively discussion covering whether or not 40 and 10mm are actually different, and it occurred to me that some of the popular 9mm's might be feeling left out.

Seriously, why are the same arguments used in the 40/10 threads not applied to 9mm? Aren't those arguments valid across the board?

There are 9x19, 9x18, and a 9x17 in popular use all over, but I don't ever hear people saying "380 does the same as 9mm with a 95 grain bullet at 1100 fps"

Why carry a 9mm Parabellum when a 380 is practically the same?
 
21H40 said:
Why carry a 9mm Parabellum when a 380 is practically the same?
Click to expand...
That's the endless debate.
And 9x18 gets touted for having "armor-piercing" velocity, often without attribution.
And, then, there's the often ignored 9x21s (which are a wide and varied bunch all on their own).
Oh, and we cannot forget 9x23.

9x17 generally is easier to successfully fit to pure blowback operation, and being shorter, can make for a more compact frame.

Where most of the "9x19 is better" is in being able to "run" bullets up to around 150gr, and still get over 1040fps. Something you just can't get out of a 9x17.

Is that "better"? Or "worse"? Dunno. But is can sure waste electrons by the bucket-full.
 
I would ask why the 9MMP has displaced the 38 Super. For starters, the change in headspacing on the rim to headspacing on the cartridge mouth which improved accuracy.
 
I shoot and reload both 9x18Mak and 9x19. In my experience, 9x18 just simply doesn't have the velocity and energy that
the 9x19 round enjoys and there are definitely far fewer factory 9x18 Mak loads to choose from. The FBI gel tests were what convinced me that I would leave my 9x18 Mak pistols off of my CCW and add more 9x19 models.

9x18 Mak is plenty deadly and effective but not as much so as the 9mm Luger. A more practical consideration for many nowadays
too is simply the much higher cost and lower availability of 9x17 and 9x18, when compared to the leagues more popular 9x19 round.

My mother in law carries several .380 ACP pistols because she likes the reduced size and recoil and more power to her for that, I'm just happy she carries.
 
“Why carry a 9mm Parabellum when a 380 is practically the same?”

Really? I never even considered that, and a quick review of the Sierra 6th Edition loading manual clearly shows why:
.380 Auto 90 gr bullet max velocity. 1000 FPS. (5 different powders)
9mm Luger 90 gr bullet max velocity 1500 FPS (2 powders, 1400 with 9)

.380 Auto 115 gr bullet 800 FPS (8 different powders)
9mm Luger 115 gr bullet 1300 FPS (Power Pistol, 1250 with 4)

I don’t consider a 50% increase in velocity to be “the same”.
And no +P loads are listed for .380 Auto, but 9mm Luger shows 90 gr bullet at 1500 fps with 6 different powders, the 115 gr bullet at 1300 fps with 5 different powders and the 124 gr bullet at 1200 fps with 6 different powders.
Enough!
Plus those tiny 9mm cases are tough enough to handle, I would not want to mess with the even smaller .380 case with my fat fingers.
 
CoalTrain49 said:
How is it practically the same? How would you definition "practically" the same. I'm not sure I've ever heard anyone say that.

Here is a side by test.



Click bait. I took the hook and ran with it. ;)
Click to expand...


I think that video and others show the .380 is quite smaller, and as another poster noted 50% faster is not the same. Does not mean there is no place for a .380 it just means there is a difference in power. You could need the smaller gun, or like the lighter recoil or just shoot your .380 better. If I did carry a .380 I would choose a bullet known to penetrate at least 12in in gel because I take the FBI standards seriously. The 95gr XTP seems to do it but the other hollow points seem to usually fall short.

I enjoy these sorts of discussions I would just caution the newbie to prioritize shot placement and training. I had fun when I first started but I did burn through a lot of money testing different hollowpoints and different calibers.
 
21H40 said:
Why visit a discussion board then? The internet is pretty much only for discussing things that barely matter, like cats and calibers.
;)
Click to expand...
Because "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result". This question is one of them. :p Have a good night!:D
 
Anchorite said:
Watching/reading the constant, endless caliber debates on THR is like watching the track and field events at the special olympics. At the end of the day all the contestants are ….. winners or losers … still ….. special.
Click to expand...
I know that joke and very good wording on it! But I agree. Arguing on the interwebs means you are a special person.
 
21H40 said:
I've been enjoying lively discussion covering whether or not 40 and 10mm are actually different, and it occurred to me that some of the popular 9mm's might be feeling left out.

Seriously, why are the same arguments used in the 40/10 threads not applied to 9mm? Aren't those arguments valid across the board?

There are 9x19, 9x18, and a 9x17 in popular use all over, but I don't ever hear people saying "380 does the same as 9mm with a 95 grain bullet at 1100 fps"

Why carry a 9mm Parabellum when a 380 is practically the same?
Click to expand...
... for heavens sake. What answer are you seeking?
 
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