If you had only one shot to defend yourself and had to choose between these calibers,

If you had only one shot to defend yourself and had to choose between these calibers,

  • 9mm

    Votes: 22 3.8%

  • .40S&W

    Votes: 26 4.5%

  • .45acp

    Votes: 261 45.2%

  • .38spl

    Votes: 1 0.2%

  • .357 mag

    Votes: 257 44.5%

  • .380

    Votes: 2 0.3%

  • .45 GAP

    Votes: 7 1.2%

  • 9x18 Mak

    Votes: 2 0.3%
  • Total voters
    578
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Against humans, I'd go with the .45 ACP (which is what I carry concealed).

Since you didn't specify, I'd choose the .357 Mag -- good against humans, more adequate than the .45 against bears or other large 4-legged predators.
 
" but higher velocity (as far as pistol rds go) ALWAYS means better expansion than lower velocity, and heavier bullets always mean lower velocities."


You would think. But it's just not the case. All bullets are not made the same. In any one type of bullet, be it golddot, xtp, goldensabre, hydroshok, etc, the heavier bullets have much larger cavities. They almost always expand better and in most cases larger than the lighter ones.
 
While some people dispute what Marshal and Sanov have come up, thier data shows that the Federal 125 gr .357 had 111 one stop shots out of 117 shooting for a 95% success at one shot stops. This data was compliled from 1992 to 1996.

For some reason I can't find the darn sheet that has the same years stats for the 230 gr HydraShok.http://www.thehighroad.org/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=1842412#
Cussing
I believe it was only about a 2% difference though. In truth I don't believe that the small percentage in difference has much of an impact. There are many, many more factors that are much larger influnces. Like I stated earlier, I can shoot my single action .45 far better than I could revolver with its long (and comparativly heavy) double action trigger. This is not true for everyone however. But for me it is, so I'll stick with my .45.

These days just about all premium ammo of any caliber will expand reliably at reasonable combat ranges. The thing is that there are so many variables to deal with that no single round is best at all of them. You have to take certain things into account. For instance, I live pretty far north. It's cold here in the fall and spring, not just in winter. Most people wear heavy coats or several layers of warm clothing, including the bad guys. If a hollowpoint hits those layers of fabric or even a single heavy layer, the hollow part of the bullet tends to act like a cookie cutter and the cavity fills up with the material and you instatnly have non expanding ammo. I think just about everyone will agree that when it comes to non expanding ammo, a bigger frontal area it always better. This is only a single variable and obviously doesn't apply to everyone, or even to me all the time. But is one that I consider.

Have a COMPLETELY reliable handgun, in the largest caliber that you are comfortable shooting accuractly and quickly and fill it with premium ammo. And practice, practice, practice. Chances are you'll do just fine. Even with only one shot.
 
MattW - reread my post. I choose the 9mm because I can shoot pistols chambered for it faster and more accurately than any other centerfire handgun I own. Nuff said!

Fast, accurate shot placement is more important than bullet diameter!
 
A long time ago in BCT, our DI held a demonstration. He hung up a large piece of steel plate and picked up an M16 and shot it. It didn't move but there was a hole in it. He next tried an M-14. It moved a little and there was a slightly bigger hole in it. Next he used a M1911 .45 ACP at the shot the heavy plate swung completely around and fell. There was no hole in it but a very large dent. Knock the snot out of them - they can die on the ground later. I go for the big hole.
Click to expand...

the problem with using reactive steel targets as a metric becomes clear when someone brings a baseball to the range.
 
I am checking in, and I noticed that the polls are a land slide. I was figuring that 9mm would have had more votes, but I was wrong. The fact that .45 acp is in a close second doesn't surprize me in the least :cool:
 
Why is 10mm not on the list?

Both my CCW and my nightstand gun are 10mm's, stocked with 180 gr. GOld Sabres in front of 10.8* grains of IMR 800x, for a velocity of 1406 FPS from a 5" tube, 1342 from 3.5". If that won't make 'em think twice, I'm screwed anyway. I voted .45 ACP, since it is the next best thing.

*Disclaimer: The above stated load is over maximum and should not be attempted. I walk a dangerous line.
 
I will take a 45 acp loaded with either +p 230 grain Wincheser Rangers over 12 inches of penetration and it expands to .80 caliber with about 500 footpounds and sharp barbs whats not to like. The other load I like is the +p Federal HST it has about 450 footpounds penetrates over 12 inches and expands to almost .90 caliber. But in reality I would feel almost as well with the +p+ 127 grain 9mm Ranger. Shotplacement matters the most especially if you only have one shot.
Pat
 
mattw said:
Why would anyone choose 9mm if they could have .45ACP?
Click to expand...

They wouldn't.

They are just trying to convince others and themselves. In day to day practicality, they might actually prefer 9mm (as I do). But in THIS "one shot" situation- let's be honest. NO one with any inkling of a clue would prefer to put one 9mm in an attacker instead of a .357mag or .45acp.

Whatever your reasons are for choosing 9mm- cost, capacity, availability, recoil etc, those are all indeed valid reasons, in fact cost is THE reason I choose 9mm. But you are in DENIAL, if given ONE SHOT, in THIS scenario, with THESE choices, you claim you'd take a 9mm over a .357mag, or even a .45acp.

I shoot 9mm. I don't have time to reload, and even if I did, I'd be hard pressed to do it much cheaper than $3.86/50 anyways. If I could shoot .45acp or 10mm at 9mm prices, of COURSE I would be shooting that instead. I sometimes shoot as much as a case in a weekend (could not afford to do that w.10mm even if I reloaded). Bottom line, I get to shoot more for my money with 9mm. But I am comfortable enough in my decision to be realistic about the parameters of it. The % of those who picked 9mm in this exercise are NOT.
 
I voted .45

Although .357 would be a close second for me. The revo round has good balistics for a handgun round, but I'm far more proficient with a 1911 than my Ruger .357.
 
What?!

No 10mm?! Then I'll take my .357 S&W Magnum! :barf: I have nothing against my .357's, but I can shoot my 10mm Autos just as, if not more, accurately.

Scott
 
Many good choices but I picked the .45 acp. If I really had a choice though I'd just a soon hit them with an automobile.
Jim
 
I suspect the .357 mag. might be the best, but don't own one. Of those I own, my best shooting is with the pistol that shoots .45, so that is what I voted for.
 
135 gr Cor-bon jhp in 40 SW. It's virtually tied with the 357 125 gr HP on the street and it comes in a more contollable package.
Biker
 
158 gr Silvertip 357mag;) , when you absolutely need to put their D*$@ in the dirt. although that 50 bmg:scrutiny: would kill on both sides. John
 
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