New CCW permit holder: .45ACP or 9mm HP?

[provotrout]

Hello all,

I applied for a Virginia Resident permit to CCW about one month ago. I'm getting ready to purchase a couple weapons to carry & have decided this much:

- for warmer, harder to conceal times of year a Taurus .38sp 5-shot revolver.
- for cooler months I plan to carry either a .45ACP or a 9mm.

I've fallen in love with the feel of HK's USP Compact line & am debating whether to go with the .45 or the 9mm. Obviously the .45 has more stopping power, but a 9mm Hollow Point round at close range is pretty darn good right? (Main question)

The 9mm platform is attractive to me because of the cheap ammo, higher magazine capacities & increased 2nd shot accuracy. Based on those assumptions I'm leaning towards 9mm, but you guys & gals have much more experience than me, so your input is appreciated.

- Provo

 

[ugaarguy]

provo, welcome to THR. Forum member JE223 has a website, www.brassfetcher.com, where he hosts an extensive database of ballistic gel tests he's conducted. He also posts the results here on THR. Look at the website, and also search for threads he's started here to see commentary from knowledgeable folks on the results. I think you'll find that a good modern 9mm JHP is more than adequate for self defense.

 

[bearmgc]

Welcome Provo. I'm sure you wonder about the 45, and deep down you know you'd like to have one. So get it, and know, big hole in, big hole out. Comforting, isn't it?

 

[provotrout]

thanks & thanks

UGAARGUY - thanks for the response & link. I'll be sure to snoop around & see what I can find.

BEARMGC - haha, the .45 is definitely in my head. You're spot on. Seeing how I'm pretty much a 4 year old when it comes to shopping for firearms ("I want that & that & that...) a .45 is most likely in my immediate future. At the same time, provided the 9mm JHP is an adequate bruiser, I'd prefer to carry a smaller, lighter weapon.

 

[jlh26oo]

9mm is MORE than adequate.

But if you want a .45, no reason to start with anything else.

 

[jeepmor]

I prefer a 45, but that's just personal preference because I'm over 6' tall and 220lbs. I bought my wife a 9mm and she likes it just fine. We keep her 9mm stocked with Double Taps for the nightstand.

For economy of shooting, pick the 9mm, it is considerably cheaper to shoot. As for self defense purpose, I'm gonna have to recommend Double Tap in any round you decide to carry, that stuff is quite stout.

As for what platform to place the rounds in, let your hands make the decision. Go to your gunstore and put your paws on everything they have, the better it feels in your hand, the more comfortable it will be to shoot and the better you'll shoot with it.

 

[don95sml]

You really answered your own question in listing the advantages of a 9mm. For self defense the ability to recover quickly from recoil and fire another aimed shot is very important. Relatively cheap "Winchester white box" ammo from Wally World works well for practice. For carry, there are many good potent rounds out there these days.

 

[michiganfan]

Hey I'm 56 and I am still a four year old when it copmes to buying guns. It is sort of like the search for the Holy Grail. The closet I have come to the perfect carry gun for me is the Glock 23. Right size, weight, high cap and a 40. Just point and shoot .

 

[Vonderek]

IMHO the 9mm loaded with modern JHP is plenty effective for a SD handgun. However, the HK platform you are considering is pretty chunky for a CCW handgun so if you're set on it I would go with .45. If you want to carry a 9mm there are other slimmer, more compact designs which is where I think the caliber really shines.