.45 ACP vs. 9mm Cartridge Debate

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 4/20/2017 | JB Snow

[w1n1]

Does it really matter?
We all love a good argument, especially when it comes to guns. But I’m always amazed when people speak in absolutes about the merits of the .45 ACP versus the 9mm.

What's funny is that even with ballistic data that we can access to use to debate our arguments. It’s still not enough to see the value objectively.

Reading data can be mind boggling or just too hard to visualize. Viewing pictures of the caliber aftermath may be the way to go.

Back in 2014, the FBI Academy from Quantico, VA released a report on why they were trending toward the 9mm over other options, including the .45 ACP and the .40 S&W. In case you missed it, here's what that summary included:

• Most of what is "common knowledge" with ammunition and its effects on the human target are rooted in myth and folklore
• Projectiles are what ultimately wound our adversaries and the projectile needs to be the basis for the discussion on what “caliber” is best
• Handgun stopping power is simply a myth
• LEO's miss between 70 – 80 percent of the shots fired during a shooting incident
• The majority of FBI shooters are both FASTER in shot strings fired and more ACCURATE with shooting a 9mm Luger vs shooting a .40 S&W (similar sized weapons)

Interesting stuff, but it doesn't motivate one to toss their .40s and .45s into the garbage can. For the FBI it can be other behind the scenes reasons as to why they're more inclined to go with the 9mm in this report, read the rest of the 9mm vs 45acp debate here. Which cartridge would you go with and why?

[Boomer One]

There is no substitute for shot placement between these rounds. However, as far as I know, the .357 is still considered the top stopper.

[lacrew]

I’ve got a Springfield 1911, in 9mm, which is kind of neat. I’ve also got a .22LR 1911, but it doesn’t function like a ‘real’ 1911. I got both to reduce ammo costs, though (the .22LR turned out to be bust, since ammo shot up right after I bought it).

[Buffalo Head]

The entire article can be discounted as something written by the rankest, uneducated amateur.

The cartridge designation ".45 ACP" was obsoleted and replaced by ".45 Auto" prior to WWII.

It's the headstamp stupid!

And please don't waste your time or anyone else's by providing a listing of others that also haven't yet received the word after eight decades. Some folks and many non-SAAMI ammunition manufactures (and Kimber!) choose to remain ignorant and/or uneducated.

[Big Red Badger]

Excellent Point!

The Civil War produced some Horrific
Battle Injuries.

Of course our Medical care has improved.

[Chainmail]

I had to wait for a little while before answering you. My assumption is that you mean well but I was strongly affected by your treatment of our casualties as if it was a box score in some damn sports game or something.

Each one of those young lives was one of our own young sons or brothers or fathers, not some score you assign to a points system. I am a combat veteran. I have survived direct combat and severe wounds. The young people I knew are not statistics.

Now, I suspect that you are interested in history and have done some reading - but don't make assumptions on just some data points on how well people succeed or fail in combat.

In the case of the Germans, they did best on unwarned, unprepared adversaries. They had decent weapon systems but a ridiculous logistic support system with way too many types, calibers, and modifications and their support system was chaotic. Just supporting the various versions of armor in the field required far too many parts and repairs per miles driven to be as effective as they were designed to be. During the Battle of the Bulge, a startling amount of their armor just broke down in place usually from transmission failure, even before the Allied forces began to gain momentum to repulse the attack and shove them back to Germany.

The key part to know about the Battle of the Bulge is that even though some support units and new units folded during the initial attack, several veteran US units found good defensible ground and stopped the momentum of the German thrust and denied them the critical road intersections needed to continue across the Marne and on to Antwerp. I'm very proud of those men and am in awe of the courage and skill that took in the face of overwhelming force. The other thing to know about the Germans was that they routinely murdered civilians and Prisoners of war - and we should have hanged every damn one who executed civilians or POWs.

On Iwo, as I said previously, it was a well-designed death trap with layer after layer of mutually supporting pillboxes, supported by pre-sited artillery and mortar fire and belts of mines. The courage and selflessness those Marines and Corpsmen showed is inconceivable in today's environment. They secured the island, the airbase was rebuilt and improved, and the war continued.

It's not a box score - and there weren't any troops anywhere better than ours.

[CrazyIvan]

Absolutely. I’m astonished at how effective the newer.380 rounds are compared to some older “man stoppers” of course they have benefited from new technology proportionately. I carry a LCP when I cannot carry anything bigger. I doubt that anyone at our annual ecumenical Easter concert knew the first baritone was “packing” in his tux.
.

[gundog]

Or, 9mm in warm months, when clothes are light, and .45 in winter, for penetrating heavy coats.

[exnavy]

I just wanted to thank you for your service to this fine nation of ours. I appreciate your sacrifice.