.45 is my personal preference.
Isn’t it just a question of whether you want to be able to lug around more rounds versus whether you want what you shoot to die reliably?
I am still shooting .45 colt, with no reason to look elsewhere.
Just have one (or more) of each ...
Whenever I advocate for the 9mm, people accuse me of sitting down when I go to the bathroom...
But IMHO, dead is dead, and both calibers will kill you.
Stopping power is not a myth. Just read any SOCOM/SEAL, or Green Beret interview from Afghanistan. The Berettas continually shot right through the crazed Taliban/Qaeda fighter while 1911 rounds usually dropped them in their tracks at close range.
For me, accuracy is more dependent on how comfortable a weapon is in my hand than on caliber. For instance, I can shoot a 9mm and .45 equally well in a 1911, but equally poorly in guns that don't fit my hand as well.
The one I can comfortably carry under the present circumstances.
and why?
Because a 9mm in my hand beats a .45 back home in the armory.
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)
For personal defense, seldom will someone be rapid firing at multiple targets.
Cops, by nature of the job, put themselves in situations where a gun must be drawn, or have multi targets.
So they’re bragging about spray and pray. If you intend to wound instead of kill, by all means select the 9mm. I’ve often wondered about the wonder nine.
The 9mm round is a joke.
Projectile is more important than cartridge size. 9mm expanding rounds are more effective than .45 ball ammo. We could argue forever. Put Hydrashock in anything and feel confident.
I am very fashionable.....
My winter wear is a compact high capacity .45
My summer wear is a VERY compact, flat and lightweight 9mm.....
The best pistol is the one you can have with you....
Projectile is more important than cartridge size. 9mm expanding rounds are more effective than .45 ball ammo. We could argue forever. Put Hydrashock in anything and feel confident.
I’m happy with all of mine. Have a Glock 17 (9mm), Glock 22 (40) and a Glock 30 (45).
In case you think I’m Glock obsessed, I do have a Ruger Charger (to go with the Ruger 10/22). And plan on getting a S&W 357 revolver and a Beretta 92FS (they will be the last 2 pistols).
I got the G17 & G22 for magazine compatibility with my 2 of the 3 Keltec Sub 2000 folding carbines. (The third Keltec Sub 2000 will be paired with a 92FS)
If 6 rounds of .357Mag aint enough, Im where I should not be.
With best quality bullets, there is little difference. I guess I would pick .45 in a high capacity Glock. Otherwise it would be a 17 shot Sig vs. an 8 shot 1911.
If that was the choice it would be 9mm.
.45 ACP there is no substitute.
The three most critical factors in “one-shot-stops” are:
1) Shot placement
2) Shot placement
3) Shot placement
That said, my main carry piece is a Springfield XD in 9mm. It can use the +P loads. 16+1 rounds in case my shot placement is not perfect.
My back-up....usually under the seat of my pick-up....is a Charter arms Bulldog in .44 special. Only 5 rounds, but sometimes you want big holes.