The debate over the 9mm and .45 ACP is one of the most talked about in the firearms community.Both handguns/calibers have a huge following thanks to their popularity and success in the field.
Posted on 07/10/2018 4:56:17 AM PDT by w1n1
The debate over the 9mm and .45 ACP is one of the most talked about in the firearms community.
Both handguns/calibers have a huge following thanks to their popularity and success in the field.
9mm vs .45 ACP Match Ups
One of the biggest mistake that most people make is taking a black-and-white stance (only looking at ballistics stats) on the .45 ACP and 9mm.
Many will say that the .45 is better because it shoots a bigger caliber bullet, or that the 9mm is better because of its higher magazine capacity.
Both points are spot on and provide good reasons to prefer one over the other.
Even if you think more bullets is better, you have to admit having bigger bullets with more bullets on tap are both worthy considerations when choosing one gun over the other.
If you look at the bigger picture is that neither gun has a total advantage over the other one, and your own preferences will play a lot in determining which handgun is for you. Read the rest of this 9mm vs 45 story here. Which do you carry?
Hits.
It’s all about hits.
If you are proficient with .45ACP in a weapon that is concealable and light enough to carry every day, then, fine.
Many people, including many in the “anything that starts with 4” crowd, are not proficient and should be carrying 9s.
I own both and carry neither because 10mm.
For long term survival, I lean towards 45, easy to reload and when the HPs dry up, the diameter will be more important that the velocity.
I have both. Each has it’s good points and not many bad points. :-)
Then I picked up the Sig P320 RX (9mm) and installed a better trigger.
I shot them side by side. What a difference!
The P320's longer barrel and lighter recoil contribute greatly to accuracy, especially on follow-up shots.
The RX is perfect for my aging eyes.
Every range visit has strangers commenting on my patterns on 5 in. targets at 10 yds.
I believe a S&W 500 magnum is the best self defense firearm
I like all of them including .32ACP and .22LR.
If I had to choose one, knowing I will actually have it with me and knowing I will be facing several rabid yutes, I think it would be the 10mm. I would guess the .357 would be also be devastating.
Probably the sweetest shooting gun with still good power is my Brother’s old Colt New Service in .45 LC.
What do I actually have in my home, ready to grab? A Browning Hi-Power in 9mm. I would be just as happy with a 1911.
I am comfortable with the 9mm for self defense with a good hollow point round. However if I’m restricted to FMJ I’ll take the .45ACP every time.
Since I was a kid, I always wanted a “GI 45,” a 1911. Six years ago I finally bought a Remington 1911R1. I love it. Nothing fits your hand better than a 1911.
That being said, it’s a bear to carry concealed. So I bought an M&P Shield compact .45, and I shoot better with it than the 1911. Only complaint? the grips that feel like non-skid in my back. Fixed that with some heat shrink tubing.
My 115lb wife can’t handle the .45, so she bought a Ruger LC9, and almost outshoots me.
That was awesome.
Feh ...
It's barely adequate.
Carry a Rem 870 or a baseball bat.
The 9mm today is not your grandfather’s .38.
Have both, shot both, and conceal carried both (not at the same time).
For conceal carry for me; it’s 9mm in the summer months, .45 in the winter months. Either one works for me.....I like em both and proficient with both.
And sometimes, I’ll even conceal carry a .357 SIG which is basically a 9mm magnum. It’s loud.
Bottom line: I would NOT want to on the receiving end of any of em, especially that big old 230 gr .45. or the 9mm 147 gr HP round.
Egg - I mean .45
But when I want to conceal carry, this is my gun of choice, not to mention, if I don't hit the bad guy (or bear) the noise alone will literally cause them a pant load....
Looks like a wrist breaker.
You hit the High Points!
Yours is the best post of the day. Thanks!
I remember what Col. Jeff Cooper said about the old salt “Beware the man who has only one gun.” He explained that the gun makers would all go out of business if we really believed that one gun was enough. People need to be buying different firearms and keep it all going. It is for the good and safety of our great nation. (Tell me if your wife buys into this argument.)
I love these threads and I think they help the youngsters especially. I would always add my belief that we must study fighting in general and not get too bogged down in discussions of equipment. After all, as I have said many times, a gunfight is more FIGHT than gun!
9.2mm Podbyrin is the only caliber worth having.
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