[DeaconNoGood]

Brother, you be preachin' the Gospel truth.

The .45 is more effective in many, many ways than competing rounds. Why our troops were forced to use another round is beyond me and common sense.

In the area of rifles, I've really enjoyed using my .45-70 single shot. It only takes one bullet to roll a wild hog.

[Anti-Bubba182]

I think the main reason they went to 9mm is that is what the NATO troops carried.

[ExSoldier]

Why our troops were forced to use another round is beyond me and common sense.

Multiple reasons, none of them valid, IMHO.

#1 Claims were made about difficult logistics with NATO "allies" who used the 9mm. Somebody figured it would speed resupply to have to carry just one handgun caliber. Musta been a frog.

#2 Claims were made that the 1911 was too much of a "kicker" for female soldiers. Well, sure. But I taught my daughter to shoot when she was 10. Today at 24 and married she has her very own Ruger SP101 357 magnum. She's a bullseye shooter with that gun at ten yards with a 3 inch barrel. Recoil can be overcome by proper instruction and practice.

#3 International Politics coupled with...

#4 Lots of money.

[Lady Jag]

We deliberately went to a non-lethal handgun so as NOT to kill the enemy. In wars where THAT worked, the non-lethal round, having wounded enemny on the field, would tie up additional enemy troops who tried to retrieve/save the wounded.

Terrorists, however, don't stop for their brothers, but keep coming at us like rabid dogs. And, as you know, the only way to deal with a rabid dog is to kill it.

Smartest thing the military could do is be flexible, and always arm according to the enemy's techniques.

[Uncle Jaque]

Re: "I've really enjoyed using my .45-70 single shot..."

Here's my Great Uncle "Freddy" with his Model 1873 Springfield:



In one of my Pappy's old gun books (circa 1948), the writer opines that "The .45-70 was a fine cartridge in it's day... and it's day is far from over.".

One of my favorites.

BTW; One of my favorite personal "Good luck charms":



Systema 27; "Sen'ior Quattra Sanque"; M-1911A1 with a Spanish accent. (Argentine).