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Twain was talking about the infamous "pepperbox" pistol, the black powder cap and ball pistol that had multiple barrels sticking out front, because they often exploded. Had nothing to do with the caliber.

The venerable .45 round is a MUCH better defensive round over the 9mm. True, our military went to the 9mm, but sadly it was not due to any military trials against the .45 whatsoever! In fact, the 9mm was around when we first chose the Colt .45 1911. Nothing in a pistol cartridge for a semi-auto at that time tested as well against live or dead flesh as the .45 round.

Why did we go to 9mm? Because we have women in the military now to consider I recon. Perhaps they felt the .45 was too much gun? Why do the FBI HRT carry the Springfield 1911 in .45? Why do our Special Forces carry H&Ks USPs in .45? There are plenty of great firearms out there in 9mm... -Must be their need for killing quickly.

I have nothing against the 9mm, and have owned several. But if I'm going into a fight, it's with a .45, and that's if I can't carry a rifle.

If you prefer the .45, then my hat is off to you, sir. But for most people, it is a modest claim to say that the 9mm should be the caliber of choice. It is undeniable that it is a more accurate pistol, and any benefits the .45 might have in comparison are greatly exceeded by the costs in most civilian encounters. By the way, Beretta rules.

A friend of mine was involved in the selection of the new 9mm in the 80s at a very....intimate level. He was a firearms instructorduring the testing, and had to train "recruits" on the various pistols in the competition, and then all the results were evaluated.

According to him, the 9mm was scrapped because too many of the "crack troops" could not even rack the slides on the .45, and were afraid to fire it, it was flinch city for the ladies. In the "new Army", ladies have to be gate guards etc, so the .45 had to go. That's from the horse's mouth, from one who was in on the deal.

He also said that the SIG won every test, the Beretta was ulitmately picked out of NATO political considerations.