.45 or 9MM?

[Hafar1014]

A lot depends upon the situation one is planning for, expecting; along with other factors.

My usual conceal carry is a 9mm, a single stack and compact size which I can tuck inside waistband and not show much if any imprint. I expect I may need to double tap in some cases. Also usually have a spare mag or two.

My Glock, which is more a challenge for conceal carry - need a shirt/jacket/vest that covers over - I got in .40 cal. Years ago and IIRC, many LEO used such then. I'm very pleased with it on the range for accuracy, penetration, and ease of use.

I also have a .357/.38 Special which is a six shot revolver, but with a 6 1/4" barrel is a large frame and I need either a shoulder or side of leg holster. It is a joy to shoot despite size and weight of the pistol itself. This is the one I keep "under the bed" for home defense(intruder) use. First couple rounds are frangible.

My preference

 

[Captain Creeper]

If you want a 10mm thats fine. But its not the new hotness any more than .41 Mag.

I own 10s and 41mags. The 10s sit in my safe and need to be sold. However, I will never give up my 41mags. Ever.

 

[Zincwarrior]

I own 10s and 41mags. The 10s sit in my safe and need to be sold. However, I will never give up my 41mags. Ever.

You have a 41 mag? Nice!

 

[Captain Creeper]

You have a 41 mag? Nice!

2 of them: a Dan Wesson and a Ruger Blackhawk. I found the DW in a pawnshop and picked up the Ruger at a gunshow.

 

[1srelluc]

You have a 41 mag? Nice!

My 4" barreled 1975 S&W Model 57 (no dash) in .41 Magnum.....I've shot it once.

 

[Chuz Life]

Many years ago, I was a competition shooter. At my peak, placed 2nd in a local large bore pistol competition. My pistol of choice was a .45 Colt Gold Cup, and though I'm no longer a gun owner (I compete on a chessboard now) the .45 has always been my sentimental favorite.

If one loads their own .45 ammunition, a hot load .45 has more stopping power than any 9MM out there, and is at least as accurate, if not more so. Yet many still prefer the 9MM - - why?

I'm more a revolver guy and not loyal to either. I've had a .40cal (never had a .45 but did fire them in the USMC) 9mm. .32s, .25, .22, HMR .17. . . enough of a variety to know that carry comfort and concealability are more of a priority to me than stopping power is.

It's just different strokes.

 

[toobfreak]

45 is to powerful to carry in a compact. I prefer 40S&W for a semi or 357 Magnum when I carry a revolver. 9 MM just doesnt have the stopping power. Watch police videos and you can see attackers shot multiple times still in the fight

It all comes down to location and hydrostatic shock.

• A .32 in the throat carries more stopping power than a .45 in the leg.
• A guy on PCP doesn't feel the pain of a gunshot.
• Given a fixed (same) location, more hydrostatic shock generally = more stopping power.

 

[Hafar1014]

It all comes down to location and hydrostatic shock.

• A .32 in the throat carries more stopping power than a .45 in the leg.
• A guy on PCP doesn't feel the pain of a gunshot.
• Given a fixed (same) location, more hydrostatic shock generally = more stopping power.

Under stress accuracy drops 80 -90%. 357 magnum or 40S&W will stop faster than a 9mm. A shot in the hip(pelvis) will stop very quickly

 

[SaxonJackson]

Many years ago, I was a competition shooter. At my peak, placed 2nd in a local large bore pistol competition. My pistol of choice was a .45 Colt Gold Cup, and though I'm no longer a gun owner (I compete on a chessboard now) the .45 has always been my sentimental favorite.

If one loads their own .45 ammunition, a hot load .45 has more stopping power than any 9MM out there, and is at least as accurate, if not more so. Yet many still prefer the 9MM - - why?

I'm a 9mm fan for three reasons:

1) It's easier to find a micro, conceal carry pistol in 9mm.
2) Pound for pound, 9mm is lighter so I can carry more of it.
3) 9mm rounds are less expensive than .45.

It's true that .45 has more stopping power in most cases but 9mm has enough stopping power in most cases.

 

[Hafar1014]

I'm a 9mm fan for three reasons:

1) It's easier to find a micro, conceal carry pistol in 9mm.
2) Pound for pound, 9mm is lighter so I can carry more of it.
3) 9mm rounds are less expensive and .45.

It's true that .45 has more stopping power in most cases but 9mm has enough stopping power in most cases.

Watch police videos attackers shot multiple times are still fighting. Youll have to move off the X in a defensive encounter.

 

[SaxonJackson]

As for what rounds are the most popular (top 5):

1) 9MM
2) .223/5.56 NATO
3) .22 LR
4) .45 ACP
5) .308 Winchester/7.62 NATO

What Are the Top Selling Ammo Calibers? | [February Updated]

What Are the Top Selling Ammo Calibers? The top-selling ammo calibers in the United States, consistently topping charts and reflecting popular firearm ownership and usage, are 9mm, .223/5.56 NATO, .22 LR, .45 ACP, and .308 Winchester/7.62 NATO. These calibers dominate the market due to their...

thegunzone.com

 

[SaxonJackson]

Watch police videos attackers shot multiple times are still fighting. Youll have to move off the X in a defensive encounter.

But in the vast majority of cases, 9mm is sufficient enough to stop a threat.

 

[Hafar1014]

But in the vast majority of cases, 9mm is sufficient enough to stop a threat.

But not fast enough to keep you from getting hurt. How fast does it stop a threat? A tie isnt an acceptable outcome. A man 21 feet away form you with a knife can be on top of you in1.5 seconds. You shoot him and he stabs you

 

[Hafar1014]

As for what rounds are the most popular (top 5):

1) 9MM
2) .223/5.56 NATO
3) .22 LR
4) .45 ACP
5) .308 Winchester/7.62 NATO

What Are the Top Selling Ammo Calibers? | [February Updated]

What Are the Top Selling Ammo Calibers? The top-selling ammo calibers in the United States, consistently topping charts and reflecting popular firearm ownership and usage, are 9mm, .223/5.56 NATO, .22 LR, .45 ACP, and .308 Winchester/7.62 NATO. These calibers dominate the market due to their...

thegunzone.com

For what purpose? Self defense hinting target shooting? Your list dosnt mean anything

 

[Zincwarrior]

It all comes down to location and hydrostatic shock.

• A .32 in the throat carries more stopping power than a .45 in the leg.
• A guy on PCP doesn't feel the pain of a gunshot.
• Given a fixed (same) location, more hydrostatic shock generally = more stopping power.

No, it doesn't. It comes down to shot placement. 9mm, 44 mag it doesn't matter. It only matters where you hit.
This argument was finished a decade ago.

If you like .45 thats great.
If you 9mm thats great.
But you're not a real man unless you have a shotgun pistol. Nothing says "oh crap its a Tiger!" like a howdah pistol.

 

[Churchill]

Many years ago, I was a competition shooter. At my peak, placed 2nd in a local large bore pistol competition. My pistol of choice was a .45 Colt Gold Cup, and though I'm no longer a gun owner (I compete on a chessboard now) the .45 has always been my sentimental favorite.

If one loads their own .45 ammunition, a hot load .45 has more stopping power than any 9MM out there, and is at least as accurate, if not more so. Yet many still prefer the 9MM - - why?

Neither, .357 Magnum

 

[Zincwarrior]

Neither, .357 Magnum

View attachment 1215658

Clever girl.
I would posit Ruger makes a better .357 though, but thats just me.

Also if you get one of those, you need one of these:

 

[Lockback]

Many years ago, I was a competition shooter. At my peak, placed 2nd in a local large bore pistol competition. My pistol of choice was a .45 Colt Gold Cup, and though I'm no longer a gun owner (I compete on a chessboard now) the .45 has always been my sentimental favorite.

If one loads their own .45 ammunition, a hot load .45 has more stopping power than any 9MM out there, and is at least as accurate, if not more so. Yet many still prefer the 9MM - - why?

I think probably the biggest reason is recoil management.
Like you, I'm a .45 guy and I think the 1911 is the most classic design of all time.
But it's big. And it's heavy.
And you can get a polymer 9mm for a fraction of the cost that holds at least twice as many rounds and is much lighter to carry. Whatever you may be sacrificing in so-called "stopping power", you're making up for with capacity and ease of carry. And it's not as hard to shoot, particularly for us older guys who are dealing with some hand issues. Recoil is more manageable in a 9mm.

 

[Anathema]

There is no singular answer. It all depends on what you’re doing either the ammunition. Carry ammo vs bullseye vs action pistol competition, etc… I’ve both carried and competed with everything from 22lr to .45ACP and .44 Mag. Revolvers and semi-autos.

Personal preference and use really determine what’s best for any individual so far as I’m concerned.

 

[d0gbreath]

The real hotness these days is 10mm.

In an Uzi.