I've noticed a trend in recent years since the FBI dropped .40 S&W in favor of 9mm Luger and their subsequent explanation as to why.

According to the FBI, based on extensive testing they had performed, 9mm Luger, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP were all pretty much equal in terms of effectiveness, ergo it was found most efficient to adopt the 9mm Luger due to lighter recoil, faster follow up shots, greater ammo capacity, not to mention the lower cost of ammunition.

Ever since then, pretty much every article published by major magazines/outlets has repeated this statement, and pretty much every article written in regards to .45 ACP for self-defense also covers 9mm Luger and/or .40 S&W, ultimately arriving at the conclusion that 9mm Luger is better because the FBI says so.

Now let's not even get into the fact that the FBI hasn't really revealed the details or methods they used in their testing, nor begin questioning exactly what sort of methods could have possibly been used to arrive at the conclusion that 9mm Luger is equal in effectiveness to bullets of greater mass/energy foot pounds, and let's most certainly avoid making rash assumptions/accusations in regards to the FBI adopting the cheapest cartridge.

What I would really like to see discussed here today is the .45 ACP and nothing more. Not how it compares to other cartridges, just the .45 ACP cartridge on its own, something that nobody can ever seem to do anymore.

In this thread, let's discuss the merits of the .45 ACP cartridge, it's strengths, what it's good for, where it shines, and how it's still relevant today.

This is NOT a 9mm bashing thread, so please refrain from posting inflammatory comments on 9mm Luger, (or any other cartridges for that matter) let's have a nice, civil discussion for once without derailing into an insipid Caliber War.

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