9MM vs .40 vs .45

[CGhelofxr]

Not certain if this topic has been driven into the ground, if so I apologize.
I had a discussion with the B.I.L. last night about effective self defense weapons/calibers. Now I am just starting to build up my collection an SD9 and a 3906. I was informed that the need for a higher caliber round is needed for personal/home defense. My stance right now is that with a quality round in the pistol a 9mm is a very effective pistol for self protection. The B.I.L. is a firm believer that the smallest caliber to use is a .40 with the .45 being the best. I don’t argue the fact that there is a lot more knockdown power with a .40 or .45, but a 9mm is just as effective. Tell me if I am looking at this wrong or if I am bbeing logical in my opinion. And I am looking to get a .45 in the future but not as a result of the discussion last night

 

[OKFC05]

Not certain if this topic has been driven into the ground, if so I apologize.

No apology necessary, but yes it has been beaten, stomped, blasted and buried, but it rises on every full moon.
Do a search and you'll find some facts and a lot of opinions.

The NRA instructor party line is shoot and carry as powerful a load as you are comfortable with and can shoot quickly and accurately. You decide what meets your needs, and whether to listen to sophomoric opinions about the "perfect gun," perfect caliber," "perfect bullet," or perfect whatever is also your choice.

 

[thndrchiken]

I own and shoot all three, with that being said my preference for defensive purposes is the 357 Sig. The 9mm ammo cost less, has lower recoil which usually allows for less muzzle flip for faster follow up shots. The 45 is tried and true, over 100 years and still going strong, ammo is more expensive and recoil depending on the gun being used can be substantially greater compared to the 9mm. The 40 S&W is a compromise of the two, allowing higher capacity, somewhat lighter recoil compared to the 45 with good stopping power (if you want to call it that), but I find that the recoil is sharper with the 40. Step in the 357 Sig, a 40 case necked down to 9mm, gives magnum like ballistics, superior for barrier penetration and very hard to have headspace and feeding issues. That being said all SD ammo pretty much fall into the same range price wise and this is just my preference, to each their own. I have no issues with carrying/defending myself with any of them.

 

[BearBio]

I have probably close to a dozen 45 acp's, including 2 revolvers, plus several 45 Colts (also close to a dozen). I have one 9mm (an older Hi-Power). My CCW is either a 45 acp Colt Officer's, a Commander, or a S & W snubbie (carried when going light). So, I think it's evident where I stand.

However, I recently bought a 3rd generation S & W in 40 S & W. I saw it at a good price and it just felt soooooo right in my hand. Too big for concealed carry, though. It has become my nightstand gun!

 

[Chuck1217]

THere's a discussion going on right now, 'your ammo in court..' has charts for stopping power etc. Might take a look.

 

[Russell Cottle]

I remember some advice that was handed down to me by the retiring LEO that broke me in in 1973 "It ain't the gun, it's the man behind it".

 

[vista461]

There is nothing wrong with a 9mm for defense. Just use a quality defensive round.

 

[Badquaker]

Any round that can be put on target, multiple times preferred, beats a miss from any "super gun/bullet" every time. When someone tells you that "anything under X caliber is ineffective ", ask them if they want to be shot with a 22lr. With an auto loader, I should be able to put 5-10 on target very quickly. Who wants to be the backstop?

The point is, any of the rounds listed, are lethal when shot into the correct spot. Round selection is about the shooter, not the caliber.

 

[Mickey D]

Over the past 10 years, the authority of the 9mm has been diminished to the status of .25 cal.

By 2015 , the 9mm will be as potent as a .22 short.

 

[CowboyKen]

A very well respected member here once had a signature line that went something like:

Shot placement is King. Penetration is Queen. All else is dancing on the head of a pin.

Seem like very wise words to me. My EDC is a SA XD9sc. It is reliable and I shoot it well.

Good luck in your search for the ultimate TRUTH.

Ken

 

[CGhelofxr]

Well from what I am reading on this thread and on line I am confident in my choice of firearms. I shoot both well enough to hit centermast at 15 yards. I see that there will always be the my caliber mentality. So the only reconsidering I am thinking about is a .40 instead of a .45

 

[Badkarma 1]

Well from what I am reading on this thread and on line I am confident in my choice of firearms. I shoot both well enough to hit centermast at 15 yards. I see that there will always be the my caliber mentality. So the only reconsidering I am thinking about is a .40 instead of a .45

Generally the plus side too the .40 is you can get in a 9mm size weapon, it holds all most as many rounds as a 9mm, and is just about the #1 police round out there.
Negatives; It has a sharp recoil in lightweight pistols, cost more than 9mm to shoot, and can be rough on some pistols.
As for the .45; it's got one helluva reputation, some of which is overblown. Tends to be very accurate but in it hi-cap pistols can be a handful! And of course costs even more too shoot.
Of the two I have no real preference, since I shoot both and they have their niche.
I've carried and used the 9mm, and it's always done its job as long as I've done mine! Dale

 

[Thunder71]

.22LR all day long!

 

[Hook686]

The 'Jello Shoters' don't see much difference in the effectiveness of the four service calibers when the 'Best' ammunition is used.

Thoughts on Service Pistols, along with Duty and Self-Defense Ammo Recommendations - M4Carbine.net Forums

The 9mm is as good as the .40 which are both as good as the .45acp. If you want to up the level go the one of the magnums.

 

[mc5aw]

You carry what you shoot most effectively, be it 9mm .45, .38 Special, etc. As far as home defense, a stout 12 gauge trumps all handguns, irrespective of caliber.

 

[WR Moore]

When you determine your shooting ability, don't do it entirely with two hands clamped firmly on the weapon. While that's the modern technique, it's also the method we hope we can use. Unfortunately, there are a whole lot of reasons we may only have one hand free for weapon use because the other is occupied with something else or disabled.

Recall that if you don't hit the target in a vital area, it doesn't matter what you use, it won't be effective. Last year, there was a gent in the county I work in who proved that a .22 lr can be extremely effective.

 

[JDKinman]

*Shrug* Not sure what to say or add to this other than back during my years in LE, I saw quite a few expired bad guys who expired courtesy of the lowly .38 Special.

Then when we started using and carrying 9mm, I began seeing an awful lot of bad guys expiring courtesy of well-placed 9mm rounds.

I love my .45's, do not own a .40, and carry a 9mm loaded with some old LE issue +P+ and I've never felt "under-gunned" one day in my life.

First and foremost is the confidence you have in YOURSELF to react and handle your firearm appropriately in such a manner as to aid it in doing its job.

Practice and preparation is king. Carry and shoot the combination of weapon and ammo/caliber that YOU have confidence in, not someone else or some gun-writer or the cop down the block, et al.

Because God forbid, if you ever DO need to draw and fire your weapon, those folks aren't going to be around anyhow.

JD

 

[VictorLouis]

I've long since gotten over the 'bigger is better' school of thought. I simply shoot a 9mm better than a .45. Faster, more accurate, and less felt recoil. Never liked .40's, though i have given more than one a chance over the years. All the recoil of the .45 and more, lol.

Pay close attention to this video for the shot of the 'service loads' in gelatin. It's only on-screen for a couple seconds.

9mm vs .45---AGAIN!!! by Gomez-Training.com - YouTube

I agree with just about everything he said, save for his odd manner of referring to the reloading process, and emphasis on the heaviest weight.

 

[bp231986]

45, 40 and 9mm all will work. I tend to stick with my 9mm because its the one i shoot the most and feel comfortable with the most. 17 rounds that i can shoot at a target close to me under 8 seconds should take care of the problem

 

[Hook686]

Unless you get hit with a 300 grain GDHP out of a .44 magnum first.