Yep, just semi-auto.... I just wanted to point out that my thoughts have changed over the years (guns I have owned).
Best all around semi auto caliber
- Thread starter m41
- Start date
Yep, just semi-auto.... I just wanted to point out that my thoughts have changed over the years (guns I have owned).
I myslef prefer the 45acp. I have alwyas liked to shoot that round and ammo isnt too expensive around here.After the 45 I myself would choose the 9mm. Very very quick follow up shots and with the newer ammo just as good as the 40.The 40 is alright but gets snappy in smaller concealed carry guns and most dont care for it.
giddyupsut
Member
The FBI say .40cal, and that's good enough for me.
I would suggest though, that you shoot the same round that your local coppers use. Just in case you have to defend your family you can use the argument, "If they can use this round to defend the public and themselves why can't I?"
Just my .02 cents
I would suggest though, that you shoot the same round that your local coppers use. Just in case you have to defend your family you can use the argument, "If they can use this round to defend the public and themselves why can't I?"
Just my .02 cents
For the sake of discussion, let me add this to the mix...what about .45 GAP?
rck281
Member
Although the 40 is a compromise round, I don't consider that bad. In fact, you could view it as incorporating the best features of both 9mm and 45. It has a higher capacity than a 45 and diameter is right in the middle between 9mm (35cal) and 45 cal. Best of both worlds! I do agree that the 40 has a fairly snappy recoil.
45Gap is not readily avaible for most and expensive. It is a good round and the Highway patrol use it around here. I think most dont consider it b/c it isd way to expensive to shoot and not much for reloading it right now.
I used to be all about the .45ACP. Don't get me wrong, I still love that round and really enjoy shooting it.
I picked up my first 9mm on a whim, not liking the round. I justified that it would be good semi auto practice with a round that was cheap to shoot. The more I shot 9mm the more I liked it and more so the guns built from ground up as 9mm. The mid sized polymer 9mm guns just carry good and have a good supply of ammo in the gun. They are accurate and easy to shoot. They won me over.
With the advances in ammunition the 9 has become my go to round and the .45ACP my shooting for fun round.
I picked up my first 9mm on a whim, not liking the round. I justified that it would be good semi auto practice with a round that was cheap to shoot. The more I shot 9mm the more I liked it and more so the guns built from ground up as 9mm. The mid sized polymer 9mm guns just carry good and have a good supply of ammo in the gun. They are accurate and easy to shoot. They won me over.
With the advances in ammunition the 9 has become my go to round and the .45ACP my shooting for fun round.
I usually avoid these discussions along with discussions of politics and religion, but what the heck;
In my opinion, 9mm, .40 and .45 (and some of the other oddball and older cartridges) can all do what is required whether for defense, law enforcement or targets, assuming proper ammo choice. Leaving aside ammo prices, which one is "best" depends on the gun, the shooter's needs and abilities and personal preference. If you are limited to non-expanding ammo, that is a different matter.
If we are talking about defense/law enforcement use, then for the sake of discussion I would generally choose a 9mm in small, light guns and the .40 in "duty" sized guns EXCEPT that there are some very nice Performance Center single stack .45's that are not available in .40 and I like single stack guns.
I am still quite fond of the .45 but am beginning to think there is nothing it does that the .40 can't do as well with maybe a couple extra rounds in the magazine, and in a 4" or shorter barrel, perhaps do better. I don't find the .40 in a 180 gr. is any more "snappy" in recoil than a .45.
In the end though, it's like asking what flavor of ice cream is best Your answer and mine may be different but equally valid.
I think we all need at least one gun in each caliber.
In my opinion, 9mm, .40 and .45 (and some of the other oddball and older cartridges) can all do what is required whether for defense, law enforcement or targets, assuming proper ammo choice. Leaving aside ammo prices, which one is "best" depends on the gun, the shooter's needs and abilities and personal preference. If you are limited to non-expanding ammo, that is a different matter.
If we are talking about defense/law enforcement use, then for the sake of discussion I would generally choose a 9mm in small, light guns and the .40 in "duty" sized guns EXCEPT that there are some very nice Performance Center single stack .45's that are not available in .40 and I like single stack guns.
I am still quite fond of the .45 but am beginning to think there is nothing it does that the .40 can't do as well with maybe a couple extra rounds in the magazine, and in a 4" or shorter barrel, perhaps do better. I don't find the .40 in a 180 gr. is any more "snappy" in recoil than a .45.
In the end though, it's like asking what flavor of ice cream is best Your answer and mine may be different but equally valid.
I think we all need at least one gun in each caliber.
VAdoublegunner
Member
40 Smith & Wesson.
I only have one 9mm. It's cheap enough to shoot and fairly accurate, light but OK as a defensive option in decent sized guns.
I have several 45ACPs. They can be pretty accurate with some loads in the right gun, seem proven enough as a defensive option, but I've never been particularly impressed with the cartridge's inability to provide decent penetration.
The 40, while not the most accurate in most guns, has what the other two lack and brings it's own special qualities to the table. It is no wonder that it's now a top choice for police agencies nationwide.
I only have one 9mm. It's cheap enough to shoot and fairly accurate, light but OK as a defensive option in decent sized guns.
I have several 45ACPs. They can be pretty accurate with some loads in the right gun, seem proven enough as a defensive option, but I've never been particularly impressed with the cartridge's inability to provide decent penetration.
The 40, while not the most accurate in most guns, has what the other two lack and brings it's own special qualities to the table. It is no wonder that it's now a top choice for police agencies nationwide.
I question if there is really much difference between a 9mm, .40, .45 at all.
Really a .1" size difference is a bit, but energy wise we can load them all to be kind of equivalent can't we? A smaller lighter bullet can be forced to travel faster and result in a similar energy level. We don't worry about overspeeding a bullet until we reach 4,000 fps and above, so a 9mm can cook out of the barrel I would think at 1400 fps pretty easily. Wouldn't the limiting factor be amount of recoil and barrel strength?
And in the end, won't each one of them poke a hole in a person? And isn't that the end result we are looking for?
I think these calibers are so close we are splitting hairs. Compare any of these to a shotgun slug, a .22 short, or a 300 Win Mag. and now we could talk about significant differences.
Really a .1" size difference is a bit, but energy wise we can load them all to be kind of equivalent can't we? A smaller lighter bullet can be forced to travel faster and result in a similar energy level. We don't worry about overspeeding a bullet until we reach 4,000 fps and above, so a 9mm can cook out of the barrel I would think at 1400 fps pretty easily. Wouldn't the limiting factor be amount of recoil and barrel strength?
And in the end, won't each one of them poke a hole in a person? And isn't that the end result we are looking for?
I think these calibers are so close we are splitting hairs. Compare any of these to a shotgun slug, a .22 short, or a 300 Win Mag. and now we could talk about significant differences.
RufusG
Member
Find the gun in one (or more) of those calibers that suits you the best.
Then worry about the caliber, or pick the one closest to your lucky number. Doing it in the other direction is pretty much an exercise in mental masturbation.
Then worry about the caliber, or pick the one closest to your lucky number. Doing it in the other direction is pretty much an exercise in mental masturbation.
ElToro
Member
i have multiple guns in the .45, 40 and 9mm. I like all of them and shoot all of them well. IF i was going to a handgun fight, probly bring a 10mm glock with lots of 15 rounders, of the 3 calibers in discussion? a hi cap .45ACP glock. whats in my nightstand ? sig 229r with a light in .40, loaded with Fed HST.
Knightrider03m
Member
9mm ----> .45 --------------------------------------------> .40
I pick 9mm 1st because they are cheap to shoot, have the most rounds to a mag, and is the easiest to shoot. Long history of stopping power.
.45ACP is 2nd because even though I like the kick of it more then the 9mm, I can not overlook the fact that the round count is normally half of a 9mm.
.40SW is dead last because its a very useless round. I have personally seen officers take down deer after 3+ shots with that round while it took me one shot with my 9mm. Poor performance and the horrible kick make it a no go for my holsters.
I pick 9mm 1st because they are cheap to shoot, have the most rounds to a mag, and is the easiest to shoot. Long history of stopping power.
.45ACP is 2nd because even though I like the kick of it more then the 9mm, I can not overlook the fact that the round count is normally half of a 9mm.
.40SW is dead last because its a very useless round. I have personally seen officers take down deer after 3+ shots with that round while it took me one shot with my 9mm. Poor performance and the horrible kick make it a no go for my holsters.
Acorn1754
Member
That has more to do with shot placement than anything else.
Ha ha ha...
And yet there are .40 loads with so much MORE power than the 9mm. Still you think it is underpowered. Each to his own.
And horrible kick? I am surprised how light the kick is! Very controllable. Perhaps if one starts with a .50 or .44 mag and works his way down....
This reminds me of something I read in that FBI report about preconceptions. If I flip a penny 10 times and heads comes up 7 times, then I flip a dime 10 times and heads comes up twice, which coin would you use if you wanted to flip heads?
I've used 11 shots from a 12 gauge with 440 grain slugs to drop a deer. I think we can't use the deer scenario for any definite data.
Now looking at real data, the Speer ballistic chart lists many different available shells for the 9, 40, and 45.
Speer Ammo - Ballistics Tables
The closest bullet weights for the 9 and 40 are 147 and 155 respectively in the Gold Dot Hollow Point round.
The 9mm leaves the barrel at 985 fps and has 317 ft/lbs of energy.
The .40 leaves at 1200 fps and has 496 ft/lbs of energy.
The smallest .45 is the 185gr at 1050 fps and 453 ft/lbs.
Those numbers make the .40 stand out for the high pressure round it is. But there are many numbers out there.... The .40 at 180gr slows WAY down and loses power, down to 985fps and 420 ft/lbs.
There is a 9mm +p available in 124gr at 1220 fps and 410 ft/lbs. Pretty dang respectable round there!
I think they all are so close it's not worth arguing.
novalty
Member
Oh come on Lost Lake, stop filling up this thread full of data. I want hearsay and speculation
Well then, I HEARD, you can hit a PCP hopped up super zombie, in the thumb, with a single 230 Ranger JHP and take him out of the fight!!
Sends them tumbling!!
I heard it on the internet, so it must be true!! Regards 18DAI.
Sends them tumbling!!
I heard it on the internet, so it must be true!!
Regards 18DAI.Oh come on Lost Lake, stop filling up this thread full of data. I want hearsay and speculation
LOL ... you and 18DAI are funny.
Reading some more I found super hot reloads in 9mm that are pushing 500 ft/lbs of energy!!!
I won't say what the .40's can do with hot reloads because that's just getting beyond silly.
I don't know why I am involved in this. I must apologize and bow out. It's like pushing a rope. I was so unreasonable not even months ago, when I would say the ONLY weapon I would ever trust my life to is a .357mag. I'm sure I sounded like an ding-a-ling and I should have listened to those much wiser folks I was sure were idiots at the time. Now I will carry a .380 and be happy as a clam.
If you see me lying there dead after a gunfight with my smoking .380 in my hand, feel free to call me an idiot.
Laddy Smith
Member
The Solution...
Stop the debate--here's the answer!
Get 3 third generation Smiths---
Say a 6906 for 9mm
How about a 4013 for the .40
And maybe a 4513 for your .45
Carry one in an IWB, the other in a paddle,
and the third in a shoulder holster.
All three will have similar controls
During Armageddon, it won't matter what
ammo you pick up/scavenge cuz you'll have a
gun for it...
Got a hi-cap; got good penetration; got one that'll
stop bigfoot in his tracks if you hit the pinkie; got a
combo...
If you are ambidextrous you could use two at once
Take down & cleaning is very similar
If you find a good Smith gunsmith he will be able
to work on all
Lad
Stop the debate--here's the answer!
Get 3 third generation Smiths---
Say a 6906 for 9mm
How about a 4013 for the .40
And maybe a 4513 for your .45
Carry one in an IWB, the other in a paddle,
and the third in a shoulder holster.
All three will have similar controls
During Armageddon, it won't matter what
ammo you pick up/scavenge cuz you'll have a
gun for it...
Got a hi-cap; got good penetration; got one that'll
stop bigfoot in his tracks if you hit the pinkie; got a
combo...
If you are ambidextrous you could use two at once
Take down & cleaning is very similar
If you find a good Smith gunsmith he will be able
to work on all
Lad
Greenbeanie67
US Veteran
My two favorites in the semi-auto class are the 10mm and the 45ACP. Both rounds are man stoppers. The Glock 20 or 29 in
10mm and Les Baer/Wilson in the 45ACP.
Just my humble opinion, and my two main carries.
10mm and Les Baer/Wilson in the 45ACP.
Just my humble opinion, and my two main carries.
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