Carry Preference

[cabezaverde]

Interesting, when I started this thread a number of pages ago, I was thinking more in terms of the carry guns I own rather than focusing on the caliber.

It was a 6906 vs 457.

My thinking was focused on situations with possible multiple assailants.

 

[TxCol]

I have been carrying for 35 + years. In the early years only ball ammo fed, so I only carried a .45 or a .357. In the last few years the effectiveness of the 9mm has GREATLY improved AND more and more 9mms will feed these more effective rounds.

For me, I carry 9mm and .45 based on how concealed I need to be and which of the appropriate guns I shoot the best.

(Ok, to be truthfull sometimes I carry a S&W 25 4" or a S&W 29 4" just because I can!)

My .02

Doc

 

[flop-shank]

Given the same approx weight and size, would you prefer to carry a gun with 8 rounds of 45 acp or 13 rounds of 9mm?

I don't see 6906, or 457 in this post. Am I missing something?

 

[ArgMauser]

I agree with Elmer Keith that one .45 ACP equals at least two 9mm Luger rounds. I'd go for the single-stack magazine: 8 rounds of .45 in the magazine with one in the chamber equals 18 rounds of 9 mm IMHO.

 

[tpd223]

Elmer Keith was mistaken in his assessment, all of the service caliber pistol rounds make almost exactly the same hole in people.

I'd go with the 9mm myself.

 

[flop-shank]

Elmer Keith was mistaken in his assessment, all of the service caliber pistol rounds make almost exactly the same hole in people.

I'm thinking that, at the time, he was right. However, I agree with you. Technology has closed the gap.

 

[230therapy]

It is all about multiple permanent wound channels, bullet construction, penetration into vital organs and placement. RN 45 ACP will have a permanent wound channel of 0.30" or so. 9mm ball will be even smaller...so bullet construction is extremely important (see FBI docs online). Multiple wounds from burst fire with pistols should have better results (where "better" depends upon context of the fight).