Is 9mm a sign of growing older?

[GypsmJim]

As a collector I simply got stuck with the nine. A P08 and a P38 and a Broomhandle Red 9 was what started it all. But then again, EVERYONE should own a 39-2.

I guess I'm NOT getting old since my first choices to take to the range are a Model 19 and 57.

 

[Buzzzer]

I had a nine once, a Beretta 92 Centurion. Sold it, still don't have another nine, so, guess I'm ancient...

 

[PALADIN85020]

If you are going the 9mm route, pick the best concealable pistol out there and the best defense ammo you can find. Personally, my pick is the SW 3913NL - no longer made, but superb in every respect. Worth the wait to find one. Mine was shipped in 1995. Cor-bon ammo has always been very effective.

John

 

[teletech]

Not older, just more practical.

Practical ~ older.
I remember reading a quote that went something like "When a man ceases to dream about running away to sea, he can be assured his youth is behind him.
So, when we quit having fantasies that a .44 magnum is a good idea for a self-defense revolver and buy a 9mm, or when we stop commuting in a '65 Mustang ('71 Datsun... whatever), that's the end of the dream.
Of course, injury and age-related degradation of capability come into the calculation as well but once again, that's where the dream dies and the dreaded practicality rears it's ugly head.

I know I'm getting older as I have fewer battle rifles these days and am actually considering getting one of those new-fangled poodle-shooters.

 

[petepeterson]

Not older, just wiser.
Cheaper ammo= more practice.
More practice = better shooting.

Seems to be the best compromise round for non-reloaders.

 

[smithra_66]

For the past 40 years I was most interested in .357 Magnum and .40 S&W. Now, with carry permits a real possibility in New Jersey, I am most interested in 9mm. A sign of growing older?

Most "younger" people would be more interested in the 9mm since it's an autopistol round.

I doubt too many are interested in the 357 Magnum, being a "boomer" revolver round, and according to YouTube the 40 is "dead" so younger people would believe that more than someone who lived its rise to fame.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Nah. 9mm pistol is just a machine, and don't mean a thing.

Ya lookin for signs of aging? While yer waitin in the Drs. office, open up and read that half inch thick Medicare Summary of Services statement, next time the mail carrier brings it.


Sent from my motorola one 5G using Tapatalk

 

[Smokester653]

It's a sign....

That you're being practical. For me when I was younger I could shoot the bigger calibers well. My wrists and forearms were stronger as well as my hands were stronger. Now that I have gotten older I have found that I don't handle the recoil as well and that makes shot placement an issue especially the follow up shots. My favorite two calibers were 10mm and .45 acp now it's 9mm and .380 but I still take the old girls out for a spin every once in awhile but my carry calibers are on the lower end now. They work nicely for me and with the right ammo I don't stress over the fabled "stopping power" of the rounds. Pick what you shoot well as shot placement is king......

 

[Narragansett]

Not older, just wiser.
Cheaper ammo= more practice.
More practice = better shooting.

Seems to be the best compromise round for non-reloaders.

Which ultimately = more fun

 

[Cdog]

I didn't start carrying on a daily basis until I was in my mid 40's. Comfortable concealability has always been a priority. A single stack 9 has been easier to carry than any revolver.

As for just shooting, I laid off the magnum calibers for many years. In the last couple or three I've dipped back in. I've picked up a couple of small .357's a .41, and another Super Redhawk chambered in .454 Casull.

No, I still don't handle the recoil well, but I do still love shooting them. They hurt real good!

 

[Claymore33]

I am 69 and still carry .45 ACP or Model 29/57 . I do not shoot 50 rounds a day but I do reload. When I shoot a 4 legged or 2 legged predator, I want it to go down with 1st hit. I do own some SIG P226s because I was in NSW for many years. However going to and from the ranch and riding horseback on the ranch I like the 4s.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Nah........Had my first one at 18...........50 years ago.

 

[otis24]

I'm in the same boat. Partly, due to age/health and partly due to ammo scarcity. I've got three 9MMs and a .380. I've written myself a note to remind myself why I've chosen the 9mm should I get a hankering for a revolver again. My firearms needs are strictly for plinking and self-defense. Bullet development has made the 9mm a more viable option for my needs, IMHO.

 

[Goldstar225]

A sign of growing older? For me, yes. Or maybe just less physically capable. I've had to admit to myself that I can't shoot .45 ACP in the volume that I feel is necessary to maintain proficiency. I can with 9mm/.38 Special or .45 Colt in a Ruger Blackhawk.

 

[ladder13]

Shoot a W. German P226 since 1988.

 

[MJK-MOD-547]

I really like the rotating barrel. The Beretta and Stoeger Cougars have them and so do the Grand Powers.

Shooting a .45 and.40 feel about the same as the 9mm. I have all three.

Heck, I'm 68 with leukemia and I can still shoot them.

 

[Racer X]

At the beginning of the pandemic I bought two Taurus G2C's a bunch of mags and ten boxes of ammo. Basically the poly guns where all anyone seemed to have in stock. Never been a fan of the 9mm but I don't regret owning what is the most popular cartridge and gun combo meaning the Poly guns.

Those will also use Sig P226/229 magazines as well. Very smart of Taurus. I want a G2C in .40 S&W.

 

[Krogen]

Older? For sure. We're all headed in that direction. Smarter? Yeah probably. I'd say "most" of us are headed in that direction. So, older and smarter. Let's go with that.

Back in my early days it was all about self abuse. ??? you say! The greater the recoil, muzzle blast and flash, the happier I was. Accuracy wasn't really on my RADAR. I discovered 296 and light bullets in a short .357 Mag. Then .44 Mag. I bought a .375 H&H, and a .458 Win. A bruised shoulder was a badge of honor!

I figure I'm smarter now. I shoot a lot of 9mm along with 38 Special and 44 Special. I probably shoot more 22LR than anything else. Life is good.

Older and smarter you are, I think.

 

[stanmerrell]

Good question. Back in the 80's the 9mm was the most maligned cartridge in the firearm community. Now folks think it's much more effective because of ammo development. I don't think that's really true. It has always been a marginal cartridge for self defense and especially police work. I don't think it is as bad as people used to think it was. Conversely, the 45 is not the man stopper that it was rumored to be either. What the 9 lacks in stopping power it makes up for in capacity, low recoil, and economy. The best gun to fight with is the one you are carrying.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm A revolver guy and as I get older I find myself carrying a lot more 38 Special ammo than 357 Magnum ammo. I guess its the same for semi-auto shooters going from the 40 S&W to the 9mm. I do own 2X 9mm handguns and of course a 1911 in 45 ACP because every man should have at least 1 but revolvers are my passion.

Since you are thinking of carrying I think the 9mm is probably a good choice. There are many smaller guns available now to good concealment and you can carry more ammo with a 9mm compared to the 40 S&W or 45 Auto in similar size grip frames.

I hope NJ passes a law making it legal for you to carry, good luck...