Old TexMex
Member
Certainly not. That’s why the Germans lost the war. 
Actually, I voted yes.
Actually, I voted yes.
Is it enough: 9mm Luger for self-defense?
- Thread starter Echo40
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Rastoff
US Veteran
Dirty Harry Callahan,
I can see that you're not going to let this go even though the answer will never change.
Any caliber will do as long as the owner is willing to put in the time. Nothing will be adequate if the owner is not willing to do any work. This is the answer to, "Is caliber X good enough for self-defense" and always will be. You can continue to post these polls, but the result will always be the same.
I can see that you're not going to let this go even though the answer will never change.
Any caliber will do as long as the owner is willing to put in the time. Nothing will be adequate if the owner is not willing to do any work. This is the answer to, "Is caliber X good enough for self-defense" and always will be. You can continue to post these polls, but the result will always be the same.
I agree. But it’s still interesting.
One of my colleagues investigated an agency shooting incident, Agent had to shoot an armed defendant. The defendant dropped his weapon and just stood there, not realizing he was shot in chest by agent’s 9mm. The agent told him to lie down as he was shot. The defendant complied and died at the scene, having been shot through the heart. There have been some other incidents in which Adrenalin has been running high and in which well placed shots in the chest have had no apparent effect on an enraged defendant, allowing him to still do harm before succumbing to the wounds.
Having said that, my weapon of choice if concealment is not an issue is a 9mm, high capacity magazine, hollow points and a Crimson Trace laser sight. I can shoot it instinctively and accurately and am completely comfortable knowing that it will function reliably.
If concealment is an issue, my Model 60 with hollow points and Crimson Trace laser sight, in a pocket holster, is my companion.
Having said that, my weapon of choice if concealment is not an issue is a 9mm, high capacity magazine, hollow points and a Crimson Trace laser sight. I can shoot it instinctively and accurately and am completely comfortable knowing that it will function reliably.
If concealment is an issue, my Model 60 with hollow points and Crimson Trace laser sight, in a pocket holster, is my companion.
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More than enough autopsy reports/evidence to vouch for the 9mm’s effectiveness as a cartridge. It has been my primary ccw cartridge for years.
LoadedRound
Member
Well my two most carried are a 6906 and a CS9, so............
OP
Echo40
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Fortunately, the purpose of this poll isn't to prove nor disprove the effectiveness of any given caliber, nor anything to that effect.
In fact, if anything I've been hoping since the beginning that the popular vote would be the sensible one that every cartridge polled is adequate, regardless of how many options featuring caveats/conditions are presented, so I'm very satisfied in that regard.
However, this is an evolving poll in which each entry will provide additional options based on the results and feedback of the former.
For example, in polls to come I will likely include an option for those who may feel that the cartridge is overpowered for self-defense against humans.
I'm also curious to see if folks will begin voting against certain cartridges, particularly the "9mm is just as good *hooks arm* as .40/.45!" crowd. Not to mention how folks will respond to more niche cartridges like .38 Super, .357 SIG, and 5.7x28 FN.
Rest assured, if folks continue voting for the exact same opinion that the cartridge is enough for primary carry, regardless of caveats, conditions, and alternative options, then I will be very pleased by the enduring sensibility of the userbase when presented with questions that usually prompt endlessly debates which never reach a satisfactory conclusion in the confines of an environment in which such arguing is discouraged.
fredj338
Member
Because if you dont like their caliber, its a caliber war,
fredj338
Member
Maybe it's time to close this thread then.
Even with those clarifying statements, you HAD to know before posting it, what would happen.
I love when people dont like a thread but feel the need to respond. If you dont like the thread/poll, move on, dont participate.
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Echo40
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I've yet to see anyone in this thread express dislike for the 9mm Luger cartridge.
Watchdog
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You're saying a .45acp won't penetrate the bottom of a 55-gallon drum? Pffft! Putting it as politely as I can, and as a dedicated .45acp shooter, I have to disagree.
In my opinion, the only way a .45 wouldn't shoot holes in a 55-gallon drum would be if you missed the drum completely, or you were trying to use a gun that didn't work.
Watchdog
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OFT II
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You're saying a .45acp won't penetrate the bottom of a 55-gallon drum? Pffft! Putting it as politely as I can, and as a dedicated .45acp shooter, I have to disagree.
In my opinion, the only way a .45 wouldn't shoot holes in a 55-gallon drum would be if you missed the drum completely, or you were trying to use a gun that didn't work.
I've got to side with BB57 on this. I tried two rounds of Winchester white box 230 grains on the bottom of a 55 gallon drum to be used as a burn barrel. Both rounds bounced off the bottom. Wound up putting the holes in the side about an inch off bottom.
Happens at least 10x a day, every day.
Boriqua
Member
I think 9mm is AWESOME!
With so many new women shooters we need a good caliber for the little ladies to shoot!!
With so many new women shooters we need a good caliber for the little ladies to shoot!!
Walkingwolf
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I think 9mm is AWESOME!
With so many new women shooters we need a good caliber for the little ladies to shoot!!
The 9mm is the Sportster of calibers, Anything with a .4 and above is the big twin of calibers. Sportsters are girls bikes.
Just kidding, Sportsters are great bikes for anybody.
Quality 230gr 45 ACP will penetrate a 55 gallon drum, sides or bottom (a little iffy if you hit the rolled side marks first, but that's aiming). Done that. So will a modern 147gr 9mm. 124's and 115's, maybe not as easily. What will stop 230gr 45's and 147gr 9's? A four inch thick brick wall. Seen that, too.
You're saying a .45acp won't penetrate the bottom of a 55-gallon drum? Pffft! Putting it as politely as I can, and as a dedicated .45acp shooter, I have to disagree.
In my opinion, the only way a .45 wouldn't shoot holes in a 55-gallon drum would be if you missed the drum completely, or you were trying to use a gun that didn't work.
I remember in the early 80's when I purchased my first .45 ACP caliber gun, a Colt Series 70. I took it out to my uncle's farm. Out back among the trees was an early 50's Pontiac that I figured would make a good target. I squared up along side it, and let fly at the door, thinking it would be quite possible that I'd blow the whole door off. Not quite. I was using 230 grain FMJ RN ammo.
Only one bullet penetrated the door. A 9mm Luger zipped right through (115 grain FMJ RN ammo).
All inanimate object comparisons......
Shooting cinder blocks, old cars, new cars, steel appliances. etc. is all very interesting but have no bearing at all on the effectiveness of a a round on the human organism in a stressful situation.
Shooting cinder blocks, old cars, new cars, steel appliances. etc. is all very interesting but have no bearing at all on the effectiveness of a a round on the human organism in a stressful situation.
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