Is it enough: 9mm Luger for self-defense?

[Echo40]

Welcome to the second entry in my weekly series of polls regarding the viability of semiautomatic pistol cartridges. Admittedly I'm skipping ahead a bit here since it hasn't been a full week yet since the last poll, but the results of the poll at this time are a landslide and it hasn't gotten many new votes in the past couple of days anyway, so I think it's safe to proceed, especially since my first poll was basically just to test the waters to see if folks would be interested.

Anyway, as you can see, based on feedback from the last poll, I've added more options to this one. It may not have as many options as you think it ought to because it doesn't have a precise answer that you would say verbatim, but that's what the thread itself is for, and posting below also has the fringe benefit of keeping the thread on the front page where it will gain better participation.
Overall, I still want the answers to be rather limited for the sake of keeping the results of the poll as simple/straightforward as possible.

Please note that this isn't a question of whether or not you personally carry the cartridge, but rather if you feel that it is effective enough in the role of self-defense to merit being carried in general.

Please exercise restraint and refrain from arguing with other posters in this thread. This thread isn't intended as a debate for or against the 9mm Luger cartridge, everyone has their own opinion and some folks have a bad habit of presuming that their own is better informed than those of others. In this thread, all opinions are welcome and we do not arrogantly presume the aptitude of other posters.

 

[JayFramer]

I think it is. It's a good stopper. As good as a .45? NO WAY.

But it has benefits such as a reduced recoiling impulse signature rating and more bullets in the clip, and faster follow through shots.

 

[gman51]

It has its good as well as bad points. I only carry a nine when I need a light weight small gun I can stuff in my jeans pocket. Because of the KAAAARACCCK deafening ear ringer afterward I hope I never have to use it. I opt for a 44 or 45 rather than a nine for possibly ending a bad situation the quickest. I knew a guy that was hit by a 9 in his calf and he didn't even know it till someone pointed out he was bleeding. He said then the pain let him know it was there.
As far as is it enough, any caliber is enough when crucial placement is made. Ballistics show the 9 is enough for self defense. The downside is it just might go through the bad guy and hit an innocent by stander.

The 9 is the most affordable next after the 22lr so practice can possibly provide crucial placement shots rather than misses.

 

[bubbatime]

The sectional density of a 9mm will punch through barriers if need be. I've shot auto car doors with 45ACP and they stopped in the door. 9mm zipped through like a hot knife through butter.

 

[Ματθιας]

With over a century of worldwide use and millions of people killed by 9mms, I'd say, yes!

 

[robertrwalsh]

If you can hit with it, it will do the job in a decent loading. If you miss or get crummy hits, it won't. Then again neither will anything else.

 

[Chino74]

I shoot .40 these days more but I also have carried 9mm a lot & still have two 92F's in 9mm. If all I had was my 92F I wouldn't feel under gunned at all. So yes, it's good enough as long as U do Ur part regarding shot placement.

 

[BB57]

I switched from 45 ACP to 9mm Luger when I realised that I consistently score 3 A zone hits with 9mm Luger in the same period of time it took for 2 hits with .45 ACP.

Modern 9mm hollow points also perform quite well and 9mm magazine capacity is a plus. The end result is faster double taps and controlled pairs, more accurate bullet placement, and 50% more wound channels in an assailant.

 

[BB57]

The sectional density of a 9mm will punch through barriers if need be. I've shot auto car doors with 45ACP and they stopped in the door. 9mm zipped through like a hot knife through butter.

Way back in the day I tried to shoot drain holes in the bottom of a 55 gallon drum with a .45 ACP. No bueno. I switched to a 9mm Luger and it went through like a hot knife through butter.

 

[shocker]

I talked to 2 deputy sheriffs the other day as they were doing security for a public event. The department changed from 40 to 9 back in 2012. No complaints about 9 or the Glock 17s they are issued.

At this point I would say: game over, settled law, 9 is fine.

 

[Goldstar225]

I recently obtained a 9mm sub-compact for use as an EDC. I regard the 9mm as adequate for self defense. Do I buy the stance that it's "as good as" .40/.45? No, I don't but if I didn't think I could use it effectively I wouldn't carry it.

 

[phonejack]

As long as the particular hp bullet you are using expands the answer would be yes.

 

[SuperMan]

For 99% of the civilian SD scenarios the 9mm regardless of the load will work just fine... One thing I would not want to use it for is SD if I had to shoot into a vehicle. If I was back in LE I would much prefer the .357 SIG as it has that extra 200+ fps with a 125 grain bullet that does a lot better job on auto glass and doors.

Bob

 

[Warren Sear]

A 9mm with hollow points is one of the best possible caliber choices in a defensive pistol.

It has a track record of being second only to the .357 Magnum, and is every bit the equal of a .45 ACP.

 

[4506517]

My agency went from 45 ACP to 9 mm. We carry Speer Gold Dot G2.

I feel well armed with the cartridge.

As has been mentioned before, 9 mm has seen VERY wide usage.

I think the results speak for themselves.

 

[delcrossv]

I'm waiting for the "Is .500 Mag enough for self defense" poll

 

[BAM-BAM]

Yes--- for me since 1988.

I voted yes for the .380 as a PPK served as my "Suit'gun" from about 1985 to 1990 .... when I got an early S&W 9mm 3913.

A 3913 or 3914 has been my primary every day carry since about 1990. If I feel 7+1 isn't "enough"..... I move up to a 12+1 6906 or PC "Shorty-9".

I do have several .45s including a Sig Compact 245 ..... but only carry a .45 in the winter months when heavy clothing and or Coats could effect hollowpoint performance.

 

[Grayfox]

I've never been a big fan of the 9mm. I don't dislike it, I just never fell in love with it. I do own several 9mm pistols, but I rarely carry one. I will however, acknowledge that it is a viable defensive cartridge. I wouldn't feel under gunned with one.
Oddly enough, when I need something smaller than my .45, I tend to often go with a small .380.

 

[HamHands]

With over a century of worldwide use and millions of people killed by 9mms, I'd say, yes!

For 2 legged buttholes... yes, standard pressure 9mm is More than adequate at dropping dirtbags... It's projectile type dependent though. Loading up 9mmNato Hard Ball is not something I will ever do. The nudge, push, and zip thru tissue unless they hit hard bone. I like a large, flat point meplate that is at least 75% the width the original diameter of the round with at least 300ft lbs of energy behind it at the muzzle. Basically, a "Keith" style bullet is what I'm more than comfortable with because that flat Meplate crushes tissue, and stays nose forward. It doesn't have to be a Hard Cast Pill, just the Keith profile and Meplate; and it has to reliably feed in the ccw pistol. I used to be into the "best-est" HP rounds and only the very best I'll carry... Not anymore after seeing what a .38Special loaded with semi-wad flat point or even better, full wad cutters do to Pelt, Muscle Tissue, and Sinew, and Bone... They are devastating even from a 1 7/8" barrel, especially in the Hard Cast form. Even more so from a 3" or 4" semi auto running even faster than a .38Spec can/will. Most importantly, center mass hit count and the more dumped into center mass the Better! There are some very good HP loads out now that are superb as well... Federal HST, Gold-Dots, Winchester-Ranger, and even the oldie but still a goodie Remmy Golden Sabres are still solid choices for an HP round. YMMV...

 

[mikerjf]

The extra capacity is comforting. And people have killed grizzlys with them.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

So is a rock if you can throw it straight and hard.

 

[THEmodelof1989]

Two separate caliber debate posts in the same week? Sounds like somebody is stirring the pot...

 

[Echo40]

I'm waiting for the "Is .500 Mag enough for self defense" poll

While I'll probably get around to revolver cartridges eventually once we've polled all the major semiautomatic pistol cartridges, I'll most likely be shifting the tone to self-defense against wild animals by that point since that's what revolvers are primarily used for these days, especially when it comes to large calibers.

So yeah, when/if I poll .500 S&W Magnum, it will be something like; "Is it enough: .500 S&W Magnum for self-defense against dangerous game?"

In fact, once we start getting into more powerful semiautomatic pistol cartridges like .45 ACP, .357 SIG, and 10mm Auto, then I'll probably start including poll options regarding their usage against 4-legged predators.

 

[Skeptic 9c]

I what round do you have faith?

The cartridge matters less than the users faith in their ability to use it for self defense.

Geoff
Who is currently carrying a .380 with a magazine floorplate extension for my pinkie...I'm in a low threat environment.

 

[S&WIowegan]

I've never shot anybody so my opinion is of minimal value. The 9mm cartridge in hardball form probably makes shot placement of paramount importance. If a person can shoot well in stressful situations 9mm can get 'er done.

 

[bigggbbruce]

I guess there needs to be something to talk about.

9mm for self defense...David took on Goliath with a rock..

 

[Marshal Tom]

When I started in LE in 1971 most were carrying .38 or a .357 revolver. I went through a BHP for a short stint and then to a 1911 for many years because I could carry what I wanted to and not something that was issued by my agency, ever! I often carry an M&P 340 or one of my several .9mm pistols now because of the improvements in the 9mm ammunition now available. I still believe that the .45 is superior to the 9mm when the two do not expand but it is a good choice and will get the job done provided you do your part in terms of bullet placement.

 

[pharmer]

If'n I knew I was going to need to defend myself with a firearm, I have an HK 91 with 30 rd mags and a Beretta 1201 "Riot" gun that holds 7 of oo buck. I'd bring both. Most days I go about my business as a "nondescript old guy" with a 6906 holding 12 Fed 124gr HST's tucked in the waistband of my cargo shorts. I'd hate to have to shoot it out with it but it will bring the hate better than the aforementioned guns that are back at the house. Joe

 

[pharmer]

I meant to say "heat." Joe

 

[American1776]

With the proper rounds, 9mm is great. The Federal 9bple (115 gr. jhp +p+ 1,300 ft/s) has a long and distinguished track record in law enforcement ISP used it for a long time with zero complaints). It's a stopper on the streets.

I have a family friend in the Marines. He did two combat tours in Afghanistan. His sidearm was the 9mm Beretta. He's even used it on multiple occasions. He says it never failed to work on the receivers.

These days, I still prefer the 45acp, full power .357 magnum, and now 10mm.