M&P .45 or 9mm ?

[rpxr400]

Hey all - new member here. I just posted my intro at the new members forum, and came here for opinions.

I'm looking to get an M&P for a lighter carry option than a High Standard .45 officers model I currently carry.

I know this can open a big debate, but I don't really want to do that.

I realize the pros and cons of both rounds - which mostly boils down to more rounds and quicker recovery, or less rounds but better stopping power.

Here's the ultimate question: If you carry an M&P .45c or 9c, which is it. If you do not, which would you rather carry?
I didn't include the .40 because I've had one and find the .45 more manageable.

 

[hdfinder47]

9: lighter, more concealable, more capacity, cheaper to practice with and good ammo availability.

 

[MP1SG]

45c Bigger bullet Bigger holes

 

[DanWales]

Carry Gun

A year or so ago I was kinda making the same choice.

Roughly the same weight and size.

I have to admit I'm an old .45 man. So I went with the .45C.

If I'm in more than an 8 shot event I'm in trouble.

I don't think you could make a bad choice here.

I carry in the Cross Breed Super Tuck. There are several holsters that are very close to the same.

Great pistols lots of fun to practice with.

Dan

 

[dmar]

Between these two choices, I'd go with the 9c. I guess I like the idea of the 13 rounds, and quick follow up shots.

I am also a fan of .45 for carry, and when I want to carry an 8 round .45, I go with my Colt Defender, or LW Commander. IMO, these guns conceal/carry better than the M&P, and I shoot them better, too... My M&P carries ok, I just don't think you can beat the slim 1911, and the lightweight models don't seem much different in weight than the plastic guns, to me anyway...

 

[45caldan]

9: lighter, more concealable, more capacity, cheaper to practice with and good ammo availability.

This sums it up nicely!
With the premium JHP ammo available these days (I use Golddots and Ranger +P), the .45 doesn't hold the advantage over the 9mm that it does when talking ball ammo.
I am a .45 guy at heart but carry 9mm pistols these days do to above stated reasons (I will add faster follow up shots as well).
I do not believe in 1 shot stopping power in handguns.....shoot them till they are down! Higher capacity is a good thing!

 

[sna0403]

"While a 9mm or .40 JHP may expand, a .45 will not shrink."

 

[45caldan]

"While a 9mm or .40 JHP may expand, a .45 will not shrink."

A Gold dot expands pretty reliably and with dramatic effect.
Do a little research.....

The SEALS have a saying (they use a 9mm Sig P226):
"When I place 2 in their chest and 1 in their head, they never ask if it was a 9mm or a .45".

 

[rpxr400]

Between these two choices, I'd go with the 9c. I guess I like the idea of the 13 rounds, and quick follow up shots.

I am also a fan of .45 for carry, and when I want to carry an 8 round .45, I go with my Colt Defender, or LW Commander. IMO, these guns conceal/carry better than the M&P, and I shoot them better, too... My M&P carries ok, I just don't think you can beat the slim 1911, and the lightweight models don't seem much different in weight than the plastic guns, to me anyway...

Yeah - I like the slimness of the 1911, but even my High Standard officer's model is not lightweight, at 11 oz heavier than the 9c empty, and 7 oz more than the 45c. My HS is only about 2 oz lighter than my 5" Kimber.

I had an XD .45. Great gun, but bulky with the double stack, and it didn't have a manual safety (preference of mine).

 

[Lost Lake]

Isn't the reason for the .40 just because of this question? More capacity or more power?

 

[Just Shoot]

Isn't the reason for the .40 just because of this question? More capacity or more power?

Lost Lake has a valid point with the 40. I like my 9 for recreation but it is hard to beat mass anytime. I have a 45c for that reason. Now IF Illinois would just come into the 21 Century like the rest of our Country.....

 

[MP1SG]

A Gold dot expands pretty reliably and with dramatic effect.
Do a little research.....

The SEALS have a saying (they use a 9mm Sig P226):
"When I place 2 in their chest and 1 in their head, they never ask if it was a 9mm or a .45".

True statement, However fortunatley for the SEALS, they do not have to account for every round in combat. SO target saturation and supressive fire is the way to go. Civiliand (and LEO) MUST account for EVERY round fired. I still fell a Bigger Bullet is a better bullet

 

[rpxr400]

Isn't the reason for the .40 just because of this question? More capacity or more power?

I didn't include the .40 because I had one, and was not crazy about it. IMO, it would be harder to get back on target with a .40 than the .45 - more muzzle flip. I met somebody who once described the difference in recoil between the .40 and .45 pretty well: The .40 has a snap, and the .45 is more of a push. I have owned both, and agree with that analogy.

 

[Lost Lake]

I met somebody who once described the difference in recoil between the .40 and .45 pretty well: The .40 has a snap, and the .45 is more of a push. I have owned both, and agree with that analogy.

Hmmm.... I said that on this forum before.... I have to go back and see when! Have we met???

 

[Will Carry]

You know it really doesn't matter that much. Both are excellent choices.
I voted for the 45acp. If you carry the 9mm and you ever, God forbid, have to use it, you will wish it was 45acp. Of course if you run out of ammo and the fight ain't over, you'll wish it was a 9mm.
I carry a 9mm sometimes and a 45 sometimes....and a 380 or a 38sp or a 357 or a 40. I have way too many carry guns.

 

[Fir Fer]

I carry the MP.45 4" has 10+1. If you need more than that, good luck

 

[Out West]

I am also a fan of .45 for carry, and when I want to carry an 8 round .45, I go with my Colt Defender, or LW Commander...I just don't think you can beat the slim 1911, and the lightweight models don't seem much different in weight than the plastic guns, to me anyway...

Ain't that the truth! Plus, I already have a lightweight Commander. Even though I've been looking at the M&P 45c, I may just wait. If it ain't broke...

Out
West

 

[DAVEB47]

This sums it up nicely!
With the premium JHP ammo available these days (I use Golddots and Ranger +P), the .45 doesn't hold the advantage over the 9mm that it does when talking ball ammo.
I am a .45 guy at heart but carry 9mm pistols these days do to above stated reasons (I will add faster follow up shots as well).
I do not believe in 1 shot stopping power in handguns.....shoot them till they are down! Higher capacity is a good thing!

100% agree. I love my 9c and never feel like I lack anything. I use the same ammo for carry and also appreciate the ability to get cheaper ammo to practice with.

 

[Pete 45]

45...

Easy for me...

45

(cause they don't make a 46)

 

[gunlovingirl]

Carry whatever you feel most comfortable with and whatever you shoot best. Between a 45 and a 9mm, I choose a 9mm. I have rheumatoid arthritis in my hands and the 9 is more manageable and a lot less painful.

 

[MP1SG]

This sums it up nicely!
With the premium JHP ammo available these days (I use Golddots and Ranger +P), the .45 doesn't hold the advantage over the 9mm that it does when talking ball ammo.
I am a .45 guy at heart but carry 9mm pistols these days do to above stated reasons (I will add faster follow up shots as well).
I do not believe in 1 shot stopping power in handguns.....shoot them till they are down! Higher capacity is a good thing!

I am pretty sure i can shot my 45 acp as fast and accurate than most can with a 9mm. Bigger Bullets bigger holes= faster blood loss. Shoot them til they are down is good IF you dont have to account for your stray rounds. (which we do) I am not bashing the 9mm, but to say that having more ammo is gonna win the fight is a little crazy to me. The 45acp def holds an advantage over the 9mm, Ball ammo spefically in 45 is probably better than the best 9mm Hollow point. Also take a look at the poll at the top of this thread. When this thread started the 9mm was the favored round, Not so much any more.

 

[rpxr400]

Also take a look at the poll at the top of this thread. When this thread started the 9mm was the favored round, Not so much any more.

Yes, As the OP. I have been closely watching the poll. I initially was surprised, as the first responses hinted that the 9 would run away with it, and now, the tables have turned.The .45 isn't exactly running away, but has a comfortable lead.

 

[45caldan]

The 45acp def holds an advantage over the 9mm, Ball ammo spefically in 45 is probably better than the best 9mm Hollow point. Also take a look at the poll at the top of this thread. When this thread started the 9mm was the favored round, Not so much any more.

NONSENSE! Ball ammo sucks period.....sucks more in 9mm than .45 but still sucks.
This poll will not prove anything....

 

[MP1SG]

NONSENSE! Ball ammo sucks period.....sucks more in 9mm than .45 but still sucks.
This poll will not prove anything....

Hi
The poll so far shows that more shooters choose the 45acp rather than the 9mm. Your are correct Ball ammo does suck you are also correct in saying 9mm ball sucks more than 45 ball. But i would still rather use 45acp ball than 9mm ball.

 

[rpxr400]

This poll will not prove anything....

That's good - because I did not create this poll to prove one caliber is better than the other. I was curious what the majority would carry, given a choice between the higher capacity of the 9 and the larger wound cavity/stopping power of the .45.

 

[Helderberg]

I have a FS 45 and 9. The one benefit of 9mm to me is that I can shoot almost twice as much 9 ammo as I can the 45 for the same money. I know, if I reload - - - after I buy all the tools etc. If you can put more ammo through the gun you can get better with it and the "What gun makes the biggest holes" argument goes away because now you can hit what you aim at. I bought the 9 because it is almost an exact copy of the 45 and I could practice with it. "IT" has turned into my favorite gun and caliber so I have bought a LC9 for carry. 9 is a good caliber, 45 better but you still need to hit what you aim at. Just my .02.
Be safe, Frank.

 

[Brass Nuggets]

As a dual state resident… when in the carry state… 9mm 147 grain JHP over takes my SC-E .45ACP for a couple of reasons…

1. I hope to never draw and fire…
2. If I do draw and fire, control and follow up become critical…
3. To CCW, is to ensure it is as comfortable as possible.
4. Small pistols, big rounds are tough to practice with…

However, Open Carry, now that's a different plan… full size XDM .45 or 1911 all the way.

Just one man's opinion…

 

[Texaspoff]

Either one will be fine. I carry an M&P9FS on and off duty. I also carry a 1911 , a Glock G19 and and LCP as a secondary. My #1 rule is shot placement. I am surgical with any one of those listed. I am not worried about bullet expansion or any of that mess. I have no control over bullet characteristics, or a number of other varibles in an armed situation. What I do have control over is how well I train, and my shot placement. Yes I prefer the 45 ACP growing up a 1911 person. I also have no issues with a 9mm either. The M&Pc gets the nod for concealment and comfort of carry. It is simply a smaller platform caliber aside. That will pay off after packing it for hours during the day. A big mistake I see folks make in a concealed carry weapon is they want the biggest caliber they can get. That usually goes hand in hand with a larger platform. That is not the priority of a concealed carry weapon. Adequate stopping power, controlability, and comfort are what should be considered. Now in an open holstered duty application the caliber debate has more merrit, but not in concealment. Comfort is key, and weight and size is part of the comfort equasion. It won't matter what caliber it is if you left it at home on the night stand. TXPO

 

[Dragon6]

Given only the two options, I choose the 45c. My personal choice after decades as a 1911 guy was the 40c. Near the power of a 45 with near the capacity of a 9mm. It seemed to me to be a better combination for concealment with effect and comfort. Where concealment is not such an issue I still prefer a full size 1911.

 

[Silversmok3]

Id go with the 9mm.

Stopping power is an artifact of weapon knowledge, not caliber size.Meaning the more you shoot it, the more accurate you will be and thus your ability to stop an attack will improve.

So,for X amount of dollars you can practice more on a 9mm versus a .45 ACP.