What advantage is there to a 9mm?

[Greg D]

I live in Massachusetts and can only carry 10 rounds in any new gun, whether it is a .32 or a .45. Right now I carry a .45.
Is there any advantage to carrying a 9 mm if I can only have 10 rounds? Just wondering.

 

[Nanook 450]

no advantage whatsoever . . .

 

[WR Moore]

Well, that rather depends upon several issues. A well trained, practiced, dedicated shooter at a match where he knows he is about to shoot a clearly identified target and is using both hands can, at realistic close combat ranges, shoot identical scores with any of the self defense calibers in essentially the same time. However, this is a game, not real life.

Now, let's move into the real world. The 9mm is easier to shoot accurately and at speed with less sustainment practice. This is particularly true when using only one hand because the other holds a cell phone, your kid, your wife, a car/house door, another bad guy or other things you can't readily dump on the ground. Engrave it into your mind that shot placement is the single most important component of the ability to incapacitate an assailant.

Non-dedicated personnel, and many honest dedicated personnel, find that the .38/9mm provides them with optimum ability to accurately and quickly place rounds on a target under less than optimum conditions. These can include head colds and various other conditions that lower your physical/mental ability to perform at less than your absolute best. If we look back at the first paragraph, when was the last time you went to the range/a match with a fever and stuffed up head? I haven't done either when sick, but I have attended several matches after a night shift.

I'm not sure what the relative magazine capacities of your .45 and any 9mm may be. More is better. Running out of ammo before you run out of bad guys isn't likely, but possible-and REALLY bad- during any realistic self defense situation. Not necessarily of an excess of bad guys, but because of slow law enforcement response.

If you're confident of your abilities with the weapon/caliber of your choice, good for you. Just make sure you're looking at all the factors.

 

[OKFC05]

Smaller, lighter gun when fully loaded. Somewhat easier to conceal.

 

[Capt Steve]

9mm ammo is cheaper and usually readily available just about anywhere. With less expensive ammo you are likely to practice more and be better prepared/capable in an emergency. As noted above, ease of carry, concealed or not, is also a plus.

 

[J274895]

9mm ammo is cheaper and usually readily available just about anywhere. With less expensive ammo you are likely to practice more and be better prepared/capable in an emergency. As noted above, ease of carry, concealed or not, is also a plus.

Yup, +1.

And I added this additional sentence because of the "message too short" error message.

 

[flop-shank]

Usually bullets are pushed further past their expansion threshold by a 9mm.

 

[Spotteddog]

No significant advantage one over another when loaded with their best bullets and in the hands of competent (read that as sometimes a "lucky"?) shooter. That said, were I limited to 10 regardless of caliber? I'd go 10 of a .45ACP. At that point cumulative grain weight would be in play, because the capacity advantage had been taken off the table.
10-124's=1240
10-230's=2300
Nothing exotic?

 

[perpster]

I live in Massachusetts and can only carry 10 rounds in any new gun, whether it is a .32 or a .45. Right now I carry a .45.
Is there any advantage to carrying a 9 mm if I can only have 10 rounds? Just wondering.

When you say "new gun" does that mean you can carry higher capacity in a not new gun? If so, then you might consider a used 9mm with capacity for 15 or so rounds. Otherwise I'd lean towards the .45 ACP. But then again, I usually carry 5 in .357 in a J, (plus 5 in a speed loader) so go figure.

 

[safearm]

I switched from a .45 ACP to 9mm not because I thought the 9mm was a better cartridge, I switched because of the battering my hands, and particularly arthiritic wrists, took from firing the .45 in Commander and smaller size guns.
For years I carried either a Colt Combat Commander or Officers' size gun. As arthiritis has progressed with age, I found the 9mm to be more endurable, so I switched. I carry the same number of rounds, 8+1 in a compact 9mm (S&W 3913) as I did with the Commander, so the number of rounds is not the issue.
I'm satisfied the the 9mm round I carry, Speer 124 grain Gold Dot +P, will do the job if I do my part, i.e., bullet placement, so for me, the 9mm is the best choice of a controllable, effective cartridge for SD.

 

[ChinaSeaSailor]

my all time favorite round has been 357 mag - went to 357 sig when it came around - now I use 9mm - these old disabled hands will not handle heavy recoil and the 9mm is perfect for me - use 38 in my 686 unless I hunt with 357 but do not fire many full loads

 

[tops]

If you are trying to get repeat shots off in a hurry why not carry a .22? No recoil so really fast repeat shots. Larry

 

[safearm]

I don't think the .22 is a viable alternative. Yes, it's killed many people, but I wouldn't intentionally carry it as a self defense round unless I had nothing else.

 

[flop-shank]

.22 lr., while a proven killer, is an abysmal stopper. One should never carry a .22 if something more powerful is doable.

If I were limited to ten rounds, I would use a .40 S&W if I were running an auto.

What I really prefer is a service size magnum revolver with full power JHP ammo and that's what I use whenever possible.

 

[Greg D]

If you can find used magazines produced before a certian date, you can buy high capacity mags in MA. They are hard to find.

 

[Loomis Guard]

I'm from Mass,, a life time ago now though!!! Lived in Westboro.. How come you folks can't get rid of those stupid laws about 10lb triggers and 10 rd mags???? Does Mass still have the pistol permit for protection of life and property??? I can't believe what I hear about that place anymore!!!!

L.G.

 

[Knightrider03m]

The 9mm is a perfect round. I really don't understand all of the hate that the 9mm is getting, maybe its because of lack of knowledge. Like the posters above me stated, shot placement is always key. I read a story about a police officer being in a shot out with his duty glock .45 and shot a man 11 with the last and final round being shot in the guys head. I carry +p in 124 grain in both my Sigma and P11 and never feel underpowered.

 

[Spotteddog]

I think Flop Shank may have hit on the best possible combination?
If the .40 S&W is still launched out of the same sized platform as the 9X19, and if your limited to 10 (+1)? That might be the most wise compromise of all. I was told by several folks that know a ton more about polymer auto's than I, that the .40 S&W is considered "waspish" in it's behavior out of compact guns. In my limited experience with the .40 in a polymer compact, I found it to behave about at the same level as a stainless/aluminum combo Officer's length 1911' in .45ACP. I've never been very impressed with any auto-loaders recoil though, so I'm the wrong judge as to that? What I can state, is that neither the .40 compact polymers, nor the Officer length 1911's suffer limp wristing willingly? That's one character flaw I've not experienced with an M&P 9c.
YMMV

 

[madmedic1955]

The 9mm is a perfect round. I really don't understand all of the hate that the 9mm is getting, maybe its because of lack of knowledge. Like the posters above me stated, shot placement is always key. I read a story about a police officer being in a shot out with his duty glock .45 and shot a man 11 with the last and final round being shot in the guys head. I carry +p in 124 grain in both my Sigma and P11 and never feel underpowered.

plus one as a medic I will say PLACMENT is the key

 

[reerc]

9mm ammo is cheaper and usually readily available just about anywhere. With less expensive ammo you are likely to practice more and be better prepared/capable in an emergency. As noted above, ease of carry, concealed or not, is also a plus.

'nother +1, can't put it much better.