.45 vs 9mm ?

[xd ED]

No discussion of these two calibers is truly complete without considering the platform from which they're fired - Glock or 1911- as well as how it will be carried: open or concealed...

[hornswaggle]

I prefer 9mm because after the apocolypse when I am searching the ruins for hidden food and ammo cache's it will amost always be 9mm.

[igofast]

9mm I was all over the place, with .45 and a small frame polymer gun (XD-S) I can get 5 shots in a tight pattern quickly and easily.

Can anyone explain why that is? To me it feels like the .45 doesn't rise as much as 9mm, not sure how to explain it but it seems like the recoil effect is different.

2 things are going on:

#1 : I've also fired 2 of the same model guns(.45 and 9mm) and been much more accurate with the .45. All other things being equal(which of course they rarely are), my buddy pointed out that it may be because of the grip size(the overall length of the .45 cartridge necessitates a larger grip than 9mm) . I guess I agree - I have larger hands and have come to the conclusion that I must be gripping differently.

#2 : 9mm 115gr bullet going 1200 fps is going to give more of a 'snap' to the .45's 'push' of a 230gr going 800 fps. Of course it all comes down to personal preference, but for me the impulse of the big slow .45 is much more comfortable even though recoil is greater.

[Holland&Holland]

Here is the thing, it really depends on what you are using it for.

9.3x74 and 9.3x62 are great hard hitters that will take just about anything, but if you have a bull elephant or a cape buff bearing down on you, are you not going to want a .450 NE double to stop the charge? Just saying there is comfort in a bit more umphf.

[Evad]

No discussion of these two calibers is truly complete without considering the platform from which they're fired - Glock or 1911- as well as how it will be carried: open or concealed...

I always thought it was "which Glock will you use?", I had no idea there was any other reasonable option.

[hdgirl1340]

ROFL! that's a good one!! i am still LOLing at this! Ya i know, i know. I kinda figured this had been discussed, but sometimes things need to be brought up again for those of us that don't want to sift through the millions of threads on certain topics. All of you have been very helpful and it's been very interesting to read all the post for a noob such as myself. Its also helpful those links that people posted.

I guess i saw so much .45 ammo on the shelves and the availability of the Glock 21 and all the 9mm Glocks were gone, that i was just curious. I personally like the .45 because because an old school military guy i know was set on the 1911 as his favorite for knock down power and accuracy. I also like that scene where Clint Eastwood whipped one out of his pants and pointed at that one bad guy in Gran Torino LOL. Ya ya call me shallow but ya gotta admit that was pretty good scene for those of you that saw the movie! I like that response that you need different tools for different jobs. Anyways once i shot the 1911 and felt how comfortable and accurate it was i was hooked on the .45. Perhaps one day i need to look into a full size 9mm rather than the little keltec 9mm i have....

[tazdevil]

9mm I was all over the place, with .45 and a small frame polymer gun (XD-S) I can get 5 shots in a tight pattern quickly and easily.

Can anyone explain why that is? To me it feels like the .45 doesn't rise as much as 9mm, not sure how to explain it but it seems like the recoil effect is different.

2 things are going on:

#1 : I've also fired 2 of the same model guns(.45 and 9mm) and been much more accurate with the .45. All other things being equal(which of course they rarely are), my buddy pointed out that it may be because of the grip size(the overall length of the .45 cartridge necessitates a larger grip than 9mm) . I guess I agree - I have larger hands and have come to the conclusion that I must be gripping differently.

#2 : 9mm 115gr bullet going 1200 fps is going to give more of a 'snap' to the .45's 'push' of a 230gr going 800 fps. Of course it all comes down to personal preference, but for me the impulse of the big slow .45 is much more comfortable even though recoil is greater.

You should try a P226 then, those have large grips for many meathooks.

[Ron Burgundy]

#2 : 9mm 115gr bullet going 1200 fps is going to give more of a 'snap' to the .45's 'push' of a 230gr going 800 fps. Of course it all comes down to personal preference, but for me the impulse of the big slow .45 is much more comfortable even though recoil is greater.

Have you tried heavier projectiles? 147gr 9mm should be just around or a little under 1000 fps. Plus, it is the best caliber ever. EVAR!!!1!!one!!!

[AFTERMATH]

Modern advancements in projectiles/loadings have lead to a $1.50/rd 9mm hp that'll equate the terminal performance of a $0.35/rd .45 fmj...

[infidel]

Modern advancements in projectiles/loadings have lead to a $1.50/rd 9mm hp that'll equate the terminal performance of a $0.35/rd .45 fmj...

9mm costs less and takes up less space than a 45 or 40.
You can carry more rounds.
Next to .22lr, is there a more popular round?
One hole properly placed is all you need.

[Countryfried Frank]

Modern advancements in projectiles/loadings have lead to a $1.50/rd 9mm hp that'll equate the terminal performance of a $0.35/rd .45 fmj...

9mm costs less and takes up less space than a 45 or 40.
You can carry more rounds.
Next to .22lr, is there a more popular round?
One hole properly placed is all you need.

By that logic...

[infidel]

Modern advancements in projectiles/loadings have lead to a $1.50/rd 9mm hp that'll equate the terminal performance of a $0.35/rd .45 fmj...

9mm costs less and takes up less space than a 45 or 40.
You can carry more rounds.
Next to .22lr, is there a more popular round?
One hole properly placed is all you need.

By that logic...

I could eat pretty good with a BB gun, besides who really wants to be in a BB gun fight.

[Rem700]

1911OWB45

[sprigfan]

I'm glad 9mm is popular because it makes my .45ACP ammo easier to find.

I wonder if this is going to last. With the popularity and extremely high demand for 9mm and. 40 right now, I wouldn't be surprised if manufacturers slash production of other calibers.

[XDM45]

I'm glad 9mm is popular because it makes my .45ACP ammo easier to find.

I wonder if this is going to last. With the popularity and extremely high demand for 9mm and. 40 right now, I wouldn't be surprised if manufacturers slash production of other calibers.

.45ACP
9mm
.22LR
.223
5.56
.357
These and many other calibers aren't going to go away anytime soon.