grousemaster wrote:ijosef wrote:They're both great calibers. I'm surprised no one has come in here and said "why choose 9mm or .45ACP when .40S&W is the best of both worlds?" yet. I remember someone starting a thread like that on another forum... pure entertainment.
Ultimately, both the 9mm and .45ACP are poor "manstoppers." I hate to use the term, but it's the best we have. Handguns are inherent compromises and are not the all powerful death dealers as portrayed in the movies. Pick whatever you like and shoot the best, whether it's 9mm/.45ACP/40S&W/.357Sig/10mm/etc. They're all marginal for stopping an attacker in comparison to a rifle or a properly loaded shotgun.
Actually, the .45ACP is a pretty good man stopped, as are the .357 mag and even .40 S&W, according to FBI statistics of one shot stops anyway. Obviously they are nowhere near a rifle or shotgun, but stats show they stop a man just fine.
Agreed.
Hollywood portrays inaccuracy when it comes to firearms in all aspects.
No handgun will ever shoot as far or have the power of a rifle, true that as well.
From my understanding, and correct me if I'm wrong here, but the whole thing about "stopping power" ISN'T from the force of the bullet. It's about penetrating deep enough into the target without over-penetration coupled with fragmentation to cause a cavity with rapid blood loss while also providing an extensive shock to the nervous system at the same time. It's not that a .45ACP is going to knock them over like in the movies. It's also about placement. Better to hit them with a .22LR and be on the mark than to miss with a .45ACP, right? Exactly.
I say use what works. Look at the ballistics, work on placement, shooting techniques, etc etc etc et al, but use what works for you. I've shot a bunch of different calibers (as I'm sure we all have), and for me, I really feel the most comfortable with the .45ACP. I don't mind 9mm or .40, I actually like .357 too and I think a nice revolver in .357 is a good gun to get, so it's on my list as one of my "guns that everyone should have" guns. I'm also a huge fan of the .22LR, which I think is sort of an under-rated caliber in a lot of ways, but I have respect for it. It's not my first choice for a defensive caliber, but would I use it in a pinch or as a backup if needed and no better choice was around? You bet.
I've heard and read the arguments for and against 9mm and .45ACP, I've heard that the ballistics have changed and the pendulum swings from one to the other. Last I heard, the North Saint Paul Police were carrying actual Colt 1911 .45ACP as their carry weapon. I have relatives who are cops, they carry 9mm. One definite advantage 9mm has over .45ACP is the cost factor... Every time I pull the trigger, it goes *BANG*, but there's also a "CHA-CHING" sound too. Could be worse though. I know shooting rifles and a DE .50 cal isn't cheap either and is usually more expensive than my .45ACP rounds are.
I think the 9mm vs. .45ACP discussion is good because it usually spurs discussion and things change rather often when it comes to ballistics.
