9mm vs .45

[Hmac]

According to Larry Vickers (and others) 9mm wins.


M4C Newsletter & Larry Vickers: .45 vs 9mm; The debate is over

An exception to that in my opinion would be if you are stuck for whatever reason to carrying ball Ammo only. At that point all the calibers are just gonna poke a hole in the bad guy and a bigger hole is better than a smaller one so .45 ACP rules. That leaves .40 S&W out in the cold in my opinion and that trend is seen everywhere now as the .40 has quickly become the black sheep of the whole Ammo debate. The guns are harder to shoot, hold less bullets and are no more effective on the street than 9mm. In fact some have proven to be problematic for many years (Glock 22) when there 9mm counterparts are gold standards for dependability and reliability (Glock 17).

So that's the way I see it; 9mm is in, .40 is out, and .45 if needed. Be safe, keep shooting, LAV out.

Larry Vickers
Master Sergeant ( Retired )
US Army SOF Combat Veteran

[Ghost]

Well now I need a 1911 in 9mm.

[gun_fan111v2]

Well now I need a 1911 in 9mm.

You need that even if you think he is WRONG! They are fun to shoot!!!

[mmcnx2]

You need a 38 super also.

[Ghost]

Well now I need a 1911 in 9mm.

You need that even if you think he is WRONG! They are fun to shoot!!!

Good point, it's on the shortlist.

[Bearcatrp]

40 is out? BS! You can have the spray and pray 9mm. Dam cops sure can't hit **** spraying bullets at there targets. Will keep my 180 gr XTP ammo to trust it will do its job when needed.

[mmcnx2]

40 is out? ********! You can have the spray and pray 9mm. Dam cops sure can't hit **** spraying bullets at there targets. Will keep my 180 gr XTP ammo to trust it will do its job when needed.

While I think the article is lacking any scientific measurement, the reality of current protection ammo is that it has evened the scale incredibly. A 9 ballistic wise will inflect more than enough damage to get the job done, as will a 40, as will a 45, 38 special, 357mag or sig. Heck a 22 will do the job with proper round placement.

Many LE agencies are converting back to 9, due to improved ability of officers to shoot the round over 40, ammo costs are less and the 40 just did not provide the advantages it was suppose to. Some agencies are also returning to 45 for their tactical groups because a big slow round provides great stopping power without over penetrating in close quarters.

The 40 has just not lived up to its claim, I have 2, one for USPSA and they will continue to be popular in limited class based on the rules, the other is a little nightstand Glock 27 and if I would trade it for a 26 if I really spent any time shooting it.

[Seismic Sam]

Ah, the old 9mm vs 45 debate. It's OLDER than I am, it's as worn out as I am, and it accomplishes about as much as I do.

As far as the 40, you deserve what you get for downsizing a really potent cartridge like the 10mm. It was only created because the 10mm hurt the widdle wrists of some of the FBI agents when they made the 1076 their official sidearm.

And BTW, Ford and Chevy both stink when compared to a Nissan Titan... yap, yap, yap....

[Hmac]

Ah, the old 9mm vs 45 debate. It's OLDER than I am, it's as worn out as I am, and it accomplishes about as much as I do.

This would be a relevant comment if it weren't for the advances in bullet performance over the last few years. I agree, these days it appears to be a moot argument. The trend seems to indicate that there's little point to the .45 anymore. Downside outweighs what little advantage remains.

[LarryFlew]

I'll add to the cops switching from 40 debate. Most of you know I buy out the brass from a police training range every spring for resale. Started doing this about 5 years ago. Typically about (15) 5 gallon pails full. First year there where (6) pails of 40 which has slowly gone down to this years 1 1/4 bucket of 40. 45 was just short of a bucket to begin with and this year was 600 rounds. Since it's just one range in one part of the country I'm sure it's not indicative of everywhere but does show a trend.

[Ghost]

I'll add to the cops switching from 40 debate. Most of you know I buy out the brass from a police training range every spring for resale. Started doing this about 5 years ago. Typically about (15) 5 gallon pails full. First year there where (6) pails of 40 which has slowly gone down to this years 1 1/4 bucket of 40. 45 was just short of a bucket to begin with and this year was 600 rounds. Since it's just one range in one part of the country I'm sure it's not indicative of everywhere but does show a trend.

I wonder how much of the switch just comes down to money?

[yuppiejr]

Ah, the old 9mm vs 45 debate. It's OLDER than I am, it's as worn out as I am, and it accomplishes about as much as I do.

This would be a relevant comment if it weren't for the advances in bullet performance over the last few years. I agree, these days it appears to be a moot argument. The trend seems to indicate that there's little point to the .45 anymore. Downside outweighs what little advantage remains.

.. unless you're stuck shooting ball ammo.

[Hmac]

Ah, the old 9mm vs 45 debate. It's OLDER than I am, it's as worn out as I am, and it accomplishes about as much as I do.

This would be a relevant comment if it weren't for the advances in bullet performance over the last few years. I agree, these days it appears to be a moot argument. The trend seems to indicate that there's little point to the .45 anymore. Downside outweighs what little advantage remains.

.. unless you're stuck shooting ball ammo.

Yes.

[LarryFlew]

I'll add to the cops switching from 40 debate. Most of you know I buy out the brass from a police training range every spring for resale. Started doing this about 5 years ago. Typically about (15) 5 gallon pails full. First year there where (6) pails of 40 which has slowly gone down to this years 1 1/4 bucket of 40. 45 was just short of a bucket to begin with and this year was 600 rounds. Since it's just one range in one part of the country I'm sure it's not indicative of everywhere but does show a trend.

I wonder how much of the switch just comes down to money?

None, students still have the option and the guns and ammo are all provided by the school at no charge.

[goalie]

Like I've said elsewhere and in the past: you can tell who hasn't shot anyone with a rifle by the arguments they make regarding "stopping power" in regards to handguns.

Either you penetrate deep enough to hit vitals or you don't. Either you hit the CNS or you don't. All the mental masturbation in the world doesn't change that.