9mm, .45 ACP, .357sig, .40SW -- which?!?

[randalee]

Couple more interesting tidbits:

Diameter Comparison 1 (quarter)

Diameter Comparison 2 (dime)

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: randalee
I've owned firearms in .40SW, 9mm and .45 ACP. Tried a GLOCK in .357sig -- too much of a beast for me. High-high-pressure for a handgun.

Seems the 9mm vs. .45 debate will always rage on, but I think the biggest argument of having .45 over 9mm is when using BALL ammo (full-metal jacket). In defense scenarios, ball ammo isn't required (no Geneva convention on the street), and we are able to use the good stuff that police use. With that said, I submit:

The Chart

What do you make of it?

Where's the chart for the BALL ammo?

And try HERE for bullet discussion.

 

[ElFenix]

apparently 9 mm blows goats, the reason cops have to shoot people 10 times is cuz 9 mm has no stopping power.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
apparently 9 mm blows goats, the reason cops have to shoot people 10 times is cuz 9 mm has no stopping power.

That depends a lot on the ammo used. I'd almost rather throw standard 9mm ball rounds at someone than shoot them. Uploaded hollowpoints are a another matter entirely.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: Lalakai
start off with frame that fits your hand and you're comfortable with. With home defense you don't have to worry about concealabilty so much which makes it easier. After finding a comfortable frame, work with the level of recoil that you're comfortable with; not only managing the recoil but how fast can you bring it back down for a fast second shot (that's also accurate).

9's are decent but lack the high percentage of being able to knock a person down with one shot (mid 50% range), even with the high end shock ammo.

40's improve on this and give very good percentage of knockdown, combined with manageable recoil.

45's rank in the mid 90%'s for 1-shot knock down, have moderate recoil, and due to their low velocity, they don't give you the extraneous penetration (shooting through walls, or through a person's body and hitting an unwanted target). Many police like the 45 but the public perception of the 45 labels it as "aggressive" and opens up more liability issues.

357 mags will give you the best 1-shot knock down (95-98%), rarely will they penetrate through a body, but finding an auto loading 357 mag is hard.

As was noted above, the 10mm is an excellent round giving better knock-down then the 40, and places it between the 45 and 357 on velocity. A side note of the 10mm, it was originally chosen by the FBI as their primary pistol but due to the frame size and recoil, individuals with smaller hands had significant problems bringing it back down for a fast second shot. The cartridge was shortened to reduce recoil, and the 40 S&W was born.

The 44 mag can also be considered for home defense but it's effectiveness is only a bit more then the 40, with additional negatives thrown in. The velocity of the 44 adds unwanted penetration and when used on soft targets (human bodies), the round will often penetrate completely through and through, without expending the majority of the energy in the target. This reduces the effectiveness of the bullet, and adds concerns because the projectile is still traveling and can hit other objects or people.

I've owned and shot all of these calibers and will use them in different situations. For me, I prefer the 10mm or a para ordanance 45.

I'd love to see where you came up with these percentages. In all of reading about firearms, I've never heard of recorded knockdown percents.

It also seems that you suggest that revolvers are not a good option. There are many people who would disagree with you. If you need further explanation, I will.

 

[IGBT]

..I like my .380 AMT stainless.

 

[IGBT]

Text

AMT Backup Pistol..

 

[RGN]

According to that chart, I'll take anything but the 9mm. 9's are great for practice IF you still practice with the larger calibers. Recoil and muzzle flash is very different from 9mm to .45.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: savoyboy
.40 for self defense
9mm for practice
.45 if you want to punch a big hole in something

That makes no sense. You practice with the gun/round that you are using for self defense.

 

[canadageek]

i keep a .700 Nitro Express for home defense, personally....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.700_Nitro_Express

 

[AlienCraft]

.40 for me.

 

[phantom309]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: savoyboy
.40 for self defense
9mm for practice
.45 if you want to punch a big hole in something

That makes no sense. You practice with the gun/round that you are using for self defense.

Finally, someone who gets it.

 

[quakefiend420]

i like my .357 magnums, personally

 

[BoberFett]

I only have a .40, but I'd have to say .45 is my favorite. I used a friend's Kimber .45 and with the first mag I was shooting nice tight groups. I like my P226, but that .45 was just silky smooth.

 

[Kilgor]

Originally posted by: quakefiend420
i like my .357 magnums, personally

:thumbsup:

I think with todays ammo it all comes down to what you shoot best. Modern bullets are nothing like what was made 15 years ago. I'd rather have an easy shooting .45acp or 44 special than a High cap 10mm or .40 with more recoil but thats just my preferance. If the poo really hit the fan the weapons I'd like to have with me are my Ruger GP-100 .357mag and a nice Battle rifle like a Springfield M1A or a quality 12ga Pump depending on the situation.

 

[308nato]

partial to the .45 auto myself.......my wife likes the .357, she can reload her Taurus revolver with a speedloader about as fast as I can swap mags in my USP........

 

[Slickone]

I've been looking for a good deal on a 9mm for a couple years now, but haven't seen any. Too bad ebay doesn't allow them.

 

[Kilgor]

Gunbroker.com E-bay for guns, you still have to pay someone with an FFL to get the gun and run the background check.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: savoyboy

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: savoyboy
.40 for self defense
9mm for practice
.45 if you want to punch a big hole in something

That makes no sense. You practice with the gun/round that you are using for self defense.

.40 is too expensive while 9mm is cheap.

I guess it's all depend on your budget.

I'm still lost. You are right, you do shoot what your budget allows. But you should be using the same gun for self defense as well. I shoot my 45 (XD) as much as the 9mm (glock 19), so I use the XD for "home defense". If I couldn't afford as much 45 ACP, I'd stick with the Glock for "home defense".

 

[PrinceofWands]

I personally have a thing for .40's. My duty weapon is a Glock 22 in .40, and my concealed is a Taurus Millennium Pro PT140. I like only having one caliber for my handguns - convenience as well as interchangeability. .40 is also a good price middle ground, as well as power. I usually load 165gr Hydra's, or some home brews if I'm playing with hotloads.

 

[AgentJean]

"Because no matter how you try to rationalize it, 9mm is still for women and pansies."

 

[GagHalfrunt]

If my life is on the line, and if I need to use a gun I assume it is, I will not trust a 9mm to be enough gun. 40S&W and 45ACP are okay and so is .357Sig or 357 mag if you prefer wheel guns. If the recoil is too much for you KEEP SHOOTING until you get used to it. Recoil = muzzle energy and muzzle energy = energy delivered to the target. Don't skimp and use a wussy gun because it's pleasant to shoot. Use something that works.

 

[AgentJean]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
If my life is on the line, and if I need to use a gun I assume it is, I will not trust a 9mm to be enough gun. 40S&W and 45ACP are okay and so is .357Sig or 357 mag if you prefer wheel guns. If the recoil is too much for you KEEP SHOOTING until you get used to it. Recoil = muzzle energy and muzzle energy = energy delivered to the target. Don't skimp and use a wussy gun because it's pleasant to shoot. Use something that works.

I'm going to place devils advocate here and claim shot placement is more important in the end.

Be it 9mm, .40, 10mm. .45ACP. .357mag or .50AE, two to the chest one to the head and the zombie is going down for good no questions asked.

Even with a .50AE if you wing em in the arm they might still be a threat.

 

[WHAMPOM]

12 Gauge! Makes it hard to miss and wakes up the neighbors.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: AgentJean

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
If my life is on the line, and if I need to use a gun I assume it is, I will not trust a 9mm to be enough gun. 40S&W and 45ACP are okay and so is .357Sig or 357 mag if you prefer wheel guns. If the recoil is too much for you KEEP SHOOTING until you get used to it. Recoil = muzzle energy and muzzle energy = energy delivered to the target. Don't skimp and use a wussy gun because it's pleasant to shoot. Use something that works.

I'm going to place devils advocate here and claim shot placement is more important in the end.

Be it 9mm, .40, 10mm. .45ACP. .357mag or .50AE, two to the chest one to the head and the zombie is going down for good no questions asked.

Even with a .50AE if you wing em in the arm they might still be a threat.

Yeah, nice thought if you're being attacked by 1950's era movie zombies that move 6 inches per second. Then you can take your time, get a nice steady sight picture, deep breath in, half out, squeeze the trigger slowly, etc. In the real world in a do or die situation NOBODY shoots like that. Not trained cops, not soldiers, not expert marksmen, NOBODY. That's why you need stopping power, because you're not going to hit the ideal location like nice calm bullseyes on the range. Every hit needs to do maximum damage no matter where it strikes.

 

[shortylickens]

Originally posted by: savoyboy

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: savoyboy
.40 for self defense
9mm for practice
.45 if you want to punch a big hole in something

That makes no sense. You practice with the gun/round that you are using for self defense.

.40 is too expensive while 9mm is cheap.
I guess it's all depend on your budget.

I had a S&W Sigma for a while in the .40 model. 40 was too expensive for target shooting and plinking but the problem is: I didnt see 9mm as a much better option. Even you go to wal-mart or buy bulk ammo online the 9mm isnt saving you much money. Unless you shoot 1000 rounds everyday.

For me, I wouldnt use anything less than a .380 for personal protection. A small 38 special would be ideal.
But personal protection weapons are carried with the idea that you wont have to use them.
If I knew for a fact that I would absolutely, positively have to kill a man then the 45 ACP is the bare minimum I would use.

Same with longarms. In the Navy I stood security with an M-16, (sometimes a 12 gauge). Its a neat gun for looking tough and is easy to carry, but I think its only good for security.
Again if I knew for a fact that I would have to kill a man, I wouldnt settle for anything less than an M-14.