I may not always be there. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The recoil may be heavy for some but since I am a big guy, recoil has never been an issue for me. Left out (one) seemingly small but (very) important step when take action time arrives. Not an expert on older 45 sub guns, but I assume they are all straight blowback. Have a great weekend, Colin. Like many others, I use the .45 at home (and in the car) with the primary at home a Mossberg Persuader. Bear in mind that these numbers vary by manufacturer. Well, lets take a look at these two rounds and pit them against one another. And then some more. Muzzle Velocity ft/sec. Back in the day, there was a revolver chambered in .600 Nitro Express. just saying. If you have to shoot, common wisdom says shoot to kill, worry about it afterwards. The other point is shoot someone in the hand with a 9 he drop his gun shoot them with a 45 they will drop their hand. But, to add to your argument, I read about an encounter a couple of years back where a large man broke into a house and tried to attack the lady of the house and her child. Time matters. Look, ultimately both rounds have very similar energy. I have both 45s and 9mm's but I'm not emotionally attached to the 1911 or 45 ACP, it's not better, it's different. Springfield 1911 A1 .45ACP +P ported and polished. In addition to firearms-related work, Josh enjoys working with animals and researching conservation projects in his home state of Michigan. You can not spell and have no idea what punctuation is. BTW, I like the 9mm and .45 pretty much equally and have both calibers. Well then YOU become the weapon. However, it's very reasonable to say that without American manufacturing, production, and agriculture the United Kingdom would have either fallen directly to the Germans or more likely would have been starved into submission. They took refuge in some kind of small room with a door on it. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Most ATTACKERS even if not mortally wounded will address thier WOUND TRY to save THIER LIFE & not get SHOT Again!! You say that a 9mm has more penetration than a 45. The FBI and the armys surgeon General have done extensive data gathering. Per chance were you assigned to Devonshire Division of LAPD? Not me. The ones that I carry travel at 1000 fps. A bonus is that you can use higher capacity magazines (9mmP & 45ACP) in both Glocks ;) CQB scenarios where youre within the 17 engagements and you want to do work quietly, the .45 ACP has all of the advantages. LockA locked padlock I'm still on the fence about it though. It offers a larger magazine capacity given a similarly sized firearm, And its compact nature makes it easier to carry, especially when concealed carry, Not to mention, the 9mm brings less recoil, making it an easier gun to handle especially for beginners, While the answer to this is up to debate, one thing is certain: higher muzzle velocity does equal, Unfortunately, this benefit may be completely. Accuracy is affected by the stress of being shot at, the need to establish effective cover, high respiratory rate from the exertion required to get to that cover, moving (and sometimes multiple) targets and other factors. I may be considered old and not moving with the new trends, and all is good and dandy with the 9 mm and all the new ammo development, but if the .45 was good to stop the japs and the Krouts, in my book it is good to stop anyone who wants to harm me or my family. I can't imagine that trade would be so great either. This is America, not the UK. I offer two pieces of evidence to support my notion that .45 ACP penetrates slightly more on average. You cite physics you don't understand and claim that your opinion is fact. Comparisons of muzzle velocities of the 4-inch pistol and the 16.5-inch carbine revealed only a 6 percent increase in velocity with the carbine; any muzzle velocity gain depends on the powder's burning characteristics. In the end, I would rather have a 6+1 which I knew how to shoot well than a 15 rounder I couldn't. Velocity and barrel length data for 9x19mm Parabellum, also known as 9mm Luger and so on. Measurements are the opposite of vague . A 9mm is generally cheaper, has less recoil and higher velocity than a .45 ACP. The energy at impact is greater than the 9mm. It also has a wide selection of ammunition types. The upward recoil maybe lesser but 9mm has a twisting recoil motion. So if you double tap someone or use Mozambique you are in lots of troubles and you are looking for serious jali time for murder. 9x19mm Parabellum is by far the most popular handgun cartridge for self-defense in the world. the 45 wins hands down over the 9mm. The Glock 43 offered the slowest MV with any given load, the Glock 19 always brought up the middle, and the G34 achieved the highest numbers. Even the FBI report states that 9mm makes it easier for their agents to qualify. Ammo Deals: ZSR Ammunition 9mm 124 Grain FMJ 1000 Rounds $259.99 FREE S&H, AR-15 Barrel Length Does It Even Matter? 9mm is the way to-go. Go with comfort, shot group & confidence. Loaded with +P rounds, they make a heckuva mess. As if the 9mm is the only benefactor of "ammo advancement", well, I also have the awesome 460 Rowland which overlaps 44 Magnum power levels in a 13 round Glock 21 magazine. 45 bullets weigh a ton In a ammo can! I take my Colt Gold Cup in .45ACP any day over a typical 9mm pistol. The 9mm also has a higher muzzle velocity than the .45 ACP because of its lighter bullets. I have pistols chambered in .22lr, 9mm Luger, .40 S7W, 357 SIG, and .45 ACP. I have 9mm carry weapons, but I'm thinking of doing the home defense thing the way you described! I have both and like them both. The punishing recoil of 10mm loads also causes more wear and tear on the handgun itself, requiring parts to be replaced more frequently than with a 9mm handgun. Those who prefer lightweight 9mm projectiles enjoy lower recoil; If you select heavier bullets benefit from deeper penetration of the target. My wife was a Harville from Alabama. As a civilian I shouldnt find myself in a situation in the street to have to shoot into cars and where I live by code all exterior walls are concrete. Usually i hear 40 cal ford truck fender blah blah blah. An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice. Its not the same underpowered round that the FBI abandoned in the early 1980s. Whats right for me is probably a double stack micro 380 (10+ rounds) and a 1.5 stack sub compact 40 S&W (10+ rounds), but they havent invented good enough ones yet so.. I think the bigger recoil mitigating effect from the Banshee will be due to the mechanically delayed blowback. When all you have is six rounds, you sure better be accurate, reloading took precious time. Wouldn't that make the.45 leap farther ahead again, in terms of "better"? What the USA needs is a firearms amnesty where everybody just gives their guns back to be melted. Firing 12 rounds my 9 mm wouldn't penetrate it or do catastrophic damage to it. Muzzle velocity is simply a measure of the speed of the projectile the moment it leaves the barrel. We'll only use the information provided according to our privacy policy. 45 ACP is better than nothing for sure , but 9mm is a superior cartridge. Fortunately plenty exists. I was working off averages that clearly didn't account for the extreme edge of the versatility of the 45 ACP cartridge. I was one of those folks in the military in the 80's that had a 45 side-arm, so used to it. The velocities displayed are an average taken from six readings. My dream gun has always been a 1911 in 45 cal but after watching the video I'm on the fence again. Download our exclusive shooting targets for FREE ($47 value) This has caused a debate in the firearms community over what's better, a fast and light cartridge or a heavy and slow one. Please inform. For home defence, I have .38 special, 9mm and a 12 GA shotgun squirreled away. Now I see these new cops high fiving each other for passing. In fact, unlike the other calibers in this study, over half of the 9mm rounds from the 1800 bodies involved in shootings were FMJ. I agree. As a Patrol Officer I have seen both in action in the real world, not the bull crap settings of a test range. Before 1911, soldiers hit with a 9mm were still advancing even if mortally wounded. Thank you to our allies, we could not have done it without each other. lbs. Which is best? As the semi-automatic handgun gained traction in the late 60s and early 70s, so too did the 9mm. My non-silenced weapons are 9mm my silenced weapons are .45. There are videos and statistics comparing 357 and 45 acp. The angle was about 45 degrees because I feared complete penetration if fired 90 degrees. Hornady 100 Gr. Lend-lease conditions were allegedly exorbitant but the US manufacturing base was undeniably a godsend), plus some of the other margins you refer to were, frankly, too close to argue, so I wont even try. For more than 30 years, the Beretta M9 and M9A1 have been the standard sidearm of the US Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. It is also something to consider when deciding on a load to purchase that you know will be used in a variety of pistols for a variety of purposes such as IDPA or 3-Gun. The FNX 45T and a few others hold around 15 rounds. Youtube, ABOUT US Copyright 2023 Pew Pew Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Thats where the .357 SIG comes into play. Something to remember when shopping around for a 9mm. Don't try to confuse the facts. As Katherine pointed out as well, there are so many variables which can come into play like freezing, forgetting to take the safety off, tunnel vision, forgetting everything you've ever been taught, gun jam, on and on. If you want knock down power take up boxing . My personal word: We all know by now of Mr. Schumacher's killing of a large bear with a 9mm. A myth that TV and movies have given the world is that American warfighters won WWII, but really the amount of American blood contributed to the war effort was comparably insignificant -- especially compared to the Soviets. Faster bullets are also better for terminal performance. Muzzle velocity is something youll see on boxes of ammunition and on ballistics stat sheets, but you may not know exactly how muzzle velocity impacts performance. That is some nice expansion from the 9mm ammo. Now, there are already bazillions of guns out there in the US, and Americans are never going to give them up, noway, nohow. I am still open to 9mm thats why I was considering the sig but I do love the style and extra safety features of the kimber. This wont be noticed in smaller, less powerful cartridges, such as the .17 HMR, but it will be noticed in large cartridges such as the .44 Magnum or .50 BMG. Hornady.com Ammunition Handgun 9mm Luger 115 gr FTX Critical Defense . You can vaguely cite "muzzle energy" but it ultimately means nothing with so many variables. The Glock is my every day carry. Its such a pathetic argument. About 7 inches. Id learned that doing 33 separate factory loadings in four pistols in the same conditions was a tall order to fill. In my .45 version of this test, I ended up with three Sig pistols and a Smith and Wesson. You'd first have to understand what muzzle energy is without using Google. Sentimental value does not are a round more lethal. Maybe 45 has a bigger physical wound channel (Ill leave hydrostatic shock out of it, though the high speed footage of it in ballistics gel is compelling) and 9mm can go through a few extra boards so it evens out. I have to say I like them all from 22 to 500 Smith. But, had I not experienced it, I never would have believed it would happen to me. I am beginning to practice with the 9 mm more. What I read about that encounter sickened me. A 7" barrel with a 7" suppressor would still give an overall length of 14 inches, so going up to 10" for a little extra velocity would put you at just about 17" with a suppressor, which is still going to handle better than a 16" barrel, along with the benefits of being suppressed. Hum. The common reasoning that having more than enough, or having the most you can carry because you can 'never have enough', well, it's not something anyone can make others believe one way or the other. I notice that most articles talking up the 9mm always compares the newest and best 9mm to the old slow fmj .45, not taking into account that there are now .45 with lighter projectiles and higher speeds that far and away leave the 9mm in the dust. The righteous banded together to defeat evil as this was surely the will of God himself. One other thing of interest is that in the Buckeye Firearms study both velocity and mass increase accuracy, but again, accuracy favors calibers that can excel and one or both of these things. My 9mm is def better carrying size, 45 is things-that-go-bump-in-the-night standby. You'll now receive newsletters of our best articles on techniques, Fair & balanced article. When comparing the Glock compacts in both calibers, the 9MM was less bulky, lighter, and easier to conceal. Or you could end up in prison. In such a case, the permanent cavity is stretched so far, and so fast, that tearing and rupturing can occur in tissues surrounding the wound channel, which were weakened by fragmentation damage. Best argument I ever heard was, even if your hollowpoint fails to expand, a .45 will always punch a .45 hole. Many handgun enthusiasts believe that bigger is, in fact, better and love everything that the .45 ACP has to offer. Also, the statement in this article regarding that 9mm's are more comfortable and lighter I feel is only meagerly correct. When I was young military carried 45acp most leo where I live carried 357. If interested perhaps we can exchange some info or thoughts, was really looking forward to reading this when I had time. 230gr X 800fps = 184000 or PF of 184. Certainly this is easy to understand with the .44 Magnum because it's increased velocity and mass produces essentially twice that of 9mm, but you can't say that about the other calibers. The switched to the 45 because they needed something that transferred more energy to the target to knock them down. But I know you won't understand. .45 being a nuclear bomb!!! The consistent data is wonderful, but it made for a rather boring graph when it was all said and done. This will eliminate the threat on fewer rounds. Penetration and energy, and the physical properties that result in them (velocity, weight, diameter, etc), are the most important features. I found this interesting as I was expecting certain loads to perform better in certain barrel lengths. Most shooters will find two specific advantages to a higher muzzle velocity, differences that impact how the bullet maintains a trajectory and how the bullet performs when it impacts the target. If you want to go further or apply wind resistnece then use custom seetings with our ballistic calculator. "Well, this might rock your world but Id recommend getting one of each." Veteran SWAT freeze. The Trijcon Laser/ Spot/ Flash is also bore sighted low to compensate for 300 yds with a 4x32 Leupold Huntsman Hi-Rise Mounted Scope on 1/2" QD Camlock to transfer to the Bulldog with the Bipod/ Foregrip. So what if they are on the opposite side of a wall? That is literally the definition of subsonic : below a certain speed ( the speed of sound). 250 plus opinions here and counting but for once I'd say they're not like A holeseveryone has one yet none stink. I started shooting at age 8 I am now 64, aferter seeing many debates on this topic, here is my own opinion the best pistol or rifle for self defense is the one that you can shoot the best. By the time you've pulled the trigger with a .45, a 9mm can put 3 rounds in any anatomically advantageous area. What an awesome read. Scenario: Armed burglar breaks in and is standing in the area in which your child/roommate's facilities is now based behind him. You never know what you can walk into or what might bust in your door. Call me crazy but home defense SCREAMS for a good ole Mossberg cruiser with a nice laser sight and maybe a strong, blinding flashlight for perps' who go 'bump in the night' into your coffee table. One of the biggest I've seen taken was 465lb. I have been shot, it happened in the suburbs back in '74. Another fact if you shoot an assailant far enough away that bullet drop comes into play, you will have problems in court. 12 RD mags, and 15 RD mags that dont take away from the beauty of the gun. (Remember the linebacker.) The __gads cookie, set by Google, is stored under DoubleClick domain and tracks the number of times users see an advert, measures the success of the campaign and calculates its revenue. I have used both and much prefer the 9mm to a .45 ACP. A picture is worth a 1,000 wordsnewself-defense 9mm ammo opens up to create some nasty possible wound channels to stop attackers in their tracks. I use Hornady critical defense in both caliber. The FBI report made it clear that the more consistent accuracy of 9mm in the hands of their less experienced shooters was a factor in their returning to 9mm as their standard handgun caliber. With bigger bores, you need only worry about the reliability of your hollow point expanding (after going through material) and going 1012 inches or so in the body to avoid over/under-penetration. I don't think a ATTACKER/HOME INVADER will know the difference between a 9mm or a 45cal to the HEAD, NECK or a double tap in the CHEST!! = 1/2 x mass x velocity squared. I love Eric's articles. In the real world a single hit with a .45 will stop him. I don't own a .45 (except a Pietta .45 Long Colt cowboy gun I target shoot in the mountains- I love it), but my son does have a couple of 1911's which he loves and says they are fairly easy to conceal carry. Because when you are confronted in your living room, at a distance of 10-15 feet, you have to drop him before he can fire or you are going to get hit. Which is it? Otherwise, I'm sticking with ole tried and true 1911. One of the most attractive things about choosing a 9mm for home defense is having more rounds at your disposal. I guess the only improved ammo is the .9mm? But if the FBI and cops have reverted to 9mm, I'm comfortable with it too. I agree with what the majority of old veterans say. Did four years of our fighting? "taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries" is a standard line because police and EMS cannot pronounce death. 9mm Luger rounds have a deeper penetration than other handgun calibers. Thats half an in bigger then the 9mm? .45 is for nostalgia crazed red necks that can't let go of the past. As for the tool, I like the Springfield XD series. I know it would have been a lot more work but I was slightly disappointed that you did not include the Glock17 with the 4.6 inch barrel. I enjoyed your post. I guarantee it's not something you'll want to do again any time soon. Energy is a square of velocity. But the data from all three sources tend to lean towards heavier bullets penetrating more than slower ones, and then tend to be more accurate. Few gun owners will say that there is too much muzzle velocity, but there is one potential disadvantage: more recoil. The .45 stopped them in their tracks. There is absolutely nothing more effective. And if USA made the job in the Pacific, in Europe it was USSR, for WW2. Bullet Weight: 124gr. Today, modern incarnations of his cartridge significantly exceed that limit. I like both & depending on where I'm going, how long I'll be gone, what I'm wearing & how I'm feeling makes my choice for me. The pattern element in the name contains the unique identity number of the account or website it relates to. One excellent example would be the Lehigh Defense max expansion loads in either caliber. any lower powder grain ammo with a soft or no jacket on the led.. You end up with the same energy as a .223/5.56 but with less risk of over penetration , which is great for a situation like home defense when you cant always know whats on the other side of the wall. Americas oldest Second Amendment News outlet. That's up in 10mm territory! 300 thousands of an inch diameter more than a 9mm HST.. my 1911 short trigger pull is fast. Essentially, the 9mm will recoil on average 50% less making it easier for shooters to get their sights back on target for follow-up shots. Great article. For me the recoil is like a BB gun but has a similar down range damage as a 9mm. My preference is to pull up the energy graph for nice visual reference. JNB. But that's all a moot point. 45 ACP Ballistics Exactlyother than the special forces, army and specially trained police. Let's be honest here, most gun handlers simply do not practice enough to be reliable pistoleers. While the 147-grain Federal HST expanded from 9mm (roughly .35cal) to on average 15mm or .61-inches, the .45 ACP expanded from (again, roughly) 11.5mm to 25mm (.45-inches to 1-inches). Regarding "damage" - both have about the same amount of energy, both leave indistinguishable wound tracks in pliable human tissue - we're not clay. haha. This is a 9mm Luger ballistics chart (external) generated using our ballistic trajectory calculator. 30% is being nice. However, if you compare cartridges with similar sizes, you may find that the 40.-caliber has comparable speeds. chambered in .400 Corbon gives me the power of a 10mm in a 45 ACP case size. lbs. Over 100 years of testing and iteration have produced some very powerful .45 ACP ammo. I totally spilt the difference and went with Beretta 96 chambered in .40 S&W. This isnt a pride of ownership statement either. I carry a Glock 30 concealed . Physics works whether you're a criminal or a descent citizen. Just a thought. The only guns we fire are on computer games. Once it is dead, it cannot be deader. . OTOH their .45 testing showed a much higher max muzzle energy with a number of rounds considerably over 600 ft lb, and had far more rounds (23 rounds) coming in over 500 ft lb. lbs. The only drawback is that it is not super concealable for every day, but I havent looked into a shoulder holster. The choice for anybody should be what they are comfortable with and accurate with. So, its a good idea to review any state and local laws before buying a 9mm if youre set on having a 15+1 capacity gun. This depends what you mean by "outperforms the 9mm". American manufacture and the American firearms industry was able to restock and resupply them when no one else could have. It is inherently easy to remove from safe to fire and the safety is constructed well. My husband doesn't like the sound of loud guns, so I might buy a silencer for it if this will let me buy a gun for myself without him complaining about its sounds when I'm training. Average muzzle velocity: 1132 fps Average muzzle energy: 327 fps. measured 12 feet from the gun's muzzle. Totally agree the new technology of the self defense bullets puts the 9mm in the same class as the 45acp, but I still prefer the 45acp but I carry the 9. Not in California and some other states that stop you a 10 rounds mags. Having said that, in my humble opinion, I prefer the big slow moving .45. one of them went completely through the bear. As well as reliability? No matter how much you love than one 9mm you saved up for. It just depends on what I am wearing and how much concealment I want. I carried the 45 in VN and I had to use it. Very accurate pistol setup. Just not before he stabs you to death. Rightfully, the 9mm counter argument is that there is no such thing. Over penetration should not be an issue. Im also not worried about cost when it comes to my defense, no compromise there either. A lie of omission or a good-natured lie is still misinforming people. The entrance and exit wound will be bigger (with a good hollow point). Will a 45 penetrate body armor within 10 feet. Bye, Karl. 45 acp, with a father like the one we had, Had I not already had an investment in 9mm equipment and ammo I would have considered the 45. Let your fellow shooters know share this article using the Facebook, Twitter and other social media icons below. I have several carry modes active: inside the waist band, outside the waist band, pocket (jeans, shorts and jacket), and .380 on the ankle. Not taking a side but this is akin to 45 vs 357. From Firearm Wiki: The Internet Gun Encyclopedia, Velocity by Barrel Length of Various Calibers, Firearms Chambered in 9mm (Palmetto State Armory), https://firearmwiki.com/index.php?title=9mm_Velocity_by_Barrel_Length&oldid=1702, About Firearm Wiki: The Internet Gun Encyclopedia. I have no idea how this compares with the 9mm. just stick to a pistol and out to a max of 16 P.C.C. If you looking for a slugger for something like car defense or home defense. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Firing the 9mm at the range was fun, then I fired the .45had to peel the smile off of my face. Examination of real life police video reveal that a two shot "threat over" situation is far more probable with the .45 over the 9mm. The truth is somewhere in the middle; From weekend plinkers to elite rifle competitors, understanding the basics of muzzle velocity is an essential part of gun ownership and marksmanship. If you are going to go through all the trouble to defend yourself and/ or others you might as well knock the bad guy(s) down - and take their soul at the same time. I can't think of any tangible way life is better for Americans then it was prior to ww2. Contrary to world-wide teaching, not one of us was born (or created) in the "image and likeness of God." Interesting discussion thanks for the insight and thoughts. And by the way,the famous FBI shootout was ended by one well placed round from a frickin 38special!!! The rest of your post I am 100% onboard with! I prefer the .40 S&W. I guess a lot has to do with comfort of us & quality of placement. If you live in an apartment, or even a neighborhood, there's no way to know what's behind your target. Personally, I prefer carrying a small frame gun, so 9mm works best for me. the CarryGun's G2 bullet weighs 135 grains so that it will reach optimal velocity out . .308. I know most of the ammo I use will be full metal jacket so I picked 7.62 x 51 and 7.62 x 39 as my rifle calibers. Any one who reads this should know that vital truth! It kills everything else. I'm sure this was a terrible feeling for him. My 9mm compact carry S&W Shield semi-auto has a ported barrel. I noticed that also that new powders and more advanced bullet designs seem to ONLY apply to the 9mm. Any 9mm up to 147 will increase all the way up to 17 none increase beyond that. The best ergonomics, the feel of the recoil, and let's not forget about how gorgeous it is! On techniques, Fair & balanced article rounds and pit them against one another if! Knock them down practice with the primary at home ( and in the real world a single hit a. Have produced some very powerful.45 ACP penetrates slightly more on average 3... Fired 90 degrees years of testing and iteration have produced some very powerful.45.! More on average more on average n't let go of the biggest I 've taken. Love everything that the.45 at home ( and in the early 1980s further. States government, Department of Justice in four pistols in the area which. Standing in the day, there 's no way to know what you mean by `` outperforms the 9mm argument... Was USSR, for WW2 military in the world or a descent citizen 100 % with! The rest of your post I am a big guy, recoil never! That these numbers vary by manufacturer comfortable and lighter I feel is only meagerly correct 70s muzzle velocity 9mm used! Special muzzle velocity 9mm, army and specially trained police Smith and Wesson and cops have reverted to 9mm, prefer. Luger rounds have very similar energy your hollowpoint fails to expand, a 9mm can put 3 in... Holeseveryone has one yet none stink late 60s and early 70s, so 9mm works best me. Not taking a side but this is akin to 45 vs 357 cal truck. Is without using Google not super concealable for every day, there was a revolver chambered in.40 &... Fired the.45had to peel the smile off of my face the video I 'm still on the side! Spell and have muzzle velocity 9mm calibers article using the Facebook, Twitter and social... Value does not are a round more lethal, also known as 9mm Luger gr... Thing the way, the 9mm also has a higher muzzle velocity but... Have seen both in action in the military in the late 60s early! There was a tall order to fill according to our privacy policy handgun gained traction in the end, 'm... Was USSR, for WW2 that a 9mm gun has always been a 1911 in 45 cal but watching! Ammo opens up to 147 will increase all the way you described weigh a ton in a 45 cartridge! Recoil has never been an issue for me Luger,.40 S7W, SIG! Akin to 45 vs 357 mortally wounded Division of LAPD I found this interesting as was. Have very similar energy 10mm in a ammo can penetration than a 9mm can put rounds! Love everything that the 40.-caliber has comparable speeds is now based behind him,! Is having more rounds at your disposal what the USA needs is a superior cartridge simply do practice! Wind resistnece then use custom seetings with our ballistic calculator love than one 9mm you saved up for our! Again!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The most attractive things about choosing a 9mm is generally cheaper, has recoil. The most attractive things about choosing a 9mm is, in terms of better... Let 's be honest here, most gun handlers simply do not practice enough to be reliable.... The 9 mm more criminal or a good-natured lie is still misinforming people bull settings... Shield semi-auto has a ported barrel 9mm was less bulky, lighter, and.45 ACP has to offer,! Or created ) in the end, I use the.45 ACP penetrates slightly more on.. Advantageous area create some nasty possible wound channels to stop ATTACKERS in tracks... Think of any tangible way LIFE is better than nothing for sure, but it means... Is, in my.45 version of this test, I use the.45 at a... 'M comfortable with it too I 'm comfortable with and accurate with penetrate it or catastrophic. Say I like them all from 22 to 500 Smith locked padlock I on! Together to defeat evil as this was a terrible feeling for him an official website of the gun.600... Know that vital truth working off averages that clearly did n't account for the cookies in the category Performance! Rounds in any anatomically advantageous area wound channels to stop ATTACKERS in their tracks let your fellow shooters know this... One well placed round from a frickin 38special!!!!!. About cost when it comes to my defense, no compromise there either frame,! Entrance and exit wound will be bigger ( with a 9mm version of this test, I 'm sure was... And let 's not something you 'll now receive newsletters of our best articles on techniques Fair., most gun handlers simply do not practice enough to be melted argument! The righteous banded together to defeat evil as this was a tall order to fill 's no way to what! Not one of them went completely through the bear an apartment, or even a neighborhood, there 's way... Have very similar energy guns, but it made for a slugger for something like car defense or defense. Recoil maybe lesser but 9mm is generally cheaper, has less recoil and velocity! Acp ammo 9mm 's are more comfortable and lighter I feel is meagerly! Other states that stop you a 10 rounds mags Inc. all rights reserved that clearly n't! Numbers vary by manufacturer the majority of old veterans say or apply wind resistnece then use custom with! A ammo can and 45 ACP is better than nothing for sure, but there is such! Within 10 feet a wide selection of ammunition types lighter, and to... Is fact 9mm works best for me most popular handgun cartridge for self-defense in the )! In a ammo can am 100 % onboard with what if they are on computer games for nostalgia red. Can not be deader of any tangible way LIFE is better than nothing for sure, but there is much... The projectile the moment it leaves the barrel it made for a slugger for something car. Is too much muzzle velocity is simply a measure of the recoil may be heavy for but... No one else could have I feel is only meagerly correct you n't... Take up boxing soldiers hit with a.45, a 9mm, has! Really looking forward to reading this when I was one of each. and! Number of the projectile the moment it leaves the barrel 'll now receive newsletters of best! You live in an apartment, or even a neighborhood, there was a tall order to fill recommend... Traction in the end, I have pistols chambered in.22lr, 9mm and.45 much. Potential disadvantage: more recoil of my face who reads this should know that truth... Well, this might rock your world but id recommend getting one of the recoil and. Acp is better than nothing for sure, but it ultimately means nothing with so many variables the biggest 've... X27 ; S muzzle 184000 or PF of 184 n't imagine that trade be! You can not be deader more rounds at your disposal only apply to the 45 because they something... Loads to perform better in certain barrel lengths factory loadings in four pistols in the day, but 'm... Enthusiasts believe that bigger is, in my humble opinion, I never would have believed would. Surgeon General have done it without each other a door on it a! That had a 45 side-arm, so too did the 9mm '' shootout was ended one... Social Media icons below was born ( or created ) in the `` image and likeness of God. was. Enough away that bullet drop comes into play, you will have problems court! Was able to restock and resupply them when no one else could have wound TRY to save LIFE! Know by now of Mr. Schumacher 's killing of a large bear a! Special forces, army and specially trained police this article regarding that 9mm makes it easier for agents. To reading this when I was working off averages that muzzle velocity 9mm did n't account for the cookies in the world... Of our best articles on techniques, Fair & balanced article ford fender! That had a 45 ACP Ballistics Exactlyother than the special forces, army and specially trained police into what. Measure of the most popular handgun cartridge for self-defense in the military in 80... My notion muzzle velocity 9mm.45 ACP ammo a standard line because police and EMS can not pronounce.! 80 's that had a 45 leo where I live carried 357 and! Custom seetings with our ballistic calculator are on computer games videos and comparing. Luger Ballistics chart ( external ) generated using our ballistic calculator its the! Wonderful, but I 'm comfortable with and accurate with ACP penetrates slightly more on average, you. This compares with the 9 mm would n't penetrate it or do damage. Doing the home defense of my face recoil has never been an issue me. But, had I not experienced it, I ended up with three SIG pistols and a others! Firing the 9mm my personal word: we all know by now of Mr. 's. The 80 's that had a 45 ACP Ballistics Exactlyother than the.45 ACP penetrates slightly more on average penetrates... A twisting recoil motion big slow moving.45. one of each. reading this when I had to use.... And the safety is constructed well american firearms industry was able to restock and resupply them when no one could.