.45 ACP or 9mm Handguns and Rounds
2008
Discussions With an Expert
My questions:
My brother just bought an M9 Beretta on sale for $550. I have a 92FS, 15 rd mags, made in USA about mid 90’s. Do you think I need to get a .45? Are these 9mm’s a bunch of baloney or a worthy, accurate, self defense weapon? I know nothing about the .45 except the ones they gave us at the ranges in the USMC, back in the late 60’s wouldn’t hit a door at 25 meters. And I’m a pretty good marksman. Can one buy a nice Colt or other .45 with higher capacity than 7 + 1 rds?
Expert’s Reply:
“As you know, being able to hit something important/vital is a bigger factor than caliber. Still, if my choice was only 9mm ball or.45 ball, I’d take the .45 any day. Coroners, morgue attendants and ER docs can tell you that a lot more people survive hits from .38’s and 9’s than .45’s or .357 magnums.
I carry a .45 when I can and a little Kahr PM9 when I can’t. The modern generation of personal defense ammo has leveled the field a lot. I like the Speer Gold Dot 124 grain 9mm’s in either standard pressure or plus p. There are other 9mm hollowpoints out there with equally good track records. I don’t trust the really high-speed lightweight loads, like the Cor-Bon 115 grain. I want good speed but some weight as well to get through clothes, etc. and into the miscreant.
I carry a Sig P245 or a Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry II in .45. I find that it’s easier to shoot a 9mm well without regular practice than it is a .45. Full of the right rounds, there’s no reason anybody shouldn’t feel very well armed with a 9mm. Too bad the troops aren’t allowed to shoot something other than ball ammo.
PS: Para Ordnance makes nice high capacity .45’s. Also, the better mag manufacturers now offer 8 round mags for standard 1911-style pistols.”
There you have it. Anyone care to comment or add?
November 28th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
I liked your advice but I raised an eyebrow when you said “Coroners, morgue attendants and ER docs can tell you that a lot more people survive hits from .38’s and 9’s than .45’s or .357 magnums.”
Surly the idea of carrying a gun for self defense is just to prevent/wound an attacker/rapist/etc rather than to kill them?
But, contradicting myself, I also prefer a .45 over a 9mm but thats just for the range. I don’t carry anything on me.
November 30th, 2008 at 6:11 am
Hi There Me!
I should have wrapped the expert’s comments in quotes. He made that statement and I quoted him. I see you like to shoot too. I can only respond by reminding you of the old adage that if you carry a gun, then be prepared to use it.
Having carried firearms for many years I have had to draw the weapon on only one occasion, which stopped the aggression immediately. On two other occasions, pulling back my sport coat enough to display the handgun stopped the aggressors.
I believe that if one would use a pistol as you describe – then it would be dicey to aim at small targets like shoulders, knees, thighs etc..
I agree, it would be hard to swallow the act of taking someone’s life but if it came down to that or being killed or maimed then I would “shoot to kill.” Just my $.02, opinions vary. Thanks for writing!
January 6th, 2009 at 12:41 am
I’ve pulled the trigger twice.
Know your target. The 9mm parabellum is fast, punches through layers and shocks the nerves and tissues. Bleeds fast but bleeds thin. The .45 rearranges things in a permanent way. Bleeds slow but bleeds deep. A GSW off center-mass or extremity hit can easily kill. IF you’re one of those recreational wannabe Ranger types that spends more money on your holster than ammunition, please stop reading this and go back to your movies. IF you’re a serious practitioner and want to know what you are doing, realize popping paper every three to four seconds has no bearing on how you will react when the target shoots back and you have less than half a second to end the threat.
My vote- .45. Know how to control your weapon.
January 6th, 2009 at 7:22 am
Victor, Nettoyeur
Your comment is appreciated and duly noted. I prefer the .357 with semi-jacketed hollow points. I have fired the .45 many times but don’t own one. There are a lot of sub-compact .45 acp’s becoming available, maybe I’ll be making one next on my list. Thanks!
March 16th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Me said “Surly the idea of carrying a gun for self defense is just to prevent/wound an attacker/rapist/etc rather than to kill them?” With all due respect, I think this is the wrong way to think about the use of deadly force. IF deadly force is required, your mindset should be shoot to STOP your attacker. In a very stressfull situation- which I have to beleive an attack would be, most if not all people would be better off shotting at center mass than trying to aim for “less” lethal body parts. Some years ago, a M.D. that was also a shooter, did some tests. He shot in a relaxed mode and had, what was for him, customary accuracy. Then to mimic a stressful situation, he shot himself up with adreneline. His shooting became considerably worse than what was customary. SO, to conclude my thought, all of us reasonable folks will do everything possible to escape a fight. When escape is not possible, and you must shoot, shoot to STOP the attack. Understand that there will be legal consequences, but you and yours will be alive.
March 17th, 2009 at 7:21 am
Well said Bob!