9mm or .45?

This isn't that difficult of a debate. The BIGGER the hole, the BETTER the caliber is for self defense. Thus, the 45acp is the better of the traditional self defense calibers. However, there are a couple issues that might preclude the individual from wanting the 45acp.

1. If you choose, or can only afford, 1 caliber, then you should choose a 357 magnum if you don't mind a revolver. If you are hell bent to get a semi-auto, then you should get the 9mm.
2. If you can only afford the one gun/caliber, then chances are, ammunition will be a cost issue for you. Again, the 9mm is the best choice. And the cheaper the ammo, the better chance that you'll actually practice.
3. If you feel more confident having a gun with 15+ rounds, then the 9mm is the better choice. MOST 45acp only carry 7-8 rounds. For many people, they are confident in their abilities to use their gun, and the 45acp is not a problem. For others, they really don't feel comfortable with only 8 rounds.
4. Over-penetration is basically BullCrap. If you're shooting at someone, and there is another person DIRECTLY BEHIND that person, and they are a couple of feet away, then you have NO BUSINESS FIRING YOUR WEAPON. If you think there is, then argue with someone else. I'll stay hard headed and won't even debate it. Over-penetration is over rated and mostly hype. And again, the very rare time that it "COULD" happen and become an issue, is the time that you have no business firing the weapon. ANY other time, it's NOT AN ISSUE.

So, it basically comes down to; the more experienced shooters tend to go with the 45acp and 8 rounds. The newer generation and less experienced shooters tend to go with 9mm and 15-19 rounds in the magazine. But there is no doubt that 9mm is half the price to shoot and practice with. Also, ALL handguns are a compromise for defensive purposes. We can't carry a shotgun or rifle with us all the time, so we have handguns. None of them are the best for defensive purposes. So, with ANY handgun, SHOT PLACEMENT is everything. More people die with calibers like 22LR than they do with the bigger calibers.

And don't think if you decide on a 45acp, that you HAVE to get a 1911 style weapon. Don't get me wrong, I love my 1911A1 45acp's, but I would NEVER recommend one for self defense in today's world. Why??? Because technology has changed in the last 70+ years. There are better designs. I collect military weapons. I love my colt and springfield 1911 pistols. But when I carry a 45acp for defensive purposes, it's a SigSauer P220. Personally, I hate glocks, but that's a personal ergonomic thing and not the quality of the gun. Point is, the 1911A1 style pistol isn't the only type out there if that's the caliber you choose.
 
the kick from the .40 S&W is so much more than the 9mm and the .45 ACP that it isn't really a good fit for me. The difference in ballistics so negligent between the 9mm and the .40 (again my opinion) that the kick isn't really worth it. That's why I am between the 9mm and the .45
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Your research may have led you astray. The 'kick' of a .40 is generally less than a .45, especially if you're talking smaller, compact pistols. A compact .40 is easier to control than a compact .45. I've only fired one compact .45 and I did NOT like it. If instead you're talking a .45 longslide, then you've got the right idea. Nothing smoother in recoil than a longslide .45 ... except for a longslide .40!

I actually prefer the .40 S&W over the other two. But since your concern is obviously recoil, I think you've answered your own question: go with the 9mm.
 
Nightsleeper is right

I have a Glock model 22 (full sized .40 ) and a Colt Commander .45 auto. No question about it, my .45 has more recoil, not the nice soft push that I've seen so many people here write about either. My next handgun purchase may be a Gen. 4 model 19, something I can get my wife to practice with more.
 
Extremely helpful everybody. I gotta say, I'm glad to have found this site and I'm glad I have the opportunity to talk to all of you. I got really tired of these cocky ***donkey***holes at the gun stores I've been to belittling me because I have a question about something.

I will be making my purchase in the next 2-3 weeks (when I'll have the money :D) and I will get back to you on the final purchase. Leaning toward the 9mm though :p:confused:
 
I am a 1911 45acp guy, but I would not be under gunned with quality 9mm ammo. I have a FN HP in 9mm and am considering selling it to but a Glock 19 as a knock around gun. I reload 45acp so cost isn't an issue but time is. Cheap 9mm is plentiful for practice and plinking.
 
9mm vs 45.

I have always preferred the dull push of a .45 to the snappy recoil of a 9mm. I find the cost of shooting and loading 9mm much better than the cost of loading and shooting .45 so I'm pretty much shooting 9mm most of the time these days.

That combined with my newest 9mm AR build using GLOCK magazines, and I'm pretty much playing with glock 9mm's exclusively. ;)
 
Personally I wouldn't feel undergunned or underpowered with a nice 9mm. I have a long love life with 9mms as well as .45s.

In the 1911 I would not choose the 9mm simply because the design and balance and difference between the two clearly favors the .45.

In another type of handgun I find myself liking like you are the Glock. I'd prefer the 9mm. I think a Glock can handle the 9mm better than it could or can handle the .45 or .40 over time.

The 9mm is much less costly to practice with. The 9mm is actually not a bad semi auto for anyone's choice.
 
I'm not a Glock fan / so can't help you there ...( I don't like the triggers or the grip angles ..or the poly frames...).

but in terms of caliber choices ....unless you get into reloading, the 9mm will save you a lot of money over time vs the .45acp. Personally, I do reload - and I reload 9mm for about $ 5 for 50 rds / and .45 acp for about $ 8.50 a box ...and I shoot both calibers a lot ( and .40S&W as well ) ...but retail in my area 9mm is close to $10 a box / and .45acp is around $20 a box ...

So the real issue for you, in my opinion, is the ammo expense - so you will shoot and train more ...and $20 a box takes the fun out of it / if you want to shoot 4 - 6 boxes a week ...

As an example I'm going to a 3 day intensive handgun class next month - and they say bring at least 2,000 rds ( or 40 boxes ) ....and I think I'll shoot closer to 3,000 or 4,000 rds ( or 60 or 80 boxes ) ..... the class is $600 / but the ammo, if I were shooting a .45acp ( 80 boxes at $ 20 a box is $1,600 ) vs 9mm it would be closer to $ 800 .... so I will shoot a 9mm 75% of the time and a .45 acp the other 25% of the time ( in the same 1911 platform) ...making the 9mm a great practice caliber at half the cost.

I choose not to carry a 9mm ...but carrying it with a 147gr HydraShok round does not make it a wimpy choice either ( but I feel better with a 180gr .40S&W or a 230gr .45acp ) ....so I carry a 1911 in .45 acp most of the time / or a Sig 239 in .40 S&W when I want to go to a smaller gun.
 
I'm going to look into the 1911. How's concealment on that pistol?

Really the 1911 is most easily concealed. It is flat and whether you want a full size or LW or Officer's it is very easy to conceal.

High ride holsters or armpit holsters can do this so easily against so many other choices.
 
Great during the winter months when you have a lot of clothes on. Sucks in the summer if you want to walk around in shorts and a t-shirt. I really like the 1911A1, but don't let anyone who conceal carries one con you. They are rationalizing. The gun was never meant to be carried concealed. But people definitely do it. And you will find people here saying that conceal carry it all the time. And that's true. You can make anything work if you work hard enough at it. You can fit 5 people in a ford focus for a cross country trip if you want to. Doesn't mean it's going to be comfortable or enjoyable. If you pretty much never wear shorts and a t-shirt, and are willing to adjust your habits to accommodate the 1911A1, have at it. Even the shorter commander version is tough.

Most people who can afford more than just 1 gun, and aren't trying to have one gun for ALL OCCASIONS, will have different guns for different purposes. I carry a Sig P220 45acp. (Roughly the same size as a 1911A1.) I carry that a lot in the winter months. In the spring and fall, (most days with medium weather), I carry a CZ-82 9mm makarov as my concealed weapon. Time when I am dressed in suits/formal, or when all I have room for a pocket pistol, I have a 380 backup, and recently I bought a Kel-tec P11. So for me, I have 3-4 different guns that I carry throughout the year.

But, if you are looking at only owning 1 gun, and you're trying to find an "ALL AROUND" gun for carrying and home use, I'd look more towards the 9mm. If you really want a 45acp, get something other than a 1911A1. You can find smaller and easier to operate than a Single Action Only that is ALWAYS COCKED AND LOCKED.
 
Really the 1911 is most easily concealed. It is flat and whether you want a full size or LW or Officer's it is very easy to conceal.
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And many different makers, models and sizes to choose from! Best to get started today ... :p

and with that, I have my #200 post! :cool:
 
Superdave, with the right IWB holster, and a good belt, you can get that 1911 snugged up against you nice and flat, and wear it comfortably all day long. Where you live, you'd be smart to get one with a very corrosion resistant finish. A coating, or Melonite QPQ, would be even more resistant than stainless steel.
 
Or.... You realize that while the 1911A1 is a fine gun, technology has changed a lot in the last 90 years. And the 1911A1 isn't the only gun available. That there are others, including BETTER, for the use you may have. Look at all the Non-1911A1 45acp's out there. Then choose the 45acp that best suits you. DON'T force you environment to adapt to a 1911. Choose a gun that works for your environment.
 
Here is how I carry my 1911 framed SW 41 in the field:

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It is a 1911 holster that fits my .22 Auto perfectly. The 41 is framed the same way and the barrel on mine is 7".

It still hides from anyone finding me out in the wilderness.
 
I don't think anyone here will be able to answer which is better. We've been trying for a long time rather unsuccessfully.

Forget 9mm or 45acp. Get a snub 38 and show em you mean business.
 
I have a bunch of different pistols to choose from, including a couple of Glock 19's that I carry sometimes, but my primary carry weapon is still an all steel 5" 1911, and it certainly does ride comfortably all day long in a Brommeland Max Con V IWB holster, even in the summer (it's hot and humid here in TN, too). I don't have to work at it, or rationalize anything.
 
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