9mm vs .45 ACP (not what you are thinking)

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DAS9mm

New member
I must admit that after going to the range with a friend yesterday I have size envy. We had thrown empty ammunition boxes (50 rd) out on the range, counting down and from the holster drawing and seeing who could hit the boxes first.

My 9mm M&P would hit the box and it would skip a couple of feet. My friends .45 ACP would hit the box and it would flip 20 feet into the air and go flying down range. Yes I felt a little bit of envy....:p
 
There is no denying that big boom is big fun. :D

The only problem is that chasing the big boom can lead you to 10mm autos, .460 Rowlands, magnum revolvers, T/C Contenders in .45-70...

Maybe "problem" isn't the right word.
 
If you were impressed with the difference on a box, compare the difference on some steel poppers / fall down / reactive targets.
 
I just wish the difference in price between 9x19mm and .45 ACP wasn't as big as the difference in bang. :P

It feels like its getting harder and harder to feed a caliber diverse firearm family...
 
just wish the difference in price between 9x19mm and .45 ACP wasn't as big as the difference in bang. :P

It feels like its getting harder and harder to feed a caliber diverse firearm family...
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.45s are definitely fun to shoot. They're almost as much fun to reload.

A Lee Hand Press with .45 caliber dies costs under $50.

It's an easy caliber to learn and develop reloading skills with.

I can reload .45s for about $9.00 per box of 50. Even cheaper if I use cast bullets. That's literally a lot of bang for the buck.


:D
 
Yes, I too like the “big boom” and use a .45 as my primary carry gun. However, I recently purchased a new 9mm and after shooting it a little more may start using it for carry. I simply want to be able to shoot my carry gun a lot more and 9mm ammo is cheaper; also I’ll have the added advantage of seven additional rounds. I’ll have to see if 9mm 124gr +p ammo provides enough boom. I do have a 10mm that is basically a range gun, but it is also very fun to shoot. Also, shopping for a .44 Magnum and who knows where that may lead.
 
Personally, I'm a believer in multiple accurate shots done quickly, which means I carry a 9mm with 124gr +P ammo.

If you are a believer in the one shot stopping power then go as big as you can but you won't get off as many shots or have as much capacity as your 9mm friends.

Go with what you believe in and practice.
 
It feels like its getting harder and harder to feed a caliber diverse firearm family...
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I went the other way when I started handloading. Instead of being diverse, I wanted to be focused.

I divested myself of .40 and .44, and concentrated on .45acp and .357 Mag. I handload .45 acp for $6-7 per 50 rounds with cast lead boolits bought by the 500-weight.

I have since divested myself of 9mm as well...with one exception*. I'm not sure I can load 9mm any cheaper than I can .45acp, and I don't need to spend time and money on futile pursuits. Especially since I no longer shoot 9mm...

I have dies and brass for .380 and 9mm, as well as other cartridges, that I may never use. No biggie, because I can always sell them. :)

*I will keep my Kahr PM9 because I've never found a better pocket pistol, but to be honest I have carried it maybe twice in the last two years. I'm not getting any younger, though, and may return to it one day.
 
I guess I have this disease also.

625-3 rechambered to 460 Rolland
29-3 S&W 44 Magnum
610 10mm S&W
480 Ruger Super RedHawk
35 Bullberry Super 14 Contender.

When you handgun hunt you cannot make to big a drain hole. I really like my 480 Ruger.

Bob
 
Love my .45's, but when the adrenaline is kicking and the probability of multiple targets is always there, 124gr +p Winchester T in 9mm is what I carry and shoot most.
 
Actually not that much difference on bowling pins. The pins fell with one hit from the .45 every time. Sometimes it took 2 hits from the 9mm to knock them down. We shoot at metal targets most of the time. Both rounds -- FMJ -- disintegrate when they hit hardened steel plates.
 
Personally, I'm a believer in multiple accurate shots done quickly, which means I carry a 9mm with 124gr +P ammo.
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Each slap or squeeze of the trigger being one more opportunity to miss and hit something or someone unintended.
 
I agree with the quick multiple shots, and it isnt a caliber specific thing. I shoot my 9mms just like I shoot my .45's. I just find it easier to shoot quicker and more accurate with the 9mm's.

Handguns, being what they are, are not the greatest stoppers, even the "larger" calibers. They are basically a "shoot them to the ground" proposition, and that really should be your mind set.

Chances of getting good, rapid, multiple hits with the larger calibers are greatly reduced as the caliber goes up.


As far as the hit or miss thing, it is what it is. The only way to reduce it, is to practice as realistically as possible. If you base your skills on what you do on a static "bullseye" range, at your leisure, then youre likely to be in for a rude awakening when things get a little more dynamic. Fast, multiple hits are not hard to do, even while moving, but you do need to practice it.
 
Along these same lines, I must admit that I enjoy qualifying with my .357 SP101 on-duty BUG. Not only because I enjoy shooting, but also because there's usually some newer, younger officers beside me shooting a 9. Many of these kids have never handled a revolver, much less been around one on the line. Their little 9mm "pop" is completely overshadowed by my Ruger's "BOOM." My first shot ALWAYS gets a rather startled reaction.:cool:
 
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