Practice & Caliber, what do you prefer?

S

stonewall50

New member
So I have been looking at calibers for concealed carry, and I am thinking of going with the 9mm. Cheap ammo and alot of variety. I am not sold on it yet, especially since I have had a biased to the .45 ACP and the bigger calibers for a long time. But I am wondering how many people shoot a 9mm versus something else? I want to be able to put alot of practice rounds through the gun and in 1 session. I shoot a .45 ACP just fine, it is just a tiring gun physically; no matter how many times I have shot a .357 magnum or .44 mag. I like the ballistics on a .40 cal, but I am wondering how much recoil it puts out in the smaller guns. Also does anyone have any other quality autoloaders ideas for concealed carry other than a Glock(I do not like the Glock 26, it doesnt have enough room for my hand and that would get to me). Are the XDs worth taking a look at? anyway, what are yalls preferences on Caliber and what type of scenario training do you do? Another thing(sorry im really trying to get alot of ideas from people) does anyone do some kind of hand to hand defense, something that helps you transition if someone jumps you(because lets face it, if you get attacked, your not always going to get your gun out and get the drop on someone). I do alot of boxing, and i know that is not real practical other than getting you used to getting punched in the face lol.
 
As you mentioned, 9mm has the advantage of affordability of training costs. I am able to go to the range much more than I would if I was shooting something more costly. Also, while it can be argued that the .40, or .45 or some other caliber will give a slight terminal performance advantage over the 9mm (some will argue the advantage is more than slight), the top-tier modern 9mm defensive loads are excellent performers. I believe that more training with an effective weapon beats less training with a slightly better weapon.
 
9mm seems like a good choice today since the ammo price is not going to cool down anytime soon. Your only problem is, FINDING THEM!

I only shoot about 20 rounds of 40SW every month to keep my proficiency ever since January, and I shoot the 22s for Fun.:)
 
You can shoot 38 special out of a 357, but not the other way around. Some people shoot 38 out of their 357s for target practice.
 
I got the xd45 compact and love it, Very relible and pretty easy to conceal but I'm 6'5" and 280. I also looked down on the 9mm but I am starting to come around, Bottom line is 9mm,40 or 45 will do the job if you get good shoot placement.
 
all good questions

I often wear a 9x19-chambered gun; I own three (two are 'custom').
I also own and shoot and wear guns chambered in 9x21, 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 40 S&W, 400 CorBon, 41 AE, 44 Magnum, and 45 ACP.
A 9x19 is a fine choice.

As for unarmed defense, training is a wonderful thing......

For guns, take a look at S&W's fine offerings, and Ruger, and SIG and H&K and CZ and others.
 
I shoot multiple calibers with .45 acp as my first choice but with 9mm my second preference. I don't think you would be seriously under gunned with a 9mm if it came to really having to use one. Just use quality hollow points for actual carry and use the FMJ ammo for practice.
 
I agree with Dave 85

As for self defense a lot of practice and becoming very familiar with gun is much more important than stopping power. Also, agree that SD ammo available for 9mm now adays is very adequate.
so....
1. 9mm (using target ammo) is cheaper to practice with
2. 9mm you can choose very large capacity magazines
3. 9mm may be slightly quicker to get back on target with double tap (which I think should always be the norm in SD situation)
 
other than a Glock(I do not like the Glock 26, it doesnt have enough room for my hand and that would get to me).
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Even with the magazine extension for the little finger? With that, it feels just like a regular grip. Without it, I agree it is too small.

Glock makes a compact 9mm (19) that is bigger than the 26 but smaller than the 17.

Kahr arms makes some small semi-autos in 9mm

Sig Sauer has compact pistols

H&K makes some compacts including a USP compact.
 
Glock 19

I'm very fond of my G19 for CC. It's the mama bear, just right. And sure can't argue with 16 rounds of 147 JHP's. Compact, high cap, and accurate.
 
Nothing wrong with 9mm - it's an effective round. A typical 9mm can hold a lot of rounds and the recoil is negligible. For me, a .45 has too much kick to bring back on target quickly and most seem to be limited magazine capacity 1911-types. The .40 is the perfect compromise, and the recoil is more of a "push" than a "snap". It's very manageable in the right frame. That being said, so is the .45, I just haven't found one I really like yet.

For me, it's .40 double-stack all the way.
 
The .40 is the perfect compromise,
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It certainly is. I have a Glock 23 that is a great CCW. That being said, it is seeing less and less range time due to the cost of ammo. My 9mm's are having all the fun.

With $60 I can buy 200rds of WWB .40s&w ammo... For that same $60 I can buy 300rds of WWB 9mm ammo. That's an extra 100rds for the same price. For me that = more range time and more practice. It may not sound like much... but if you're at the range 2-4 times per month, it definitely adds up.
 
I don't know how small you want the gun to be, but a Glock 19/23 is very easy to hide, even with summer clothing, and still big enough to shoot comfortably and accurate.

I do alot of boxing, and i know that is not real practical other than getting you used to getting punched in the face lol
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When we are sparring in the dojo of the police school, people who do boxing/kickboxing usually win over most other martial arts...
 
I think a gun that has a .22 kit or a equivalent .22 gun for practice is a good choice.

I love the .40 round. But as has been previously stated, It is getting expensive to shoot. Heck, it is starting to get expensive to reload.

As far as the effectiveness of the 9mm goes, put some Gold Dots in it and call it a day. No crackhead ever thought "I'm glad that it was only a 124 grain hollow point that just tore through my body cavity and not a 180 grain one, lucky me!"
 
I own alot of handguns in numerous calibers but find myself shooting my 9mm Glock 19 more than all the rest combined for reasons stated by Dave85.
 
9mm may be slightly quicker to get back on target with double tap
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A gross generalization. It depends on the gun, the ammo, and the shooter.

For me, a .45 has too much kick to bring back on target quickly
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It's weird, but I have a 1911 9mm Colt Commander that feels to me like it kicks more than my Commander size 1911s in .45. The kick of the 9mm in my SW M&Ps isn't nearly as sharp as the 9mm in the 1911.
 
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