So, are you confident with the 9x19 for CCW?

What one can easily deduce from the data is that the 9mm round is extremely effective as a self-defense round, which is the answer to the OP's question.
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All that can really be deduced from the data is that the 9mm can kill people. There's not really enough information to determine effectiveness as a self defense round.

Not that I dispute that 9mm is an adequate self-defense round. I only dispute that the particular data offers any useful insight one way or another.
 
My main carry is a 9mm, so do I feel comfortable with it: yes. Do I feel I can adequately protect myself with it: yes.

9mm is what I shoot best, well actually I take that back .357 sig is the round I have found myself to shoot best, but don't see a whole lot of point to the round, plus living in the suburbs in a neighborhood where the houses are very close together I'd be a little worried about over penetration. I also shot .45 very well, and when I get my Kimber pro carry II out of lay-a-way I will probably add that to the carry rotation. .40 is probably the round I shoot the worst of all the calibers, I still don't shoot it terribly but not as good as I can a 9mm or a .45.
 
"So, are you confident with the 9x19 for CCW?"

You should be, which is not to say it is what you should prefer or carry.
 
I carried a 38 and or 32 for years and now i have upgraded to a 9mm and or 38. Don't feel abit under gunned. I do have bigger bore play guns but don't feel i can get follow ups on target as quickly as with the 9mm and that i must be able to do if needed. That and good hp rounds.
 
Not this again.

Please, not the same old- caliber 1 won't work as caliber 2 debate. When are people going to learn that only HITS count, not misses. Put the bullets from your preferred caliber weapon into the center mass of the bad guy and you should have a good chance of going home. Every caliber has one shot stops, every caliber has failed to stop. I've carried 16 round 9mms, 8 round 45s, single shot 410s, and 7 shot .22s. Hit the center of the target, carry the round you are most comfortable with. I carry either a 9mm or .380 pistol, depending on the way I'm going to dress.
 
I feel comfortable with both the 9x19 and 38 special. They are proven rounds, and if you do your part, they will do theirs.

These rounds are available in guns that provide a balance in concealability and capability that is very useful.
 
Most of my automatics are in 9mm.

Given the choice, I'll buy a gun in 9mm, as it's cheaper to shoot. That means I'll shoot it a great deal. That means I'm confident in the accuracy and dependability of the gun, factors which far outweigh caliber.

...which is probably why I've got no reservation carrying 4" .38's, either.

All said, modern 9mm loadings are nothing to sneeze at. Most detractions I've seen and heard are based on data (if any) that's 20 years or more old.
 
9x19 or 38+p and up is plenty with good shot placement. You might need a double tap compared to a single shot from one of the really gnarly loads like 357 mag or 45 acp, but there are so many variables in these situations, who knows how they shake out? The person who gets the best aimed shot off first with a decent caliber is the one likely to walk away - if they have luck on their side that day. The arrangement of the human body is complex and variable, so any load can fail if it happens to miss something vital. If you hit someone in the heart, kidney, liver, spleen, or a significant vessel, they're gonna be down pretty quick from blood loss shock, almost irrespective of caliber. Again, though, bigger hole = more bleeding. Medical tip here for you guys - in most folks the left ventricle of the heart sticks out just to their left or to your right next to the sternum (breast bone) about 2-4" above the midline of the torso. Big time blood loss there. The sternum is not too thin actually - pretty thick and tough. In my mind a lower chest shot slightly to their left or your right of center is better than dead center or high. Hitting anywhere in the chest and collapsing a lung wouldn't be too pleasant either. Another great place is the upper abdomen - their right side your left - big huge liver right there that bleeds VERY easily and no sternum in the way. Honestly, it would be hard not to hit the liver if you aim upper right abdomen. I'm not a big fan of head shots - too risky I think. Too easy to miss. Basic fact is that with a larger and heavier bullet traveling at a faster velocity you are more likely to get below superficial and hit something important. I would think a 9x19 147 gr out of a significant barrel length - say 4" - would accomplish that goal fine with good shot placement. Of course, some people use a lighter bullet. I just wouldn't get too light.
 
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I'm not particularly confident of any pistol caliber I could reasonably carry for SD.

I am confident that the 9mm doesn't handicap me in any practically significant manner compared to any other pistol caliber I could reasonably carry for SD.
 
I have a very hard time picturing a homicide detective hovering over my corpse saying, "...yeah, he was concealing a 9mm too, shot the assailant twice in the arm and once in the stomach. If only he had carried a .45 instead, he would have lived."
 
I would feel good with the 9mm.

I carry a .40 now, and whenever I get my .45 done over at the gunsmith, I'd carry it as FIRST choices.

BUT, I am also looking at Sig 228/9's in 9mm. As long as it's a good HP, I wouldn't feel undergunned with it.

Alot of hype is put in "what's best", anything (Over .380 in my opinion) with a good reliable hollowpoint will work equally as good.

Now if you went with FMJ rounds, THEN you'd notice differances I think.
 
The entire concept of CCW is to eliminate any threat against one's life. While the 9mm will certainly seriously wound or kill an individual or animal that is threatening your life, it may take multiple hits to take them down, especially if they are drugged out. Whereas, with the .45, that person or animal is going down (unless you are talking about an enraged elephant on opiates, in which case it may take multiple hits.)

It is for that very reason that my CCW of choice is chambered in .45. On some occasions I will chose my .40 and the reason I do that is that particular gun packs a 13+1 magazine. The decision making process as to which weapon to carry depends upon where I expect to be. Ninety percent of the time, it is the .45 delivery system tho.
 
Caliber is not nearly as important as reliability, and ability of the shooter. My 84 year old maternal grandma used a MkII Ruger. She could put every bullet in the head at 10 yards as fast as she could pull the trigger. (She did not use larger caliber due to osteoperosis)
I would carry a 9mm if I had no other choice, and not feel out gunned providing it is reliable, and consitantly acurate. I truly belive it all boils down to what is right for the individual. My girlfriend carries a 9mm that she is very good with. I carry a .45 because it is what I have been shooting for the past 25 years of my 33 years of life. I own a 9mm and like to shoot it when I can get it away from my stepmom. She keeps it in her purse to back up her LCP. My dad likes 9mm due to the fact that he can shoot a lot more round in a range session without having to eat ibuprofen like candy for days afterwards. So it boils down to how well you can shoot with it. A COM with a 9mm beats a miss with a .44 mag any day of the week.
 
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I'm not particularly confident of any pistol caliber I could reasonably carry for SD.
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Always a good point. My confidence level starts at about a 30-06...up to that point it's real iffy.
 
I think that with properly selected quality hollow points the 9mm is a fine choice for the average citizen. However if someone doesn't feel it's adequate for their needs I'm not going to knock them for going with a .40 or .45.
 
9mmp has my vote of confidence

Hi,
I am Israeli, currently living in South Africa.
Whenever I go to visit my friends and family in Israel, my carry gun (and only civilian- licensed gun) is a Browning Hi Power in 9mm.
The first gun I bought in Sout Africa is also a Hi Owerr in 9mm, and occasionally I carry it, so my answer is a yes I feel very confident when I am armed with a reliable firearm in 9mmP. I also

Cheers,

Danny
 
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