Best Caliber - 9mm, 40 S&W, or 45 ACP

[147 Grain]

Bullet construction and weight (i.e. choice of ammo) are more important than caliber! Either the 9mm, 40 S&W, or 45 ACP will be fine for self defense - given the right bullet.

Choose the weapon that fits you best and as far as caliber is concerned, they generally perform the same as far as wound ballistics are kept by PD's and emergency room doctors.

If you shoot a lot of ammo at the range or are small in stature, the 9mm has an advantage. Otherwise, it's a toss-up, as far as self defense is concerned.

Often, it's best for a beginner to startout and become proficient with a 9mm and only move up after a lot of range time. Many 40 caliber owners have intermediate handgun skills (but not all). Only recommend the 45 ACP for shooters who've master basic handgun skills and range proficiency.

147-gr. bullets in 9mm, 180-gr. in 40 S&W. and 230-gr. in 45 ACP are more apt to outperform lighter bullets in their respective calibers. Suggest you consider Ranger T's, Golden Saber's, or Gold Dot's for choice of self defense ammo.

[Z28ricer]

They're all fun, dont know about the "small in stature" thing, im 6'1" and 140 lbs on a good day, the G30 works just fine :) I was sure it would be some uncontrollable cannon and had planned on getting a G26, after trying the 26, 27, 30 and 33 I bought the 30, though I think i'd like to add a G26 next, and possibly another 30.

;f

[vafish]

Originally posted by 147 Grain
[b] Only recommend the 45 ACP for shooters who've master basic handgun skills and range proficiency.


.45 ACP is no more difficult to shoot than the 9mm or .40 S+W. It all depends upon the platform. A small light 9mm like a Kahr PM9 can be tougher to shoot well than a full sized 1911.

I've seen several new shoters and women that love the 1911 .45ACP

About a month and a half ago I took 26 Boy Scouts on a shooting camp out, the boys ranged in age from 11 to 18. Several of the younger boys tried my Glock 36 and did amaizingly well with it.

[bruce21b]

whole forest of trees have been felled to make the paper for the 9mm vs. 40 vs. 45 debate.... ive owned and shot all defensive handun calibers made and ive come to the conclusion, use what you shoot the best with!!! for me thats a 9mm!!

[GU-47]

I know the debate rages on

The only thing I can add is I dont care much at all for the 40

[Bannack]

Its simple... its the one you shoot best with ;z

[FLGlock30]

+1 for the one that best suits the shooter. I have owned various guns in all three cals and I go with either my 19 or 30 I love them both and know ither one will do the job.
Remember the caliber is half and placement is the rest. shoot what you shoot best.
;c

[BikerRN]

If I were forced to use only ball ammo I would go with the 45. However, any of the 3 calibers will do the job with a good hollowpoint round. To me ammo selection is more important than caliber.

With that being said, bullet placement is #1. I miss with a 45 won't do you any good, but a hit with a 22 may save the day.

[Glock19+P]

old debate and it will never end.

[Clem Eastwood]

i hold the best groups with a good 1911 and my p226 9mm. havent found a .40/.357 i shoot as good of groups with yet.

[Bannack]

Originally posted by Clem Eastwood
i hold the best groups with a good 1911 and my p226 9mm. havent found a .40/.357 i shoot as good of groups with yet.

I've carried a G22 on duty since they came out, and G27 for my CC for many a year now. But the best groups I ever fired were from a G17 many years ago. I'm currently trading off my G27 for a G19 to another GT member.

I shoot well with 9mm, .40 and .45 acp but my choice is 9mm. I don't care about the caliber wars, its what I want, not anyone else.

I think we will both be very happy.

Now you shoot your best groups with a 1911, well the G21 is not a 1911 so you would have to get used to a differant feel. I held a P226 and I guess I've been with Glocks so long that I just didn't like the P226 myself, and it felt heavier than a Glock as well.

So the bottom line is this, what fits your hand the best... and for you it just may not be a Glock. All you can do is rent one and shoot the heck out of it, and decide for yourself.

When I took my daughter to a gun store, I said handle all of them, get the feel of them, close your eyes and see how it feels in your hand etc....

She choose a G19... it could have been a G23, but she still chose the formate of the Glock compact over any 1911, Sig, H&K, S&W etc, etc, etc.

[agtman]

"Best Caliber - 9mm, 40 S&W, or 45 ACP"

;W -----> 10mm AUTO.

See it. Believe it. Get one. :cool:

[Dandapani]

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/7623/ballisticchart7rk.th.jpg (http://img91.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ballisticchart7rk.jpg)

[ducati]

given 3 handguns of the same size and weight i would say the 9mm would be the easist to shoot. Shooting the g19, g22, and the g30. My quikest times are with the g-19...

[RoninP80]

Here's my perspective.......

Like many here, I've owned and carried pretty much all the options thru the years (gun designs and calibers). I ended up with the 9 mm Glock 17, FOR ME. Why?

GUN:

- They are the most reliable functioning & durable of all the combat handguns, based on my experience. And, I feel, the G17 mag/barrel relationship is the best of all the Glocks (to promote feeding). The barrel length, grip, etc., also optimal (considering bullet vel, weight, concealability, mag capacity, controllability, use with gloves, etc. etc.)

And regarding the G17's Mag Capacity. If you have to deal with multiple adversaries, or need to put down suppressive fire (to allow others to move, etc.), it's invaluable.


AMMO:

- Ammo availability (both in the US, and world wide), and the fact that's it's compact and relatively light weight (a big plus if you need to be mobile)

- Superior penetration, a VERY KEY factor to me. With a handgun, you need all the penetration you can get ... especially if your adversary knows how to use cover, wears protection, and/or you anticipate having to penetrate things that are out in the real world; car doors, windows, light structures, etc.

- Ammo versatility. Specialized low penetration ammo, Bonded +P hollow points, NATO ball, AP ammo, no other common caliber is so versatile. Check out the performance stats (expansion / penetration) of Federal 135gr LE +P HP for example, then the penetration of NATO 124 FMJ at 1270 (that's what I get from my 17's), not to mention some of hot subgun ammo (that a G17 will eat with a smile on it's face).

I could go on..... lol, just one perspective. I guess we all value different performance attributes, you need to choose based me what you value.

[Sherlock Glock]

I own many glocks now and have in the past own every caliber and every size. I shoot the 9's because the ammo is $3.88 a box.
In matches, I use the 17 or 19 and some times the G37 or G38 in
45gap. The one pistol I use for the protection is my g23 loaded
with 165hp. FBI statics show 1 shot to chest is 97% kill rate.

just another 2 cents

[Arpee]

9mm, .40 or .45?

It is mostly in the shooter... and also depends on the ammo, gun and where you are comfortable with. The three bullet sizes will all be equally deadly as long as it hits its mark.

[HarlDane]

Originally posted by vafish
About a month and a half ago I took 26 Boy Scouts on a shooting camp out, the boys ranged in age from 11 to 18. Several of the younger boys tried my Glock 36 and did amaizingly well with it.

Boy Scout Standards

Boy Scouts are permitted to fire .22 caliber bolt-action, single-shot rifles, air rifles, shotguns, and muzzle-loading long guns under the direction of a certified instructor, 21 years of age or older, within the standards outlined in current Scouting literature and bulletins. BSA policy does not permit the use of handguns in the Boy Scouting program.

Not that I have a personal problem with introducing handguns to young people but BSA insurance would not cover an unfortunate event.
Just a friendly reminder.

[hogfish]

RoninP80:
I've been thinking about getting a G17 to keep as a range/shtf handgun. You mention "G17...Best mag/barrel relationship..."; would this hold true for the G17L? I'm asking because, obviously, conceilability wouldn't be an issue, while that extra 1.5" would add some velocity and distance between sights. Thanks.

[Wallygator]

Somebody please move this thread to calibur corner. Besides we all know the 10MM is the best.;f

[Suburban]

Originally posted by ducati
given 3 handguns of the same size and weight i would say the 9mm would be the easist to shoot. Shooting the g19, g22, and the g30. My quikest times are with the g-19...

Ditto.

The 9mm pistols, for me, are easier to shoot quickly. Anybody worth shooting is worth shooting twice... and if you don't shoot quick, they're gonna move if they ain't dead.

I'm not convinced that the human body cares whether it's been hit by 9mm, .40, or .45 hollowpoints.

[Big_Jim]

Originally posted by 147 Grain
[
Often, it's best for a beginner to startout and become proficient with a 9mm and only move up after a lot of range time. Many 40 caliber owners have intermediate handgun skills (but not all). Only recommend the 45 ACP for shooters who've master basic handgun skills and range proficiency.



9mm=beginner
40=intermediate
45=expert

Sounds like one of those 1911 45acp only snobs. Just because you spend too much money on a particular model of gun or need a bigger caliber than your neighbor (theres a term for that) doesn't make anyone an expert.

I have seen great shooters with both Glocks and 1911's and of all calibers. The caliber has nothing to do with your ability to shoot well.

If it matters I've shot(owned) Glocks in all of the available calibers as well as 1911's.

And yes, 10mm is the best!!;f


PS, this is not directed at 147 Grain, just a comment in general.

[MOHAA Player]

I stay with the 40cal for cary gun(G23),and use my G17 for range fun.I sometimes carry the G17,and when I do I have 147gr golden sabers in her.

[nsabjg]

I will stay with the 9mm. Have two handguns G17, and G19 they should last the rest of my life.