Originally Posted by michael t

Would you rather carry a 9mm in a hi cap pistol or a 45 single stack 1911 type. Lets get the 9mm 45 debate going right away then maybe it will go away

Since this is a personal choice, my choice has been the .45 for several years. It's not that I would feel undergunned with anything less, but I just like the .45.

Wow, hey look, my first post here!

Anyways... my personal preference is .45 auto. Not really because it's "better" than 9mm, but just what I like. Though, I'd take a Glock 21 over a 1911 any day

My personal opinion on the defensive handgun caliber debate is that, when it comes to the common calibers(9mm, .357 SIG, .40, .45), they are poor man killers. Looking at their performance, seems there is a wide gap, but compared to a rifle or shotgun, those "wide performance gaps" between common handgun calibers become marginal at best. This of course is not counting those big bore hand cannons

I prefer the Glock 21 because I shoot it best, felt recoil is minimal(less than my old 17 even), accuracy is very good, and it fits my hand very well. It's also the only pistol that seems "natural" to shoot for me, almost as if it was an extension of my body. I have a very hard time shooting my other pistols, and really have to focus, but with the Glock I got it made 8)

It all boils down to personal preference, choose a pistol that you shoot well and that fits you good, thats what counts.

On a side note, this thread seems a lot more civil than threads on other boards.. hmmm

I prefer and have carried a Commander sized .45 ACP for years. Have two magazines with 7 rds. of a JHP (any brand) in each.......no problems..

Because I reload, I prefer to have fewer calibers to have to stock components for... My favorites are .45 ACP or the 9mm... I'm comfortable with either one. For the last year or so I've been switching off between my Sig P220 (.45) and my Walther P99 (9mm) depending on how I feel that particular day. Some times the decision is made on the method of carry I have available and not the pistol itself...

I'm a proponent of bullet placement...

I am glad that everyone is discussing this nicely without starting caliber wars.

I see that on many other sites.

Hello. I fully agree and almost never enter into these threads because of the inability of some to discuss without getting rude or seemingly having a near stroke. Seems like it must be a knowledgeable and good crew here.

Best.

Originally Posted by Stephen A. Camp

Hello. I fully agree and almost never enter into these threads because of the inability of some to discuss without getting rude or seemingly having a near stroke. Seems like it must be a pretty good crew here.

Best.

+1

hopefully it will stay that way... But there's aways one or two that will come around and try to start something.

I was always a .45 fan because of the way it felt when shot. I know to some that might sound weird but the .45 pushed more towards me as the 9mm's I shot had kind of a twist to them. I recently got a S&W Mod 39 that shoots like a dream. So, I carry both now. Some days a 1911 some days the 39. I don't feel underpowered with the 9mm just finally found one I enjoy shooting and can shoot accuratly.

Almost any gun will do -- if you will do.

Caliber selection is at the bottom of list after important things like mindset, training, tactics, combatives skill, marksmanship ability, gun reliability, and actually having the gun with you when you need it.

1911 45acp has been and will continue to take care of business most tried and true firearm ever madeif god carried it would be a 1911

Glock 30 Best of both worlds. It's compact with 10 rds of 45 and my extra mag has 13 rds of 45.

These are my two favorite rounds. However I have read so many shooting reports where the larger 45 had no more effect than the 9mm I would rather have more rounds. With both rounds producing close to the same in, foot pounds of energy, shot placement is paramount. If the shot hits a vital organ either will do the job with a good defense round. I prefer the 45 to shoot, I like the recoil better, but for carry I prefer 9mm, higher capacity and much less expensive to shoot, that means more range time to work on shot placement. I just switched to a M&P 9mm with 17+1, it replaced my Baby Eagle as my carry gun with its' tiny capacity of only 15+1. :-D

Originally Posted by Mike Barham at Galco

Almost any gun will do -- if you will do.

Caliber selection is at the bottom of list after important things like mindset, training, tactics, combatives skill, marksmanship ability, gun reliability, and actually having the gun with you when you need it.

Bingo that! I could not agree with you more Mike! My sentiments exactly!

Originally Posted by Hal8000

Originally Posted by Mike Barham at Galco

Almost any gun will do -- if you will do.

Caliber selection is at the bottom of list after important things like mindset, training, tactics, combatives skill, marksmanship ability, gun reliability, and actually having the gun with you when you need it.

Bingo that! I could not agree with you more Mike! My sentiments exactly!

I disagree. I could shoot SO much better with the next gun on my list that my wife won't let me buy

DOesn't matter what the gun is - just the next one on my list :P :P :P

I can't carry yet as Kansas hasn't let us do that yet. When it becomes lawful to do so, I' ll carry my Springfield 45 ultra Compact mostly I think.

I'll stick with my 8 car .45 cal. freight train(with a 2nd mag it can be a 15 car train

My first thought on this subject run the same as many others. SHOT PLACEMENT! I prefer single stack guns. the 2 brands and 3 cal. that i have the best shot placement with are the makarov PM in 9X18 and .380 and the compact S&W single stack .45ACP. of all the guns I've had, these three are the ones that have been the most joy to shot and the ones i feel the most comfortable with.

8) 8) 8)

Echo! Echo!
Shot placement is the single most important factor in a gunfight.

Having said that, the 9 mm is certainly enough to stop a man, even the .22 is enough to stop a man - if shot placement protocols are followed.

Too often shot placement becomes random in the stress of a gunfight, so many of us rely on a caliber that will stop the BG with a blind shot over the hood of a car.

.40s and .45s are proven man stoppers but not with hits to random extremeties(excluding the head of course).

Now, we're down to the nuts. Which caliber do you have absolute confidence in? Which caliber will stop the BG with one round?

I feel the only pistol that will result in a knockdown with a 50-60% target acquisition is the 10mm.

Many LEOs are forbidden to carry 10mm because of overpenetration concerns.
The powerful 10mm round is the round I carry.

I have never fired a 10mm but I will say this,I think there would be a great many asians(japanese) and germans that would dis-agree with you about 1 shot stopping ability of the .45(If they were still alive to dis-agree.) :-D

I remember the good old days when a rock would due.

I carry a Springfield Ultra Compact 45ACP and a CZ PO1 9MM mostly in the summer, but in the winter switch over to a Witness 10MM Compact for the heavier clothing wearers..

Originally Posted by scooter

I have never fired a 10mm but I will say this,I think there would be a great many asians(japanese) and germans that would dis-agree with you about 1 shot stopping ability of the .45(If they were still alive to dis-agree.) :-D

+1 for Scooter

I believe it boils down to the fact a person should carry what they can shoot a lot to practice with. If you can not shoot the weapon to hit the target--it don't matter how big-how small-how many it carries--if you can not hit with it --you can not stop with it--#1
once mastered the art of hitting something then you can worry about big and stop power--#2

#3 #4 #5 #6--practice practice practice practice

(also have fun)

Ron

Well, one thing about the 10mm, if the bullet misses them, the blast may knock them down!