Choices in CCW firearm

[SoCal50Lover]

I see a lot of folks like 9mm and other high speed calibers as a carry weapon. 9's are nice but I think that non LEO CCW holder's should be even more concerned about collateral damage. 9's are fast and go thru stuff. My weapon of choice is a .45. Moves slow and usually stops what it hits or stops when it hits something. My opinion of course but was wondering if others were/are concerned of this. One thing to think about is that anything other then a home invasion which is a pretty much cut and dry circumstance, If a gun is used then more then likely the CCW holder will be arrested and more then likely have to go to court. I would hate to be sued for a wrongful death or injury nor want to live with myself in that case.

Just my thoughts. Not trashing. Starting a conversation to get opinions.

[pullnshoot25]

I see a lot of folks like 9mm and other high speed calibers as a carry weapon. 9's are nice but I think that non LEO CCW holder's should be even more concerned about collateral damage. 9's are fast and go thru stuff. My weapon of choice is a .45. Moves slow and usually stops what it hits or stops when it hits something. My opinion of course but was wondering if others were/are concerned of this. One thing to think about is that anything other then a home invasion which is a pretty much cut and dry circumstance, If a gun is used then more then likely the CCW holder will be arrested and more then likely have to go to court. I would hate to be sued for a wrongful death or injury nor want to live with myself in that case.

Just my thoughts. Not trashing. Starting a conversation to get opinions.

Umm... maybe you're confuzzled a bit here. 9mm is a weakling in comparison to the .45ACP.

Home invasions are never "cut and dry"

If you are concerned about over penetration issues, buy yourself .380 Auto, 9x18 Makarov, .32ACP or any mouse gun caliber and you'll be just fine.

[rrr70]

Glock 30. Compact 45ACP with 10+1.

[ZirconJohn]

The most important weapon in CCW is good judgement whether .9mm, or .45 for that matter, good judgement and stopping the threat is key!

[7x57]

Umm... maybe you're confuzzled a bit here. 9mm is a weakling in comparison to the .45ACP.

Yes, but it still can penetrate more, at least according to the Box O' Truth tests on drywall.

This is probably a good reason not to bother with +P .45 ammo. But it is clear that any suitable self-defense round is going to go through walls. It requires penetration to stop, and so if it won't go through a few house walls it isn't going to stop a determined attacker.

Every self-defense shooting is a bet: first that your bullet will stay in the bad guy, and if that fails that you won't get really unlucky in rolling the dice. It turns out that even in the city most of the solid angle you can fire into does not intersect an innocent, so it's a good bet, but it *is* a bet. And it's best of all if you practice enough not to have to depend on that if worst comes to worst.

Who was it that said that every bullet leaves the barrel with a lawyer attached?

7x57

[Miltiades]

Test data

The test data I have seen for high quality hollowpoints, such as Winchester Ranger, doesn't indicate much difference in penetration between 9mm and .45. Take a look at the ballistic comparison tool on the Winchester Law Enforcement website:

Winchester Ranger test data

Both calibers seem to penetrate from 13 to 15 inches in gelatin and wallboard, expanding to full diameter on the way through. So I don't see one caliber as necessarily "riskier" than the other from a penetration standpoint.

[SoCal50Lover]

See this is good info here.

[Palindari]

The most important weapon in CCW is good judgement whether .9mm, or .45 for that matter, good judgement and stopping the threat is key!

+ 1

Unless you're prone to shooting with your eyes closed - this is the best advice