9mm vs.... **Resolved by article from SCMA-1**

[Untamed1972]

If there is anarchy that bad, you'll either be dealing with the mags you have on hand, or taking them off of non-CA 'residents' or pre-ban full-cap mag owners or LEO.

If you're doing that.....might as well relieve them of their weapon and ammo too!

[Voo]

I've found from reading threads of a similar nature that responses will typically be one of the following..

45 is bigger..essentially meaning, bigger is better

40 is an answer to a question that was never asked as well as being snappy

9mm is small but you get a lot of chances to make small holes and it's easier to miss (I'm adding the 'miss' part :P). also ammo is readily plentiful (except at walmart)

9mm is as effective as larger calibers due to 'modern improvements in ballistics'

Shot placement is key (.22 caliber is usually cited)

handguns suck, get a rifle- rifle always trumps! its only .223 or of something similiar diameter. (I guess size isn't everything eh )

what else did i miss?

Yes, I'm making a small mockery of this thread by pointing out they almost always repeat the same thing. But now that I've summarized what the responses will likely be, can we please lock the thread now?? Ok ok..i KIDDD I kiddd

btw, I like 9mm. It's the best round ever made.

[Untamed1972]

9mm is small but you get a lot of chances to make small holes and it's easier to miss (I'm adding the 'miss' part :P). also ammo is readily plentiful (except at walmart)

Yeah....I'm thnking of getting a .25 auto, cuz whenever I go by the counter at walmart all they have is shotgun ammo and a few boxes of .25 auto.

It doesn't matter which round, 9mm or .45, is better.....if you can't get either of them then niether of them will do you any good.

[HowardW56]

This issue has been and will continue to be debated; there will never be a true consensus as to which caliber is the best...

The best caliber is the one you never have to use...

That said, there is no doubt that almost any caliber will do the job with proper shot placement and within range limitations of the caliber.



Use what you are the most proficient with, if that is not available, use whatever is!

[Legasat]

45 = most damage per single bullet.
9 = most shots fired per magazine.

Hmmm, in Kalifornia, you can only have 10 round mags. I only buy handguns with 10 round mags. So, equal number of shots per mag.

IF i had a choice, I'd have to go with .45, but would not feel ill-equipped if I had a 9mm.

[Tillers_Rule]

I always find the argument "9mm because you can find it everywhere" funny.

This is America where .45 is the king and has been for almost 100 years. If we where in the jungles of some African Country, then yes a 9mm, but in the good old USA.

45 is everywhere, has been for a long time and will be.

That's odd, I haven't been able to find .45 on the shelves in over 5 months. I can pick up 9mm nearly every time I need it. Just this morning as a matter of fact!

The .45 that I have on order from Cabelas in scheduled to come in 7/15/09!!

I agree that .45 is a badass round, but I think 9mm is much more available.

[Rob Roy]

If you have to move on foot a lot and carry other stuff, the heavier hadngun like .45 is not ideal. HD .45 is ideal. SHTF, I don't think so.

[spyderco monkey]

I love my .45; its what I was raised on and have shot the most, by far, of all my calibers.

But, at 21grams per round, you add one pound of weight to your gear per 20 rounds of .45. If, post earthquake/zombies/global tinfoil shortage, your bugging out on foot, with at least a gallon of water + 10-30lbs of other supplies, .45 is going to be a real drag.

In any bug out scenario, I'm going for the 5.7x28mm, which is more than 2x lighter per cartridge than 9mm, and 3x lighter per cartridge than .45.

Custom loaded ammo puts a 28gr bullet at 2600 fps for 420ftlbs, is accurate beyond 100 yards, and has minimal recoil. 1000 rounds only weighs 15lbs and stores in a 8"x8"x8" cube, and a 50 round box fits easily in a pocket.

If that is too exotic/too expensive an option, .357 SIG seems the ideal runner up for SHTF caliber of choice. Slightly heavier than the 9mm, but way lighter than the .45, with advantages in range, penetration, and energy over either. Can also carry a .40 and 9mm barrel as well, to use any ammo you may find. For HD use the .45; when bugging out, switch to the 10mm upper with the .357 sig barel (or 9x25 dillon if your fighting the terminator lol)

Hopefully this all remains theoretical, cuz I for am enjoying my creature comforts.

[Untamed1972]

In "I Am Legend" the zombies only came out in the dark.....so as long as only go out in the day or just carry one of those million candle power lights at night that's all you should need! LOL

[Untamed1972]

That's odd, I haven't been able to find .45 on the shelves in over 5 months. I can pick up 9mm nearly every time I need it. Just this morning as a matter of fact!

The .45 that I have on order from Cabelas in scheduled to come in 7/15/09!!

I agree that .45 is a badass round, but I think 9mm is much more available.

Where are you finding 9mm? I can't seem to find it anywhere accept in small overly priced quantities or fighting the crowds at the gunshow ammo table.

[oghl888]

Which ever I get to faster. Power in handgun calibers are all pretty weak. The difference between a 9mm and 45ACP is not that significant in my humble opinion. I think all the energy spent on caliber selection can be (and should be) better used in getting better at hitting the target more efficiently.

[dgey]

I personally like 45 acp, but it's all about shot placement. if you hit the ocular cavity, a 22 lr round will be just as effective.

[Tillers_Rule]

Where are you finding 9mm? I can't seem to find it anywhere accept in small overly priced quantities or fighting the crowds at the gunshow ammo table.

So Cal Guns in Kearny Mesa routinely has it by the pallet. This morning I picked up two boxes at Wal Mart in Kearny Mesa.

[punisheryayarea]

But for Califronia you can only have a 10rd mag so go with the 40 or 45

[Untamed1972]

So Cal Guns in Kearny Mesa routinely has it by the pallet. This morning I picked up two boxes at Wal Mart in Kearny Mesa.

Will hafta check out SoCal. Are you a 6am Wal Mart shopper? LOL