9mm vs. 45 ACP

[SexPistol]

So I'm finally 21 now and want to get a handgun. I've had experience shooting both 9 and 45 and I'm be on the paper with both. I've shot SIGs, 1911s, Kimbers, and Glocks. I'm not a fan of trigger safety's but am leaning toward a Glock because they are cheap and reliable.

My question to you all is which would be a better caliber to get and the choices being 9mm or 45 ACP. This gun would be an all around gun for messing around at the range, ranch, and home defense. I was leaning towards a 9mm at the beginning because its a small round thats easy to find and my gf could use it if needed. But at Thanksgiving dinner last night I was swayed more towards the 45 now because my uncle (fire fighter out of Los Gatos) said that 45 would be a better choice because it's a big heavy piece of lead that will stop a lot of things and they won't go through walls like a 9mm would.

Help?

[ZX-10R]

I went 45 first however that is me.

[Shady]

jesus christ man use the search button
this subject is one of the most overly talked about subjects on the board

[sevensix2x51]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=%229mm+vs.+.45%22

i love that thing....

seriously, though. old as the hills, this debate.

[Oceanbob]

We have rules here SexPistol...

So I'm finally 21 now and want to get a handgun. I've had experience shooting both 9 and 45 and I'm be on the paper with both. I've shot SIGs, 1911s, Kimbers, and Glocks. I'm not a fan of trigger safety's but am leaning toward a Glock because they are cheap and reliable.

My question to you all is which would be a better caliber to get and the choices being 9mm or 45 ACP. This gun would be an all around gun for messing around at the range, ranch, and home defense. I was leaning towards a 9mm at the beginning because its a small round thats easy to find and my gf could use it if needed. But at Thanksgiving dinner last night I was swayed more towards the 45 now because my uncle (fire fighter out of Los Gatos) said that 45 would be a better choice because it's a big heavy piece of lead that will stop a lot of things and they won't go through walls like a 9mm would.

Help?

And (seriously) the best FIRST GUN for a young man like you (and an old guy like me) is a

GLOCK 19.

9MM affordable and will do everything you listed. Get a .45 later. Or better yet get a good .22 pistol (like a Ruger auto) for your second gun. More fun and you can shoot all day for 3 dollars 26 cents.

Here's my G 19 in Olive Drab....sweet weapon.

[berg]

jesus christ man use the search button
this subject is one of the most overly talked about subjects on the board

Yeah this is probably the number 2 most asked question on any gun forum (after which is better: .223 or .308?).

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&&sa=X&ei=BkHwTK3dFIS8sAODxuTDCw&ved=0CBIQBSgA&q=9mm+vs+.45+acp&spell=1&fp=b69933d19f024e3b

Edited:

Oceanbob's post above gets my vote.

[Chief-7700]

Wow! A thread with TWO of the most beat to death topics:
9mm vs .45ACP
Buy the Glock

[CSDGuy]

It all kind of depends upon your budget. All handgun rounds suck at stopping power, when compared to rifles. Shot placement is KEY. 9mm can be found almost anywhere and is pretty cheap. The .45 ACP can also be found a lot of places but may be a bit more expensive... Personally, I say you should shoot the largest, most powerful round that you can find that you're comfortable shooting. I'm not all that recoil sensitive, and I found that I really don't notice much difference in shooting 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP.

So, in light of that... sure, a Glock 19 is a pretty decent choice. It'll do the job as long as you do yours.... and you're not trying to shoot hogs, cows, horses... You know, BIG animals.

I have a Glock 23. It's a good gun. Snappier recoil comparatively, but... good. I've got a 1911A-1. It's good too. Lower capacity, but good. I have zero reservations trusting my life to either, especially using factory ammo.

[KaTooM]

9mm is way cheaper to shoot! If you plan on doing a lot of range days, go 9mm and save a heap of money.

[Agent Tikki]

said that 45 would be a better choice because it's a big heavy piece of lead that will stop a lot of things and they won't go through walls like a 9mm would.

Help?

Given similar energies and bullet composition/shape, a heavier bullet will penetrate further than a lighter one. .45 acp averages both greater energy and mass. For example, your average JHP 230 grain .45 acp will go thru both doors of your average sedan and easily 8+ sheets of drywall. If you are worried about overpenetration, either calliber will send jhp/fmj through multiple walls. Look for specialty ammunition like Glasser rounds or Frangibles. Ultimately, its all about shot placement, when can you shoot better, which can you shoot faster. For some, .44 magnum, others .25 acp. Which one is for you? Time to hit the range and find out.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot12_2.htm

[IrishPirate]

yeah, i get to use my favorite picture again!!!!!!!!!!!


Shot placement is, and always will be, the deciding factor in whether or not your gun stops a threat. Everything else is just a pissing competition...


oh, and overpenetration??? hit what you're shooting at and it will NOT be an issue.....

[zfields]

holy god, has it been a week already?

Was waiting for another one of these threads.

[CSDGuy]

Given similar energies and bullet composition/shape, a heavier bullet will penetrate further than a lighter one. .45 acp averages both greater energy and bullet weights. Your average JHP 230 grain .45 acp will go thru both doors of your average sedan. If you are worried about over-penetration, either caliber will send bullets through multiple walls.

Any self-defense caliber handgun bullet will penetrate common walls... quite easily and several of them. Some people advocate small caliber rifles because of that... Regardless, if you're shooting inside the home be absolutely certain of your safe fields of fire, your target and what kind of backstop you have.

[KillZone45]

I bought a 45 first, havent shot it much due to ammo being $$, I bought a 9 and am now selling the 45. Ill get another 45 in the future but for right now 9 is fine for me.

[SexPistol]

holy god, has it been a week already?

Was waiting for another one of these threads.

Then don't read it..