What's the real reason 9mm is so popular?

[jdg30]

I've been shooting for some time and have guns in many of the popular calibers. One thing I've noticed is that many people on Calguns praise the 9mm as their favorite and all they need. When I cruise the desert looking for spent brass, many times I find 9mm brass more abundantly than other calibers.

I own a Glock 19 and it's a fun gun to shoot, but truthfully I enjoy .45 and .38/.357 a lot more and usually pick those calibers to shoot more often than 9mm. I reload for all of them so price difference isn't really an issue for me to shoot. I just find that I'm more excited when shooting .45, .38 or .357 compared to 9mm.

I shoot the Glock 19 here and there but I tend to get bored shooting it after a while. I'm not trying to bash 9mm at all and I'm not trying to start a caliber debate. I like 9mm, I'm just wondering what the main reason is that so many people say 9mm is their favorite caliber. Is it the price? Accuracy? I find that I'm just as accurate with other calibers yet they seem funner to shoot for me.

So for those who prefer shooting 9mm, what's the main reason why you prefer it?

[NorCal Einstein]

For me, at this time...it's price. Since I'm not a reloader, 9mm runs me about $10.50-11.50 for the practice stuff. I normally try and get out to the range every week, and will probably shoot 150-200 every trip. Doing the same in .357 or .45 just wouldn't be viable for me.

[Low-Pressure]

I think it got real popular because of the high capacity magazines (before the ban) and the cost of ammo. That's the reason why I bought a 9mm handgun.

[Rob454]

back when i had a 9mm
As far as shooting for practice it was because ammo was CHEAP, i did not need to reload due to the chap availability and I could shoot it a lot, less recoil and anyone could shoot it without getting fatigued or getting hurt. one thing I could never stand was some jerk off giving a weak shooter a gun that had a buttload of kick and standing back thinking its funny to scare the shooter. That's just plain retarded. I liked starting people on a 9mm because anyone can handle it. My 9 YO nephew was shooting my 9mm easy.

As far as self defense with the right ammo in the gun i doubt anyone will just come at me like Superman if I had to shoot them.

Other than that 9mm is just plain plentiful and relaitvely easy to find compared to say 357 .44 454 500 45LC ammo

[Ultimate]

I think it is because it is cheap and is considered by most as a real adequate self-defense round. Which is right. With advanced ballistics the way they are now the 9mm is in my opinion the standard self defense round. If its smaller than 9mm most feel its inadequate. If its bigger then people either feel they are good to go or that it is overkill.

At the price it is now if people had real performance questions about it, people simply wouldn't by it. And the line of adequately deadly defensive rounds would be drawn at .40 S&W.

[Cokebottle]

Yup.
Cheap, and anything smaller is "iffy" for self defense.

San Bernardino SD used to require a minimum caliber of 9mm in +P for listing a gun on your CCW. This is no longer a requirement, but it is strongly recommended as the minimum in class.

And even of the smaller calibers, 9mm tends to be cheaper than .32 and .380.

9mm is a good balance. 16-19rds in a mag in a free state, and $23 for 100rds of FMJ for practice.

[MrOrange]

I agree with Rob454, a huge reason is because it's easy to shoot as there is little recoil. I own a couple 9s, but they aren't my first choice as I consider 9x19mm to be the absolute minimum for social use.

[Ubermcoupe]

For me it's $$$ and recoil. At the range for 2+ hours with .45 it begins to strain my wrists/hands and my wallet. 9mm is relatively (compared to .45) cheap while still feeling physical.

[ENVYGREEN]

Because its a nato round and the ability to strip it off someones body in a shtf situation is more likely

[giants_fan24]

It has to be because the ammo is cheaper. I love 1911s in .45 and for me it has to be the best to shoot at the range or for home defence, but now with .45 being abit high in price to shoot I've been looking for a 1911 in 9mm to practice more.

[stix213]

9mm ammo is cheap, light weight, available, and stopping power is generally considered to be "good enough."

[socal425]

Because its a nato round and the ability to strip it off someones body in a shtf situation is more likely

I like it! LMAO!

[Ranger20]

Price to shoot.
Capacity
Low recoil
Easy to shoot well
Accurate
Good Self Def. Rounds make it better.
Large Variety of Guns offered in it.

Thats my take on it.

[NoJoke]

For me, is it's value and availability.
Decent load for a decent price can you can get it at any Walmart.

Simple economics

[DannyZRC]

easier to shoot, so more proficiency gains per unit practice + cheaper to shoot, so more units practice per unit money.

= more proficiency gains ^ 2

less flash and bang, so you're not quite so flashbanged if you ever have to use it.

more capacity for a given size, or smaller size for a given capacity, take your pick.

the best caliber is shot placement, 9mm does more for shot placement than the other defensive calibers because it gives you more practice to make that first shot, and more mulligans if the first one didn't quite do it.

that's why I choose 9mm.