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

[iareConfusE]

I've never understood this argument. Why would it ever be desirable to have MORE recoil? Presumably you would want to have a quicker and more accurate follow-up shot. The more pronounce the recoil, the longer it will take for you to recover. Which either leaves you to rush your 2nd shot, or give the other person the split second they may need to send a little present back in your direction.

At the end of the day a well placed 9mm will kill just as quickly as a well placed .45

That being said. I have a 9mm and a .38special. If it really came down to a home defense situation... I'd pick up my shotgun first.

To me, 45ACP recoil isn't exactly MORE recoil, it's just a different feel that some people prefer. The 9mm recoil is snappy, violent, and fast. The .45ACP recoil is noticeably slower, and is more of a push than a snap. I "prefer" the recoil of the .45ACP over my 9mm, but I can shoot both equally well.

[bigthaiboy]

Mainly, it's a NATO round that has a lot of European pressure behind it. (politics)

Bob

I don't think the US military changed to 9mm from European political pressure, but for a more simple reason based ordnance logistics and supply. It makes sense to have weapon systems and ammunition which has some compatibility with our allies in a combat theater. The standardization of NATO equipment and procedures is known as STANAG

[Low-Pressure]

To me, 45ACP recoil isn't exactly MORE recoil, it's just a different feel that some people prefer. The 9mm recoil is snappy, violent, and fast. The .45ACP recoil is noticeably slower, and is more of a push than a snap. I "prefer" the recoil of the .45ACP over my 9mm, but I can shoot both equally well.

^^^This one ^^^
I too prefer my 45acp over my 9mm handgun.
BTW: I do reload both calibers.

[Legasat]

Inexpensive, available, effective.

And, it comes in lots of different loads.

[emsp]

I chose a 9mm for less recoil and easier on the wallet. Before moving to cali, my xd has a 16 + 1 capacity(understand that will change in a few weeks). With some of the reading I have done the hit percentage in a read life shooting is 30 to 40%, wouldn't you want to have more available rounds without reloading? I have seen 3 people get shot in front of me and also had to escort a home intruder out of my house on the business end of my pistol. Since it was the middle of the night and im no solider I have to admit I was shaking pretty bad. Even with the laser and night sights if I have to pull the trigger I doubt it would have hit the bad guy. With all the shaking, would a 45 (with more recoil) have helped me?

On another point and feel free to correct me, is that a supersonic bullet, is the only round that can penetrate a BPV. Not saying that is an advisable but even bad guys wear vests some days.

Like it is has been said before but the 9mm vs 45 will go on forever but the only thing that really counts is the first round that connects, no matter what the size.

[bussda]

I don't think the US military changed to 9mm from European political pressure, but for a more simple reason based ordnance logistics and supply. It makes sense to have weapon systems and ammunition which has some compatibility with our allies in a combat theater. The standardization of NATO equipment and procedures is known as STANAG

Yes, but the .45 is not really considered "humane", the 9mm is more "humane". But the standard 9mm went from the 115 gr. to an higher power (not quite +P) 124 gr. Political tradeoffs.

[SHEPHERD321]

Because NAZIs are cool.

Seriously, NATO, politics, men in this country lost the ability to shoot or care that we had the best firearms and ammo that could be made at the time.

[PandaLuv]

9mm is ok to shoot, but I want to get my next 9mm just because it's cheaper than .40 and .45

[arsilva32]

after the adoption of the 9 mil they had to start teaching the double tap method,i would prefer the single shot take down of a higher caliber.(not that every shot would be a kill shot)

[Comrade Thingy]

Soft enough for a woman, strong enough for a man.

[bussda]

...

On another point and feel free to correct me, is that a supersonic bullet, is the only round that can penetrate a BPV. Not saying that is an advisable but even bad guys wear vests some days.

Like it is has been said before but the 9mm vs 45 will go on forever but the only thing that really counts is the first round that connects, no matter what the size.

No, a 9mm will not penetrate most bullet resistant vests.

As for light fast vs. heavy slow look up morgue monsters vs. jello junkies.

[blakdawg]

My thinking over the past decade has shifted towards favoring the 9mm over .45 ACP because 9mm is cheaper to practice with, and because I can carry more rounds, both in terms of mag capacity and weight.

If I had to use FMJ rounds I'd pick .45; but I don't, I can buy nice modern JHP's, and my impression is that the performance of modern "tactical" JHP's is pretty similar between the different calibers, such that the capacity and price differences can turn the tide in 9mm's favor.

Probably the biggest single factor for me is price - as far as I'm concerned, more rounds downrange = better shooter, and more rounds stored/available = better prepared for whatever the future brings.

[ninjawho?]

Cheap...
PlenTiful
+p loads strong enough for most situations....unload a mag on yo @$$!
If I need more....G20 + preban hi caps.....

[stormvet]

The simple answer is because there are more women and small children enjoying the handgun shooting hobby these days.

But really, its cheaper, higher round count mags (does not apply to CA.) There are lots and lots of very good handguns chambered in 9mm. A big heavy all steel 9mm like a CZ SP-01 recoil is almost .22ish. There is allot to like about 9mm.

[tonelar]

Same reason 45 is so popular. Both cartridges were developed a hundred or (in the case of 9mm) more years ago.

Also; as I have hi caps, as well as 9mm carbines; there's ammo consolidation as well as fire power to consider.