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

[ZombieTactics]

... The 9mm v/s .40 v/s .45 debate will go on forever.

Actually, the debate ended a loooong time ago for anyone who genuinely understands the issue.

[UserM4]

Because modern ammo makes it very very effective. Not to mention capacity, less recoil, price, and availability.

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[Oceanbob]

9MM in popular for many reasons

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

For me, the .45 auto was king of our Military handgun. Sure, you can't carry as much ammo as a Beretta 9MM, but you can get the job done with half the rounds. 9MM in ball form (military) will NEVER EXPAND to .43 or .44....with a .45 Auto, you're already there.

With that water under the bridge (Nato and American Armed Forces Decisions) 9MM is a fun plinking round. It is too cheap to reload (so far) and
affords plenty of practice for less money.

But It is not my first choice for defending house and family. .40/10mm does that for me; and .45 auto steps to the top for those chores.

I'am with Jeff Cooper on this subject.

Bob

[762.DEFENSE]

Like mentioned above, the 9mm round is cheap, effective for self defense and plentiful since a good amount of the worlds militaries use it.

I love all my 9mms for those very same reasons. Plus the recoil is very pleasent for first time shooters I bring to the range with me.

[bussda]

Which ones specifically? Since you used the phrase "all those" I imagine there must be many. Can you document this idea from reliable sources?

It was more rhetorical then factual, but if you insist, a few:

FBI HRT (Wilson .45)
LAPD SWAT (Wilson .45)
HK SOCOM .45
For .22s look at suppressor contract awards..

These are what I recall from different companies contract anouncements, but I have not been following recent announcements.

[mincoda]

For no other reason 9mm are just fun to shoot and easy on your wallet.
IMHO:

1. Good accuracy can be achieved.
2. Less felt recoil.
3. Easier follow up shots.
4. Ammo is readily available.
5. Cheap to shoot.
6. Virtually every manufacture makes at least one model.
7. Higher capacity if not in California.
8. Numerous accessories can be found for most models.
9. Wide range of purchase prices, from less than $150 to more than $1000.
10. Good for Home Protection, range and CCW.

[kris&bela]

Cheap to shoot and recoil friendly.....you don't have to worry if you don't pick up your brass coz theres a lot of them to pick up on your next range day.

[Speedpower]

For me it's the price of the Ammo.

[ZombieTactics]

It was more rhetorical then factual, but if you insist, a few:

FBI HRT (Wilson .45)
LAPD SWAT (Wilson .45)
HK SOCOM .45
For .22s look at suppressor contract awards.

These are what I recall from different companies contract anouncements, but I have not been following recent announcements.

Thanks for the clarification. I am aware of a few units (not just Special OPs) which use .45ACP ... just not very many. It probably goes without saying that .22LR is an favored "specialty" round for "certain applications", lol.

It's probably notable that in the case of LAPD SWAT, their primary entry weapon is an MP5 ... chambered in 9mm. FBI HRT and SWAT also uses the MP5 as a primary entry-team weapon (sometimes PDW-configured M4), and they often carry Glock 22 (.40S&W) as a sidearm as well.

[iareConfusE]

It's cheap, and it puts holes in things and/or people.

[Chron]

Like everyone else has said.... Main reason for me is price. I do plan on learning to reload in the future, but for now, 9mm is cheap to shoot and is still great for self defense with the correct rounds.

[Cali-Shooter]

It's cheap, and it puts holes in things and/or people.

Was going to say it's affordable, and gets the job done

And it can be found everywhere in the free world. Just like 12 gauge shotshells.

[Joe]

Price and effectiveness make it superior

[Shenaniguns]

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.

This is a good basic summary.

[Flight]

If I reloaded, I'd definitely shoot .45. I prefer it's recoil and feel.

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.