The .45 Legend

[locosway]

The .45 is a legend and is so because it worked hard and did the dirty deeds across multiple wars. It's a very respectable round even to this day. However, I hate it when people blindly follow something without research.

We all know why the .45 was developed, but today I heard something that I had never heard before. Someone said that in Vietnam they tried to issue 9mm sidearms to U.S. troops and found that the bamboo armor the VC was wearing was too much for the 9mm to penetrate, so they kept the .45 in service because of this.

Now, I was under the impression that the .45 was S.I. until around 1985 when the Beretta contract came into play. Anyone have info on this?

[HiPower823]

In a question of FMJ penetration, .45 did better than 9mm? I don't think so! I'm calling FUD

[Dr Rockso]

Sounds like BS to me. The Army had some pistol trials in the 1950s (S&W submitted their Model 39) but I doubt that they intended any 9mm handguns for general issue.

[thrasherfox]

I would think the Babmboo test would be B.S.

One of the things why I prefer a 45 over a 9mm is because a 9mm is a smaller projectile and it travels faster than a 45.

More chance of the 9mm passing all the way thought a person.

The .45 is a larger round and does not travel as fast. so a better chance of it not exiting the body and the body absorbing more of the kinetic energy.

[odysseus]

Here's the thing, load development back then and offerings for the 9mm parabellum was not as good. There's a history there on this round that is well documented, and in earlier times the round wasn't what it is today.

However c'mon, another .45 vs 9mm thread???

[ojisan]

Bullet stopping bamboo body armor?
You sure someone wasn't pulling your leg?

[locosway]

However c'mon, another .45 vs 9mm thread???

No, not really... I was wondering about the 9mm being used in Vietnam as a "trial" round. I had not heard of this at all, and it made me really question everything this person was saying.

[MOONDAWG]

As one who participated in the S.E. Asia wargames I'd have to wave the B.S. flag.

Any 9mm ammo used was FMJ including the sub-sonic stuff used in the SEALS and LRRP's "Hushpuppies".

Do some testing yourself on bamboo and you'll see for yourself.

[pyromensch]

Here's the thing, load development back then and offerings for the 9mm parabellum was not as good. There's a history there on this round that is well documented, and in earlier times the round wasn't what it is today.

However c'mon, another .45 vs 9mm thread???

however there was the 9mm used in submachine gun. don't know that it was different, heard it was hotter, and therefore able to penetrate better. but the bamboo, thing, 9mm would definitley penetrate better, and i love my 45's

[pyromensch]

No, not really... I was wondering about the 9mm being used in Vietnam as a "trial" round. I had not heard of this at all, and it made me really question everything this person was saying.

again, there were british, and aussies there, and their preference would be 9mm, for the subguns they used, not to mention the carl gustov's, and the like

[Ross]

I heard all you really need is a Remington 12 ga pump action. The "chack-chack" sounds will scare your attacker away.

Don't even need to load it cause shooting them in the back will be bad, very bad.

[Mad Jax]

Sounds like we need to call "Myth Busters"

[M. Sage]

The .45 is a legend and is so because it worked hard and did the dirty deeds across multiple wars. It's a very respectable round even to this day. However, I hate it when people blindly follow something without research.

We all know why the .45 was developed, but today I heard something that I had never heard before. Someone said that in Vietnam they tried to issue 9mm sidearms to U.S. troops and found that the bamboo armor the VC was wearing was too much for the 9mm to penetrate, so they kept the .45 in service because of this.

Now, I was under the impression that the .45 was S.I. until around 1985 when the Beretta contract came into play. Anyone have info on this?

Correct. One reason the 1911 was retired is because they were getting so worn out that they were unserviceable. And we went 9mm at least party because of NATO.

I've never even heard of bamboo armor in Vietnam and considering most small arms used were rifle caliber, I don't see why they would even bother if all it would stop is .45. It's not like they were even 1/10th as likely to encounter someone shooting at them with a .45 or 9mm as they were artillery, bombs, 7.62x51 and 5.56x45.

Also, during that period the USAF armed aircrews with .38 special revolvers, quite often (usually? I forget.) snub-nose.

Calling BS on it.

[pyromensch]

Sounds like we need to call "Myth Busters"

GOOD ONE! really, i want to see it.

[stormvet]

Never heard of it in nam, but soldiers and marines in Korea complained that the M1 carbine was having problems penetrating the heavy coats and some type of extra padding wore by chinese troops. Dont know how true it is but have read it in several books about the Korean war.